Rifle Sling Question

[russinchico]

I made myself a rifle sling a few weeks ago, it turned out alright. My question is whats the best way to pad the shoulder piece? I'll attach a pic and you can see what I made. I'm thinking about roughly the same design (3/4" to 2 1/2' to 3/4' strap) but a little padding at the shoulder piece would be nicer. Maybe just sew padded fabric to the back? Also, what can I do to keep the steel rings on the rifle from blackening the leather are the ring?

Edited October 19, 2008 by russinchico

[TomSwede]

How about a warm and cozy piece of sheepskin hair on? Nice for cold days in the woods, I think. I have 2-3 slings to do and got all free hands from customer so definetly gonna try one with sheepskin.

A thicker felt type of material seem to be common in my parts of the world (where a beautiful handcrafted sling looks identical to a factory made one only that is made by hand and I've never seen a handstitched one either).

Those have the edge folded and sewn through both layers wich makes a nice looking edge (if you close the eye to the fact that the leathers edges is just cut raw without any slicking or edge pampering at all).

I don't know what you can do to help with blocking blackening from the rings other than perhaps use techniques like "burst out" black or dark brown towards edges and the ring attachments. Maybe a coat af acrylics sealer will healp at this point??

Nice looking sling! Keep it up, the world needs more custom work from their own specialists rather than the machined leather putty stuff that fall apart over two seasons.

Tom

[rickybobby]

russinchico,

Nice work!

I have not tried any slings yet but I am starting to get asked by customers for them (hunting season coming up) I would try a closed cell foam maybe 1/4 inch and do it like a padded saddle seat. Cut the foam a to your stitch line, bevel the foam at a 45 to 60 degree angle and glue it to chap leather (rough out or smooth out). Glue it on the sling in position and stitch it on. Take your largest edge beveler or french edger (sharp) and trim the chap leather or use pinking shears for the final edge.

I would think Tom's idea of sheep skin would be comfortable but after a trip in the woods it can pick up stickers, thorns, critters, ect.