Ching Sling Worthwhile?
- Thread starter rgkeller
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Ching Sling IS Worthwhile.
I started using a Ching sling this past summer on a .308 I broke in while shooting groundhogs. Found the Ching sling a very worthwhile addition and it certainly offers a speed and stability advantage over a military version. Especially from the sitting position.
Only drawback is the third sling swivel, but IMHO, the advantages heavily outweigh the disadvantages of slight extra cost and addition of the third swivel. Lots of luck . . .
I started using a Ching sling this past summer on a .308 I broke in while shooting groundhogs. Found the Ching sling a very worthwhile addition and it certainly offers a speed and stability advantage over a military version. Especially from the sitting position.
Only drawback is the third sling swivel, but IMHO, the advantages heavily outweigh the disadvantages of slight extra cost and addition of the third swivel. Lots of luck . . .
Rosco Benson
New member
Properly used, the Ching Sling offers no advantage in steadiness over the a properly used military loop sling. The Ching Sling's advantage is the rapidity with which one can sling up. With a bit of practice, one can get slung up WHILE assuming whatever position from whcih one intends to shoot. There is never a need to break the right hand's firing grip in order to pull down "keepers", as with the miltary sling.
These advantages are also present in the "C.W. sling", as rediscovered by Carlos Widman and popularized by Jeff Cooper. Eric Ching's sling addresses the one weakness of the C.W. sling. The user of a C.W. sling must choose to either have it set up for carrying the piece (attached to the fore and aft swivels) OR choose to have it set up as a shooting aid (attached to the fore and middle swivels, with a half twist). The Ching Sling allows the user to have his cake and eat it too, in that it works for carry AND support.
Whether a Ching Sling would be a good addition to your LTR depends on how much you value being able to sling up rapidly. The LTR is a precision rifle, which is meant to be used very deliberately, so perhaps slinging-up speed isn't a big issue. But remember that we can't dictate the circumstances under which we'll need to make a shot.
Rosco
These advantages are also present in the "C.W. sling", as rediscovered by Carlos Widman and popularized by Jeff Cooper. Eric Ching's sling addresses the one weakness of the C.W. sling. The user of a C.W. sling must choose to either have it set up for carrying the piece (attached to the fore and aft swivels) OR choose to have it set up as a shooting aid (attached to the fore and middle swivels, with a half twist). The Ching Sling allows the user to have his cake and eat it too, in that it works for carry AND support.
Whether a Ching Sling would be a good addition to your LTR depends on how much you value being able to sling up rapidly. The LTR is a precision rifle, which is meant to be used very deliberately, so perhaps slinging-up speed isn't a big issue. But remember that we can't dictate the circumstances under which we'll need to make a shot.
Rosco
Hey rgkeller, Normally when I'm afield, the rifle is in my hands. So the advantages of using the sling to actually "carry" the rifle only come in to play when I'm climbing into a Stand or when I have the rifle across my back while dragging Deer.
But, that third swivel stud would be a real problem for "my" back. I've tried the Ching at a couple of different Deer Classics, and that stud just won't get it for me.
I've also found that having a half twist in my regular sling and then slipping into the "Hasty Sling Position" is as fast for me and just as steady as the Ching method. Plus, I can use it from any position that I shoot from.
So, as you can see in the above posts, some folks like the Ching and some don't. If you can get to one of the Sporting Goods Shows in your area, chances are someone will have the Ching to show you.
Good hunting and clean 1-shot kills, Hot Core
But, that third swivel stud would be a real problem for "my" back. I've tried the Ching at a couple of different Deer Classics, and that stud just won't get it for me.
I've also found that having a half twist in my regular sling and then slipping into the "Hasty Sling Position" is as fast for me and just as steady as the Ching method. Plus, I can use it from any position that I shoot from.
So, as you can see in the above posts, some folks like the Ching and some don't. If you can get to one of the Sporting Goods Shows in your area, chances are someone will have the Ching to show you.
Good hunting and clean 1-shot kills, Hot Core
If you are fitting an accessory rail in the stock you can mount one Harris#6 adapter at the front and one at the rear to fit the Ching along with the QR stud in the butt. My Robar is set up this way and works fine. You must use a long rail however or you will not have enough space between to place your support hand. Richard Turner makes the finest slings of any kind and that includes the Ching sling. His 1 1/4" match slings are works of art and Richard is a former USMC Team shooter and knows what is needed. In my experience the Ching is about three times faster to get into than the military. The CW is fast but as previously stated is not a convenient carry implement.
Ching Sling
Although I have not used a Ching Sling I see several advantages over a military. Cooper agrees the military sling and the Ching offer no difference once one is slung up. The point is how fast you can sling up. The Ching is much faster--speed is often an important factor in hunting.
Two, it seems to me there is a theoritical advantage with a Ching Sling as it affects pressure exerted on the barrel from the stock on non-free floated barrels. Instead of downward and rearward pressure on the front sling only with a military, I suspect more than 50% is placed on the third swivel just forward of the action with the Ching. This would seem to minimize to some degree the pressure change on the barrel. This is a consideration because the point of impact will change (in most cases) if a sling is used on a non-free floated barrel. On my two centerfire rifles it is about an inch lower--not much of an effect. On others it may be greater. In fact, Finn Aagaard believed all stocks should be free floated if a sling is used. Cooper doesn't necessarily think so.
Three, Aagaard left a large open loop on his military sling (ala Ching) and did not cinch it up when hunting. I agree and do the same. It speeds things up considerable.
Four, the third swivel should be a flush mounted affair so to minimize the interference when using a rifle unslung.
I am totally convinced a military/Ching sling is the only way to effectively shoot (excluding bench shooting). O'Connor, Van Zwoll, Aagaard and Cooper were and are great proponents of slings.
Although I have not used a Ching Sling I see several advantages over a military. Cooper agrees the military sling and the Ching offer no difference once one is slung up. The point is how fast you can sling up. The Ching is much faster--speed is often an important factor in hunting.
Two, it seems to me there is a theoritical advantage with a Ching Sling as it affects pressure exerted on the barrel from the stock on non-free floated barrels. Instead of downward and rearward pressure on the front sling only with a military, I suspect more than 50% is placed on the third swivel just forward of the action with the Ching. This would seem to minimize to some degree the pressure change on the barrel. This is a consideration because the point of impact will change (in most cases) if a sling is used on a non-free floated barrel. On my two centerfire rifles it is about an inch lower--not much of an effect. On others it may be greater. In fact, Finn Aagaard believed all stocks should be free floated if a sling is used. Cooper doesn't necessarily think so.
Three, Aagaard left a large open loop on his military sling (ala Ching) and did not cinch it up when hunting. I agree and do the same. It speeds things up considerable.
Four, the third swivel should be a flush mounted affair so to minimize the interference when using a rifle unslung.
I am totally convinced a military/Ching sling is the only way to effectively shoot (excluding bench shooting). O'Connor, Van Zwoll, Aagaard and Cooper were and are great proponents of slings.
I know there are many better shooters than I but it amazes me that there are those who can easily shoot 300 yards without a sling (and without the benefit of a rest, bipod, etc) and hit exactly where they are aiming. I can only get steady enough using a sling, particularly prone.
It also amazing the amount of misinformation in the "gun magazines" on using a sling. Much of it is plain inaccurate; at best, it is incomplete.
It also amazing the amount of misinformation in the "gun magazines" on using a sling. Much of it is plain inaccurate; at best, it is incomplete.