What do you guys prefer?

First of all, with elastic or leather loops for the cartriges?

Open or with a flap to cover the shells?

Do you like seperate holders that slide onto a belt, "integrated" types where the belt itself has loops,
buttstock shell holders, or any other kind that's slipped my mind at the moment?

And then how many shells should it hold?

Or do you like to just have the cartridges loose in your pocket?

I have a couple of cartridge holders that fit 5 rounds each. It's the kind that slides onto a belt and has a flap that encloses it.
Got them when I was in London years ago and visited H&H. You'd think these would be a quality product. Unfortunatly this isn't so... The leather quickly became very loose, so loose that the cartridges can fall out if the flap isn't closed. Which is the second problem. The flap was secured down with the use of brass studs. These were total crap and quickly dissapeared while hunting... So now the flap just flaps!

So after this experiance, I've been thinking of getting something with elastic to hold the rounds, and a button to hold the flap closed. Or maybe I was just unlucky and another producer makes a better simular product that won't be a waste of money?

Erik D.

I've tried everything you mention until I discovered the canvas belts from San Pedro Saddlery. I've used one for years and haven't had rounds fall our or corrode. My belt holds up to 40 rounds of .375, but rarely do I put more than 20 rounds in the belt. I have one for .416 Rigby, standard non belted cartridges, then of course the one for standard belted magnums. I've included their link.



http://www.sanpedrosaddlery.com/frames.htm?

I use a .270 & a .416, I have a elastic stock sock that fits snug on the stock on both rifles and one on my 12 ga. shotgun too. Real handy, bullets are right there if you need them. I also have a belt holder that folds down exposing the bullets, one for the .270 and one for the .416, easy to get to, and quiet. Don't like to carry loose bullets in my pockets..

I found that with the open leather loop belt some rounds would slide down as I walked and some would pop out the top when I squated down. I will be getting some of the covered leather pouches which slip onto my belt. I might also get the pouches which fit in shirt pockets so that cases dont rattle around when I run.

I made my own some years back by sewing two black elastic ammo bests together. I purchased them from Cabellas, I swew them lined up with each other so they would have two loops holding my .470s, 404s, 416s or 375s...I then sewed the bottom loops closed at the bottom so the bullets don't work through and they are deep enough to not work their way up and out...I like the elastic as it does not turn bullets green and when you pull a round out it does not pull the belt up and/or refuse to release the cartridge...It simply works perfectly and it never gets sloppy or loose or stiff and uncomfortable, it stays where I belt it on...It cost about $12.00 plus $5.00 for the shoe shop to sew it up as per my instructions..It is now about 7 or 8 years old and still as good as new....BTW I don't want a flap of anykind protecting my bullets when I am hunting dangerous game, I want simple and immediate access to ammo, and I have never seen a need for covered ammo in Africa.

I also have another made of canvas and leather by a Zimbabwe leather shop and its also a very nice ammo belt but works better with smaller rounds..It tends to streatch out and needs to be soaked from time to time as all canvas belts do..

I have photos if anyone is interrested, or if my description is vague..Email me if interrested and I'll forward a photo....

The best I have found are from www.murrayleather.com
I have some of the elastic ones that I have been using for over 6 years. All his products are first rate.

Murray Custom Leather are first rate. I have them in both elastic and leather loops.



I carry two 10 round Murray leather cartridge holders on a separate belt (that way you can position them wherever you want) for my .416 Rem. For example, if you are squatting down, you can move the ammo to your side to make it more comfortable (unless you have a really flat stomach like mine, then you don't need to move it ). When you are walking, you can shift the ammo carrier to the front so your rifle stock doesn't hit the ammo when the rifle is slung over your shoulder.



I have a 10 round with elastic loops for my .375 H&H. I like the look of leather and haven't had a problem with them on two safaris. In the long run, I would guess that the elastic would be more durable.





.416





.416





.375



Regards,



Terry



P.S.

Dick Murray is a true gentleman and I am certain that if you ever had an issue with any of his products, he would take care of it.



P.P.S.

What I mean by a separate belt is that I have a belt on my pants that is run through the beltloops. The ammo is on a separate belt that isn't put through the beltloops, just goes around my waist. That way it is easy to remove when having lunch, etc. and you can slide the ammo carriers around on the belt since they aren't run through the beltloops on your pants.

I use the elastic ones that fit over the stock like widowmaker refered, cheap and they work good, sometimes a few work there way part way out, but rarely loose any.

Been using them for years.

I also have some leather ones I bought at a gun shop in pretoria and some that I bought at a leather store at one of the flea markets in Pretoria also, but havent used them much.

When I went to Zimbabwe in June I took a 450 no2 and a 9,3x74R. I had one of Murray's 15 round ammo belts [elastic] for each rifle. It made it easy to switch ammo when changing from one rifle to the other.
I also have their butt stock carriers on my rifles.

Dick Murray. Saw his ads and then met him in Vegas and bought some belts, slings and ammo carriers from him. Top notch products and a good guy. I like the elastic loops in the carriers. I am still experimenting with different carry methods and will try the separate belt idea next.

John

I am still happy as a utilitarian.Use Unkle Mikes cartridge belts ,model rifle #88041,Thereby I can carry softpoints,hardpoints and elcheapos nicely seperated at user determined quantity in an elastic nylon belt.
Didnt have a problem
List $20.10
http://www.uncle-mikes.com/adtemplate.asp?invky=3241898&catky=3407251&subcatky1=4548779&subcatky2=2000082

On Sale for $12.52 at cheaperthandirt
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/dept.asp?page=1&dept%5Fid=1206&imgid=&categname=&dept%5Fname=Ammo+Pouches%2C+Wallets+%26+Holders&mycount=23&mscssid=52R0PSGDQSXB9N0XEHUCSS1CTFV32G08

If this picture works its for shotshells,the rifle belt is similar


[image]http://www.uncle-mikes.com/getimage.asp?table=inv&field=image2&keyname=invky&keyvalue=[/image]

Erik

The Africase shell holder is a higher quality than the Murray ones, plus they carry each round in an individual slot to keep the rounds quiet. Also, the Africase ones are calibre specific which is a nice touch. Take a look at them at www.heritagearms.net, Africase is red on the tool bar

Aleko

I like 2 of the 10-round cartridge slides (one for solids, one for softs), no flaps, on a 2-1/2 to 3 inch wide ammo belt, worn as T.Carr says, along with a knife on the belt. Uncle Mike's nylon and elastic is fine for me, though I am known to collect any fine leather cartridge carriers I come across.

I also like the buttstock carrier but I will usually modify it to carry only 4 or 5 cartridges, a magazine full, or two reloads of a double.

I also will wear a favorite old shooting jacket that has five heavy elastic loops sewn onto the left side (just below the breast pocket) that fit any of the big bore cartridges that I use. Big Five cartridges.

I will always have at least two of these three methods of ammo carry going if hunting. They are complimentary.