With its long history of use and versatility in many occupations, paracord is famous for its incredible strength and longevity.
A paracord rifle sling is known as one of the best rifle slings that you can use as a hunter. This rifle sling is comfortable and hard-wearing, prompting most hunters to make their own.
Learn how to customize your own paracord rifle sling by following a few basic steps. You will increase your comfort while hunting, avoid shoulder pain from a thin rifle sling that cuts into your shoulder, and have a sling for life.
What is a Paracord Rifle Sling?
A paracord rifle sling is made from paracord, which has a long, illustrious history. Soldiers first used paracord during the Second World War for military purposes. Paracords or parachute strings first appeared in parachutes during this war.
Noting the strength of this cord, soldiers began to use it in many other ways. Soldiers began using this cord to attach their equipment to harnesses.
They also tied camouflage netting to vehicles and trees and secure their backpacks on vehicle racks. Paracord was also helpful for measuring out distances that the soldiers marched.
NASA astronauts have even put paracord to good use in outer space when repairing damages to the Hubble Space Telescope. But paracord has inveigled its way into the domestic environment where many hunters use this cord to make rifle slings.
Paracord or 550 cord can bear weight up to 550 lbs. which is why it is so famous for tying things down and up and everywhere else. This cord is incredibly durable, strong, and hard-wearing.
Is It As Good As a Store-Bought Sling?
Because the paracord is so reliable and robust, it is also popular as a contemporary rifle sling. Many hunters prefer to make their own rifle slings using the 550 cord because of these features. But exactly how good is a paracord rifle sling?
A paracord rifle sling is possibly better than any other type of rifle sling because it is so hard-wearing. The difference between a store-bought rifle sling and a paracord sling that you make at home may come down to construction and effort.
It’s easy to go and purchase a rifle sling, and you will have multiple options to choose from but making your own sling is so much more rewarding.
But making a paracord rifle sling means you control the process. You can select from multiple instructions and paracord rifle sling widths and create one that will be comfortable.
It will take effort, time, and patience to make your paracord rifle sling, but it will be worth your while. Making your paracord rifle sling will also be cheaper than purchasing this item.
The outcome is that you will have a paracord rifle sling for life. Your sling will be tailored for comfort as you can make one that is wider and thicker than anything available in stores.
You can even make your sling up to 2 inches broader and thicker to prevent it from digging into your shoulder. The sling will be durable and able to withstand even the roughest treatment when in the field. You can also remove the sling and machine wash it when necessary.
How to Make a Paracord Rifle Sling
You can start by making a paracord rifle sling with what is known as the double cobra knot. Purchase the following supplies or gather the items you have in the home to make this sling.
What you will need:
- 550 paracord x 3 rolls (single or different colors)
- Pliers
- Lighter
- Scissors
- One buckle or swivel
- Optional rifle shell
Step 1
Measure about 30 feet of each roll of paracord and cut. The idea here is to make a decent length paracord rifle sling, and you can always cut it if too long.
As you weave, the cord will shorten considerably, and you don’t want to find that the sling is too short after all your time and effort.
Step 2
Get your three cords and the swivel. Take the first cord and double it at the halfway point. Slip the double cord through the swivel, keeping the loop at the front.
Pull the loose ends through the front loop that is secured to the swivel. You should have a slip knot tied to the swivel with the knot at the front and the loose ends on the side of the swivel facing you. Repeat this process for the other two cords.
Step 3
Imagine you have chosen three different paracord colors. Start with the one on the far right, make a small loop and pull it leftwards across the others. Take the right cord of the middle color and place it over the far-right strand of cord three on the far right.
Place the far right of the central cord under the left strand of cord three. Push cord 2 through the loop created by the third cord. Tie this knot securely. Cord 2 should now be on the right side.
Step 4
Take the left strand of cord three on the right and create a half loop and place it under the knot you made in the second cord.
Place this under the far right of cord three and weave it through the loop in the previous step and tie securely.
Step 5
Repeat these steps for the cords on the left. Create a half loop in the first cord, using the far-left strand, and place this over the middle and third cord. Take the left strand of the central line and place it over the far-left strand of cord 1.
Weave the middle cord beneath the far-right strand of cord 1. Weave the central line through the loop of the first cord and tie securely. The center cord should now be on the right-hand side of the weave.
Step 6
Use the far-right strand of cord 1 to make a half loop and place it under the far left strand of the middle cord. Weave this part through the previous half loop and secure the knot. By now, the central part of the sling should look like a bunch of “plus” signs.
Repeat the process beginning on the right and left until you have a good length for your rifle sling.
Step 7
Continue with this pattern until there is very little paracord left to weave or until you’ve reached the desired length for your paracord rifle sling. Slip the outside cords through the second swivel and knot.
Weave the loose ends down the back of the sling using a pair of sharp-pointed pliers. Once your knotting on the other swivel is secure, and you’ve weaved the loose ends through the completed section of the sling, you can use the lighter to burn the ends of the paracord strands.
While these ends are still hot, press them into the main sling using the pliers to increase their security so they won’t unravel.
If you don’t like the style of the double cobra knot, you can opt for the more challenging triple cobra knot. Other knotting types include the Fish Tail, Mad Max, Rattler Wide Solomon, and many others.
Do some research to find which knotting pattern appeals to you, and then try your hand at following the instructions to make your paracord rifle sling.
You can also test your craftsmanship abilities and follow instructions to widen the shoulder portion of the sling for extra comfort. While these knots may appear simple in theory, they can become quite complex in practice, especially when working with six by 30 feet paracord strands.
By the time you complete your paracord rifle sling, though, you’ll probably breathe a sigh of relief–and satisfaction at a job well done.
How Long Can it Last?
Paracord 500 is so strong that it can withstand weights of up to 500 pounds. This strength should give you some idea of just how strong and durable this cord is, which means it lasts for years.
If you take care of your rifle sling, it will probably last a lifetime, possibly even outlasting your rifle.
Take the time to make your paracord rifle sling because it is cheaper than purchasing this item. Your rifle sling may even be impressive enough for fellow hunters to start placing their orders.
Conclusion
Making your paracord rifle sling may sound challenging, especially when the knotting looks complex. However, just as you use patience to hunt, you can exercise this same skill to create your paracord rifle sling.
A few essential items are all you need to start making your rifle sling, with the paracord being the costliest item. Once you assemble all the necessary equipment, following written instructions or watching a video simplifies the knotting process.
The outcome of your efforts is that you will have a hard-wearing, long-lasting paracord rifle sling to last a lifetime. Your rifle sling may even outlast the rifle, genuinely showing the strength of this material.
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