Everything you need to know about slings and swivels for safaris and safari rifles

[John458Lott]

I use the Galco Safari Ching Sling which I believe was designed by the late Eric Ching a proponent of the scout rifle and the 376 Steyr. Very good value for a full leather sling & very quiet. Importantly for heavier safari rifles it has a wide strap which better spreads the weight on your shoulder. Normally, with wide straps they tend to slip off the shoulder but because these are split I have found it stays on the shoulder. Have not had to use the sling as a shooting support in Africa though as we usually have shooting sticks.

 

[Rule 303]

I have not manage to read all the posts in this thread so please excuse me i this has already been brought up.
Has anybody used the Safari Slings. They fit so the rifle is carried horizontal across the front of the body. I have only just become aware of them and have tried it on the last hunting trip. So far I have found them to be comfortable, no squeaks or rattles and fast to get into action. Just raise the rifle to your shoulder, aim, fire.

Like I said only one trip so hard to make any real conclusions.

 

[steve white]

I use the Galco Safari Ching Sling which I believe was designed by the late Eric Ching a proponent of the scout rifle and the 376 Steyr. Very good value for a full leather sling & very quiet. Importantly for heavier safari rifles it has a wide strap which better spreads the weight on your shoulder. Normally, with wide straps they tend to slip off the shoulder but because these are split I have found it stays on the shoulder. Have not had to use the sling as a shooting support in Africa though as we usually have shooting sticks.
View attachment 633510

Is this the one endorsed by Jeff Cooper?

 

[BeeMaa]

Is this the one endorsed by Jeff Cooper?

It would be difficult to get his current opinion on this vs other offerings seeing as he passed in 2006. Although he is credited with making the Ching-Sling popular with hunters in his writings and use at his (not allowed to say) Academy.

 

[Rickmt]

I place my rifle with sling attached on sticks so that the rifle sits on the sticks just in front of the sling attachment point. If I am using quad sticks the rear of rifle sits on sticks sticks just behind sling attachment point.

 

[PerH]

Andy’s leather make the Ching and Rhodesian sling also . He took over from Ching the creed and Coopers philosophy.

 

[Rule 303]

This is the Safari Sling I mentioned. The rifle can be carried across the body or vertical barrel up in front of the body. If you do this make sure the rifle is long enough you don't have the barrel under your chin. In thick bush if carried like this one hand needs to be used to keep the barrel from smacking you in the face.
It is silent and to use just raise to your shoulder, the sling at the back just slides off the stock.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

View attachment 634341
This is the Safari Sling I mentioned. The rifle can be carried across the body or vertical barrel up in front of the body. If you do this make sure the rifle is long enough you don't have the barrel under your chin. In thick bush if carried like this one hand needs to be used to keep the barrel from smacking you in the face.
It is silent and to use just raise to your shoulder, the sling at the back just slides off the stock.

That’s the sling I use to carry my doubles with. Works perfectly!

HH