Ultralight gun sling

[dblungshot]

Excuse me if this has been discussed.

Curious of the different types of lightweight slings you guys use.  What are your favorite for backpack trips? 

Thanks

[Fl0und3rz]

This one.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2426115793/vero-vellini-air-cushion-sling-neoprene

The neoprene really grips the shoulder when wet, and the stretch reduces the impulse to the shoulder when the rifle is jostled around on rough terrain.  I find they work better than cordura, similar materials, or wider slings that might not complement the backpack shoulder padding regarding the sling falling into a comfortable and stable position. (It does not slip off the should due to inability to rest in a comfortable and stable spot on the shoulder.)

I have no comment on the point in reviews about use with a heavy rifle, except to say that I have no problems with a 7-8 lb rifle/scope/ammo combo.

It's also fairly lightweight and compact to fit in rifle scabbards such as found on Eberlestock packs without having any metallic protrusions that might tend to scratch the rifle/scope in a scabbard.

I have three.

[James]

I make my own;  simple, lightweight, and I put a loop in them to improve accuracy.

MYOG

[dblungshot]

I make my own;  simple, lightweight, and I put a loop in them to improve accuracy.

MYOG

Any pics? Material?

[dscubame]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Safari-Rifle-Sling/734604.uts

I went to these Safari Slings about 6 years ago and love them.  Raise and shoot with minimal movement and always ready.  Takes a little getting use to with muzzle control so I do not let my kids use one yet as they are not old enough just yet.

[superdown]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Safari-Rifle-Sling/734604.uts

I went to these Safari Slings about 6 years ago and love them.  Raise and shoot with minimal movement and always ready.  Takes a little getting use to with muzzle control so I do not let my kids use one yet as they are not old enough just yet.

 I have two one on my A-boltII and one on my Knight Bighorn. I like the black one on my A-bolt better than the camo one on my muzzy because the camo doesn't come with the rubber grip strip and will slide off my shoulder.

[dscubame]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Safari-Rifle-Sling/734604.uts

I went to these Safari Slings about 6 years ago and love them.  Raise and shoot with minimal movement and always ready.  Takes a little getting use to with muzzle control so I do not let my kids use one yet as they are not old enough just yet.

 I have two one on my A-boltII and one on my Knight Bighorn. I like the black one on my A-bolt better than the camo one on my muzzy because the camo doesn't come with the rubber grip strip and will slide off my shoulder.

EXACTLY!  I have one of each too and the black is way better with the rubber strips where the camo slides around.  Same deal even down to my camo is on the X-150 muzzy and black is on the 30-378.  I keep saying I am going to try putting a bead of caulking down the camo one.

[grizzlyadams]

If you're an extreme hardcore ounce counter. Just use dental floss. I don't think you're going to shave enough weight to make it matter unless your using leather. I count ounces but spending a ton of money on something advertised to be the lighter weight sling seems like a waste. Get a comfortable sling and carry one oz. less water. Your hopefully bringing a filter with you anyway.

[superdown]

I put Alex plus caulking on mine a couple of times and would just wear off in a few day of hunting. Maybe putting a bead would work better. I just knifed it on but i will more than likely try something again this year. 

[James]

I make my own;  simple, lightweight, and I put a loop in them to improve accuracy.

MYOG

Any pics? Material?

Here is one of my prototypes, I am still not happy with a few things (way better for my needs than anything I could find to buy though), so I will continue tweaking. The straps are various types of nylon and still sorting out my hardware.  I have used some acetal, al, and stainless steel.

I haven't done a leather one yet, but it's on the to do list.

[Eli346]

 I'm a fan of Safari slings. They've been great for quick shots on busted game. If I would have been using any other sling I probably wouldn't have killed quite a few of the elk I've had in my freezer.

[Atypical]

A couple seasons ago I made a lightweight sling with nylon and p-cord. Mine has overlapped webbing where it touches your shoulder for added grip. I used the p-cord in place of sling swivels -- the swivels are where the weight is at. It worked okay, but the rifle tended to shift back and forth on my shoulder.

Lately, I've been carrying my rifle slingless when I'm in the backcountry. The sling isn't much use for me because I'm usually glassing or stalking. If it's before the season opens, or I'm traveling at night, I put the gun on my pack. Occasionally I wish for the sling when I have to cross an obstacle of some kind, but it's pretty rare.   

[2labs]

I put Alex plus caulking on mine a couple of times and would just wear off in a few day of hunting. Maybe putting a bead would work better. I just knifed it on but i will more than likely try something again this year.
[/quote

Super down, Alex is a inexpensive latex. Try some Quad. I have work clothes that have had Quad on them for years! Make sure you let it fully cure or you'll have a mess.

[MtnMuley]

 

If you're an extreme hardcore ounce counter. Just use dental floss. I don't think you're going to shave enough weight to make it matter unless your using leather. I count ounces but spending a ton of money on something advertised to be the lighter weight sling seems like a waste. Get a comfortable sling and carry one oz. less water. Your hopefully bringing a filter with you anyway.

[wildmanoutdoors]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Safari-Rifle-Sling/734604.uts

I went to these Safari Slings about 6 years ago and love them.  Raise and shoot with minimal movement and always ready.  Takes a little getting use to with muzzle control so I do not let my kids use one yet as they are not old enough just yet.

Thanks for the tip! I just ordered the black one. Looking forward to trying it out.

I love these too. And its what I use also. But if you carry a side arm you will need to switch it to crossdraw or face chewing up the stock on your rifle with the hammer on your pistol.

[addicted]

Whose hunting with lead slings?

Go for the neoprene cush. Wide leather ones rub on my neck. And I like the little stretch from it for when I sling accross my back so I can crank it tight and it sucks into my back so it's still comfy but no slop.


You could always put the rifle in your pack. Dozen ways to holster it these days.

[Bullkllr]

I received the Safari sling in the mail yesterday. I put it on a rifle and played around with it a bit. All I can say is wow, I wish I would have found this years ago. Hands down the most comfortable sling I have ever tried, and the gun is right there ready to use. I seriously doubt I will ever have a traditional sling on a gun ever again.

They are cool. I bought one as soon as I saw it at a sports show 20+ years ago. Love it. I did have an issue with the swivels. I was riding a bike and had the rifle on my back and the strap across shoulder and front of torso like a regular sling. At some point the sling twisted and torqued the swivel enough to open it and my rifle crashed to the ground. Hasn't happened since, but I think about it and keep an eye on it when wearing in that position.

[actionshooter]

I use the Viking Tactics hunting sling, uber adjustable, comfortable and can be tightened quickly if you need to shoot off-hand.

http://www.vikingtactics.com/product-p/vtac-mk2-rt.htm

[Stein]

I like these myself.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Quake-Claw-Rifle-Sling-System/734690.uts

[PolarBear]

 
I have those on half of my rifles and muzzleloaders.
I don't like neoprene because due to the stretch and bounce I wind up with fatigue in my neck and shoulder.  I can hike all day long with the Quake and not have a problem.

[superdown]

I bought a Claw sling but the barrel on my bighorn is to long for a regular shoulder sling and feels really awkward when carrying in the standard fashion and honestly the claw is not a very comfortable sling to begin with IMHO.