r/canadaguns • u/sefsermak • Apr 25 '26
Misc What's your opinion on using a loop sling for hunting big game?
Hi y'all,
I'm reading through Jeff Cooper's "The Art Of The Rifle" and he repeatedly mentions the use of the loop sling for shooting in the field. I decided I wanted to try one but they're seemingly pretty scarce here to buy from a maker in Canada.
Have y'all ever used a loop sling? Was it worth it?
I'm shooting an old M98 hunting rifle in 30/06.
Thanks.
(Pic taken from a Field & Stream article.)
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u/Glistening_rat_vulva Apr 25 '26
I use a hasty sling with a normal 2 point sling. It’s not by choice anymore. I have been shooting for that way for so long it’s just muscle memory.
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Apr 25 '26
It’ll do in a pinch, but I generally carry shooting sticks or find a tree or fence post for support.
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u/sefsermak Apr 25 '26
Is deployment fast and quiet enough for your liking?
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Apr 25 '26
I typically hunt the intersections of ag fields and forest here in Alberta. I try to catch the deer as they are moving from their beds to their feeding areas or vice versa. Time to set up isn’t usually an issue, but yes shooting sticks are nearly silent as long as you do your part.
I’ve shot a few deer offhand that just popped out when I was walking to my spots, but with those you have maybe 10s to make the shot. No time to convert the sling from carrying length to shooting rest length. Thankfully those shots are usually 30 yards max and I’m a decent enough shot to make those completely offhand.
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u/sefsermak Apr 25 '26
On the ag/forest edge are you setting up the stick ahead of time and waiting or stalking along?
Given setup, it sounds like in practice the stick and shooting sling are filling the same function. I'll look into sticks
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u/Scary-Detail-3206 Apr 25 '26
I try to find a spot that gives me some cover and as much visibility of the surrounding area as possible. I then just sit and wait for the deer to come out. I pre set the sticks at the correct shooting height when I get to each spot and usually hold the gun in the sticks so I’m ready to shoot.
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u/sefsermak Apr 28 '26
Sounds peaceful. I wish you luck with your hunts in the fall.
No deer where I'm at (NWT), but I'm looking into more static strategies for hunting moose. Sitting with a stick set up near a big stand of birch sounds ideal.
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u/hafetysazard Apr 25 '26 edited Apr 25 '26
If it helps keep you more stable, then go for it. Always had one on my target rifles. My preferred is the TIS slip cuff; it is a classic, and they’ll ship direct to Canada. For leather, I prefer the Turner M1907 sling, another timeless design.
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u/sefsermak Apr 25 '26
I think I'll go with the TIS. I wanted something on the cheaper side and light weight to start practicing with.
Thanks for the recommendation.
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u/hafetysazard Apr 25 '26
Honestly, it is a really great sling, even though it is reasonably priced. One of the better slings if you want to practice the old school, tried and true, shooting positions. It seems everyone these days is reliant on bipods, bags, and tripods, but a properly slung rifle is very stable. Highly recommend finding some old Lenny Magill videos he did with David Tubb. Tubb goes over how to setup and position the sling properly, and how to use it in conjunction with other rests for squeezing every last big of stability. Hardest part is fighting the pain when you’re slung up so stiff, that sling is tighter than a banjo string. Gun won’t move though. If you’re going to shoot with a sling primarily, I’d recommend zeroing the gun that way, not on a bag or tripod, because it will change your point of impact.
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u/JAFOguy Apr 25 '26
Sling use has been a staple in hunting for almost as long as rifles have. I find that a proper sling set-up makes a huge positive difference in my accuracy. Practice a bit, and you will make better shots for sure. Happy hunting!
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u/waitwhatnothing Apr 26 '26
I have a Magpul RLS that I bought to do a mapleseed since they teach the use of a loop sling. The only shooting position that I found I big advantage in using a loop sling instead of a hasty sling was prone. Sitting, kneeling and standing I found using it as a hasty sling was just as stable. For use in the field, hasty sling is faster too.
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u/JaxIsLoud Apr 26 '26
On my shotgun I moved the butstock sling from the bottom to the side and started wearing it like like you would with a pistol grip style gun. Its a nice way to wear the gun in the front for quicker presentation. With a rifle this would make using the sling to brace easier to get into.
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u/[deleted] Apr 25 '26
It’s a great technique but you should practice it a lot so you don’t fumble with your sling while your buck is getting away. You should be able to do it with basically any sling. Put some snap caps in your rifle and try it out!