Carrying your rifle in the bush

[MarkB]

Every rifle of mine has a sling, light Cabelas NF ones, rubber backed so they do not slip, as for carry that depends, left, right shoulder, head and arm thru sometimes, (not sure of name), even strapped on pack for real scary stuff, think goats. Barrels are pointed up usually, at home tape on barrel muzzle, not required on my African safaris and would need lots of tape with normal shooting amounts. For every hunt light Zeiss conquest 8x30 bino's are on padded Zeiss strap around next, no fancy bino harness or chest box/bag things here.

All slings have QD swivels so occasionally slings have come off in thick or on final approach for ele, buff and grizzly's.

Works great for me.

MB

 

[IvW]

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.

Difficult to understand the need for this type of carry....why?

 

[BeeMaa]

@sestoppelman & @WAB ...

Can you guys explain what Capstick carry, Rhodesian carry and Marine carry are please? Or is it simply a "low ready" or "high ready" position?

 

[Brandon.Gleason]

Sling on my PG rifles. I prefer the Montana sling, 1.25".

I carry on my right shoulder with a set of bino's cross body in a RYO sling (sitting on my left hip).

With a cartridge carrier on my right hip, I can tuck the slung rifle behind the cartridge carrier and essentially go hands free while walking. I've had no trouble slipping the rifle out and into use from this configuration.

I'm still debating how to approach my upcoming elephant hunt, in regards to sling vs hand carry. I hand carried my rifle(s) on my buffalo hunt, but it definitely got cumbersome on long walks. I'm leaning towards the sling.

 

[WAB]

@sestoppelman & @WAB ...

Can you guys explain what Capstick carry, Rhodesian carry and Marine carry are please? Or is it simply a "low ready" or "high ready" position?

If you are right handed the rifle is sling on your Left shoulder, muzzle down, sling forward. To bring the gun to bear you simply grasp the forearm with your left hand, swing the rifle through an arc allowing the sling to slip from your shoulder to a position behind your left elbow. Your right hand meets the grip and you engage the target. Very fast and very safe.

 

[BeeMaa]

If you are right handed the rifle is sling on your Left shoulder, muzzle down, sling forward. To bring the gun to bear you simply grasp the forearm with your left hand, swing the rifle through an arc allowing the sling to slip from your shoulder to a position behind your left elbow. Your right hand meets the grip and you engage the target. Very fast and very safe.

The same as @Red Leg and @IvW employ. I'll give it a try.

 

[BourbonTrail]

The same as @Red Leg and @IvW employ. I'll give it a try.

I use the same carry, it’s very dependable with the correct sling.

 

[Red Leg]

If you are right handed the rifle is sling on your Left shoulder, muzzle down, sling forward. To bring the gun to bear you simply grasp the forearm with your left hand, swing the rifle through an arc allowing the sling to slip from your shoulder to a position behind your left elbow. Your right hand meets the grip and you engage the target. Very fast and very safe.

In fact, with a little practice, it automatically creates a hasty sling rest.

 

[IvW]

Africa carry is in my opinion the "coolest" look carry, the most unsafe way to carry a rifle, double or bolt and the slowest to get the rifle into action.
Nobody will carry a loaded firearm behind me in that style. You insist? Lead the way....I will be right behind you

 

[sestoppelman]

@sestoppelman & @WAB ...

Can you guys explain what Capstick carry, Rhodesian carry and Marine carry are please? Or is it simply a "low ready" or "high ready" position?

Capstick carry, coined for Peter Capstick was a method he touted in his videos. Rarely seen I suspect.
He would have the rifle muzzle up and forward of the body, sling to the back.
He then rested his hand on the bottom of the rifle, the theory being and he demonstrated it, that with your hand and arms weight naturally pushing against the forearm of the rifle, that it was quick to get into action, and the sling tends to be in position to be useful as well.

 

[Andrew62]

On my 1st safari, on the very first day, my guide saw I had a sling on my rifle, he took it off, told me to never ever use a sling again, and to this date I never have. Some love using them, I found that I didn't want to get hung up in the brush using one nor did I want my sling to get caught setting up on the shooting sticks.

 

[sestoppelman]

On my 1st safari, on the very first day, my guide saw I had a sling on my rifle, he took it off, told me to never ever use a sling again, and to this date I never have. Some love using them, I found that I didn't want to get hung up in the brush using one nor did I want my sling to get caught setting up on the shooting sticks.

Its one thing for him to make recommendations about slings and things, but hardly his place to dictate to you what equipment you will use.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

I use the Trader Keith sling. It is cotton web with 2 rows of rubber on the inside to keep it from slipping off of your shoulder and leather loop ends. Has the classic look. My standard carry is rifle on left shoulder muzzle down as many others have mentioned. It is in my hands at high/low port when terrain or situation dictates.

I have done a bit of walking in various rough terrain, often during limited visibility and I have always used a sling on my rifle. I never understand the "sling will get hung up in the brush" issue.

Safe hunting!

 

[WAB]

In fact, with a little practice, it automatically creates a hasty sling rest.

Exactly

 

[WAB]

I use the Trader Keith sling. It is cotton web with 2 rows of rubber on the inside to keep it from slipping off of your shoulder and leather loop ends. Has the classic look. My standard carry is rifle on left shoulder muzzle down as many others have mentioned. It is in my hands at high/low port when terrain or situation dictates.

I have done a bit of walking in various rough terrain, often during limited visibility and I have always used a sling on my rifle. I never understand the "sling will get hung up in the brush" issue.

Safe hunting!

IMO the Trader Keith sling is the best sling on the market for dry conditions. Classic styling and just never seems to slip.

 

[SLG]

Since I learned to shoot before I learned to hunt, Rhodesian carry was favored. It was simply called African carry back then, but now African carry means that silly over-the-shoulder stuff. Also called Marine carry, but rarely in serious shooting circles. The advantage is complete control over the gun, as your left hand is controlling the forend all the time, while at the same time being very fast into action, as described above by others. Very low profile way to carry. Rhodesian carry is very applicable to guys carrying sidearms (obviously not usually visiting hunters these days).

American carry is muzzle up on the strong side. Slow to get into action compared to Rhodesian, it is nonetheless needed to spell your other shoulder from time to time. Right hand remains hooked into the sling to keep control. When you mount it you press forward with the right hand and the left hand comes in and grasps the forend. Medium-high profile.

Capstick carry, usually called European carry, seems to work fine too, but I personally have never warmed up to it. Very high profile.

When carried correctly, the sling will not slide off in any of these positions, as you have control over it with a hand at all times. All of my guns that are capable of it, have a shooting sling attached. I don't have much use for the so-called hasty sling, but a Rhodesian sling, as made by Andy's, is a very fast way to loop up for longer shots. Proper schooling and practice is required in order to get the most out of this.

In thick brush, I will always have the gun in hand, and even out in the open, I often prefer it. I also prefer slim lightweight guns, and as much as I like slings, all of mine have QD swivels so I can ditch it if I want to.

If some PH or guide tried to tell me how to handle my weapons, I'm pretty sure my diplomacy would be tested. I'm sure there are some out there who can shoot, but at least from the videos I have watched, most don't seem to have very good gun handling, and with the popularity of shooting sticks, I don't suspect that real shooting ability will come back into vogue over there. I well know the value of shooting sticks (especially when someone else is carrying them for you, kind of like your kindergarten teacher used to do for you), but it always cracks me up to see a client getting on sticks, when there is a tree 1 foot to his side.

Go take a 270 rifle class from Randy Cain or similar. Your hunting experience will improve dramatically, as will your shooting ability.

Obviously this is a generalization, and not aimed at anyone here. Just part of my frustration that a nation of riflemen has fallen so far.

 

[SLG]

Why would the name of a shooting school come up as Not Permitted?

 

[Red Leg]

On my 1st safari, on the very first day, my guide saw I had a sling on my rifle, he took it off, told me to never ever use a sling again, and to this date I never have. Some love using them, I found that I didn't want to get hung up in the brush using one nor did I want my sling to get caught setting up on the shooting sticks.

He wouldn't take mine off. I suspect Len Taylor might object rather strongly as well (a fairly experienced DG PH most would say who also uses a sling on the left shoulder and muzzle down).

 

[freefall]

Why would the name of a shooting school come up as Not Permitted?

Maybe that's the name of the school?
From the #270 I'd guess it's the one located in Paulden AZ.

 

[WAB]

He wouldn't take mine off. I suspect Len Taylor might object rather strongly as well (a fairly experienced DG PH most would say who also uses a sling on the left shoulder and muzzle down).

Agreed, Len is as good as they come. He carry’s his rifle properly and expects you to do the same.