Scoped Rifle carry on a Horse

daddyflea

Active member
Just got a well made Scoped Rifle Scabbard for my Horse.

Problem is that it looks like the only good way to carry this on a Saddle with the short straps provided is almost level upside down resting on the Scope. I am wondering if this will cause my rifle scope to be off quickly or should I make more of an effort to carry it with the Scope up? I am using all high grade equipment and mounts. I am concerned about the mounts mainly.
 
Everybody has their own preference I carry mine to the rear to avoid snagging it on a tree. I like to carry mine on the left side of my horse and the way my scabbard is built I end up carrying it with the scope down. I have done it this way for 30 years with no problem but if I was getting a new scabbard I would set up so the scope was up. Hanging it to the rear I did have a pack horse once snag a lead rope around it and tear it loose in a wreck on a narrow nasty piece of real estate but the gun survived.

Had a buddy that swore by hanging his rifle to the front. Always told me the way I did it was wrong. One day while walking out leading our horses with his gun in the scabbard mounted to the front his horse decided to get a drink of water and snagged the stock on a large branch horse felt the tug and blew up snapping the stock off of the rifle at the pistol grip. He stopped telling me my way was wrong.

So what ever way you choose remember to balance your saddle. I carry my rope and axe on the right side of my saddle to balance out the weight from my rifle on the left side. Mine hangs upside down with the scope down and seems to ride well that way. I have never to my knowledge caused the rifle to lose zero as a result.

I would avoid hanging the rifle to the rear on the right side of the saddle. I had another friend who carried his rifle that way and got bucked off his horse when he was stepping on when he put his foot between the rifle stock and the horse's flank on the right side. It was a great show for the rest of us to watch but one I'm sure he would not like to repeat.
 
Last edited:
Thanks my straps provided are too short to mount it any other way. Mounting to the rear has my Horse hitting the barrel with every step. I do not think there is a right way or wrong way and there is arguments every way. When I worked for the Prison we hung them straight up and down by strapping to the Gullet of the saddle. I do not need quick access just a good comfortable way to carry it. I guess you are right about snagging the Butte especially when lazy and trying to open and close gates mounted. It seems that hunting off a Horse is fast becoming a lost art, which is sad. I hit a Armadillo with a stick to make him leave the other day. My Horse would not stand still with him running between her legs. So far every Coyote called has come from down wind right where I tied my Horse.
 
When I was guideing in Idaho we always tried to keep clients guns ,butt back with the scope up .

We rode through alot of trees and didn't need the rifles hanging up and when you pulled the gun out you want it right side up . The scabords we used were tight enough I don't think there was any extra weight on the scope .

That being said , the guides would have liked to have the butts forward . Because to get a fat boy from michigans leg up and over a horses butt is one thing . But add a saddle cantle and a rifle butt and you've got pure comedy .

I would go to a tack shop / saddle store and get longer straps and flip it over .

Later Bruce
 
I carry my rifle on the right side of my horse. I actually put the scabbard through the coils of my rope and run the strap through the swells. The rifle is then sitting up and down right against your knee. It is easy to control if stepping over deadfall and very quick acsess. I'm sure there is a better way but just giving you another idea.
 
What 62b said. I've always carried my to the rear on the off side. Being to the rear, it was LESS apt to catch on a tree but dragging a string of mules, the lead rope was always between the stock and the horse. On the off side, I could drag it out as I was getting off the horse if needed or while I was on it. I'm right handed.

Having the stock to the front, you can always see it is there, you haven't forgot to pick it up from the tree it was leaning up against while you were glassing (don't ask how I know that) and it won't snag the sling and pull out of the scabbard, falling into the creek only to be discovered missing when you arrive where you are going to glass next.

They are all uncomfortable with the exception of an old m94. It beats walking all that way though so it's worth putting up with.
 
I bought the more expensive Weaver Leather Scabbard and it has a cut out for the Bolt and a snap that actually locks the Rifle in. Works fine Butte to the rear but Butte to the front puts the Cut out on the wrong side so the scope has to be down. To me mounting on the Left side is not acceptable because of the balance and the fact that every time you saddle the Scabbard is in the way or has to be removed. I did order longer straps but like anything else a special order will take a while.
 
Sorry, but my questions are slightly off topic.....

Would I be able to use one of these scabbards to hold a rifle in the back of my jeep? Would I be able to strap it to the roll cage bars and be able to just slide my rifle in and out?

Thanks!
 
Quote:
Sorry, but my questions are slightly off topic.....

Would I be able to use one of these scabbards to hold a rifle in the back of my jeep? Would I be able to strap it to the roll cage bars and be able to just slide my rifle in and out?

Thanks!



Yes you could. For a Jeep I would most likely go Nylon with a flap that closes it up. Midway has the best selection


Midway Rifle scabbards
 
Quote:
I carry my rifle on the right side of my horse. I actually put the scabbard through the coils of my rope and run the strap through the swells. The rifle is then sitting up and down right against your knee. It is easy to control if stepping over deadfall and very quick acsess. I'm sure there is a better way but just giving you another idea.



+1

This is the way I carried my rifle for years. D rings were added to the cantle to put the scabbord scraps through. I sure hate the feel of the rifle under my leg, which is why I like the upright carry position.

I would however not use this system on a pack animal.

Any saddle maker can make you longer straps.
 
Last edited:


Write your reply...
Back
Top