Making ANew Sling For My Hawken

[jjarrell]

I'm making a new sling for my Hawken. Im taking a leather lace-on sling and I'm going to sew 2 very nice silver fox tails to the strap end to end with black polyester sinew. This isn't my rifle but it is a stock picture of the sling. The picture of the silver fox tails are the two tails ill be using. The tails have been tanned and have had the inerds removed. I sure hope it turns out how I see it in my head. Hopefully it will look really good. I'll know soon.

191532 191533

[bubba.50]

I can't even get my head around imaginin' what that's gonna look like but, I wish you all the luck in the world.

[Fly]

I sent you a PM.

Fly

[jjarrell]

I can't even get my head around imaginin' what that's gonna look like but, I wish you all the luck in the world.

My plan is to split the tails open, trim them to fit the strap, and then sew them lengthwise to the outer side of the sling strap. I don't plan on having fox tails hanging off the sling like a car antenna. I have no idea how it will turn out, but I'm gonna take my time and see how she goes.

[Bazoo]

Im looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

[bubba.50]

My plan is to split the tails open, trim them to fit the strap, and then sew them lengthwise to the outer side of the sling strap. I don't plan on having fox tails hanging off the sling like a car antenna. I have no idea how it will turn out, but I'm gonna take my time and see how she goes.

yeh, I had a general idea of what yer plan was. I'm interested to see how it turns out too 'cause my feeble little mind just can't picture how it'd look.

[waksupi]

You Must not hunt in rain or snow!

[bubba.50]

that was actually my first thought, I bet that thing'd be a booger if it ever gets wet.

[54bore]

that was actually my first thought, I bet that thing'd be a booger if it ever gets wet.

Might give a more realistic meaning to a 'Drowned Ratt'

[Bazoo]

I never considered how it would hold up to inclimate weather. Still be pretty I bet though. Wonder how something like beaver or mink skin would hold up to water?

[phonejack]

With that waving around I hope it doesn't draw artillery fire in the woods

[Edward]

Im thinkin a couple of #2 legholds will do er

[jjarrell]

I'm not sure how it will hold up to weather either but I kinda figure it this way. By the time it gets wet, I'll be just as wet as it is. At least on the outside anyway. I'll be out in the same rain and snow that it is.

[waksupi]

I never considered how it would hold up to inclimate weather. Still be pretty I bet though. Wonder how something like beaver or mink skin would hold up to water?

If you spend as much time grooming it after it is wet as a mink or beaver does, it should be just fine.

I will say, make it and take it to a shoot, you will immediately be branded as a flat land pilgrim.

Wait a minute. Black polyester thread? I think we've been taken on a sucker play. If you are serious and MUST do this, get some linen thread from a saddle or shoe shop.

[jjarrell]

You know I don't recall saying "can I" one time. I said "I am". If someone is concerned about people looking down their noses, or being labeled at a rendezvous that's on you. Or maybe you're at a shoot with the wrong kind of people. I don't care if you shoot a pink and purple inline as long as you're enjoying our fine sport of muzzleloading. Live and let live. You're welcome at my campfire. Sit down and have a cup of coffee or a beer. Whatever tickles your fancy.

God forbid a man use animal skins for anything to do with a "traditional" gun. I'm certainly not the first to do it, I can assure you of that. Speaking of "traditional" guns, might I add? ALL, EACH AND EVERY ONE, ARE BUILT WITH MODERN STEELS, AND MACHINED TO MODERN STANDARDS. With the exception of maybe 3-4% of the muzzleloaders out there, not one barrel is made by a blacksmith anymore. If that many.

I'll leave you all with these two things. First, if the sling I make for MY rifle provides you with amusement or a chuckle, so be it. I'm ok with that. There's not enough laughter in most people's lives and a good chuckle is good for everyone. I'm glad I could bring a brief smile to your face.

Second, to the "traditionalists" that are offended by it. All I can say is, suck it up cupcake and move on. I'm going to do what I want. Your opinion would first have to be of some value to me for it to be of any consequence.

[bubba.50]

simply by makin' the post that you did, you invited people to share their thoughts & comments on it. so, either grow a bit of hard bark & get over it or consider yer sensitive feelin's before makin' posts such as this in the future that invite such comments.


best of luck with yer project & have a good'en neighbor, bubba.

[Eddie2002]

I think it will look great even in the rain. Of course hunting with a front stuffer in a rain storm really would be putting the odds in favor of the game even with a cap lock.
Here's an ugly child I picked up a few years ago191699 The stock had been cut down and bubba'd with dry wall screws holding the trigger assembly and guard on.
I ended up turning it into a trade/indian gun with copper tacks and a leather sling191700with black nylon tassels to pretty it up a bit. Guess I'm saying that unless the gun is a real collector piece I can't see any reason not to change it around, just don't put a rail, tripod and a tactical butt stock with a black paint job on a muzzle loader, that's taking it too far. ;)

[jjarrell]

I think it will look great even in the rain. Of course hunting with a front stuffer in a rain storm really would be putting the odds in favor of the game even with a cap lock.
Here's an ugly child I picked up a few years ago191699 The stock had been cut down and bubba'd with dry wall screws holding the trigger assembly and guard on.
I ended up turning it into a trade/indian gun with copper tacks and a leather sling191700with black nylon tassels to pretty it up a bit. Guess I'm saying that unless the gun is a real collector piece I can't see any reason not to change it around, just don't put a rail, tripod and a tactical butt stock with a black paint job on a muzzle loader, that's taking it too far. ;)

Why, if you took that to a shoot with nylon tassels they would call you a flatlander pilgrim, horse whip you, then tar and feather your butt! LOL :kidding::kidding:Seeriously though I like it. Nice job.

[Eddie2002]

I'm looking for some horse hair to replace them funny looking tassels with, it's a wall hanger right now and with that short barrel I don't think it could lob a round ball out to 100 yds at a shoot. I would remove them funny looking tassels if i was going rendezvous with it. It was a just for the fun of it build with a 50 dollar gun. A little tar and feathers would give it a nice patina ;)

[waksupi]

You know I don't recall saying "can I" one time. I said "I am". If someone is concerned about people looking down their noses, or being labeled at a rendezvous that's on you. Or maybe you're at a shoot with the wrong kind of people. I don't care if you shoot a pink and purple inline as long as you're enjoying our fine sport of muzzleloading. Live and let live. You're welcome at my campfire. Sit down and have a cup of coffee or a beer. Whatever tickles your fancy.

God forbid a man use animal skins for anything to do with a "traditional" gun. I'm certainly not the first to do it, I can assure you of that. Speaking of "traditional" guns, might I add? ALL, EACH AND EVERY ONE, ARE BUILT WITH MODERN STEELS, AND MACHINED TO MODERN STANDARDS. With the exception of maybe 3-4% of the muzzleloaders out there, not one barrel is made by a blacksmith anymore. If that many.

I'll leave you all with these two things. First, if the sling I make for MY rifle provides you with amusement or a chuckle, so be it. I'm ok with that. There's not enough laughter in most people's lives and a good chuckle is good for everyone. I'm glad I could bring a brief smile to your face.

Second, to the "traditionalists" that are offended by it. All I can say is, suck it up cupcake and move on. I'm going to do what I want. Your opinion would first have to be of some value to me for it to be of any consequence.


Just stating facts.

[jjarrell]

Just stating facts.

Its fine Waksupi, I've been called a lot worse than a flat lander pilgrim. I'm not offended. I apologize for my post sounding so rude. That wasn't my intention.

I know you're stating facts. However it does get under my skin when someone is laughed at or put down at a shoot because of the rifle they have. A lot of people don't have the means to own a custom rifle like some do. That doesn't give people the right to snicker at someone and make them feel humiliated because they got a old CVA or TC, and decorated it in a style someone doesn't like. That's unacceptable behavior. They probably worked really hard, saved up, and got the best they could afford. If you were on the receiving end of that would you want to come back? Traditional elitists tend the be the first ones to stand up and say "hey look at what I have", "check out my buckskins" and the fastest and most used is "that's not period correct ". I don't have time for that BS. I would rather make friends. I want to see everyone succeed and have fun.

We get attacked enough from the outside forces of gun control groups, anti hunting groups, PETA and many others. We don't need to look down on another and fuss amongst ourselves because of their rifle or how they decorate it. Inline, percussion, or flintlock. Thats like the cool kids picking on the ones not in their click in high school. Everyone isn't like me. I'm not concerned about whether someone likes my gun. I'm concerned about how it shoots. Ones weapon is an expression of a persons individual taste. They have been since the invention of weapons. Men decorated their weapons to personalize them, to show their likes, to be noticed, some even told a story with decorations and carvings.

[bubba.50]

anybody that wants to get an attitude about my T/C's or my CVA Mountain Rifle ain't anybody that I'd care about their opinion anyway. luck with yer project & have a good'en, bubba.

[Squeeze]

Haha, Life is too short for me to worry about what you do with your stuff. I'm busy having fun over here playing with my stuff. Like 2 kids in the sandbox, one has a dump truck and 1 has a bulldozer, they are both having fun, who cares. I never did the dress up period correct thing. I dont have enough time and money for all my hobbies now. Im the guy at the rendezvous in jeans and a T. :p

[Bazoo]

I still want to see the sling under way and completed. I have a friend with a CVA Bobcat, plastic stock... But it was his grandpa's... and has gotten him into muzzleloading. I cant imagine saying anything that would discourage him.

[jjarrell]

You know? As bitter as these words are. I reckon a man never choked on his pride. For the life of me I can't get these fox tails to look like anything worth a hoot on a sling. They are just too damn bushy. Beautiful, but too bushy. I can't bring myself to trim them back. I think they will find a more appropriate home on my Harley. Saddlebags maybe. Not sure yet. I'm not giving up but the fur has to be shorter for a sling. Maybe fur on cowhide. Short nap deer hide. I don't want brown. Something different, I don't know. I've got this in my head............just can't be with fox tails.

[bubba.50]

if yer determined to have a furry sling rabbit, muskrat, mink or somethin' similar would likely be better choices.

[dlbarr]

Here's an ugly child I picked up a few years ago....

Eddie, I would agree that that's one ugly child and yet it's still cool because of it's uniqueness. How's it shoot?

[Edward]

I guess I make use of whats produced on my trap line/woods walk , and they seem to work so the cats out of the bag :bigsmyl2:192278192279

[country gent]

Maybe a couple squirrel tails instead. But they would be brown

[jjarrell]

if someone knows where I can come by a piebald deer hide. Now that may be something to work with. Matching possibles bag might be nice too.

[Edward]

Thats what my photo shows ,about 60% white after tanning hair on I shortened hair for straps ,That 1bag used most all of the hide . I"ll keep you in mind if I kill another one

[Bazoo]

I would suggest, Shoot a deer, and use that hide. Be a better story.

[dondiego]

Maybe a couple squirrel tails instead. But they would be brown

We have black and grey squirrels around here. You could also die hair and get any color you want. Check out the fly tying department for idea's. They sell all kinds of died hair and feathers for tying flies.

[Bazoo]

Any more progress on the sling?