This Smallbore Business
By Don Brook Using the sling.
The next segment a new, (and not so new) shooter has to know about is the correct use of the sling in the prone position. Just within that opening sentence there is a key word, “correct” and believe me, so much depends on this segment, and the actual sling itself. There is a plethora of slings available on the market now, from a number of extremely reliable manufacturers. Of course, for small bore you are limited to the single point sling by the ISSF rules, and as this is a small bore column, these are the type I am writing about. The same applies to the 300m events. Before I start however, let me remind you all that the sling is purely an aid to holding the rifle still, but even within that there are a number of areas that need extreme attention to detail. (Where have I said thatbefore?)
The photos you will see in this article depict my own sling which is a modified (for my use) synthetic compound sling I bought from Kurt Thune way back in 1982. Also let me state here and now, that leather slings went out with button up boots! We have come a long way since then…… I recommend the Kurt Thune slings personally but there are also quite good examples from Gehmann, and Anschutz, with some modern improvements that work very well. So it does come down to personal choice in many cases.
I like the Kurt Thune sling pictured because of a number of factors, not the least of which is the minute adjustments connected with the frequency
of the buckle adjustment holes. It should be noted that there are even more minute adjustments available on other slings, so it would do the reader good to investigate the market out there. My K T sling is much modified, and primarily the position of the buckle was the first point addressed. I removed the keeper loop for starters and resited the buckle quite a bit closer to the upper arm, but well away from the wrist bones. I have seen so many that put up with excruciating pain when the sling buckle bored into the wrist bones! Many a top echelon score has suffered because of intruding pain as the shoot progressed, even to the point of the left hand (right handed shooter) going completely numb!
If you are just starting this fascinating sport, or attending to someone that is, it is imperative that sling comfort is paramount. I have seen new shooters never turn up again at a club where this facet is ignored.
If you study the sling in photo “A”, you will see that the buckle is situated almost directly over the elbow, and well away from the wrist bones. This is the very first point you address, when custom fitting a sling. You will also note that my KT sling is the single buckle type, not the two buckle unit which is also available. You will also note the sling loop around the upper sling has been removed, and that I have attached the both straps of the sling composite material with a 6mm bolt and nut. The reason for this is that I maintain that the upper sling should not constrict the Biceps/Triceps muscles to allow the upper arm some space to
Target Shooter 79
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