How do you properly carry your rifle with a sling?

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Linkerman

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This may sound like a simple question, but I have yet to master this. When I carry my rifle on my shoulder I constantly must readjust as it feels like, no it is always slipping and sliding off my shoulder. What is the proper sling adjustment and technique to successfully caring your rifle on your shoulder?
 
Sounds like sling material is your culprit. what kind/type do you use? Personally I like the Murrays Custom Leather adjustable leather sling. the rough side of the leather is next to your body/clothing and it doesnt slip around.
Im sure others will chime in with their opinions.
 
I used a safari ching sling this year in Zim. It is leather and kind of a split strap design. It was fine. I found that I had to alternate between hooking my thumb in the sling to keep it in place and placing my hand on the butt stock to keep it from moving. It is a CZ 550 with glass so a bit of a tank. When I got back I ordered 2 of the Trader Keith slings. Lots of people like those with the little rubber nubs to keep it in place. Those that prefer the barrel-grab safari carry are to each their own. I cant abide muzzle flagging everyone in my group with a loaded rifle. My two cents.
 
Cross shoulder sling from Alpine innovations works well for me
 
I use this method:
1785539217482.jpeg
 
If you need to be able to shoot quickly, but still prefer to carry the weight of the rifle on your shoulder, It's hard to beat Schüler Jumbo's method.

If you are just making a long walk back to the Landcruiser after a PG hunt in RSA, and are not continuing to hunt, I like a Latigo sling on my right shoulder.

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BROWNELLS QUICK-SET LATIGO® SLING

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I used a Magpul sling on my last safari and was constantly having to readjust things.
 
Trader Keith with non slip rubber
 
Linkerman said:
This may sound like a simple question, but I have yet to master this. When I carry my rifle on my shoulder I constantly must readjust as it feels like, no it is always slipping and sliding off my shoulder. What is the proper sling adjustment and technique to successfully caring your rifle on your shoulder?
Click to expand...
I have learned (the hard way) that having my sling on my rifle while hunting has presented more issues than solutions.
They had made noise at the swivels, caught on brush and was on my shoulder at the wrong time costing me a few seconds and noticeable unnatural movement. I simply keep my sling off of my rifles until I’ve killed something and at that point I can put my sling on while I drag it out if I even do that. I do have a sling on my kids rifles and they have them shouldered when hunting for safety reasons but I teach them ways to unshoulder them in slick ways to get on target faster and limit unnatural movement that alerts whatever we’re hunting. Slings are great for added support while taking off hand and kneeling/sitting shots depending on distance and terrain. When I do use my sling it’s the M1 Garand leather slings and they don’t like to stay on my shoulder anyway so it’s just a sign to keep the rifle in hand, muzzle awareness and your rifle becomes part of you as the days go by.
 
If I'm actually using the sling to carry my rifle, I do it over my left shoulder (I shoot right-handed), barrel facing down/forward. Usually keep my left hand on the barrel/fore end. That way I can guide the barrel through any brush, saplings, etc. and I can also swing the rifle off my left/carry shoulder and on to my right shoulder very quickly and have the sling around my forearm to help brace the gun.
 
Rafiki said:
I'm certainly not going to argue with someone that good looking; is she carrying a rifle?
Click to expand...
I don't know, but she's loaded....

Now, with that out of the way, I carry left side, muzzle down at 45* left hand on fore end. One motion and it come up to shoulder in hasty sling mode if desired. Pretty much like Longfeather above, or RedLeg's posts from past threads. Been doing it for decades; no plugged bores, etc. ever.
 
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Longfeather1 said:
If I'm actually using the sling to carry my rifle, I do it over my left shoulder (I shoot right-handed), barrel facing down/forward. Usually keep my left hand on the barrel/fore end. That way I can guide the barrel through any brush, saplings, etc. and I can also swing the rifle off my left/carry shoulder and on to my right shoulder very quickly and have the sling around my forearm to help brace the gun.
Click to expand...
I do exactly the same, really like it, and it is quick. Have to be a bit careful when crossing ditches etc that it doesn't touch the ground.
 
Wider slings I find are more prone to move down my shoulder. The old WWII military slings stayed put nicely. They stay in the pocket between end of collar bone and ball of shoulder. I think they are just 1" wide?
 
My 458 has a sling I made out of an old bag strap. Soft woven nylon junk. I didn't have time to get one so I rooted around in my cupboard and found it. 5 mins and a needle and thread and off I went to the Bush. Never got around to getting another one. My 22 has a woven paranoid sling that my kids made for me. 30-06 has a canvas and leather sling. All work. I like a softer material because it conforms to your shoulder. I once had a leather sling and the edges dug into my shoulder. I was 18 and had less padding but I still want a softer and slightly elastic sling. I have quick detach sling mounts. I hold the soft sling in my hand against the rifle when carrying in my hands. People seem to have very passionate feeling about slings. I just use them when I want and take them off when I don't.
 
Here are my slings and cartridge belt. All cheap, tough and durable. The home made sling (blue) is the best- very light, stays on my shoulder and rolls up tiny so I can chuck it in my pocket. The leather and canvas works but is the worst of the 3. The paranoid sling is grippy and very comfortable but is heavy. It kind of rolls up but is bulky. I guess it also has 300 m of paranoid as well.
 

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