get a hole punch for lace holes. using an awl is ok, but it makes the hole with a tear. that tear will increase in size over time and just rip up. when you cut a hole with rounded edges it creates a strong edge. imagine packing tape, once it begins to tear its easy to rip, but with a cut edge(like its edges from the factory) its tough to rip thru. get me?
i used boot lace for mine and havent bothered replacing it wuith leather cord. what i did was use natural leather, which is able to be wet formed. the other side of my leather piece is better looking, it molds to the stock very well. i thoroly wet the leather and laced it up on the rifle stock, then trimmed edges, and used a edging tool. my ultimate plan was to dye the whole thing black, but i changed my mind, after id made the bullet loops out of black leather. ive been too lazy to replace the black bits with natural leather.
for stitches, an awl is fine. pre punch the holes and then stitch it with waxed thread. use very strong thread and rub it on a candle, if you dont just buy waxed thread to begin with.
i made my bullet loops with a oblong hole punch. expensive tool. its like 35 bucks for a hole punch you use very little. but it is very good for its purpose. tighten the leather up onthe shells and then i used rivets instead of stitching it. stitching is better, no metal to scratch up the stock. iu also recomend no gromets. they scratch up the stock too.
i kind of slack on quality on my own stuff. i just want useful. problem is that hardly anyone is willing to pay for quality leather work, and i dont work cheap so i pretty much just dont do work for anyone unless its a personal favor and im doing it for them as a gift. between time and materials, its just not worth the effort. truthfully, the other example in this thread is far nicer than mine. love and effort went into it where as mine i just hacked it out fast and didnt even finish it.
ill be making another shell saddle soon. this one will be for a gun i want to be nice so when i finish it ill post pics. its a stevens 22-410 over/under. i havent worked out how to do both kinds of ammo yet.
anyway, if you need any other leather working tips lemme know. i used to do this stuff for a living but i got burnt out.