Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Rifle slings, nice set up, ideas ?

Butler Creek (formerly Uncle Mikes) Mountain Sling for me... been using them since the early 90’s, nothing I’ve ever used works as well.

Montana or Murray for me

Have used both...they are both top notch and will last a lifetime of hard use

It depends on what you want the sling to do. If you just want something on a hunting rifle, for the odd occasion when you need both hands free, then a simple carry strap will do. A narrow one will save some weight too. For this sort of purpose I just use a plain leather strap, and there are any number of makers. Fabric will do too. One which can be extended long enough to carry the rifle across your back is handy too.

If you are one of those people who wants to be able to walk around with your rifle on a sling as a general sort of thing, rather than usually having it in your hands and only using the sling occasionally, then I guess that things like padding and neoprene and cobra-shaped sections and so on might have their attraction. These generally add to the weight swinging around under your rifle when you want to take a shot though. There are more complicated ones too, about which I have little to say other than in relation to one a mate of mine had, a Kifaru IIRC, which seemed to always end up pointing the rifle at everything he faced, including me, which I definitely did not like. On the whole I have no use for any of these though.

If you want to use your sling as an aid to accurate shooting, then you really need something a bit different. The US Pattern 1907 type does a very good job, if you know how to use it, and I have one of these in leather for service rifle competition. I also have a webbing sling which can be made to function as a single point loop for shooting by detaching it from the rear swivel and making a loop, for use where the competition rules don't permit the Patt 07. The Patt 07 tends to be a bit weighty though, and the other one not ideal for quickly setting up for a shot in the field. The other type worth looking for though, which does much of what a Patt 07 sling can do, and is better adapted for hunting, is a Whelen-type sling. This has the ability to form a loop for your arm, like a Patt 07, to steady your shooting, but uses rather less leather to do it so is lighter. I have a couple of these and they work well. I believe Hunter Leather makes them, and there are probably others. I don't remember who made mine.

Two final points: first, if you do intend to use your sling for shooting, is that it can affect POI, especially if your rifle's light and has a flexible forend. Second, if you are going to go hunting, put your sling on and have a good hard look at it, and then give the rifle a vigorous shaking. Anything that glints or rattles should be taped - a bit of tape around the forward swivel will also protect the web of your thumb.

Just a good sling to carry the rifle that won't get mold, something light yet durable. Thanks

Years ago I made a Tactical style sling for my deer rifle. My rifle is carried mostly on my side or in front of me with barrel pointing down . I've since bought and use this type of sling. Frees up both arms while walking with a very easy way to just lift rifle up when needed. -- Some old time hunters would not use slings because it took their hands off the rifle. ( Northeastern woods - quick 50 yard shots ). Quickest hands free to ready to fire sling.--- Make one and try it. You will end up buying one. --Web

Montana Sling for me.

I do remember thinking "Do I want a leather sling? It may get wet?" Then I learned, what Pat does for a living (government trapper and hunting guide) and suddenly I was not worried anymore.
The Montana Sling is year in, year out unquestioned the sling I use, since. The only regret I have, is not having brought two more. That, I intend to fix.

I like Ted's Frakenstud as well, but I paired with an Uncle Mike's/Blackhawk mountain sling.

Slings lighten your load... of game meat. That might not be the case for guys who hunt different, more open areas than I do here in the Midwest. A mega buck taught me a valuable lesson years ago when I rounded some brush with my rifle over my shoulder instead of in my hands where it belonged and there he was...gone. That day I decided that if I was too tired to carry my rifle, I belonged back in camp. The only time I sling a rifle is when I am climbing a tree, done hunting for the day or pulling out a deer. What has worked the best for me is a camo colored nylon sling made wide enough to go over my shoulder and head for a cross chest carry. Nylon because it is light weight, impervious to moisture and doesn't have or hold scent like leather. I got rid of the quick detachable sling swivels because they rattled. Nylon sling swivels replaced them and the sling was sewn in place at a local canvas shop to get rid of the buckles and another potential rattle. A little extreme, maybe but it works for me.

My favorite what not to do with a sling story was my buddy with one of those military claw type adjustable slings on his rifle. He had just climbed up into his tree stand with the rifle slung when one of the buckles let go on strap and his 6.5 was headed back down the tree barrel first. I met him on the way back to camp going back for a spare rifle.

Yep.

My boy and I both like them out of all we've tried. I have a few Montana Slings as well. Very nice, very durable.

On my hunting rigs I only use the sling when entering for the hunt and exiting the hunt, dark both ways so no chance at missing a shot opportunity. Otherwise, rifle in hand and ready to go.

I prefer a synthetic sling on my stainless or foul weather rifles and a leather sling on my wood/blued classics. Montana or mountain sling, both good!

SD

I hunt with my binoculars more than with a rifle, so I want my hands free to glass. Like you said different territory where I hunt.

Montana sling or Boonie Packer Strap.

My Butler Creek Mountain sling weighs 3 oz. The 1" Montana sling is 5 1/2 oz. I guess it depends on how you look at it. On one hand it is almost twice as heavy, and on the other hand 2 1/2 oz isn't a deal killer. I have both and used to always reach for the Mountain sling. But lately the Montana sling gets used more. Being able to use it as a more effective shooting sling is worth 2 1/2 oz to me.

I don't like overly heavy wide padded slings made of either synthetic or leather.

Yes Sir! Love them!

Shooting seated w/ a sling, for me, is the quickest way to get steady for a shot beyond 100 yards. The Montana Sling assists this better than other I have tried. I also figure that it will help me find critters and shoot like Pat.



mike r

If your sling gets mouldy that is a problem with your storage conditions. If you've been out in the rain let your sling dry before you put it away. If it is leather the odd bit of dressing helps maintain it. Keep it in dry conditions.

Same goes for your rifle. In fact if your sling's mouldy it will be time to tear down your rifle and check for rust.

Dick Murray makes all of my slings

Safari Sling will solve that.
Been using one exclusively since 1990. It's unconventional and folks don't know what to think at first. Almost to a person everyone who has followed me decides they want one too.

Thank you guys, lot of excellent choices, can't go wrong with either ones