traditional sling...?

[Joel/Calgary]

There are a couple of variations that haven't been mentioned yet.

For the back end, besides things that slip over the butt and loops that snug around the small of the stock, one can just tie the sling off to the front of the trigger guard or to the grip rail.

For the front end, if you want to keep the sling on for a while, you can use something that is thinner that the height of your front sight and tie it around the barrel over a ramrod ferrule. If there is room between your ramrod and barrel, rib, or foreend, you can use your ramrrod to hold the front end of a temporary sling. Slip the RR through either a loop of thin leather attached to the sling, or a length of thin metal tubing with a loop of wire soldered on attached to a sling swivel.

I like slings on my long arms and tend to leave them attached, whether I'm slinging or carrying my arms. On my full-stock flint .50, I used an old belt with thongs at each end tied around the middle ferrule and the rear of the grip rail. My .32 flinter is somewhat shorter and I did a flat-braid strap that ends in two thongs at each end that I tied around the barrel at the front ferrule and to the front of the trigger guard; it carries well either muzzle-up or muzzle-down.

On my double, I use a tapered ramrod that leaves lots of room in the middle ferrule, and there is a scroll loop at the back of the grip rail. I looped a thong through the ferrule a couple of times and tied it off for a front attachment. I got another old belt and put a 2-bar buckle ("double-D" style, sort of) on at the innermost hole of the tongue so I could buckle it through that loop on the ferrule. At the back, I sewed a short strap that angles to the side to go through the grip-rail loop. It hooks over a brass stud on the end of the sling, then there's a short flap sewn to the sling that goes over the stud to hold the loop closed. The sling goes on and off quickly and carries well but looks reasonably appropriate (if you believe that a shotgun needs a sling).

Joel

p.s. - I don't have a digital camera, so I can't post pictures.

 

[BrownBear]

Here's a adjustment or refinement of your system Joel for wet weather or heavy clothing. I find that the leather on the butt tends to hang on clothing when you need to mount and shoot a gun in a hurry. On the occassions when I leave the sling in place, I'm a lot less bothered if it's tied around the wrist right below the trigger guard. That also helps the gun ride a little lower in brush and timber. Not a criticism of your method at all, but an alternative for different conditions than you hunt in.

 

[Joel/Calgary]

Not a criticism of your method at all, but an alternative for different conditions than you hunt in.

Understood, thanks. I can see the difference with a conventional rear swivel or stud, but it sounds much like the carry I get with the sling secured to the grip rail (either front or rear of it) or the trigger guard (effectively, a musket sling).

Heavy clothing I know. This is only Alberta, but I've been bowhunting at -25F±. On the other hand, we don't tend to have a lot of rainy fall or winter weather - more often either dry or snowy, thought the temperature sure varies.

Joel

 

[HFD60]

here's a picture of what I use...

it's very quick and easy, plus fits neatly in my shooting bag

 

[Goldhunter]

Here is what I've used.

It's simple to make. I've got the pattern I you want it.

 

[Little Wattsy]

Here is what I've used.

It's simple to make. I've got the pattern I you want it.

THAT is exactly what I was talking about...I bought one as my "finishing skills" look like a "challanged" 1st grader in PUBELIC school attempting the Mona Lisa :grin:

 

[Goldhunter]

The leather or the rifle? :rotf: The sling is REALLY easy to make. If you can run a pair of scissors and punch holes... :wink:

 

[Little Wattsy]

The leather or the rifle? :rotf: The sling is REALLY easy to make. If you can run a pair of scissors and punch holes... :wink:

Yah it ALWAYS sounds that easy untill you give ME the hole punch and scissors.. :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: