Shotgun reloads in 3-gun?

[SDC]

I've grown used to using the Armstec speedloaders for refilling my 870 on the move, but the "official" rules now say that speedloaders put me into Open; that being the case, I'll have to either get used to getting my butt kicked in Open, or learn how to reload faster without the tubes. How does everyone out there manage to reload reasonably fast while shooting 3-gun, and does anyone have any film clips or pointers?

[Zak Smith]

A few issues ago, USPSA's "Front Sight" magazine had a piece by Taran Butler on how to reload a shotgun fast.

The technique is to load four at a time (if your hands are big enough) by grabbing four from a Choate shell holder on your belt, with your weak hand such that the shells are in a lone side-to-side with their primer-ends along the inside of your ring finger. You then push them in one at a time with your thumb.

I have slightly smaller hands, but I use this technique from a bandoleer loading 3 at a time with success.

And alternative for loading strong-hand is to turn the shotgun on its side or upside down (ie, rotate it ccw), and put the buttstock on your strong-side shoulder. To do this, you just yank it back and rotate with your support arm. Now with your strong hand, you just stuff shells in as fast as possible.

-z

[SDC]

Thanks; am I to understand that this "4 at once" technique happens while the shotgun is down at waist level, with the lifter facing up, or does this happen while the shotgun is still mounted on the shoulder?

[Correia]

I do the 4 at a time trick. I watched Taran Butler and Todd Salmon at the WC3gun and I swear it looked like a magic trick. Here is a thread in shotguns where we go into it a bit:

www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22025&highlight=reload

When you master it, it is awesome. Seriously, I'm only decent with a pistol, and okay with a rifle, but because of the shotgun I can usually do pretty well in 3gun. Reloading multiple shells is the way to go.

[Zak Smith]

SDC,

If loading weak-handed, keep the shotgun shouldered.

-z