Carrying your rifle in the bush

[Red Leg]

Exactly as @IvW. Left shoulder, muzzle down, strap to the front. Lightning fast and nothing to grab a branch. I use it for PG and DG.

 

[VertigoBE]

Exactly as @IvW. Left shoulder, muzzle down, strap to the front. Lightning fast and nothing to grab a branch. I use it for PG and DG.

And no glimmering barrel swinging above your shoulder to alert game you are coming. I’ve read about this carry, tried it too, but it still feels unnatural, I will try it on my next hunt however.

 

[leslie hetrick]

shoulder sling carry, in hand when expecting action or moving thru heavy brush-thorns.

 

[Scott CWO]

If I am doing a lot of walking...I carry my rifle with a sling (Murray Leather) on my left shoulder with the barrel to my front so my left hand can control the direction of the barrel. When it's time to unsling, I use my left hand to grip the rifle forend, slack the sling to remove it...then shoulder the rifle. It's a pretty quick maneuver and easy to do after practicing a couple of times.

If I'm climbing or need 2 hands, I'll have it slung diagonally across my body with the rifle on my back.

If I'm not doing a lot of walking/climbing, or at least don't plan on it...I unsling and put it on my cartridge belt just in case. I'll carry the rifle in a kind of "port arms" position with two hands most of the time. Other times it will be carried one handed by the magazine area, being ever conscious of where my barrel is pointing. I rarely in the "African carry" (over the shoulder with barrel forward) for safety reasons.

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EDIT - @Scott CWO - I had one of those Ultimate Slings. It went all sticky on me after having it for a couple of years. For my waterfowl shotgun I've been using one of the Quake slings for over 10 years with no issues.

Maybe you wiped it down with some caustic cleaning products? I’ve had five of them for years and never experienced that or any other problem.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I like the Murray sling like @BeeMaa has. If I feel like it’s in the way, I just tighten it up.

 

[Scott CWO]

I like the Murray sling like @BeeMaa has. If I feel like it’s in the way, I just tighten it up.

Yes, it’s more traditional for Africa. For other hunts in the mountains, rubber is the only way to go if you want it to stay put.

 

[BeeMaa]

Maybe you wiped it down with some caustic cleaning products? I’ve had five of them for years and never experienced that or any other problem.

I don't believe so but anything is possible. Since switching to the Quake sling, I've had no issues on my "getting wet" guns...which consist of my shotguns. If I were to find myself with you on a AK Costal Brownie hunt...the Murray would stay home and the Quake would be on the rifle. Except for the wicked constant wet weather hunts, the rifles stay with Murray slings.

 

[Lungshot202]

I carry with the rifle over my right shoulder with a sling muzzle up,full mag and one in the chamber,rifle on saftey.If I'm climbing steep or realy slippery ground.I sling it accross my chest muzzle to the sky.This can be a pain with a backpack on,so I ussaly lengthen the sling to fit.

 

[Royal27]

I use a sling now. Period. No matter what I'm hunting DG or PG. African carry without a sling just isn't safe and I don't care how safe you think you are. You will sweep someone sooner or later unless you are out front, which you never will be

I've done the no sling thing in Africa before but never will again in no small part to @Red Leg beating the always a sling drum.

And in addition to the safety advantages having a sling makes binoculars much easier to use.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Yes, it’s more traditional for Africa. For other hunts in the mountains, rubber is the only way to go if you want it to stay put.

Rubber IS the only way to go when carrying a backpack. It's a real bitch anyway with a backpack, but the rubber stays put where leather slings keep sliding off your shoulder. And those "flip up" scope covers (at least the eyepiece one) get torn off the scope when wearing a backpack. I use the rubberband type covers.

 

[WAB]

Rubber IS the only way to go when carrying a backpack. It's a real bitch anyway with a backpack, but the rubber stays put where leather slings keep sliding off your shoulder. And those "flip up" scope covers (at least the eyepiece one) get torn off the scope when wearing a backpack. I use the rubberband type covers.

If using a backpack my rifle is in the pack. I use an Eberlestock gunrunner when I won’t have to pack the critter out, and an eberlestock one pack when I will.

 

[CoElkHunter]

If using a backpack my rifle is in the pack. I use an Eberlestock gunrunner when I won’t have to pack the critter out, and an eberlestock one pack when I will.

? To clarify, when I'm hunting with the pack on my back, my rifle is either slung over my shoulder or in my hands.

 

[Buffalo1]

I have used the Specialty Outdoor Products gun sling and bow sling for years. Would not use any other sling !

 

[WAB]

? To clarify, when I'm hunting with the pack on my back, my rifle is either slung over my shoulder or in my hands.

Check out the eberlestock packs. I would not use one in Africa as a pack is totally unnecessary on those hunts, but covering rough country in the mountains here a pack with a built in rifle scabbard is fantastic. I wish my Barney’s freighter had one.

 

[Mike70560]

Kept it simple last trip.

Seriously, covered a many miles with either a bolt gun or double on a Trader Keith sling, Leica 10 power binoculars, cartridge belt with a knife and flashlight.

 

[freefall]

Rubberized sling on right (shooting) shoulder, muzzle down. Sometimes when I'm alone (which is most of the time) I'll sling it flat horizontal to easier steer the muzzle through brush.

 

[sestoppelman]

On my rather heavy .30 cal PG rifle, I have flush cups installed on both sides. For me, very easy carrying with a sling when walking and if necessary can carry with muzzle pointed down. If sling isn't needed, push the buttons and remove the sling.

What the heck are flush cups?

And nobody mentioned the Capstick carry?

I dont have a set method, I do what comfort dictates at the time and as often as not carry the rifle in my hands in one manner or another, even Africa carry! Oh NO!! The horror, the horror....

 

[WAB]

I liked the reference to the Rhodesian carry. It had always been described as the marine carry to me previously.

 

[Art Lambart II]

The Ultimate Rifle Sling is the best sling on the market IMO. I never rifle hunt without one.

 

[fourfive8]

Agreed about slings that are too slick- not good. Also no matter how I carry I am conscious of muzzle control and what happens if I fall. In Africa where it is common to single file, usually have to take into account muzzle control front and back. I tend to use a standard shoulder sling carry fairly low with a larger loop in sling and controlling the rifle by holding the butt with my sling side hand. It all changes of course if crawling, etc. In the end- whatever works safely.