Slings (for the novice) for No1 and No4 prone

[jss]

Is there a book or manual that can help with what slings to use with the Lee Enfield to get the best results. I feel I'm cheating if I use a rest. I tried a single point setup with my No4 and seemed to get a 1" group at 200 yards (fluke?) having been all over the place without it. Oddly I shot a No1 quite well at 300 yards without using a sling.
What do the experts use, or perhaps what should beginners use to avoid disappointing scores?.
Or should I just use a sandbag?.

Information

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[Gingercat]

Hi

I've just purchased a copy of 'Target Rifle Shooting' by Major E. G. B. Reynolds & Robin Fulton (1976 2nd edition) from Abe Books and it looks a really good read for this type of question. Written back when Enfields were still popular/common target rifles and plenty on how to use Parker Hale aperture sights too.

Apparently you should never rest the rifle itself on the sandbag - just your hand, or arm on the bag - something I have been guilty of before now... probably explains my poor scores!

All the best
Mike

[jmoore]

It depends on the sling you will use. I like the British type web sling- several options, including the single point method you mentioned work fine. I generally prefer a "hasty sling" set-up myself, or if you have a mid-sling swivel (as used on late No.4 Mk.I (T)s and L42a1s), prefer that over anything.

The leather US 1907 type sling works well, also, but will be more uncomfortable to use unless you have a shooting jacket with the proper padding. If you intend on doing a fair amount of formal position shooting this is probably the best sling. Be prepared to spend a bit for a good quality sling, though! You'll quickly destroy "cheap" slings.

Turner and Brownell's are two options.

A quick instructional video that's not too bad (he shoots sitting here, but prone is pretty similar and requires usually only a minor adjustment to get LOTS of tension):

[xa-coupe]

I see another cat helping out too !

[newcastle]

Can someone here give a brief on the army nethod of how to use the webbing slings.til now I've just attached one end to forward sling swivel and made a loop out of other end round my upper arm.

[Rumpelhardt]

I'm surprised no one else put this up. Not an Enfield but the principle is the same when using a U.S. 1907 sling on an Enfield.
Milsurps - Rifle Marksmanship with the M1 Garand Rifle (1942))
Sorry. After rereading the post I see that you wanted information on a web sling. The above videos are still interesting.

[A. F Medic]

With the video, note that there was no "bone on bone" or elbows on the knee caps....

[Peter Laidler]

Before the new, decent cotton webbing sling for the late L42 and L96....... the narrower cotton and not the wider nylon sling I hasten to add, then the favoured sling for snipers was the longer webbing Bren Gun sling without the two hooks. You could use this in the usual way plus use a bit to put around the wrist too. Don't ask me how they did it but it was certainly taught by the instructors. It was a very versatile bit of kit and just why it never made it into the syllabus and thereafter, the handbook beats me

[Nigel]

An excellent book on the subject of slings for Service Rifle shooting (SMLE and later additions also the No.4) is Lt Col Barlow's The Elements of Target Shooting. Won the King's medal several times using a SMLE so he knew what he is talking about. Book covers snap shooting, rapids, wind, sights, kneeling position, etc. There were several additions printed before and after WW2. They fetch about £18 over here. Essential reading for SMLE shooters.

[Tweed]

So, would anyone know if either of the two above mentioned books are available on the West side of the big pond?