Hunting with Rifles Without a Sling?

[General RE LEE]

My late father’s Interarms Mark X 30-06 has a custom stock that has no sling studs. It’s a beautiful piece of furniture I won’t modify. I love the rifle but usually carry another one of my rifles that has a sling. I’m not sure with my style of hunting it really matters if I just field carry it.

Anyone got a hunting rifle that does not have a sling or sling studs?

 

[Steve300xcw]

Sling studs yes. Mainly because they came with them. Been a long time since I used a sling though. Rifle is either in my hands or tied to a pack.

Wouldnt mind dragging out an actual shooting sling and remembering how those work again. It's been a long while since I used one


I'd have no problems dragging that '06 around the woods. That rifle was built to be used, not to live in a closet...

 

[Q_Sertorius]

That’s a beauty.

My wooden RokStok didn’t come with rear sling studs or QD cups (I wasn’t the original person who ordered it), so I have one of those leather harnesses that goes around the butt stock and use the attachment on the rail for the front end.

If that was my rifle, I would take it to my brother’s wood-shop and very carefully drill holes for sling mounts or QD cups.

I almost always have my rifle in my hands, but the sling is an invaluable shooting aid that I always want available for offhand or seated. And if I am dragging out a deer, or hiking into the woods in the dark, I want a sling for carrying the rifle.

 

[UnckleBob]

Why not QD cups?

 

[MuleyFever]

I haven't had a sling on my rifle for quite a few years now. Been using a Stockys stock and took the sling studs out. My rifle rides in my gun bearer.

 

[Brontosaurus]

I dont like slings at all. I've been hunting for the past 4 years without one and haven't missed it. Rifle goes on the pack or in the hand.

 

[Lone Tree]

I don’t use slings on either of my hunting rifles, I used too but I haven’t for years. My rifle is in my hands, in my Kifaru gun bearer, or strapped to my pack. Actually almost never strapped to my pack as that kifaru thing works so well–if I didn’t have the gun bearer it might be a different story, but I don’t really ever miss the sling.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Another Kifaru Gun Bearer user.

 

[robtattoo]

I'm another GunBearer guy. I took all my slings off 3 or 4 years ago & I honestly don't miss them at all.

 

[waspocrew]

I rarely use a sling, usually I just carry my rifle or it's strapped to my pack.

 

[JPeters218]

During shooting hours, my rifle stays in my hands. And to me it’s honestly just as comfortable to carry it as it is to use a sling.

 

[TxxAgg]

No sling here

 

[mighteywhitehunter]

As others mentioned i have a Kifaru Gun Bearer and have used it since about 2017, even though i used the gun bearer it was always nice to have a sling "just in case". This year was the first year I committed to hunting with no sling, it was no problem. There are a few different gun carrying devices that allow quick easy access to a rifle regardless of if it has a sling.

 

[justin davis]

No sling. Rifle rides in a gun bearer

 

[Tobe_B]

Another vote for gun bearer. Or just carry it. Slings just get in the way and hang up on brush.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sierracharlie338]

Not this guy. Every gun has a sling or is sling capable. Guess it’s just engrained from years of carry a gun with a sling. Don’t like not having my hands free.

Intrigued by the gun bearer doo-hickey

 

[flyfisher117]

I’m in the no sling camp. Always hated using the sling, rifles never rode where I wanted and always moving. Finally got frustrated and left it home once. Never looked back.

I do still have a claw sling as it’s the best I’ve used. I still occasionally use it when I decide to hunt coyotes with a 12 lb rifle.

There are “no drill” leather slings. They work Ok. I used one for a lever gun once.

 

[North of 60]

Wow OP, that is some beautiful wood.

As Q_Sertorius mentioned it shouldn't be that difficult to install some if you want to do that, or know someone who can.

 

[grfox92]

No sling here. Absolutely hate them. They serve no purpose for me hunting out west with a pack on.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

 

[wind gypsy]

slings drive me nuts as well. In the way much more than they help for me.