Why are there sling mounts on the BARREL???...

V

VictorLouis

New member
I'm a TOTAL novice with 'hunting' rifles, so forgive me if this seems blatantly obvious to YOU. I was looking through the Ruger catalog recently, though this is not just exclusive to them. On the No.1/Express/Mag rifles, the forward sling mount is attached to the barrel. Doesn't this adversely affect accuracy when firing from any sort of sling tensioned postion? Or, in their use on ultra-dangerous game, are non-supported methods of fire more appropriate? Thanks, VL.
 
A good hunting rifle has a slight gap between the forestock and the barrel. With that gap, it leaves the forestock attatched on one end. If you were to attach your sling to it and put it under any pressure, you may snap it.

Well..that's my guess anyway.
 
While the original reason as to why the sling was mounted on the barrel escapes me, you are correct in that pressure on the sling will affect the point of impact.
 
I have a Savage 116SE in .300 W/M, and it has a barrel band for the forward sling swivel. I thought it was just me thinking they were nuts. Otherwise an EXCELLENT weapon. 1/2 moa or so. Will have to try accuracy tests with a sling and perhaps a bipod..
 
VictorLouis,

You're right, sling tension alters POI with foreend or barrel mount but probably more so with barrel band. Of course, Dangerous game rifles aren't really designed with firing while buckled into a shooting sling in mind.

The barrel band mounted swivel permits the wpn to be carried slung on the shoulder muzzle up with much less barrel sticking up to catch brush and obstructions. It also facilitates carrying the weapon slung behind the back in European fashion.

On heavy bores--40-plus bore rifles--the barrel band swivel means a heavy recoiling rifle doesn't smash the swivel back into your off hand if your hand is sweaty and your grip isn't as secure as it should be.

There's also a certain cachet to the look because it's the way pre-war Brit express rifles and the better continental expresses were mounted. That probably sells the idea more than the practical reasons above.

Hope that sheds some light on your query...
 
I'd heard it was to keep heavy recoil from driving the sling swivel stud into the index finger of your support hand. That's why you tend to see them on big bore/express guns. I think you're right in that you wouldn't be slinging up to take a shot at a buffalo or something at 60 yards.


[Once again, a day late and a dollar short.]

[This message has been edited by Jeff, CA (edited October 17, 2000).]
 
Dont know why, but you have to remember that hunting rifles are not benchrest/varmint rifles. Sqeezing an extra 1/2 moa from them is not really necessary. In short the naswer is yes it will effect accuracy, but will it matter that much, when taking large game from well inside 300 yds?

------------------
"Liberty is never unalienable; it must be redeemed regularly with the blood of patriots or it always vanishes."
-R.A. Heinlein

[This message has been edited by TAZ (edited October 18, 2000).]
 
I have always heard that a barrel band is installed to protect the off hand from damage during the recoil of dangerous game rifles.

Bogie,
I have to respectfully disagree.
 
I think they do that because it was the style on the British express rifles in the past and dangerious game rifles have always been that way. In other words just for the looks.
 
Read Peter Capsticks book "Death in the Long Grass" and it will become very clear why it is not important if you point of impact is affected by the barrel mounted sling. If you are shooting elephants at 10 yards it doesn't matter. The express rifle is intended for large dangerous game at very close range. At those ranges you wouldn't have time to use your sling for more than carrying the gun.

In 1992 I went to West Africa to visit my brother who was in Burkina Faso and had the opportunity to see elephants up close. Unfortunatly I didn't have the money to hunt, I was just 17 and the airfare took about every penny I had. Anyhow the point was that if you aren't careful you can suddenly find youself way to close to elephants and getting within 5 to 10 yards as Capstick mentions is very possible. I had the exciting experience of having a bull make a bluffing charge in my direction from about 50 yards. Talk about adrenaline and running fast. The other scary moment happened while walking around a large pond at night admiring all the crocodile eyes I was seeing on the other side of the pond, I suddenly thought "If there are lots of crocs on the other side isn't it likely there are some on this side too!!" I retreated to the relative safety of the cabin.

I can't wait for the chance to go back, and take a rifle. But now I have toomany responsibilities to take big risks, my first child is due next tuesday!
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bogie:
If you're using the sling, you're either too darn far away, or you're taking too much time...
[/quote]

Hmmmm, He's talking about a Ruger #1, which as I recall is a single shot, usually in a large magnum. It's prudent to use a sling to make your shot, especially if it's offhand.
 
Two options for shooting sling on big bore rifle IMO.

One is to put the forward sling swivel on the front of the forearm either facing forward or down/forward at 45 degree angle vs normal bottom of fore arm facing straight down.

The other option is to use the flush mount pachmyer [sp?] system like what is used on Steyr and other Scout rifles. My scout has that system and I am putting it on my other rifles.

BTW if your using a CW or Ching sling you can sling up as you go to kneeling, sitting, or rice paddy prone. I would remove the sling ig going into thick brush or such but all my serious rifles wear Ching slings.

Note: you might use your big bore rifle on non dangerous game because that is all you have at hand when a shot presents itself. And a 375 or 416 can easily take game to 200 meters if the shooter can hold steady...the shooting sling helps with your hold.

[This message has been edited by Glamdring (edited October 22, 2000).]
 
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