Carrying Extra Rounds

[scottishclaymore]

I know this has been discussed elsewhere and will accept links to previous threads/specific posts. My question is mainly aimed at those who have had actual professional training and/or experience.

I am not very concerned with extra ammunition in a home-defense situation. I keep my shotgun loaded with 5 rounds (it will hold 8) which I feel is enough for any home defense situation that a shotgun can actually get you out of. In the next two months, however, I am planning on beginning a fairly rigorous shotgun training regime. This will include weekly shooting trips and numerous drills with both skeet and stationary targets. This is all stuff I ought to have been doing already, but I have just finished college and it wasn't really previously financially feasible.

My question is this: how do you carry extra ammunition? Will shell holders like the ones used for hunting (I have a shotgun vest that has two ample pockets for shells) work in a combat situation, or do you need a more secure way of carrying them? I have a top-folding stock on my shotgun, so I am already planning on getting an attachable shell holder. Any other recommendations? Somebody also gave me a bandoleer, but I am a little dubious as to using this as a method of carrying rounds in a situation requiring me to move quickly. I like pockets, but the jeans I typically wear might be a little tight to be fast enough for that.

So, thoughts? Or even better, links to past topics?

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I dont carry. Much.

My shotguns are for defense of home.

If I wanted to carry I go to army navy and get me a Molle and some cases to put on it and start distributing the load.

I keep a range box. In it is sufficient for a visit to the range.

Now. If there is a need to take everything and get out, tossing the big case and the little case, weapons and the little box isnt a problem into the car. All we need is a few minutes.

Everything is ready to go at a moment's notice at all times.

Now I have a gun bag that can carry both shotguns and the pistol plus several reloads of ammuntion for all three weapons. There is another gunbag capable of carrying more. But a Molle will be more suited to this work.

 

[Virginian]

I use a shell belt at the range, and a camo version hunting. I have also used pants pockets, coat pockets, and a bucket. They all work.

 

[Snarlingiron]

I have used and really like these SAW pouches. They will hold about 2 boxes of shells, will fit on a molle rig or on your belt (that's the way I use mine), and they have elastic "lips" that keep ammo from falling out if you have to go to prone or whatever.

Not to mention that they are cheap.

 

[Bix]

My question is mainly aimed at those who have had actual professional training and/or experience

I've taken a couple classes and typically use one of the elastic-lipped dump pouches to feed the onboard shell carrier. So, reloading is done from the sidesaddle or buttcuff, which is fed from the pouch between strings.

If I'm using more than one type of ammunition, I'll put a couple of those Safariland 2 shell caddies on the my belt. Same deal there, though - whenever possible, reloading is done from the gun; caddies feed the onboard shell holder.

 

[ScareyH22A]

Maxpedition has some nice packs and pouches.

 

[glockman19]

Extra mags or speed loaders.

 

[scottishclaymore]

Looking at and liking the SAW pouch.

Thanks, glockman19, but I'm not sure that would do me a whole lot of good considering I am running a pump-action shotgun.

 

[CWL]

During high-round SG courses, I also use a dump pouch. If you get one specifically for shotguns, they have an elastic cover over the top that is loose-enough so you can reach in and grab shells, but will still retain all the shells if you have to lie down or take a fall.

For slower training, I just keep extra shells in my pockets. I like wearing jeans because I commonly wear them, and the rear pockets are tight enough so that they hold the shells flat (I line them brass up) for quicker access during reloads.