What shoulder do you sling your rifle?

[AMM]

Not speaking from experience fwiw, but . . . why not have long gun on weak side muzzle down, esp when sidearm is on strong side hip?  Seems very easy to swing very quickly into firing position w/sling bracing.  I can see worry re muzzle down in mud, but w/rifle balance muzzle seems to project forward where fairly easily controlled during movement by weak side hand.

at 1:10:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34zAEVixMWQ

The utility of this idea depends on a number of factors.  If you don't hunt when there's much snow, and the terrain is not much of a worry it can work fine.  But as with so many firearms handling habits, consistency creates habit that reinforces saftey. As a rule, I never carry a long gun muzzle down in the field unless it is raining, in which case I un-sling and carry two-handed. Muzzle down, in my view, is especially dangerous if there's any snow, or even a modest chance of slipping.  I am also not a fan of weak-side sling carry to enable strong side handgun carry.  It is a tradeoff, but when long gun hunting your handgun is a backup.  I suggest primary focus should be on the primary weapon, and the strong side holster can interfere with handling of the long gun.

Growing up, our neighbor was a gunsmith. He had a sporterized 1903A3 on display at his home shop; the barrel was split wide open. The cause was a snow obstruction at the muzzle. That has stuck with me over the years.

Cheers

[Shawdowpatriot]

Left shoulder . You want it near your dominant arm eye

[tdogg]

The least tired one!

In all seriousness, I just got done hunting both deer and elk.  The deer hunt was with my kids and they were constantly complaining about their shoulders being tired and were frequently switching.  I mainly kept my rifle slung over my non dominant shoulder muzzle up.  After long days in the field, I will switch it up as needed to provide relief.  If you carry it weak shoulder with the muzzle down you have nearly instant access and can grab and shoulder it in a single motion.  I have damaged my muzzle crown carrying muzzle down and don't do it anymore.  I did recrown that rifle and it shoots better than before!

I agree that the rifle should be your primary weapon/defense and I don't even carry a sidearm when hunting.  I do when scouting.

Cheers,
Toby

[Grendel]

I have taken to using 'African Carry' to and from the deer stand. I am extremely aware of grounding the muzzle, but as both my rifle and muzzleloader are on the short side for barrels - where I hunt is primarily heavy brush and pine woods - It's not so bad.

[Clueless Newbie]

Hunting deer, i usually tote a rifle not sure why I would want extra weight of a sidearm. Down here on the Georgia Coast we got some venomous reptiles don't take kindly to being stepped on, but there's more folks that managed to perforate their boot and foot than pulled off a Matt Dillon quick draw.

[Basher]

If it’ll be needed relatively quickly, I carry muzzle down so all I have to do is shoulder the rifle. If I’m walking a much greater distance without anticipating a need for the rifle, I’ll carry muzzle up to prevent me jamming the bore full of mud/dirt. In either case, I carry it on my strong side shoulder.

[Tyerone]

During Rifle Deer Hunting, if slung (for instance during dark walks to/from) it is on the dominant (right side) with barrel up.  OWB right side doesn't present a problem as my overcoat essentially makes it somewhat "deep carry".  However, when bow hunting, I carry my defense pistol OWB left side so it doesn't obstruct awkward leaning shots with my old school anchor point, no-peep finger shooting.

[CowboyIlija97]

im left eye dominant so usually I shoot left handed but depending on rifle or situation I will switch hands.

[Faeruss7]

I’m naturally left-handed, but transitioned to shooting long-guns right-handed at age 18. With the exception of AR-15s (and similar), I “African” carry my rifles. I’ve never had enough of a problem with handgun interference to revert to traditional “American” carry. So both my rifle and sidearm are on my left side with a bolt-action. I also use Montana slings exclusively for bolt-actions. I just make sure to pop-out with the bolt-action and it’s sling, before I rotate (while shouldering).