We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n A rifle sling is one of those standard yet under-appreciated pieces of gear that hunters and shooters depend on. It\u2019s easy to let a sling for your hunting rifle or AR be an afterthought, but choosing the best rifle sling for you can make a big difference when it comes to carrying and handling your rifle or shotgun. A bad sling will have you cussing it from the start.<\/p>\n Picking the best sling for your rifle and application isn\u2019t hard, but it does pay to do it right the first time. There are lots of great rifle slings on the market, and just about anyone could find something on this list that works for them.<\/p>\n Many slings work fine on a variety of rifles or shotguns, but the gun itself (and how you\u2019ll carry it) is the first thing you\u2019ll want to consider. Different rifles and shotguns have different mounting options for rifle slings. What orientation do you want the sling set up in? Are you going to carry on your shoulder or across your chest?<\/p>\n How you want to use your sling will affect both the orientation of how you\u2019ll set it up and the specific type of sling for you. A sling for service rifle competition will be set up differently than one on a PRC rifle, or a hunting rifle, or the sling on a waterfowl shotgun.<\/p>\n For any rifle sling, comfort and simplicity are key factors that make it work for you. Many slings have fancy features and adjustments, but simplicity and ease-of-use win the day. A sling needs to be comfortable, but that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean it needs to be excessively padded or stretchy. Often, a simple sling with minimal stretch and some texture that prevents slippage is the most comfortable to carry.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This leather sling, based on the M1907 Military sling, is one of the best slings ever designed. It\u2019s durable, adjustable, and can be used for rigid support. It can be used on everything from service rifles to defensive shotguns.<\/p>\n The M1907 is one of the best rifle slings ever designed, and is still used today in service rifle and high-power competition. This sling is especially good for sling-supported shooting, and it\u2019s a rugged, ultra-durable sling that is a good option for hunting rifles too. The sling consists of two leather straps with a pattern of double holes, each with steel hooks riveted to one end, and two leather rings or \u201ckeepers.\u201d One strap is run through the forward sling swivel, the other through the rear. The sling can be used in different configurations and lengths, but it\u2019s held together by the steel hooks that are fitted into the corresponding holes in the sling.<\/p>\n The Brownells Competitor Plus<\/a> is made of oak-tanned U.S. Steer hide, which prevents corrosion on the metal hooks that chromic tanning chemicals can cause. The leather is tanned to have a rigid but durable texture that won\u2019t crack, stretch, or get rubbery. The thick blued-steel hooks are riveted to the straps with three copper rivets. They\u2019re designed for a tight fit and no accidental un-hooking.<\/p>\n These slings can be used on a variety of rifles, even with Q.D. sling swivels. It can take some practice to learn how to adjust them properly, but they are an excellent sling for many applications, not just for the M1 Garand you have in the closet.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Viking Tactics Padded sling is ultra-simple, highly versatile, and rugged. It\u2019s one of the most functional, popular, and mimicked sling designs on the market.<\/p>\n The Viking Tactics two-point padded sling<\/a> was designed by Kyle Lamb, and it\u2019s one of the most popular (and copied) sling designs out there. It\u2019s an ultra-simple sling with two points of attachment and a single quick-adjustment point.<\/p>\n With one hand, the user can quickly adjust the length of the sling while wearing it. The user can carry a rifle securely in several positions, both in front and on the back, but the sling is intended to be worn with the rifle across the chest or back, rather than over one shoulder.<\/p>\n The VTAC sling is made with resin-treated nylon and the shoulder strap has closed-cell foam padding. This sling doesn\u2019t include any mounting hardware but does have buckles on each end to attach to swivels. It\u2019s made in the USA and carried by many SOF troops. Being simple and versatile is what makes this one of the best rifle slings you can use for an AR or similar style rifle.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This is one of the most popular hunting rifle slings on the market, and for good reason. It\u2019s affordable, comfortable, and can hold four rounds of ammunition on the shoulder strap.<\/p>\n One of the best (and most recognizable) hunting rifle slings in the U.S. is the Butler Creek Comfort Stretch sling<\/a>. Its most notable features are a thick and wide neoprene shoulder pad that has four elastic cartridge holders. Some slings hold cartridges perpendicular to the sling strap, but they can easily be dislodged and lost. The parallel orientation of the cartridge holders on the Butler Creek slings hang onto cartridges pretty well and they don\u2019t get knocked loose easily.<\/p>\n This sling has several iterations, but the neoprene pad, cartridge holders, and nylon strap are the same on most. This rifle sling is adjustable for length and includes sling swivels that are ready to be mounted to studs on the rifle.<\/p>\n There are some more durable and versatile slings out there, but for the average hunter, this is a solid bet. This sling is most-often set up for muzzle-up carry, and the thinner bottom strap isn\u2019t very comfortable if you switch to muzzle-down. If you prefer muzzle-down carry, just attach the padded end of the sling to your stock\u2019s swivel stud.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Turner Saddlery makes excellent M1907 slings, and their all-weather synthetic sling is impervious to the elements, versatile, and rugged.<\/p>\n After several years of service rifle shooting, I ended up shooting a Turner Saddlery all weather sling, and I still carry it on some of my hunting rifles today. In a nutshell, it\u2019s a synthetic version of the M1907 sling that was issued with 1903 Springfield and M1 Garand rifles. It uses the same hook-and-hole adjustment system and comes in two pieces; it\u2019s just made of durable biothane material rather than leather.<\/p>\n This is an excellent service rifle and high-power competition sling, and it eliminates the break-in period that leather slings have. It also grips the shooter\u2019s jacket better and resists slipping when shooting from sling-supported positions.<\/p>\n The Turner AWS is also functional as a hunting rifle sling. It\u2019s not as light as some nylon slings, and isn\u2019t quick to adjust, but it\u2019s very durable and comfortable to carry muzzle-up or muzzle-down. I\u2019ve used the same sling on my service rifle, Winchester SXP 12 gauge<\/a>, Henry .45\/70, and .375 Ruger rifles. Although I do like a real leather M1907 sling, this is an excellent choice too.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Vickers sling is simple, durable, and lightweight. It\u2019s easily adjustable and is a great two-point AR sling.<\/p>\n Another great sling for AR-style rifles is the Vickers sling<\/a> from Blue Force Gear. This is a simple and effective two-point AR sling that doesn\u2019t have any fluff. It\u2019s fast and easy to adjust with one hand.<\/p>\n This sling has a 1.25-inch web that\u2019s entirely cordura fabric. It has buckles on each end to attach to mounting hardware and set the overall sling length, but it also has a quick adjuster with a fabric tab that\u2019s easy to manipulate with one hand.<\/p>\n The cordura strapping can be a little uncomfortable with heavier rifles, but it\u2019s an excellent, durable sling. Slings like this one aren\u2019t just for AR\u2019s though\u2014they also work great for more traditional hunting rifles. Being durable, light, simple, and versatile makes this a great sling.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why It Made the Cut<\/p>\n The Magpul RLS is a light, simple, durable hunting rifle sling that is designed with a loop to help the shooter build a stable supported position.<\/p>\n Key Features<\/p>\n Pros<\/p>\n Cons<\/p>\n Product Description<\/p>\n In many ways, simpler is better in a rifle sling, and the Magpul RLS Rifleman<\/a> is a simple, clean, and useful sling. It features 1.25-inch-wide nylon webbing and polymer hardware. That hardware consists of two buckles and an injection-molded keeper to capture the tag end or tail of the sling. One buckle is used for adjusting the upper loop that the shooter can use for a supported position, and the other is to adjust overall length.<\/p>\n This sling doesn\u2019t come with sling swivels, but it\u2019s easily installed on standard 1-inch swivels. This is a simple sling that\u2019s great for a bolt-action or lever gun, and ideal for the shooter who likes to use their sling for support. It\u2019s affordable, durable, and impervious to weather.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This comfortable sling is designed for in-line muzzleloader hunters and includes two speed-loaders for quick reloading.<\/p>\n This muzzleloader-specific sling from Thompson Center<\/a> looks a bit like the classic Butler Creek sling, only instead of cartridges, it holds two speed-loaders (that are included with the sling) at the ready. It\u2019s nice to have reloads handy, and these tubes are held in place by an elastic loop, and the caps are secured to the sling with ties. When you need to reload, just pull the tube out, and the cap his held on the sling. When you\u2019re in a hurry, it beats digging for reloads in your pocket.<\/p>\n Aside from the speed-loaders, this is still a nice, useful sling for muzzleloader hunters. It has neoprene padding on the shoulder and a simple buckle to adjust the overall length of the sling. It\u2019s intended for muzzle-up carry, and while carrying reloads in it, it\u2019s probably a good idea to use it like that. This rifle sling includes sling swivels and has a keeper to slide over the tag end of the sling.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Claw Slimline is an affordable, simple hunting rifle sling with a thin rubberized shoulder pad to prevent slippage.<\/p>\n If you have a light rifle or don\u2019t spend a ton of time with the sling on your shoulder, a slim, minimalistic sling can be an attractive option. The Claw Slimline<\/a> is a great hunting rifle sling for just that purpose. It has 1-inch-wide webbing, and a section with thin molded-rubber padding to help hold the sling in place on your shoulder.<\/p>\n The nylon sling webbing doesn\u2019t stretch, and it\u2019s not quick-adjustable, but it\u2019s durable and includes sling swivels to quickly install on any rifle with studs. This is a good sling without a lot of bulk.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Cobra-Style sling is a classic leather hunting rifle sling that is simple and gets the job done.<\/p>\n
\n Published Dec 23, 2022 1:46 PM
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\nPicking the Best Rifle Slings for You<\/h2>\n
The Firearm<\/h3>\n
Application<\/h3>\n
Comfort and Simplicity<\/h3>\n
\n <\/figure>\nWhy It Made the Cut<\/h3>\n
Key Features<\/h3>\n
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Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
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Product Description<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/23\/Viking-Tactics-Two-Point-Padded-Sling.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nWhy It Made the Cut<\/h3>\n
Key Features<\/h3>\n
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Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
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Product Description<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/23\/Butler-Creek-Comfort-Stretch.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nWhy It Made the Cut<\/h3>\n
Key Features<\/h3>\n
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Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
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Product Description<\/h3>\n
![\"Turner](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/23\/Turner-All-Weather.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nWhy It Made the Cut<\/h3>\n
Key Features<\/h3>\n
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Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
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Product Description<\/h3>\n
![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/23\/Blue-Force-Gear-Vickers-Sling.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nWhy It Made the Cut<\/h3>\n
Key Features<\/h3>\n
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Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
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Product Description<\/h3>\n
![\"Magpul](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/23\/Magpul-RLS-Rifleman-Sling.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
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![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/23\/Thompson-Center-Muzzleloading-Rifle-Sling.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nWhy It Made the Cut<\/h3>\n
Key Features<\/h3>\n
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Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
Product Description<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/23\/Quake-The-Claw-Slimline-Rifle-Sling.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nWhy It Made the Cut<\/h3>\n
Key Features<\/h3>\n
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Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
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Product Description<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/23\/Hunter-Company-Cobra-Style-Leather-Sling.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nWhy It Made the Cut<\/h3>\n
Key Features<\/h3>\n
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Pros<\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/h3>\n
Product Description<\/h3>\n
![\"BLACKHAWK!](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2022\/12\/23\/BLACKHAWK-Storm-Single-Point-Sling.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")