Sling Hunting

[NORD]

Say how many of you hunt using a sling attached to your muzzleloader?

Are they useful or do they they tend to get in the way?

When I hunt I don't think I would use a sling because I am always ready to make a shot, but I wouder if a sling would come in handy after the hunt is over. Also after a day of hunting and carrying around my nine pound muzzleloader it starts to hurt my shoulders and arms...would a sling help this?

What kind of sling would you purchase...a slip on sling or a sling that would need swivels?

:hmm:

Thanks for all your advise!

 

[Stumpkiller]

I own a couple of the slip-on kind. The only time I use them is for the drag out.

Oh, and if you get the ramrod stuck you can wrap the sling leather around the exposed tip a couple times and get 10X more leverage with your fingers. It works.

 

[roundball]

I have slings on all my hunting rifles...for the hike in & out, as well as going up & down trees...never causes any problems

 

Those of us from the old school, who were taught in the military how to properly use a sling for three position shooting, are never without one. Slings are a shooting aid, not just a carrying aid.

:imo:

 

[sneakon]

My

 

Sling on the English Gun only and apreciated it there as well, especially when on the quad - HA!
; The longrifle gets carried, without a sling- never even considered putting one on it. Still don't.

 

[NORD]

The longrifle gets carried, without a sling- never even considered putting one on it. Still don't.

:agree: But I am thinking possibly getting a slip on sling to carry the muzzleloader back to the vehicle while dragging the deer out of the back country.

 

[tg]

I have removable loop types and permanet types as well on long guns and shorter ones... I find them usefull but not a "gotta have" type thing, certainly not combersome in any way... only you will be able to judge their value to you.

 

[Rat]

My 1861 has a sling, which is a good thing as it's a very heavy rifle. However it does come off real easy. But, I will be leaving it on.

My Bess carbine does not have the forward sling swivel...so I've never used a sling with it. But she's quite light so it's not a problem. I always carry cord in my hunting pack, so for a drag I can/could make a sling of sorts. Some day I'll need to put a lug on the barrel for the forward sling swivel, as there are times to sling the rifle, such as climbing a steep hillside/cliff type terrain. Yep should have done that when I first got it...but didn't!! DO'H!

:curse:

The Jeager will be sling-equipped. I believe it will weigh about the same as Bess, which is around 8.5-8.75 pounds.

Sling or not, I always carry my weapon "at the ready" when hunting. But again with the '61, I can tell there will be times I'll want to throw it on my shoulder for a few minutes at least. That sucker has some heft to it...!!

Rat