use of a Rifle Sling

[Broomsquire]

Hello I was wondering why most Field Target shooters do not use a rifle sling as a shooting aid. My interpretation of the rules is that you can use a one or two point attached sling in both Kneeling and STANDING position in Hunter Class. I have shot some Three Position and High Power rifle matches, and everyone uses a 1907 style loop sling in the prone and kneeling positions. It provides a much more stable shooting position. As for using a sling when standing, it seems almost like cheating. Is there some drawback I am not aware of?



Ed

 

[Guest]

Springers in general need freedom to recoil. PCP's dont require a tight to deathgrip hold as there should be no to very little perceived recoil. A few top shooter's use them. 

I've found myself to be stable enough to knock down 12 or so positional shots a match without. Also I try to have as few accessories as needed to keep things less complicated. Were the entire match comprised of positional shots I may change my mind.

 

[chasdicapua]

I just never used one, or even seen one, so it's a foreign thing to me. I don't need it kneeling as I feel pretty stable. Perhaps standing, but I like working on my standing shots just as I am. Perhaps not a draw back, but as the above person said, it's more complication. 

Chas

 

[adjustedobjectives]

I agree with John_in_Ma, but will add comfortable makes for good shooting and muscle memory is comfortable. Personally I think a 2 point sling just gets in the way and leads to something hanging around in the way. I was told a long time ago that practicing the position stages is the best "trick" that is out there by a FT shooter who is better on his worst day than I will ever be on my best. Early on practicing I found that the sling was not the same advantage for me personally as it is with High Power.

 

[Scotchmo]

...My interpretation of the rules is that you can use a one or two point attached sling in both Kneeling and STANDING position in Hunter Class...

In the Hunter Classes, you are not allowed to use a one point sling. Two point is OK.

 

[Xbowsniper]

Nation, 

I shoot WFTF PCP class, and we are allowed to use a sling. I'm one of the few, if not the only one that does actually use one. It definitely does help, and being from a .22 smallbore 3 position background, I've adapted to it very easily.

Don't know why more competitors use them, good question. 

Tom Holland 

Field Target Tech 

 

[dennisu]

I shoot Open PCP class and use a one point sling. I find it helpful in all three positions. It is an additional piece of equipment that needs to be properly adjusted to be comfortable/useful. A quality sling also makes a big difference.


Dennis

 

[Broomsquire]

My bad, you are correct.

 

[Broomsquire]

Scotchmo - My bad, you are correct about the one point sling in HFT. I think a two point is more in keeping with a Hunter style rifle anyway.

 

[c_m_shooter]

I use one in the kneeling lanes, even with my HW97. I have to be careful not to have it as tight as with a powderburner when shooting the 97, or it will pull the impact down an moa. Given that our kneeling targets are usually 3 moa or bigger, it is still within the margin of error to be beneficial for a steadier hold. I have tried to show others how to use one, and most don't get it.

 

[sillymike]

Silly question: Would a 1903/1907 pattern sling be considered 1x point sling, while used in the prone?

 

[c_m_shooter]

Silly question: Would a 1903/1907 pattern sling be considered 1x point sling, while used in the prone?

Just leaved it hooked at the butt end and you are good. There is enough adjustment in the ones I have for this.

 

[sillymike]

Tks!

 

[d-cuttler]

Silly question: Would a 1903/1907 pattern sling be considered 1x point sling, while used in the prone?

Just leaved it hooked at the butt end and you are good. There is enough adjustment in the ones I have for this.

I have been looking everywhere for this answer regarding the butt end of the sling. I guess it doesn't need to be in tension, just hooked to the swivel. Then I can use one of my leather military type slings as a single point sling like I did in High Power matches, except in high power matches you are not allowed to use a sling in the standing position. Using a sling while standing will be a real treat. 

 

[Uglyjohn]

I started using a sling in practicing 10yd standing shots indoors this winter. Very happy with the results. Time and effort have allowed me to advance all the way from “terrible” to “just not very good”. Fun though. Uj

 

[d-cuttler]

I started using a sling in practicing 10yd standing shots indoors this winter. Very happy with the results. Time and effort have allowed me to advance all the way from “terrible” to “just not very good”. Fun though. Uj

John,

Don't feel bad about it, the off hand position is difficult for almost everyone. In high power rifle matches they say that matches are won standing and lost in the prone positions. Meaning it's expected to clear in prone, making a miss the loss, which leaves the standing position to decide the winner.

With the tremors that come with old age, I am looking forward to being able to use a sling in any of the difficult positions.

Some folks shoot great standing, and then there's the rest of us. 

 

[davecole]

.I shoot HFT. A sling in both forced positions has taken me from a <25% to a 75%> KZ. Being able to hit more KZ's in your forced positions will get you closer to the podium. 

So you shooters whom I compete against, please consider anything I say as utter nonsense....... 

 

[Guest]

When shooting PCPs I'd think a sling would be an asset. I've shot service rifle and wouldn't think of shooting any PB rifle without a sling in any position. However, springers are a different world. It maybe be possible to learn to shoot a springer with a sling in different positions BUT I'll leave you with a problem I was working on today.

D48 shooting about 19 fpe from bags on the bench at 25 yards. Zeroed with no sling. Shooting with hasty sling but still on the bags the group was about 3 mils high and one mil right (I am a lefty). I could shoot a nice tight group about the size of a dime but it wasn't going to go to the same place. Well that suggests that every time I change positions with that hasty sling in place I am going to get a different recoil pattern from that rifle. Zero is going to change and I think predicting that might get pretty complicated pretty quickly... darn shame too because I shoot much better with a sling when unsupported.

 

[Xbowsniper]

Nation, 

As relayed to me by Greg Sauve. WFTF has tallied all of the votes from member countries, on this very subject. In open position Field Target lanes, slings will be no longer allowed starting in 2022, I believe. They will be allowed in kneeling and offhand, if I am not mistaken. 

Don't know why they flip flopped on this rule AGAIN, it used to be allowed, then it wasn't. Then it was ruled legal to use, for the last 4-5 years or so. Now it's not allowed....again.

Makes no sense for WFTF's inconsistent change of decision. 

Tom Holland 

Field Target Tech 

Fieldtargettech.com 

 

[tjmac]

Hey Tom. The sling was being used in very creative ways in the sitting position, becoming almost like using straps. Rather than worry if it was being used in a legal fashion when sitting, it was easier just to ban its use for sitting. I wish they would have banned it completely just to make it easier.

I cannot remember a time when the sling was not legal in the WFTF. However, there have been some lively discussions concerning its use. At least this is a ban that will be easier to enforce than stipulations on how the sling may be used while sitting. When interpretation is needed for a rule, there will be disagreements and controversy.

Tim