Sling or no sling

[migrabill]

I have previously posted pictures of my new (to me) Dakota 76 African in .416 Rigby. I am taking this rifle to SA for my first Cape Buffalo hunt. I have read conflicting guidance on Sling or no Sling. The pro sling guys say that these rifles are heavy (mine is at 11 1/2 pounds) and after long foot stalks lugging this around without a sling I will be that much more tired from carrying it without a sling and the less winded I am when I shoot the better. The no sling guys say that when the rifle goes up on the sticks the sling sometimes gets in the way and you lose valuable fractions of a second. So.. convince me... sling or no sling.

 

[High Country Hunts]

nothing wrong with taking a sling. in fact, the other option, while looking austere and business like - a lot of PH's don't like their client walking behind them with a rifle over the shoulder holding the muzzle 'double rifle style' for safety reasons. leave that for the guide.
in saying that - SA buffalo being all on private land can't really see hours of trekking to locate a known critter!
enjoy.

 

[MacJenkins]

I always take a trader Keith with me for the last 20 years. Never use it.

 

[375Fox]

I haven’t seen those two reasons used to justify sling or no sling. A sling is safer. The rifle is always pointed in a safe direction. It’s easier to carry this way for a lot of people. It also keeps your sweaty hand off barrel so doesn’t lead to rust or excessive wear on barrel bluing. With African carry (no sling) the barrel isn’t always pointed in a safe direction but your finger is a long ways from the trigger. The benefit to me with no sling is it can’t hang up on brush. The other benefit to me is I find I stand up straighter and my back doesn’t hurt at all after a long day. I find my posture isn’t as good with a sling pulling on one side and I feel it at end of day.

I always bring a sling. If PH wants me to use it for safety reasons I will. If he’s ok with African carry that’s probably what I’ll do.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

DG rifle I am a no sling person. I found it always in my way or hanging up on brush when carrying in thick cover. I usually carry cradled in arm or over shoulder muzzle pointed behind me.

 

[ftrovato]

I like a sling.

On a long walk 'back' it's nice to pull a sling out of your pack/pocket and shoulder the rifle.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have previously posted pictures of my new (to me) Dakota 76 African in .416 Rigby. I am taking this rifle to SA for my first Cape Buffalo hunt. I have read conflicting guidance on Sling or no Sling. The pro sling guys say that these rifles are heavy (mine is at 11 1/2 pounds) and after long foot stalks lugging this around without a sling I will be that much more tired from carrying it without a sling and the less winded I am when I shoot the better. The no sling guys say that when the rifle goes up on the sticks the sling sometimes gets in the way and you lose valuable fractions of a second. So.. convince me... sling or no sling.

It is best for most to use a sling. It can be tiring and you don't want to be shaky when the time comes. For most of RSA you will be fine it is the really thick places like Zim that a sling becomes a liability. I specifically do different grip exercises to be able to comfortably carry my double with no sling and do very well. It is not for everyone however.

 

[Betterinthebush]

For me I’ve trained for my leopard hunt with no sling. Even if I were going to be hunting leopard or lion from a blind id not have a sling on my rifle or I’d remove it before placing it in the cradle.

For my double? No sling.

For everything else with a bolt rifle I use a sling with the rifle carried thusly:

Except, because I’m a right handed shooter, I train to carry in this manner slung on my left shoulder and can swiftly and smoothly unsling and present for the shot in one motion.

 

[BeeMaa]

I always take a sling for any rifle hunt. I’m currently using the Dick Murray A-1 with Talon stainless swivels. It’s absolutely silent but sill easy to remove as the stalk nears the end.

I’m right-handed and carry it on my left shoulder, barrel up and towards the front. This allows my left hand to control the rifle by gripping the forend.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Slings are attached to both my plains game and dangerous game bolt action rifles, but they can be detached quickly. In fact, I now only take one sling to be used alternately for both rifles. In heavy brush on the final stalk for buffalo I'll always detach the sling. For plains game I never detach the sling. In heavy cover I unshoulder the rifle, pull the sling back tight against fore end with my right hand, grip the rifle with right hand (sling still held tight under that palm), and with elbow bent I trap the butt of stock between my right armpit and ribs, barrel pointing down. This way the muzzle is pointed safely to the ground, sling can't squeak or rattle, my left hand is free to assist with navigating difficult terrain and/or brush, and scope's ocular lens is somewhat protected under my armpit. Both guns are balanced right at front of floorplate.

 

[michael458]

I have never left home without the rifle having a sling attached. Slings are for Shooting. Secondary for carry.

This is how I carried my rifle in the field, every step of the way. It is far more comfortable than you might think, and you keep 100% control of your rifle all of the time.

You can give the other arm a rest from time to time as well.........

The rifle is already in position for shooting, and stability...........

Above is what I would call double wrapped, extremely stable with my off arm going over the sling and to the rifle...........

Below is without that.........

Getting on sticks is not a problem, just practice a few times like anything else............

It is hard to see in this photo, but I definitely have that sling wrapped and using it for stability....... dead steady........

Can't see it, using the sling on the off side, and a tree on the right to keep steady...........

And again they are taking photos from the right side, but I am again wrapped in the sling for this series of shots........

And yes, on occasion one can even take a break, use the sling like this...............

If you do not use a sling to shoot, give it a try sometime, and I think you will find your rifle is far more steady, you are able to get on target and stay on target easier, longer, and the sling will be a great aid in controlling your rifle during recoil as well. Basically the sling gives you more control over your area used properly. What I have shown you is what works for me when I was in the field, there may be little tweaks that make it easier for you. I have never suffered any of the other issues that some bring up like getting hung up in brush or what have you, and I have been in the thick stuff many times, and rifle has always had a sling.

Even on very serious Dangerous Game Hunts, I always use a sling................

 

[Lancaster]

I use a sling. You can, of course always take it off for a follow up.

When I was in Zim the PHs used these rubber slings that sit tight to the rifle so less likely to get caught up https://www.specialtyoutdoorproducts.net/

 

[Scott CWO]

I use a sling. You can, of course always take it off for a follow up.

When I was in Zim the PHs used these rubber slings that sit tight to the rifle so less likely to get caught up https://www.specialtyoutdoorproducts.net/

Yes, I use the same sling. Grips well and won’t slide off your shoulder on long death marches.

 

[Andrew NOLA]

Does anyone have a brand name for the rubber slings?

 

[Buckums]

My experience.. I was dead set on using a sling in Africa. I always used a sling growing up and it just seemed natural to use it in Africa and I saw no reason to carry over the shoulder like the PHs and my more experienced hunting partner were doing. And the sling worked as you would expect and I was happy with it..... until i had to start crawling on my hands and knees. It was getting hung up and snagging on everything, in a moment when stealth was critical, as we approached a heard of buffalo at less than 50 steps. After that stalk the sling went away on my buff gun (AHR 458 Lott - which aint light!) and it stayed on my 9.3x62 which was my PG gun for that trip, and it was great for that and really never got in my way on the sticks, etc. I practiced for that and was second nature to get the sling out of the way while getting on the sticks. We had to crawl on hands and knees a half dozen times that week for both mine and my hunting partners bulls and the sling was a no go for me after the first time I had to crawl. and just removing it before you have to crawl wasn't ideal either since I could walk all day following the trackers and I really didn't know I was on them until it was go time and i didn't want to be fumbling around with taking off a sling. Slings stay on PG guns, no sling on DG gun for me.

 

[Tanks]

The no sling guys say that when the rifle goes up on the sticks the sling sometimes gets in the way and you lose valuable fractions of a second. So.. convince me... sling or no sling.

I have never been in a hunting situation in Africa where fractions of second mattered on a first shot. We are not hunting birds on the wing.

Also, as @michael458 stated, I have used a "hasty sling" to steady the rifle as well when it was not possible to use sticks.

 

[JimP]

You can always take it off if you are evolved in a stalk on a animal.

It isn't like you have a sling from years ago that didn't have quick detachable swivels.

 

[Beck]

For me I’ve trained for my leopard hunt with no sling. Even if I were going to be hunting leopard or lion from a blind id not have a sling on my rifle or I’d remove it before placing it in the cradle.

For my double? No sling.

For everything else with a bolt rifle I use a sling with the rifle carried thusly:View attachment 762382
Except, because I’m a right handed shooter, I train to carry in this manner slung on my left shoulder and can swiftly and smoothly unsling and present for the shot in one motion.

Good point on the no sling in a leopard blind - one less thing to fuck up when the moment is upon you.

 

[Beck]

I always use a sling unless I am carrying my double - just make sure to practice with it

 

[Scott CWO]

Does anyone have a brand name for the rubber slings?

Ultimate Gun Sling by Specialty Outdoor Products

Specialty Outdoor Products LLC manufactures the Ultimate Gun and Bow Sling, as seen on TV. THE BEST SLINGS MADE manufactured in AMERICA using thermoplastic and comes with Lifetime Guarantee

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