Sling or holster for a scoped 15" Encore?

[BigBrass]

What's the best way to carry a scoped Encore with a 15" barrel?  A sling? Or is there a holster that is big enough, and can be strapped to one's back?  I would appreciate your advice.

[jw4570]

I'd go the sling route because of the scope, it's just gonna be too darn big.

On my 21" Contender Carbine, I used a barrel band clamp instead of wood screwing the forend.

Jason

[sk330lc]

I prefer A sling for hunting the hills here in Ohio...   TC makes a sling swivel kit part # 9703 .   I use everything but the Barrel band.  I drill the wooden forends and use a 1/2" swivel stud with a few drops of Gorilla glue.         If you do a Search, you can find more info on past posts that discuss Sling -V- Holsters..

[patrick.hover]

What's the best way to carry a scoped Encore with a 15" barrel?  A sling? Or is there a holster that is big enough, and can be strapped to one's back?  I would appreciate your advice.

BigBrass, Im the guy who asked all the questions about the 15" Encore in 30-06...I just spent the entire middle of the week climbing up and down mountains here in Montana with my new gun on on my side.

I bought the uncle mikes bandoleir holster from  EABCO for 45 bucks or something like that...It works great and it can be put over the back or slung on the side It doesnt get in the way of my backpack at all.
It has a removable flap if you dont want to use it and comes in black or camo.  It fits my Encore with a 2-6 elite scope on the top perfectly.  snug AND SAFE FROM BOUNCING AROUND and walking throught brush and thick vegitation .  It does not slap at your leg and IS NOT TO BIG AT ALL !!!!!!  MY hands are now free of a rifle and sling.  I love it.

I feel that a sling is more complicated(mounting swivels and all) and nowhere near as handy and safe as the bandolier holster.check out eabco.com and get one.

Just my opinion though NOT to slam the sling lovers out there.
Pat Hover

[jw4570]

My biggest concern with using the swivel in the forend is the single dovetail in my barrel for the forearm stud.  I've seen these pull out before, and I had to stake mine to get the stud to stay in place.  I just don't trust the forearm.  I'm new to T/C's, but not to guns, and it seems to be a weak link.  Not sure how the Encore forend attaches.

Jason

[rickyp]

I instal the sling stud between the 2 forend screws and dont ahve to worry about anything

[Possum]

I use a bandolier holster for all my 14-15" Contenders and Encores.  I like the fact that I can carry it in different positions and it is ALWAYS protected from any accidental abuse.  

By the way, you can mount the sling swivels and also use the bandolier.  I have my Encore designed like that and I have an option when I need it.  

  That way you can use the sling as a belt until you need to do that final stalk! :-D

[ftw]

Before I bought my first 14" Contender,I poured through everything I could find on the gun. I loved the pictures with the sling and knew I wanted one. I installed one as soon as I bought the gun.

It was really nice walking in the woods with the sling around my neck and shoulder and I could swing it up into place and use back pressure to help steady the gun. I also liked it sitting in a treestand and would shorten the sling to hang on my chest and be ready for action, and again use sling pressure with my neck to steady for the shot if a rest was not available.

What I did not like was the gun sliding around and banging itself up while I was climbing trees. I got a deal on Pachmayr grip and forend so I switched to them and did not know if I could adapt swivels to the rubber forend so I left off the swivels.

I adopted Graybeards idea of just carrying the gun in a T/C case that I fastened a shoulder strap to. If stalking, I have the gun in my hand. In the tree, the case is partially unzipped to act like a holster and tied somewhere close at hand.

I still would like to add a sling again if I can figure out how to do it.

[rickyp]

What I did not like was the gun sliding around and banging itself up while I was climbing trees. I got a deal on Pachmayr grip and forend so I switched to them and did not know if I could adapt swivels to the rubber forend so I left off the swivels

I have a sipmle and safer way for you to do this. Get a hall line and pull the gun up to you once you are in place and set

For the pach. grips uncle miles do or did make a slind kit that will work with the contender and pach grips.