I agree with Jeffe, this barrel mounted sling stud is a hold over from the old Britt made big bore rifles! The classic short fore ends made the hand a target for this stud under heavy recoil. But like the double shotguns, and double rifles the sling studs are out on the barrels, to allow the rifle to be carried on a sling with the long barrel's muzzle lower than the hunter's head, to avoid it hanging on bush. Most "BIG BORE" rifles are not used with a sling, except to carry it, and are most often removed when the stalk starts!

If you are a hunter/shooter, who MUST use a sling to shoot, then a flush mounted fore arm sling swivel should be used. The barrel mounted stud will definetly change POI if the sling is used for a SHOOTING STRAP! Unless shooting at Prairie dogs I see no need for a wrap-up to shoot, especially if useing a BIG BORE rifle!