Shooting Jacket Features

[TrapperReady]

I shot my second (and third) Highpower event last weekend, and I'm relatively hooked. I just spent some bucks getting a decent scope stand, glove, carbide smoker and mat.

The next (and just about last) thing I need is a coat. However, I noticed a wide array of them in use. Many were leather, but there were quite a few of the Cordura and canvas ones in use. Also, some had loops and hooks to help hold the sling in place. Others had black rubber pads all over the place.

What should I look for, and what are the ups/downs of the different materials? If I'm going to buy one of these things, I'd like to get a decent one which will last for a while and have the features necessary (or desired) for good shooting.

Thanks!

 

[Steve Smith]

Good questions this morning, TrapperReady!

Voice of experience:

I originally had a VERY old (20-30 years?) 10X all-leather coat that was previously at the AMU. Smelled BAD, rubber pads were essentially worn out, leather was split at the collar. I thought I had the rat-trap coat from hell, grew tired of it quick and ponied up for a Creedmore Cordura Hardback and sold the 10X for $50. Wish I had it back. While the Creedmore is certainly stiff for standing, the armpit holes are too small IMHO (that's the way they cut them all at Creedmore) and the cordura arms are just plain uncomfortable in the rest of the positions. The cordura arms kinda fights my position but leather is so nice because it doesn't fight you. It is slowly breaking in, but my buddy's 15 year old Creedmore cordura is still stiff in comparison to that leather 10X I had. Stiff in the body = good. Stiff in arms = bad. I may buy another coat sometime soon. If I do, it'll either be an all leather Champion's Choice (more room in the armpits) or a Creedmore cordura body/leather sleeve model. The problem with the armpits is that when I go into prone I run out of room in the shoulder and I get a bruise on the outside/front area of my armpit. I have a permanent bruise (brown discolored spot) there from it now. Has nothing to do with recoil, just that damned coat.

I like Creedmore's rubber pads.
The zipper in the left elbow is a must (in right elbow if you are a lefty)
Use of hooks, loops, and buttons are not Service Rifle legal and your fellow competitors should know that. If they do not, stick to the high road and don't use them. I guarantee you won't be able to use them at a State, Regional, National, or CMP EIC match or if you do you'll be DQ'ed.


Some say the Hardback gets in the way in sitting, but I haven't had that problem...I'm pretty low to the ground in sitting so I don't notice.


Whatever you do, make sure you take an accurate measurement of yourself per the company's instructions.
Hopefully BlindRat, SRM, and JC121 will chime in.

 

[Kor]

Along the same lines...

...anybody have any feedback on the $65 shooting coats that www.shootingmall.com advertises in Shotgun News?

For that matter, are their $45(?) USMC shooting coats worth looking into as an even lower-priced alternative?

 

[TrapperReady]

Any experience with the Creedmoor cloth coats? It seems like they would be more flexible than the cordura, and not as pricey as the leather. Do the cloth jackets offer enough support for the offhand? Do you think they would last for very many seasons?

 

[Steve Smith]

Kor, the one that Shooting mall has is the same one at www.gpmaes.com and is what I would condiser bottom of the barrel. Don't get the $45 job. Waste of money.

Trapper, dunno about the cloth but it could be one heavy SOB in a rainstorm. Of course they all will be. I don't think it would last nearly as long as leather or cordura. I don't see many on the line, for sure.

Best thing to do if yo uneed to watch your cash is to look for a used one. www.nealjguns.com will usually have some...worth calling them. What size chest do you have? I know a guy with an all leather CC in 44 that will sell soon.

 

[TrapperReady]

44 chest is about right for me.

 

[Matt1911]

I've just checked neils used coat section,and was suprised to see so many differant brands.I was under the impression,creedmore,and champions were all that was out there,a search turn up nothing more.Anyone have links to more supplyers?Looks like i'll have to get a new coat,as gorilla(size 50)is not a common size.

 

[Steve Smith]

Trapper, Neal's shop has a used 44 right now. I was over there on Friday and they said they had one.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Any opinions on the shooting coats from http://www.centerthegroup.com/?

$180 US for a fitted shooting coat seems like a good price.

 

[Swampy]

Trapper,

Don't forget to check out the Freeland leather coats sold by Champions Shooters Supply (NOT Champions Choice, different company).

I've used one of Champions Choice's green canvas coats for the last two years and did fine with it.... but earlier this year another guy in our club bought one of the Freeland leather coats to try out. For one reason or another he decided he did not like it or it did not fit him right and offered it up for sale. It fit me and I bought it from him.

LOVE IT.......

The armholes are plenty big and not stiff like cordura. I get comfortable movement in all positions. The inner elbows are made of thin nylon mesh so it breathes and does not bunch up when you bend your arms. The back is stiff enough that when you torque down the two bottem straps it feels like you've been strapped to a fence post.

Best of luck in your hunt for the best coat for you....

Swampy