barrel mounted sling stud

[muddy42]

My front sling swivel has broken (after 20 years of use) so I am considering my options. The rifle is a tikka T3X and has a slight tendency to tilt backwards, due to the weight of the moderator (lightweight and aluminium) when I use the normal stud in the forestock.

I am considering barrel mounting the sling. Something like this:
www.ant-supplies.uk/gun-sling-fittings/rifle-barrel-band-swivel-bases.html

Has anyone done this and have any feedback or recommendations for what to buy? The rifle is a workhorse and I don't care about aesthetics or marking the barrel. I carry the rifle slung barrel upwards and muzzle down would be unwieldy and impractical for my terrain.

Thanks

 

[Andyquadra]

Anything that touches the barrel will affect the zero

 

[muddy42]

Anything that touches the barrel will affect the zero

Thanks, I can handle re-zero-ing as a one off adjustment. I'm not one of those people that fiddles with their setup, everything stays on until it breaks!

 

[enfieldspares]

The best barrel mounted swivel is one that is permanently attached instead on McGyvered such as that shown. There's two ways to do it. If no foresight is fitted then a barrel band slid down from the muzzle and then silversoldered into position.

NECG Classic Barrel Band Swivel R-300, Slings & Swivels | New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd.

If a foresight is fitted than a triangular fillet style silversoldered to the underbarrel. Like this but slimmer and better done.

Light mount for a double barrel?

I'm looking for a solution to mounting a light underneath a double barrel configuration shotgun. Strictly a house gun rig, so it doesn't really have to be permanent/service duty sort of thing, but that would certainly be preferable. There are a few picatinny rail mounts that fit onto front...

pistol-forum.com

I have shot rifles with permanent fitted slingswivels (the first type BRNO ZKK rifles had them) and recall any zero issues whether fired with, or without the sling attached.

FWIW it would be surely less expensive to replace the broken existing sling swivel?

 

[Klenchblaize]

Provided you don't use the sling to steady your aim (as in wound around the forearm with tension) I can't see there being an issue.

K

 

[oneforthepot]

Bisley do some as well. Nicer quality than the ant supplies but they're still good.

If you can't get the right size some bicycle inner tube is handy to pad out or electrical tape

The effect on zero.will only be if the sling is tensions etc

 

[Jagged77]

How about fitting Grovtec push button bases on the side? Easy enough to do with the right tools.

 

[Freeforester]

Carrying the rifle muzzle down helps control its direction, and shortens the potential trajectory in the event of an unforeseen discharge; I personally carry my rifle barrel downward and have done so ever since seeing a shiny barrel glinting in the morning sun some forty years ago. It caught the attention of the animal being stalked too. Because the rifle is shortish it’s no trouble to approach with the moderator in hand, which also further improves control. When the rifle with a moderator on It waves in the sky it is also often a bit of a giveaway.

This all being said, hopefully it is a simple enough task to inlet a captive nut into the fore end to fix any replacement (and suitaby machine-threaded) sling stud into.

 

[enfieldspares]

Carrying the rifle muzzle down helps control its direction, and shortens the potential trajectory in the event of an unforeseen discharge

If I had any doubt at all that my rifle might have an unforeseen discharge I'd sooner not carry it at all. Or carry it muzzle up. Deaf in the left ear I'd prefer to a cork left foot. In truth I'd not carry or use it at all if I feared it had such issues for who is to say when it would discharge?

 

[Freeforester]

If I had any doubt at all that my rifle might have an unforeseen discharge I sooner carry it muzzle up. Deaf in the left ear I'd prefer to a cork left foot. In truth I'd not carry or use it at all if I feared it had such issues.

Indeed, but the lack of control of events muzzle up are literally rather wider ranging than muzzle down; mine is a Blaser, carried uncocked, but these things have been known to happen, especially with conventional bolt action rifles with spring tension already cocked.

If the moderator is in your hand and pointing down and away from oneself and anyone accompanying then however unlikely m, should the worst happen you are still in control of the safer direction of travel.

It’s usually the ‘safe and reliable’ gun/Gun or rifle/Rifle which causes the change in circumstances, novices tend to be watched more.

 

[enfieldspares]

Indeed.

You maybe know this? Others maybe don't. So here it is. If you carry a rifle muzzle down and you have by trial and error adjusted the sling you can do this:

Assuming an right handed shot firing from the right shoulder and the rifle carried muzzle down on the left shoulder with the magazine and trigger to the front. When you go to shoulder the rifle if you put your left hand between the sling and the forend (or barrel) (whilst the rifle is still over your left shoulder so that when you do this the sling is ON TOP of your hand then when you come up to the shoulder the sling will be braced against your left forearm in the classic standing "sling supported" position.

It will feel awkward until you get the length of the sling set correct and works better with a softer webbing sling than a stiff double thickness leather sling.

 

[Freeforester]

I remember watching Richard Prior demonstrating the differences in movement of mounting the rifle between the two ways of carrying the piece; muzzle down was altogether more subtle.

 

[muddy42]

@enfieldspares @oneforthepot @Jagged77 Thanks, I'll take a look at the various models you have suggested.

Carrying the rifle muzzle down helps control its direction, and shortens the potential trajectory in the event of an unforeseen discharge; I personally carry my rifle barrel downward and have done so ever since seeing a shiny barrel glinting in the morning sun some forty years ago. It caught the attention of the animal being stalked too. Because the rifle is shortish it’s no trouble to approach with the moderator in hand, which also further improves control. When the rifle with a moderator on It waves in the sky it is also often a bit of a giveaway.

This all being said, hopefully it is a simple enough task to inlet a captive nut into the fore end to fix any replacement (and suitaby machine-threaded) sling stud into.

I have tried muzzle down but didn't like it and trying to change now after 25 years would be like learning to write with the other hand. Plus waist high bracken and hilly woodland stalking isn't the right situation for this.

 

[HonestJohn]

If you have a barrel mounted swivel, it’s a huge PITA if also using a moderator, as the sling goes through the legs, etc.
get a new stud with a rear locking nut, and make a rear (inside barrel) steel plate that’s bedded to the bottom of the channel that the rear nut can cam against, FN did this about 40 - 50 years ago and still I’ve never seen one break or pull out

 

[muddy42]

If you have a barrel mounted swivel, it’s a huge PITA if also using a moderator, as the sling goes through the legs, etc.
get a new stud with a rear locking nut, and make a rear (inside barrel) steel plate that’s bedded to the bottom of the channel that the rear nut can cam against, FN did this about 40 - 50 years ago and still I’ve never seen one break or pull out

Sorry I can't see how the barrel mounted swivel could get in the way? When you say legs, are you talking about a bipod? I very rarely use one, almost all shots are from viper flex sticks.

There is nothing wrong with either existing studs or how they are mounted into the rifle's synthetic stock. Its the swivel that's broken. Just considering a barrel mount.

 

[HonestJohn]

Sorry I can't see how the barrel mounted swivel could get in the way? When you say legs, are you talking about a bipod? I very rarely use one, almost all shots are from viper flex sticks.

There is nothing wrong with either existing studs or how they are mounted into the rifle's synthetic stock. Its the swivel that's broken. Just considering a barrel mount.

If not using a bipod, I personally prefer the barrel band. But as said, get a recknagel