Carrying Companion: The Best Hunting Rifle Slings for 2021
1. EDITORS PICK: The Quake Industries Claw Rifle Sling
The Quake Industries Claw rifle/shotgun sling is top on our list for a number of reasons. Editor of OutdoorHub Rusty says that this is absolutely his favorite hunting rifle sling no questions asked. If that wasn’t enough endorsement for you, the Editor of AllOutdoor.com Adam Scepaniak agrees with Rusty on this particular pick and I think I know why. The Claw comes with a lot of features that suit it to almost any rifle, the padding is comfortable yet doesn’t hold water or moisture, it features a quick-adjustment strap, and is 100% made in the USA. You can find a Quake Claw sling for as little as $20 these days making it not only a bargain but a high-quality product that will last a lifetime.
2. Mossberg Neoprene Bantam Hunting Sling
The Mossberg Neoprene Bantam sling is second on our list but it can be debated whether or not it should be first because of one crucial difference – it’s available in youth sizes as well. The comfortable neoprene sling from Mossberg features rubber grip backing on its 2-inch wide pad making it great for carrying comfort and also features a loop lock for resting your arm on when walking to make it even more comfortable. Like a lot of other quality slings on the market, the Bantam features triglide buckles for quick adjustments as well as integrated 1-inch wide metal sling swivels that can survive the elements. Like the Claw, the Bantam is also weather proof and can be picked up starting at around $20 depending on the color and size options selected.
3. Montana Sling Leather Gun Sling
You could probably argue that leather has no place in a modern hunting scene but I think you’d be wrong. Leather, although somewhat of an antiquated material, is still used today for a lot of the firearms industry’s best products, and this hunting rifle sling from Montana Sling is made from the highest quality leather available. While this rifle sling will cost you somewhat of a premium, you’ll also be getting something that won’t diminish the looks of your hunting rifle and will probably outlast you if you take care of it. The sling is 1.25-inches wide, features detachable swivels for more mounting variety, and can be adjusted from shoulder-loose to shooting-tight in a matter of seconds making it a great option for on-the-move hunting trips.
4. Mossy Oak Choctaw Gun Sling
While leather is great, sometimes your biggest concern isn’t making your rifle look like it belongs in a cigar lounge. The Mossy Oak gun sling comes in a variety of different Mossy Oak camouflage patterns to suit whatever environment you’re hunting in and is also made from a combination of nylon webbing with a padded silicone section for a great combination of concealment and comfort. The nylon and silicone are both UV resistant which means that the sling should be able to withstand the elements on cloudless days and its nylon construction ensures that it will be water-resistant for your winter or wetland hunting adventures.
5. Butler Creek Featherlight Rifle Sling
Butler Creek makes many affordable aftermarket accessories for hunters and shooters and that includes slings. The Butler Creek Featherweight Rifle Sling lives up to its namesake by being almost 50% lighter than Butler Creek’s Quick Carry Padded sling. The sling features 1-inch wide straps that can accept a variety of mounting options and even includes two small areas for storing spare rounds of needed. Like some of the other slings on this list, the Featherlight features a large padded sling featuring soft foam to provide you with carrying comfort and also includes a thumb loop to optimize the carry position of your rifle or shotgun out in the field. You can usually pick one of these up in two different color options for about $30 although they do go on sale quite often!
What is the best material for a hunting sling?
This question could probably be its own article but suffice it to say, as long as you are buying a quality product, the material it is made from shouldn’t matter too much. That being said, you’ll want to make sure you select a sling that is right for your environment and this is where Nylon or Neoprene products shine as they do very well in a variety of conditions including wet ones. Leather is very nice, sturdy, and long-lasting but will wear faster if you expose it to a lot of moisture repeatedly. My personal opinion is that it is best to save your leather slings for shorter and more predictable weather hunts while neoprene and nylon slings can be used in almost any hunting conditions.
How important is a padded sling? Can I go without it?
Padded slings offer you one massive benefit in return for a number of smaller compromises – Comfort. Padded slings become much more important when you’re lugging around a particularly heavy rifle or shotgun and become much less important if you’re handling a lightweight rifle or perhaps aren’t going on a long hunting trip. Padded slings will also add a considerable amount of bulk which may or may not be useful if you’re wearing heavy winter clothing and instead just get in the way of other gear you have on you. Some slings allow you to add or remove the padded portion as needed and these can be a great option to have in your truck if you’re not exactly sure what your next hunt entails.
Are triglide and buckle materials big concerns for hunting slings?
Hunting slings need to be durable – no question about that. A likely choice for a durable material to integrate with a sling would be steel or alloy buckles and triglides, however, there is one major downside to picking certain hardware to go with your rifle sling – they make noise. If you go to unsling your rifle and you can hear any sort of metallic clanging or noises then that probably means your furry friends with much more sensitive hearing can probably hear you coming from a mile away. Many polymer options are available on the market that makes much less noise and there are even slings out there that cover up your buckles and triglides to make sure they don’t produce any unwanted noise, potentially scaring off your prey.
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