Best Shotgunner's Vest??
- Thread starter HS/LD
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HS/LD
I'm not Dave, but:
Clay games I don't-I use a shell pouch
Hunting, doves (birds) shell pouch
Hunting--hunting jacket, shell belt...depends
PAST shooting vest I still have and was used mostly in cool temps. Have used for bench rest test , some hunting...and real handy for doubles and big bore rifles...you know bone jarring ,teeth aching ,make eyeballs roll into head stuff
I'm not Dave, but:
Clay games I don't-I use a shell pouch
Hunting, doves (birds) shell pouch
Hunting--hunting jacket, shell belt...depends
PAST shooting vest I still have and was used mostly in cool temps. Have used for bench rest test , some hunting...and real handy for doubles and big bore rifles...you know bone jarring ,teeth aching ,make eyeballs roll into head stuff
The best one is the one that fits you and has all the pockets and pouches you think you'll need. I have owned PAST, 10X and Browning and currently use a couple of Brownings. I use the black leather and cloth in the spring and fall and a mesh back for the summer time.
Bob Allen makes good vests and the Beretta vests are pretty stylish as well. Try on as many as you can and find the one that fits you best.
Paul
Bob Allen makes good vests and the Beretta vests are pretty stylish as well. Try on as many as you can and find the one that fits you best.
Paul
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Sheesh! Since I've no corporate sponsors, here's what I have...
First, a cool weather clays vest by Bob Allen. Made well,with enough pockets in the right places to delight the biggest gearhead among us. Mid range price, about $65 2 years ago.
Downside, it binds my swing a bit, even with the underarm seams "Relieved".
Second,a warm weather S/C vest by a French company, bought on sale for $30. Enough pockets, but still binds my swing a bit, and the zipper broke on about the third wearing.
Third,an older generic hunting vest, basic woodland camo, shell loops, made in the Third World and bought at Sears, IIRC. No binding, larger arm holes, but a bit warm for early bird hunting.
Fourth, a basic warm hunting vest, with a cornfield camo design, few pockets, and a game pocket that's a travesty. Very cool wearing, the fabric is just a little heavier than gossamer.This is the only one without even a mockery of padding for the strong side shoulder.Good for dove and not much else.
Fifth, an ancient Filson,ca 1950s, that seems to have shrunk badly over the decades. It used to fit me, really. Tin Cloth,practically bulletproof, the kids use it now, which greatly pleases me. Best of the lot as to design and execution. I do not think Filson still offers them.
For trap, I use a belt with pouches and sahell bag, Bob Allen if memory serves.
A dove belt works well, and with the top part just straps, binding doesn't happen. I may get another one, and use it for turkey hunting also.
HTH...
First, a cool weather clays vest by Bob Allen. Made well,with enough pockets in the right places to delight the biggest gearhead among us. Mid range price, about $65 2 years ago.
Downside, it binds my swing a bit, even with the underarm seams "Relieved".
Second,a warm weather S/C vest by a French company, bought on sale for $30. Enough pockets, but still binds my swing a bit, and the zipper broke on about the third wearing.
Third,an older generic hunting vest, basic woodland camo, shell loops, made in the Third World and bought at Sears, IIRC. No binding, larger arm holes, but a bit warm for early bird hunting.
Fourth, a basic warm hunting vest, with a cornfield camo design, few pockets, and a game pocket that's a travesty. Very cool wearing, the fabric is just a little heavier than gossamer.This is the only one without even a mockery of padding for the strong side shoulder.Good for dove and not much else.
Fifth, an ancient Filson,ca 1950s, that seems to have shrunk badly over the decades. It used to fit me, really. Tin Cloth,practically bulletproof, the kids use it now, which greatly pleases me. Best of the lot as to design and execution. I do not think Filson still offers them.
For trap, I use a belt with pouches and sahell bag, Bob Allen if memory serves.
A dove belt works well, and with the top part just straps, binding doesn't happen. I may get another one, and use it for turkey hunting also.
HTH...
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Dave
I'm shocked--No Corporate Sponsors...!!
Me either-- a fellow poor boy shooter, bless us.
Filson-yep by far the best 'hunting vest"'"Jacket design" --mine shrunk too, then walked away. I think It was LLBean that a friend bought to take pheasant hunting...sure reminded me of the old Filson's tho'
I'm shocked--No Corporate Sponsors...!!
Me either-- a fellow poor boy shooter, bless us.
Filson-yep by far the best 'hunting vest"'"Jacket design" --mine shrunk too, then walked away. I think It was LLBean that a friend bought to take pheasant hunting...sure reminded me of the old Filson's tho'
Will Fennell
Member
BARBOUR
Because most of the tournament season is shot in such hot weather, I usually shoot in a light shooting shirt and a hip ouch for my shells. When I do wear a vest, its a BARBOUR Ganton International. The BARBOUR is made of great materials, and most importantly the right shoulder is covered all the way up the side with smooth, non-padded leather. The gun-butt slide smoothly into the shoulder pocket without catching.
Most vest are made with skeet or trap in mind, which are games genenrally shot with the gun pre-mounted when the bird is called for, so the makers of the vest pad the shoulder to supposedly help with recoil. I shoot Sporting[usually gun down position] and FITASC[always gun down], and the stiffer padding can wreck havoc on a proper, fluid gunmount.
The BARBOUR[UK] ain't cheap, but the vest is simply better thought out as a Sporting vest than most of the American made vest...also, the leather used on the trim holds up better than any vest I've seen.
But day in and day out, give me a light cotton shirt and a hip pouch held up by a sturdy belt
Because most of the tournament season is shot in such hot weather, I usually shoot in a light shooting shirt and a hip ouch for my shells. When I do wear a vest, its a BARBOUR Ganton International. The BARBOUR is made of great materials, and most importantly the right shoulder is covered all the way up the side with smooth, non-padded leather. The gun-butt slide smoothly into the shoulder pocket without catching.
Most vest are made with skeet or trap in mind, which are games genenrally shot with the gun pre-mounted when the bird is called for, so the makers of the vest pad the shoulder to supposedly help with recoil. I shoot Sporting[usually gun down position] and FITASC[always gun down], and the stiffer padding can wreck havoc on a proper, fluid gunmount.
The BARBOUR[UK] ain't cheap, but the vest is simply better thought out as a Sporting vest than most of the American made vest...also, the leather used on the trim holds up better than any vest I've seen.
But day in and day out, give me a light cotton shirt and a hip pouch held up by a sturdy belt
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
You're welcome, HS. I suggest trying a few out, including those brands mentioned, before plunking down your hard earned cash. As for Tactical Black,
a package of Rit and an hour or so will render any vest as black as you want it to be.
1973,Filson's stuff are instant classics,IMO, and my grandfather's Filson fishing vest downstairs has plenty of use left in it. He died in 1953.
Will, Barbour has a good rep and bad pricing around here. Quality costs, but I dislike the idea of spending more for my vest than my shotgun.
a package of Rit and an hour or so will render any vest as black as you want it to be.
1973,Filson's stuff are instant classics,IMO, and my grandfather's Filson fishing vest downstairs has plenty of use left in it. He died in 1953.
Will, Barbour has a good rep and bad pricing around here. Quality costs, but I dislike the idea of spending more for my vest than my shotgun.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
on the other side of the Shotgun realm , there some good shotgun fighting vests by Tactical tailor and others. they seem a mite heavy and bulky for what they do, and somewhat expensive and noisy (nylon is not a quiet material)
I use a bandolier to carry shotgun ammo, because it's much cheaper for the same capacity and durability, and They can be divested easily and don't really get in the way.
I use a bandolier to carry shotgun ammo, because it's much cheaper for the same capacity and durability, and They can be divested easily and don't really get in the way.
sm
member
Smooth gun mount important -I agree.
I had the recoil pad designed (rounded ) to allow smooth mount.
Cold temps, I stuck with light smooth non-swing binding outerwear. Stuck with shell pouch.
Hunting, Filsons will last, can see $ well spent, Myshooting vest--not used in years. Gonna spent $ more than a shotgun, it'll be on ammo/components. IMO
I had the recoil pad designed (rounded ) to allow smooth mount.
Cold temps, I stuck with light smooth non-swing binding outerwear. Stuck with shell pouch.
Hunting, Filsons will last, can see $ well spent, Myshooting vest--not used in years. Gonna spent $ more than a shotgun, it'll be on ammo/components. IMO
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
The Cool Factor, huh?
Did have a LBV of forgotten make, goodnblack and with enough web,velcro and pockets to delight anyone, but they made me turn it in when I got "Too Old" for the HRT. I also used an Alice harness with Nam style pouches for a while, I may still have it in the detritus downstairs.
How about crossed bandoliers, 50K Mexican banditos can't be wrong...
More seriously, a bandolier is a nice way to carry ammo. Does draw funny looks sometimes.
Did have a LBV of forgotten make, goodnblack and with enough web,velcro and pockets to delight anyone, but they made me turn it in when I got "Too Old" for the HRT. I also used an Alice harness with Nam style pouches for a while, I may still have it in the detritus downstairs.
How about crossed bandoliers, 50K Mexican banditos can't be wrong...
More seriously, a bandolier is a nice way to carry ammo. Does draw funny looks sometimes.
sm
member
Dave...If HS/LD posts pic looking like Poncho Villa...its your fault
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
I accept full responsibility!!
Will Beararms
member
I am a relatively young man who lives by the way of the old Southern Duck Hunter. I am posting a file on a vest that may not be the most tactical vest but it will last your lifetime and half of your Grandchild's lifetime. It is made from heavy, 10.10 ounce waxed canvas and is made by McAlister which you can find on the web with a search engine. It runs $100.00 and it is without peer. It is the only vest I go into the woods with. It holds 40 shells and they will not fall out.
Will Beararms
member
Top it off with one of these and you are set for a long day of flooded timber duck hunting the back waters of the Mississippi river.
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