I have a Winchester m70 in 7mag with a vortex, cheek pad, and bipod. It is very front heavy and very long. What do you think is the best way to carry hiking around on hunting trips? When I tried a sling it was extremely uncomfortable with the bipod digging into my back, plus the muzzle is so heavy that within a few steps the barrel pull the rifle around until it was pointing down to the ground. I thought a scabbard of some sort would be good, but with the 50mm Viper and bipod and extreme length, I'm not sure that it would fit. Any ideas?
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Fieldcraft How to carry heavy barreled beast
- Thread starter Warfighter1
- Start date
I have something very similar and I found the best thing for that is a eberlestock pack. I have the Low Drag, and a gunslinger II. Both would be perfect. If you need less room in the pack, get a smaller one as it will serve your needs as well.
Deltaoutdoorsman.com has a huge selection
Deltaoutdoorsman.com has a huge selection
X2. I use a gunslinger II pack. I carry a 18 lb GAP/Surgeon 300 wsm no problems. They are great packs and very comfortable for long hikes with long range rigs.
I have both the GS II and the Low Drag. I use the Low Drag more but both are great and Deltaoutdoorsman.com has the best prices I have found.
Sully
Sully
From my perspective I make slings.
I use 1.5" wide nylon which is great up to around 18-20lbs to carry. Basically for any weapon you will shoot from a sling position. Once you get above that such as a Chey Tac or 50BMG its too heavy to use from a slung position. We are now approaching something that is specialized and not good for close protection. In this case you will either carry another weapon for protection or your just doing extreme range shooting. Either of which will normally require additional gear. That means it backpack time, so kill two birds with one stone. Eberlestock can carry the gear and the heavy rifle, leaving your hands free for carry of the close contact weapon or climbing etc.
Now some guys like a Biathalon sling and these work as long as you don't carry a pack. I have made a bunch special order but I just don't like them. I either tie off my slung rifle on my ruck or carry the Eberlestock.
Eberlestock makes a carrier for big Rucks and I use these more than the actually Eberlestock packs. Just because I like my Kifaru Rucks far more than the Eberlestocks.
If you don't carry much gear and just want to hump a real heavy rifle TAB makes a good Biathalon Sling. I like it better than the AI version but I prefer one of my shooting slings or one of TABs shooting slings on the rifle and stash it away in a carrier when doing close contact. The Carrier protects the big gun better. Now if it is just a pack and haul ass you tie either set up or sling across back with sling or tie to the ruck and haul.
I use 1.5" wide nylon which is great up to around 18-20lbs to carry. Basically for any weapon you will shoot from a sling position. Once you get above that such as a Chey Tac or 50BMG its too heavy to use from a slung position. We are now approaching something that is specialized and not good for close protection. In this case you will either carry another weapon for protection or your just doing extreme range shooting. Either of which will normally require additional gear. That means it backpack time, so kill two birds with one stone. Eberlestock can carry the gear and the heavy rifle, leaving your hands free for carry of the close contact weapon or climbing etc.
Now some guys like a Biathalon sling and these work as long as you don't carry a pack. I have made a bunch special order but I just don't like them. I either tie off my slung rifle on my ruck or carry the Eberlestock.
Eberlestock makes a carrier for big Rucks and I use these more than the actually Eberlestock packs. Just because I like my Kifaru Rucks far more than the Eberlestocks.
If you don't carry much gear and just want to hump a real heavy rifle TAB makes a good Biathalon Sling. I like it better than the AI version but I prefer one of my shooting slings or one of TABs shooting slings on the rifle and stash it away in a carrier when doing close contact. The Carrier protects the big gun better. Now if it is just a pack and haul ass you tie either set up or sling across back with sling or tie to the ruck and haul.
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I use a VTAC padded wide sling. It's adjustable on the fly so I can cinch it down and shoulder carry, loosen it and throw it over my back then cinch it tight to my back, or do battle carry style if actively stalking while hunting. The quick slide option is pretty great and the sling is very easy to use once you practice for a while. My hunting rifle is a heavy barrel too.
I do the same using a 2-pt Vtac, although I reverse the sling and carry muzzle down on my offhand shoulder with my offhand on the forearm. Less roll of the rifle on the shoulder with muzzle down.
Even better is flush cups mounted on the offhand side of the stock and use the sling in a traditional 2-pt AR-style.
Granted I don't go on long backpacking trips; mostly 1-mile jaunts or less to hunting areas, although often through relatively thick brush.
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Thanks Delta4-3, I do feel like I am lugging a crew served weapon, especially when I get skunked, but my a gunner is only 9, he's still a recruit, not even a Private yet. He sticks to the easy PFC type jobs tho: poking suspicious roadside objects with a stick- to see if its fresh track or not.
Put that thing on a diet!
The older I get the more I realize I am no longer the twenty something I wish I still was. I have gone to lighter tapers and shorter barrels and don't feel I have given up much, especially when I factor in that I am much less tired when I go to take a shot.
The older I get the more I realize I am no longer the twenty something I wish I still was. I have gone to lighter tapers and shorter barrels and don't feel I have given up much, especially when I factor in that I am much less tired when I go to take a shot.
Yea I have a 15 month old E-1, a 4 year old E-2, and a 6 year old E-3. They aren't as much help as I remember privates being, but then again they are all girls, and very convincing.
Ha! Three daughters! They'll have you humping everything, plus more! It doesn't matter if you're company commander, those privates will chew you up! I have a 5 year old daughter that I have to carry "like a princess" to bed every night.
I love it. She gets away with murder. I wouldn't have it any other way.
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