Shotgun Sling
 

I wil be heading over to New Mexico in two weeks to hunt turkeys again this year. I will use one of my 8 gauges which I found to be a little on the heavy side for chasing spring birds last year. I am thinking of buying, or having a leather sling made and am looking for ideas. I found two listed on the Galazan site. One attaches to the barrels and wrist, the other the barrels and attaches to the butt with a cradle of sorts. Your feedback on these two slings or pictures of ones you might use would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Phil

Phil, I ordered one from Galazan last Oct and they finally shipoed it lask week. I should have in a day or two. I bought the one that cradles the butt instead of the one that wraps around the wrist. I did'nt want a piece of leather that could cause me to get a bad grip on the gun.

Angel,

I would be greatful if you can let me know your thoughts once you recieve it.
Thanks
Phil

phil i can tell you if the loop on the sling goes all the way around the barrels it interfers with sight piture down the barrels..let us know and post pictures of the sling you decide to use..these old 8 ga s are heavy to lug around they make me think the old tens ive got are light guns..good luck on the hunt and we need to hear and see a good storey...what size and ounce of shot you a useing in the old 8.... charlie

I'll let you know Phil. I did'nt think about the part that wraps around the bbl interfering with the sight picture. I let you know as soon as I get the sling.

The boys are right about the sight picture ,I use one of these to walk out of the barrens after a long day...it's either that or drag my knuckles at the end of the day, you don't shoot with them on , but that's the idea...quick on quick off

Ideal IMO for lugging heavy guns to and from the blind

Oh, good because that's what I was gonna use it for. Now I just have to remember to remove it once I get there.

Angel,
Did the sling arrive? How do you like it if it did?
Thanks Phil

Holy smoke! i just realized I did not get it yet. I'll give them a call

Well, I just got a different story and I have to call Monday and talk to Bob. They claim they got the wrong slings and they were supposed to get the right ones. Amazing!!!

I went to the local saddle shop I use and am having a sling built that we put our heads together and designed. I will hopefully get it next week before the Turkey season in New Mexico starts. I will have it installed on my W C Scott and Son 8 gauge. I will post pictures of the result. I just was not happy with the designs I was finding, and it appears Galazan does not have any in stock.

Charlie,

I missed the question on the load I am using. I am using a load that Tom Armbrust put together several years ago for me. I am using a Winchester modified Industrial case, shooting 1 7/8 oz of 4's in the right barrel and 2's in the left. Not sure it makes any differance using the 2's in the left barrel but I have some, so this is what I am using.
I am getting the itch. I am going April 15 to New Mexico ( Gila Wilderness) and April 26th to the North side of the Grand Canyon. Beautiful country.The 8 gauge is just to heavy to carry around without a sling. The sling I am having made will have unique attachments, but just as important an over the shoulder sheep skin pad.

tom loads a really good shell..i dont think you could have picked a better combo on them shells..i really like big shot in the big guns..its like saying if the right barrel dont getcha then the left one will...really envey you goiny out west it is really beautiful country...good luck and let us know how the sling works out..i bet theres a big old tom out there waiting to meet mr churchhill... charlie

Thanks Charlie and good luck to you. Post a picture of the Turkey you get with your 8 gauge. I would love to see it.Just one more week and it will be opening morning.

Picked up my sling today for my 8 gauge. No Metal to Metal or Metal to Wood rub when carrying. Thin leather on barrels reduces interfearance with the sight picture. May not be perfect but it is a start and comfortable to carry. May make a few changes after turkey season.

http://s557.photobucket.com/user/Phi...006-1.jpg.html
http://s557.photobucket.com/user/Phi...007-2.jpg.html
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http://s557.photobucket.com/user/Phi...004-1.jpg.html
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http://s557.photobucket.com/user/Phi...002-1.jpg.html
http://s557.photobucket.com/user/Phi...001-2.jpg.html

OK lets try again.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...carr/007-2.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...carr/006-1.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...carr/005-1.jpg
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That looks great Phil. I finally found out where my sling went. Galazan send it to my old address in NY. I should have another by this Friday. It's amazing they are still in business.

phil that is a great looking sling...looks like a lot of thought put into the workmanship...boy thats one big looking 8 ga how much does she weigh.... i know your setting on ready for that hunt...i did not go this morning wife needed some things from town and i needed a rest i mite go this afternoon but it suppose to rain for a coupla days..i like to hunt in the rain if its warm the turkeys really like to graze in the fields...hope you have a good hunt....charlie

Hmmm... I could use something like that for my 9# 10 gauge next month for turkey season. It's still a 'lightweight' compared to your 8 though.

Those boys at that leather shop you use certainly know their business.

DLH

Well it was not as cheap as Galazans, but it is custom. Cost me $98.00 plus I brought in a case of DOS XX. Then again they did let me drink a few of them. I just weighed the gun with the strap, it weighs in at 13 lbs 4 oz. Not near as heavy as my Parker on the 7 frame.
Charlie good luck with that Gobbler, I sure am getting the itch.

Destry we will need to try these 8 gauges out on some coyotes if you get back out this way. You are right these guys do great work.

Well the sling came in very handy this week in New Mexico. Despite the wind we were able to take 2 turkeys between 3 of us. I hope to get back there again before the end of the season. We hunted hard and had a hard time calling birds, my hunting partner called in a Jake the first morning. The third day I packed up to get ahead of a storm that was moving in. I decided I would try one more area.
I spotted turkeys crossing a road ahead of me, and they started to run and scatter. Stopped the truck, got my 8 gauge out of the and started out at an angle to cut them off. At about 80 to 90 yards I yelped and a hen turned back, the Tom started to follow. At about 50 yards the Tom spotted be and turned to run. Touched of the right barrel and in my excitement slipped back to the rear trigger about a split second apart. Not sure if the second shot was on or over, but the Tom went down.
My AZ hunt starts a week from today, cannot use the 8 gauge yet as the ruling does not go into effect until July 1st. Not sure what I will hunt with but this turkey hunting is addicting.


http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...geNMTurkey.jpg

Phil that gun is massive ,I can see why you need a sling !

phil that is a great looking bird...was the sling as compfortable as it looks like it is...im sure it was a great help in carry the old 8 ga...one thing for sure these old big guns were not meant to be carried around all day...looksa like ya ll were in some great country...i too have had a hard time calling in birds..i st half of season called in several young birds but this last half has been bad...hope you get another turkey before long...i need one more myself...good picture by the way and a good lookin gun and sling.... charlie

The sling is very comfortable. The sling leather slides some so I pull it down on the barrels, put it over my shoulder and when you let the weight down it finds the right area and settles in. Gun is so large you just need to use care around old stumps and trees. I will update you on the progress this season. I would also like to discuss 8 gauges with you sometime.
Thanks Phil