NavyChief
Member
I had grown dissatisfied with all the slings I normally use and wanted something that would help with some longer distance shooting from my climber in a sitting position. I did some research and eventually went back to Jack O'Connor's "The Hunting Rifle" (top 5 mandatory reading for all rifle cranks, in my humble opinion) and he flatly stated that the "Whelen sling is, for my money, neater, lighter, and more practical for a hunting rifle than any two-piece sling", p. 255.
I had no experience with a Whelen sling and my experience with the military slings left me wanting for something a little less cumbersome and with fewer parts that always seem to gouge and scratch up nice stocks. I had settled on a Claw sling for most rifles but it does little to help steady a rifle and I really like my leather Murray sling but it cost more than 100 bucks and is designated for a beautiful high dollar Model 70 and again, while a great carry strap, it does little to help get a rifle locked up tight for longer shots.
Finally found a Whelen sling, did a little more research, and couldn't be happier. I have yet to fire a shot but it flat out gets every rifle I have put it on locked up tight as a drum and I can hold steady at 300 yards across the field at a french drain cap from the sitting, standing or prone position.
I have been practicing taking it from carry to shooting and I am locked up tight in less than 5 seconds. Where has this thing been my whole life!!!!!!
Does anyone else have any experience with the Whelen?
Best things about it, one brass clasp on the outside so no ripped up AAA stocks, one continuous strip of leather, easy to adjust, and cost less than 30$ for a 100% leather sling with brass hardware. O'connor had it right back then and probably has it right today. I rarely shoot over 300 yards from a climber so it works great for me.
Why doesn't this sling get more attention? Is there something I don't know that will appear once I begin to use it in the field or is it just a good product that fell out of favor because it lost its shine to all the "New" materials and designs?
I had no experience with a Whelen sling and my experience with the military slings left me wanting for something a little less cumbersome and with fewer parts that always seem to gouge and scratch up nice stocks. I had settled on a Claw sling for most rifles but it does little to help steady a rifle and I really like my leather Murray sling but it cost more than 100 bucks and is designated for a beautiful high dollar Model 70 and again, while a great carry strap, it does little to help get a rifle locked up tight for longer shots.
Finally found a Whelen sling, did a little more research, and couldn't be happier. I have yet to fire a shot but it flat out gets every rifle I have put it on locked up tight as a drum and I can hold steady at 300 yards across the field at a french drain cap from the sitting, standing or prone position.
I have been practicing taking it from carry to shooting and I am locked up tight in less than 5 seconds. Where has this thing been my whole life!!!!!!
Does anyone else have any experience with the Whelen?
Best things about it, one brass clasp on the outside so no ripped up AAA stocks, one continuous strip of leather, easy to adjust, and cost less than 30$ for a 100% leather sling with brass hardware. O'connor had it right back then and probably has it right today. I rarely shoot over 300 yards from a climber so it works great for me.
Why doesn't this sling get more attention? Is there something I don't know that will appear once I begin to use it in the field or is it just a good product that fell out of favor because it lost its shine to all the "New" materials and designs?
