308 MBR fans:magazine and ammo carry for field use?

[cpileri]

Whichever rifle you carry, which pouches, etc do you use for the 308 mags and ammo?
What is a standard load for 308 ammo? (#of total rounds) how many mags (say 20-rounders) and what pouches commercially available are best?
Is a drop-leg mag pouch available? a cost-conscious one?

I originally was looking to answer how to carry the larger sized mags in a drop-leg set-up, if you want to focus on that. Butr then I realized that I dodnt know what a combat load of 308 was, either. So a broader answer is good too- helps with ideas?
Any other 308 equipment that needs a special pouch? (depends on the rifle, I know)

C-

 

[kfranz]

There are a goodly number of options for carrying x51 sized mags. Narrowing the purpose of the carry would help us point you in the right direction.

HSGI, Tactical Tailor, CTC, Blackhawk and others all make quality gear for x51 mags. A quick search over at lightfighter.com will give you a number of choices for good(and better) quality pouches. Standard load would depend on who's directing you to carry a rifle and why.

On the lower end, chicom type 63(about the same size as 20 rd. AK mags) webbing, in both chest and lbv hold mags well. The US military used 20 rd. mags, and had webbing for them in both one and two mag varieties. These are often a bit used, but a few bucks will get you functional examples.

 

[cpileri]

right

Purpose is for tromping around in the field. Desire mobility as much as possible, while maximizing the load and easy of access from a variety of body positions- walking, prone, etc.

I was hoping to avoid chest carry, while convenient, it is off center of gravity in any other than an upright position. Back carry is hard to access.
I am looking for hips downward, but not ankle.

Also, in my search of the various suppliers, I note tons of 223 mag pouches and lots of AK pouches, but few for 308 sized mags- so I was looking for someone who has more 308 experience than I do, that is almost everyone, who can recommend what they did for their '308 battle rig'; and be sure the mags fit!

I also noticed 100 and 200rd loose ammo pouches. Did the common battle complement for M14/FAL/G3 equipped troops include mags and loose ammo?

C-

 

[kotengu]

I shoot a FAL, so all these are FAL related - they should be close for other .308 MBR's:

For only two mag loads (or four, if you wear two), it's hard to beat the plain old Austrian leather belt mounted pouches DSA sells. For 3-gun and other "speed" stuff, I cut the flaps off for easier access. For tromping through the woods and muck, I'd leave them on for a little protection.

If you want to carry more mags, get an old Belgian "harness" - carries 8 mags around a wide belt, with suspenders to hold everything up. 160 rounds of .308 is HEAVY!!!!

You might want to re-think the drop-leg idea - 40 rds of .308 in mags halfway down your thigh can pretty easily screw up your balance, not to mention wiggle around a lot when running/climbing/etc.

Of course - this may all change if your other packs/etc. don't jive with these setups - but I would suggest looking at something that distributes the weight around your hips for best mobility/stability.

 

[kfranz]

If you look at the "Whats New" link on the www.highspeedgearinc.com site, you'll see a x51 compatible drop leg rig. kotengu is right though, strapping 80 rounds of ammo to your leg is not going to do much to aid mobility.

In addition to the items kotengu and I listed, the South African's have a decent harness set up in their pattern 70 gear. It's old school canvas, but it'll tote some mags and other items, and can be added to if you desire.

 

[NMshooter]

When the M-14 was standard issue the basic load was 100 rounds in five magazines counting the one in the rifle.

If you use an ALICE style setup there are mag pouches available, but they are difficult to find. You might try a place called www.sierra-supply.com .

I would not go overboard on the ammo.

 

[Drue]

For ALICE gear, surplus M14 pouches are available. As has been pointed out, two pouches with two mags each plus the one in the rifle was standard. Charlie's surplus has new nylon M14 pouches:

http://members.cox.net/charleyssurplus/


The original '60s pouches were canvas web. They work fine but the nylon dries faster. The soldiers would also carry one or more 60 rnd bandoliers with the rounds in stripper clips.

If you can find one, the Chinese Type 63 chest pouches work well for 20 round .308 mags and are much less expensive than the new, high tech stuff.

Drue

 

[Mannlicher]

Since I don't plan to head into battle any time soon, my 'carrying for field use' is limited to plinking and walk abouts in the woods. My 'load out' is usually limited to a couple of M1A 20 round mags stuffed in my jeans hip pockets.
Never saw any reason to spend money on all that army or tactical gear.

 

[Ohlar]

If you don't mind traveling over to the Falfiles you'll an interesting solution here : http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=89234