a good nylon 1" SUPER SLING is my preference. i think i got mine at a local shop several years ago. you may check midwayusa or mid-south shooters supply.
for studs in the encore, i go to a local smith. he has a homemade tool to thread the walnut grip and forend for woodscrew type studs. this keeps them from busting the wood. i put the front stud on the front face of the forarm, and the rear replaces one of the small screws that holds the grip cap on.
on the contender i do the same, except replace the front forearm screw with a machine thread type stud, which does double duty to hold the forearm on.
look at the specs on the 2x7 burris ler scope. it has 21' field of view on 2x@100 yards. this would make it easier to pick up your target in woods hunting situations.
keep us posted
