Use a sling to carry LR horizontally?

For the last several years as each new muzzleloader deer season approaches, I mull over trying a universal sling to ease the load on the arms when carrying the 9 lb longrifle on all day hunts.
I don't think I'd try to sling a 59" rifle over my shoulder vertically, but it seems that a sling draped over the shoulder would sure take some of the load off carrying a longrifle horizontally, kinda like this...


(Sorry for the modern firearm, its the only pic I could find on the web that illustrates how I would use the sling to carry my LR).

Each year I end up passing on the idea, usually for a couple reasons like it ain't PC, fear of the sling leaving wear marks on my rifle, and because I never see anyone else doing this. So, this year I gotta ask: Anyone else ever try carrying a LR in this fashion?

Not exactly but I am a slinger

Have used something called a safari sling for years. Not HC in any way. Check Cabela’s.

If I were in the "Great wide open"...that might be OK.
Where I hunt, a man wouldn't get 20 yds into the bush with his longrifle in that position. :shake:

One of my slings is extra long, and I've fiddled with the horizontal carry. But I sure don't see any advantage in carrying a rifle around upside down while horizontal.

Haven't seen a muzzleloader yet with the sling mounts on top of the barrel and stock, and I don't want to see one.

BrownBear said:

One of my slings is extra long, and I've fiddled with the horizontal carry. But I sure don't see any advantage in carrying a rifle around upside down while horizontal.

Haven't seen a muzzleloader yet with the sling mounts on top of the barrel and stock, and I don't want to see one.

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Yeh, I'd use a universal sling that slips over the barrel and wrist.

Little Buffalo said:

Yeh, I'd use a universal sling that slips over the barrel and wrist.

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That's what I was using, and due to stock configuration and gravity, the gun rides upside down when horizontal unless you keep it in your hands and hold it upright. Kinda makes me realize I didn't need the sling if I was going to be handholding it the whole time.

BrownBear said:

Little Buffalo said:

Yeh, I'd use a universal sling that slips over the barrel and wrist.

Click to expand...

That's what I was using, and due to stock configuration and gravity, the gun rides upside down when horizontal unless you keep it in your hands and hold it upright. Kinda makes me realize I didn't need the sling if I was going to be handholding it the whole time.

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Good to know. I thought maybe as long as the sling bore most or some of the weight, it wouldn't be hard to manage, but it sounds like you're doing most of the weight bearing in that case. Looking like this will be another year that I pass on the sling idea.

Have a slip on sling around here somewhere. Don't use it at all. The cover is so thick up here in the Northeast that an all day hunt means carry it in and sit. All day. Then carry it out.
Perhaps in the western states one would have a good use for a sling?

Ames said:

Have a slip on sling around here somewhere. Don't use it at all. The cover is so thick up here in the Northeast that an all day hunt means carry it in and sit. All day. Then carry it out.
Perhaps in the western states one would have a good use for a sling?

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We have rugged terrain that's often steep. My slip-on is stowed until I'm going up or down the steep stuff and need two hands to navigate. Then when there's a mile or two of that steep stuff between your dead deer and your truck, you'll kneel down and kiss the ground for the foresight of having the sling. I never have it on a rifle when expecting to shoot because the barrel band is so thick, it blocks view of the front sight.

Having a rifle hanging down, or up...wouldn't that present a potential safety problem with inadvertent backing the hammer on a limb when walking through brush?

The lock is against your back, and in over 20 years of brush, I've never had it happen. The bigger liability is having that long purty barrel sticking about a mile above your head in brush. There's no way to use a sling in brush, where the only answer to long guns is to "thread" the pointy end through the brush in front as you move. THAT is when I've had brush grab a hammer now and then. No free lunch or one answer out there, so a guy has to change with the situation.

When hunting, I carry the MLer rifle horizontally in either hand and change hands often. The only time the sling is used is when going to the stand or going up a mountain in the AM and then on the return which is usually in the dark.....Fred

I sling mine like this. I can bring it to bear quickly by pulling the barrel forward, grabbing the forestock, then the wrist of the gun and pulling it to my shoulder (I'm left handed)

When going through brush I can pull the barrel forward so the gun is horizontal under my arm, then push it back behind me when in the clear

I have a sling somewhere. I usually switch hands or military carry over a shoulder. I tend to sit water or fence these days so its just a hike in/out

Good carry for that flat country you picture.

But if you get into steep terrain, reverse it. If your feet come out from under you going downhill, you're going to ram about a mile of mud, grit and snow up in the bore. Ask me how I know that!!!! :rotf:

Do you put tape over the muzzle end of the bore? Helps keep gunk out, and doesn't affect the ball / bullet because the air in front of it blows out the tape before the ball / bullet gets there. I do it all the time, but it's odd that in seeing many many hunters over the years, I have yet to see another one with tape over their muzzles.

Yup. Do the tape thing too! Between the rain around here and getting rained on with twigs and such when passing through the brush I always tape. I could use one of the tampions I've made, but I'm sure prone to losing them passing through the brush. I figure if I'm driving a 4wd truck to my hunts and wearing high tech hunting boots and packing a cell phone in my pocket, a little bit of electrical tape ain't too bad a sin. :grin:

I use something called a ”˜Safari Sling’ purchased from Cabelas years ago that is definitely not HC, but it holds the gun horizontally hands free at about waist height, and as best I can describe it, ”˜releases’ the gun as you raise it to your shoulder. Doesn’t work well on my ”˜horse’ (aka an ATV). Gun hangs in your lap, but bounces around to much. When on foot it works fairly well. I hunt in some hilly territory and have taken the express elevator more than once. I do not want a gun strapped across my back.

What NWTF Longhunter does works well must places I hunt.