Safari without Sling?

[Green Chile]

Hi, Bryan, what year (roughly) is your Purdey? And you say you have no qualms using jacketed bullets? I used to have a .450 BPE double from roughly the late 1880s and loaded it with hard cast bullets. But definitely using jacketed would expand the usefulness of the rifle.

What weight jacketed do you use?

Good question. I never lettered it. I should post a topic on it with more photos...don't mean to derail this fine topic.

Hawk bullets are 350s with the thinner .025 jackets for about 1900 fps. Hawk did not recommend thicker jackets for this mild velocity. They did ask if I wanted a custom cannelure and I did not.

 

[Philip Glass]

All ~

I have just returned from an inebriating SCI show, where among other ineffable pleasures, I have scored a rifle I had ogled online for at least two years:

View attachment 662559

It's an Alex Henry falling block (circa 1885) in .450 BPE, which I'm very much planning on taking to Africa. It has all the characteristics I love in a safari rifle--classic, beautiful, British, easy-to-reload chambering... and most importantly, it's a single shot, which as I realize, it has very much become "my thing." Oh, and it fits me like a glove.

As you can see, it has no provision for sling attachments. In a brief moment of temporary insanity, I flirted with the idea of adding a pair of classic British sling eyelets, but I soon discarded this proposition as quasi-blasphemous. I don't want to alter the rifle from its original configuration--especially since, in its amazing condition, it looks like it just rolled out the Edinburgh factory.

Since in my safaris--as well as all my other hunting adventures--I have made ample use of the sling while walking, stalking, following game trails, etc., my question here is who of you have completed a safari without a sling with which to carry the rifle? And what mode of carry did you mostly employ? Port-arms, African carry (which I actually don't like for several reasons), on the shoulder...? I will be hunting in the Karoo, where it's rather thick with acacia bush.

I'd love to hear your experiences.

All of the above. When planning a DG safari with my double I will work on several different grip exercises. This way my arms do not tire from days of carrying in the bush. The first time I employed this new effort my double felt like a .22! Be prepared as the scouts say!

 

[AZDAVE]

Tom congratulations That is a fine rifle. I have only used a sling on one of my 7 safari's. I mostly carried double, single, or bolt guns switching carry between my left and right hands. On occasion carried at port arms when following up.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

If you do decide to hunt with a mega expensive work of art, I strongly recommend you learn to handle your gun wearing gloves. The salts from sweat on your hands will strip bluing and devalue your masterpiece significantly. Personally, I can't do anything wearing gloves. So I hunt with guns that are more "disposable."

 

[Tom Leoni]

If you do decide to hunt with a mega expensive work of art, I strongly recommend you learn to handle your gun wearing gloves. The salts from sweat on your hands will strip bluing and devalue your masterpiece significantly. Personally, I can't do anything wearing gloves. So I hunt with guns that are more "disposable."

Too late for that... I've hunted with "works of art" for decades now. But I always have my Ballistol wipes handy, and none of my guns is any worse for wear.

 

[Russ16]

If you do decide to hunt with a mega expensive work of art, I strongly recommend you learn to handle your gun wearing gloves. The salts from sweat on your hands will strip bluing and devalue your masterpiece significantly. Personally, I can't do anything wearing gloves. So I hunt with guns that are more "disposable."

Funny I’m the obvious I feel weird picking up a gun without shooting gloves on. Probably comes from years of shooting SxS shotguns in hot weather. Barrels heat up quickly.

I picked up a pair of chamois gloves from the beretta store a while back. Very thin and easy to manipulate things like reloading and safeties.

 

[degoins]

Thank you, guys! I forgot to mention, the rifle weighs only 7.6lbs. So not a really substantial weight to carry for 3-4 hours at a time.

I haven't used a sling in 20 plus years and the last use I had of them was for when I hunted out of climbing stands. You won't even notice the weight of that slim, trim beauty.

 

[Nevada Mike]

That's a beautiful rifle!

You don't need a sling in the safari car but some of those buffalo stalks can get long and warm. I like a sling for that.

There is a sling that is designed for shotgunners that simply loops over the stock and barrel - no studs.

 

[franzfmdavis]

All ~

I have just returned from an inebriating SCI show, where among other ineffable pleasures, I have scored a rifle I had ogled online for at least two years:

View attachment 662559

It's an Alex Henry falling block (circa 1885) in .450 BPE, which I'm very much planning on taking to Africa. It has all the characteristics I love in a safari rifle--classic, beautiful, British, easy-to-reload chambering... and most importantly, it's a single shot, which as I realize, it has very much become "my thing." Oh, and it fits me like a glove.

As you can see, it has no provision for sling attachments. In a brief moment of temporary insanity, I flirted with the idea of adding a pair of classic British sling eyelets, but I soon discarded this proposition as quasi-blasphemous. I don't want to alter the rifle from its original configuration--especially since, in its amazing condition, it looks like it just rolled out the Edinburgh factory.

Since in my safaris--as well as all my other hunting adventures--I have made ample use of the sling while walking, stalking, following game trails, etc., my question here is who of you have completed a safari without a sling with which to carry the rifle? And what mode of carry did you mostly employ? Port-arms, African carry (which I actually don't like for several reasons), on the shoulder...? I will be hunting in the Karoo, where it's rather thick with acacia bush.

I'd love to hear your experiences.

All ~

I have just returned from an inebriating SCI show, where among other ineffable pleasures, I have scored a rifle I had ogled online for at least two years:

View attachment 662559

It's an Alex Henry falling block (circa 1885) in .450 BPE, which I'm very much planning on taking to Africa. It has all the characteristics I love in a safari rifle--classic, beautiful, British, easy-to-reload chambering... and most importantly, it's a single shot, which as I realize, it has very much become "my thing." Oh, and it fits me like a glove.

As you can see, it has no provision for sling attachments. In a brief moment of temporary insanity, I flirted with the idea of adding a pair of classic British sling eyelets, but I soon discarded this proposition as quasi-blasphemous. I don't want to alter the rifle from its original configuration--especially since, in its amazing condition, it looks like it just rolled out the Edinburgh factory.

Since in my safaris--as well as all my other hunting adventures--I have made ample use of the sling while walking, stalking, following game trails, etc., my question here is who of you have completed a safari without a sling with which to carry the rifle? And what mode of carry did you mostly employ? Port-arms, African carry (which I actually don't like for several reasons), on the shoulder...? I will be hunting in the Karoo, where it's rather thick with acacia bush.

I'd love to hear your experiences.

Im very envious, but happy you that you got it! I remember well seeing and shouldering it!

 

[Tom Leoni]

That's a beautiful rifle!

You don't need a sling in the safari car but some of those buffalo stalks can get long and warm. I like a sling for that.

There is a sling that is designed for shotgunners that simply loops over the stock and barrel - no studs.

Hi, Mike! Hmmm... Somehow I never thought of the .450 BPE (or, in the guise in which I load it, .450 Nitro for Black) as a buff cartridge. But going back on my notes, I see that it was very much employed for such critters back in the days of yore.

I guess I took my friend Ross Seyfried by the letter when he told me, "Tom, in the .450 BPE you pretty much have the .30-06 of the 19th Century!"

Thank you for reminding me that it can do much more. I've always just shot 350gr hardened lead bullets out of my (now traded) double, and at about 1950 fps it felt like I was shooting a .22 Hornet. I need to get a hold of some 365-grainers and see how my Henry fares with it.

 

[Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy]

I'll echo the comments of others - no sling necessary. Hunted with one on my first safari (PG) and haven't missed it since. I think I employ just about all the carry styles mentioned to shift weight and not use one set of muscles the whole time. Muzzle discipline is paramount.

One add I'll suggest is working up a dummy decoy that is roughly the dimensions and weight of the rifle you plan to hunt with so you can practice carrying ahead it of the hunt. I bought pipes of varying size from the hardware store, nested them to approximate the shape of a rifle (i.e., thinner in diameter on one end than the other) and duck taped everything together. Worked just fine for me ahead of my first DG hunt. I still got funny looks hoisting it around my neighborhood trails but it was mostly confusion and not fear. I think the .500 Jeffery would have triggered the opposite reaction.

 

[Happy Myles]

If by chance you let one of the men carry your rifle take the sling off. Fifty years or so ago my PH begged me to allow one the trackers to carry my rifle for some political reason. We had stopped in the jungle for the trackers to have a cigarette break. There was a loud crashing noise and the men scattered into the dense forest. I was aghast to see my rifle strapped to the back of my herstwhile gun bearer disappearing up a tree. I lunged upward and drug him back to earth whereupon he bounced back up the tree. My second attempt was successful as I wrestled him to ground and held him there until I wrenched my rifle from his back. After the dust settled we discovered the noise was a false alarm made by an escaping Bongo. I took the sling off, figuring if he absquatulated in the future he would need to drop my 416 to climb a tree or paw through the jungle.
I carry my own rifle in Africa without a sling. I cannot outrun those quick local chaps

 

[Nhoro]

I have carried my 10 lb Cz 550 in one or the other hand at the balance point for years. I have started using a sling when guiding children's camps etc because it is easier to control the muzzle and leaves my hands free for using binos etc. Also carried a camera while filming hunts at about 6 lbs, just in one hand. You will have some hand and arm fatigue but it isn't that tough. I would echo other posts- get a sling that doesn't need mounts- you can always take it off and put it in a bag but at least you have an option.

 

[Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy]

Great vocabulary word - had to look up "absquatulate"

 

[Considering Africa]

All ~

I have just returned from an inebriating SCI show, where among other ineffable pleasures, I have scored a rifle I had ogled online for at least two years:

View attachment 662559

It's an Alex Henry falling block (circa 1885) in .450 BPE, which I'm very much planning on taking to Africa. It has all the characteristics I love in a safari rifle--classic, beautiful, British, easy-to-reload chambering... and most importantly, it's a single shot, which as I realize, it has very much become "my thing." Oh, and it fits me like a glove.

As you can see, it has no provision for sling attachments. In a brief moment of temporary insanity, I flirted with the idea of adding a pair of classic British sling eyelets, but I soon discarded this proposition as quasi-blasphemous. I don't want to alter the rifle from its original configuration--especially since, in its amazing condition, it looks like it just rolled out the Edinburgh factory.

Since in my safaris--as well as all my other hunting adventures--I have made ample use of the sling while walking, stalking, following game trails, etc., my question here is who of you have completed a safari without a sling with which to carry the rifle? And what mode of carry did you mostly employ? Port-arms, African carry (which I actually don't like for several reasons), on the shoulder...? I will be hunting in the Karoo, where it's rather thick with acacia bush.

I'd love to hear your experiences.

Did you consider that when this rifle was made the traditional way that a white hunter would carry this gun would be not to carry it and have a porter carry it. That being said, it may still be an option if the firearm is too heavy for you now otherwise you may have to weigh it and go to the gym wearing wrist weights when you walk on the treadmill. If you don’t want to change the Rifle, then you have to change the Rifle carrier.