Crow Busters Forum

nhcrowshooter · Guru

Ammo supply

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Just wondering: what is your technique for having adequate shotshells at hand for immediate reloading? I've been using a pump with a 5+1 capacity and keeping my extra shells in my left jacket pocket. I found that everyonce in a while, during the excitement of downing one or two bandits per 3-6 shots (hey, I'm a SBR competition shooter, with a long way to go to become a real shotgunner...). I've been surprised by an empty left pocket more than once. On those occasions, I had to reach down into my bag for the others in standard boxes. This resulted in fumbling around and missing the few opportunities I seem to have to shoot.

This is not a question for Bob, NHCS, M12, and you other mass murderers who are my crow hunting idols--you guys must simply have a 5-gal bucket full of shells on your left and right biggrin .

I've seen bandoliers, belts, slip-on stock shellholders. What do you use that works best for you?

90 days to go for MI crow season.

Bob · Guru

OA,

Here are some photos that might give you some ideas.

I sit an avery bag on top of a 7 gallon bucket for easy access to my ammo in the heat of battle. If The birds are really moving I will open up 4 to 6 boxes ahead of time so all I have to do is grab and load ammo into the magazine tube of my Beretta.

Since I'm right handed the avery bag sits on the right side of the blind.

Bob A.

Old Artilleryman · Guru

NHCS:

I like the buttpack idea esp. since I have one. That sounds pretty good.

Bob:

I knew there had to be a 5-gal bucket somewhere in your blind! The clear plastic tub full of shells is awesome. Someday when I end up with a pickup truck, I will probably haul more stuff in to make a real businesslike stand like yours.

Thanks.

Bob · Guru

Hi OA,

When I reloaded for 12 & 20 gauge hulls for crows you could get (loose shells) 650 20's and 500 12 gauge hulls in a 5 gallon bucket filled right to the top.

Bob A.

Skip · Guru

OA: I use an ammo belt. It holds 25 rounds.. fits snug around my waste. I can access fresh shells quickly and with either hand AND the slots in the belt protect the rounds from debris.. until I need them. I am a run and gunner and I found that shells that I tried to keep in my pocket ( either pants or jacket ) often picked up debris from the trees, bushes, shrubs, etc.. that I walk by with entering and exiting the woods. The belt eliminates that so I can quickly grab a new round and slam it in my gun without worry. If I think I will need more than 30 rounds for a given stand ( 5 in the gun ) I carry a sack with shoulder strap with a close-able velcro top! Targets up!!!!!

skip

Gadget Bob · Guru

Hi Craig,

Here are a couple of products I use:

http://www.texashuntco.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=41

Drake Waterfowl 900 Denier Stap Vest in Mossy Oak Duck Blind (their link won't copy - just "Google" it)

I have been using that Texas Hunt Company "dove belt" for many years and it is well built, much better than competitors I have tried. I just got that Drake vest yesterday and field tested it this morning. It is also well made and the suspender design lets you easily carry a couple of boxes of shells at the ready. I dropped 8 crows this morning in a gated community, taking that one day record from Field Marshal Woody, while using this Drake vest for the first time.

Regards,

Glen · Senior Member

I wear an old turkey vest. A squirrel hunters vest would work well also. I can put 2 boxes in each front pocket if I want. I never do tho as it gets too heavy on my shoulders. I usually just keep one box in my right pocket at a time. Some places the brush just isn't there for a standing blind. So I have to sit on my bucket. Then I keep an open box on the ground somewhere that I don't have to make too much movement to grab a couple more.

-- Edited by Glen on Saturday 3rd of November 2012 09:16:54 AM

8fishermen · Guru

Gadget Bob,

I really like the wingshooter bags you suggested. My partner uses one to carry his shells into the field but takes it off to shoot.

I use a blind bag that holds about 225 or so loose rounds plus my gloves, hat/mask combo, chokes, and binoculars. I keep it open beside my stool. We shoot sitting down on a swivel seat so reaching them is no problem. All vest, shirts, and jackets I wear have large left and right pockets that sit about waist high. I keep about 10 - 15 shells in my left pocket and my counter in my right pocket. It is just natural to click the counter, stuff the gun full and when shooting slows then pick up a few extras. It becomes second nature once you get a routine.

Bob · Guru

Greg,

If you look real close you can see my counter (painted flat black) just to the left of my 870 with the nice wood. It's the last photo on the right. It's easy to reach and it's always in the same spot. I painted it so there is no glare.

Bob A.

10gacrowshooter · Senior Member

i use pants with leg pockets, fill them fill jacket pockets and i feed out of might right hand coat pocket(i am right handed) i can carry about 100 12 ga and 80 10ga. with out a problem. no extra gear to carry and refill my right pocket as need or load from my leg pockets with out bending over and looking for shells. 10 ga cs

-- Edited by 10gacrowshooter on Saturday 3rd of November 2012 03:19:30 PM

Old Artilleryman · Guru

Bob wrote:
Greg,

If you look real close you can see my counter (painted flat black) just to the left of my 870 with the nice wood. It's the last photo on the right. It's easy to reach and it's always in the same spot. I painted it so there is no glare.

Bob A.

Gee, a counter: I only need the fingers on one hand to solve this problem... biggrin

BUZZ · Senior Member

I use a shell belt. I fill my right coat pocket, when that gets empty. I can retrieve rounds from the belt without looking down, which is nice. My buddy and I also just got the bandeliers, we have been loading them up as well, and carry them along on a set we think may get real busy. It serves as a easy method to carry more shells along.

We are in a run and gun area, so we like to keep things easy to transport out in the field.

M12Shooter · Guru

Artilleryman, I can only hope the day comes where I will need of a 5 gallon pail full of shotshells in my blind! biggrin However, I do often find myself frantically tearing into another box of shotshells as targets cross above.

But... to answer your question Sir!. I often employ a trapshooting/clays type belt with a side pouches that neatly hold a box of shells on the right or left side depending on ones dominant hand. As ammo runs low I toss the empty box from my right side and simply tear the flaps off a fresh box box of "feed" and drop this back into the same pouch. Takes only seconds during extended shooting situations.

Much better IMO than placing shells at ones feet where deep knee bends are needed to replentish stocks and the possibility of kicking the whole affair over always looms evileye . For run & gun applications I use a cammo shooting jacket and keep no more than a dozen shells in the right pocket for fast reloading. I do not like to weigh myself down with the payoad of too much loaded ammo as I feel this to have a negitive impact on my shooting performance smile

Ted

jonthepain · Guru

butt pack. it has 3 pouches in it; big one holds 30 or so shot shells, small one holds 20 rounds of .223, and small one holds spare mask.

easy to carry, and I slide it around to the front when on stand.

for coyote night hunting, i switch out the 30 7 1/2s for a half dozen 00 buck, a tiny red light, and a couple of other necessaries.

Old Artilleryman · Guru

As usual, y'all have provided much food for thought and solutions to try out. Thanks!

Lone Star Phil · Senior Member

OA:

We try to accommodate mobility when in our orchards, at least it works for me. So I have a modified reproduction WW!! shoulder harness with pistol belt upon which I have installed three Israeli Defense Force canvas magazine pouches (each holds about 28 shotshells and are stiff enough when full to rest a shotgun butt on), two on the right and one on the left. Also have two one-quart canteen holders on either side that can hold either a canteen of cold, clean water or a box of shotshells and a buttpack for first aid kit, ear plugs, twine for flinging two dead crows in a tree, crow call, some toilet paper, a can of vienna sausages, oatmeal bars and an extra box of shotshells.

With one quart of water, a Basic Load is just over 125 rounds.

It is heavy by some standards but compact, easily reloaded and I don't really feel it on me since the weight is borne by my shoulders. And best of all, it subscribes to my "grab-n-go" readiness standard. Toss in a canteen out of the fridge on the way out the door with my play suit, the shotgun and tube and I am instantly agile, mobile and hostile!

Zeddicus · Senior Member

We don' run and gun. We gun and run! That means hunt from a blind and pick up dead birds asap. If using a dog, this is quite relaxed. When you pick up yourself.. We'll I try to get them in close :)
So in order to be able to move fast I use a blindbag for boxes of cartridges. A side pocket for loose cartridges and I always habe a couple in my jacket pocket where I can get to them quickly.

We don't shoot high volumes here so the loose ones in the bag & Jacket are usually enough.

BUZZ · Senior Member

Phil touched on something in his last post that I would like to point out to any new hunters reading along......"EAR PLUGS".........ya only get 1 go round with your hearing...........ear plugs are a must in my opinion.

Lone Star Phil · Senior Member

Buzz:

I use ear plugs even when shooting our sound-attenuating metro guns. Have to protect the hearing I still have!

Phil

Bob · Guru

Buzz,

"Whats that you say?"

Bob A.

Zeddicus · Senior Member

Ear protction is a must. Although it makes calling more awkward...

BUZZ · Senior Member

Bob wrote:
Buzz,

"Whats that you say?"

Bob A.

I agree Zed, but as we know...they are worth wearing.

Yea Bob........I know exactly what your saying....... biggrin

Wish I would have used them more in my younger days..........right Phil.....I SAID RIGHT PHIL.....YO...PHIL......

Old Artilleryman · Guru

I can vouch for hearing protection. I wore it whenever possible while using the BIG guns and other Army fun guns (e.g., .50 BMG, M60). My precautions left me enough hearing to do what I want now without hearing aids, at least for a while anyway. Target shooting, mowing the lawn, everything--including shooting the 12 ga. at the big black birds. Yes, it's awkward under the camo, but I am immediately reminded by the first shot, when I forget, from the immediate reward of ears ringing.

Redditch · Guru

I have a fold up swivelling chair that has a zipped bag underneath the swivel part. I just dump/empty a box or two of shells in there, and can just reach downand grab a couple. I also have a neoprene stock cover that holds four extra shells, so if I need to leave the hide (and remember to take the gun) then I always have a few extra if needed

Redditch · Guru

This is the seat I use

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWIVEL-SEAT-CHAIR-SPINNING-STOOL-PIGEON-SHOOTING-HIDE-FOLDING-GEEEN-CAMO-/321005459354?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Hunting_ShootingSports_ET&hash=item4abd6a979a&_uhb=1

shaddart · Guru

OA, i keep a couple in my pocket & the rest in a gallon ziplock bag, cheap, keeps them clean & dry & I haven't found that I need more than a gallon bag full of shells. ( I wish I needed to carry more) I just lay the bag along side of me or keep it in an open backpack.