Shooting jacket suggestions

[velocette]

I live in south Florida & have competed in smallbore prone matches for almost a year.
I have a used corderoy and canvas shooting jacket that is coming apart at the seams & will need to be replaced.
The folks that I shoot with all have different jackets and each one says that theirs is de best.
I'd like suggestions on a brand / model of shooting jacket suitable for prone competition that has good ventilation or at least SOME ventilation.
(shooting in the summer in S Florida give me a VERY warm feeling)
Price is less of a concern than quality, durability and ventilation.
I'd appreciate any suggestions or guidance.

Roger

 

[NateG]

Other than price, and lead time, it's really hard to argue with the fit of a made-to-measure coat. I've got a Monard (for high power) that's just amazing.

I used a Freeland coat for a while (the $175ish one). I liked it, but it got really soft pretty quick, and lost almost all the support it had within a year, so I wouldn't recommend one, but it might hold up a bit longer for prone only.

If you're shooting only NRA matches (no USA-shooting or dreams of the Olympics or other ISSF sanctioned matches) then you can use a high power coat with straps, if you want. (NRA allows HP-style coats for smallbore, USA shooting and ISSF do not)

Plenty of people use Creedmoor high power coats to great effect, too. (I used one for several years)

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

monard

 

[Triggernosis]

Check out Champion Shooter's Freeland NRA Light Rifle jacket. For the money, it's hard to beat.

 

[springer99]

Creedmore cloth coat or the same from the CMP for a couple of bucks less(plus help support the CMP). I use one and it should be fine for SB and FL weather conditions.

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/store/product.php?productid=16135&cat=249&page=1

https://estore.odcmp.com/store/cata...pmax=&note1=&note2=&note3=&note4=&note5=&max=

 

[Slamfire]

I have been using Creedmoor quilted shooting jackets since the 80's. Before then used to shoot in the 10-X canvas with contoured elbow pads, too bad 10-X went out of business.

Creedmoor is a very common shooting jacket amoung Camp Perry competitors. You can get versions with mesh sides.

Regardless, they are all too hot, and it just proves that competitive shooters are insane because they wear sweatshirts under their quilted coats in 90 F weather.

 

[rskent]

If you find anything better than a Creedmoor Hardback please let me know.

 

[velocette]

Thank you gentlemen, After looking at all of the options above, I have chosen the Creedmore heavy hardback jacket. It appears to have all the attributes that I want in a shooting jacket, including and especially ventilation.

Roger

 

[westerngrizzly]

Monard, Kurt Thune, Sauer, Kustermann. Pick one. Get it custom made and you're done.
I shoot Monard Standard pants and jacket. Kurt Thune Boots and Monard glove.

I HATE the Hardback Heavy. It doesnt allow you to get bone support in standing. In prone it is just OK.
Matt

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I was using the Creedmore Canvas Deluxe for a few years and got my Creedmore Heavy Canvas hardback a few weeks ago. The new coat is amazing, especially in the standing position.

Wait until around Christmas time and the price and shipping go down. They have the same sale every year from what I'm told. Had I known I might have waited to order mine.

 

[P-32]

Biggest problem I've had with my Creedmore Heavy Canvas hardback, is it seems to shrink in the winter time.

 

[SleazyRider]

Stylsh shooting jackets I saw at an Appleseed shoot last week. I believe they are Champion's Choice:

 

[jelenko]

They may be shooting jackets, but not for 'position' shooting - e.g., NRA Highpower, 22 or air rifle position competition. There's just no structural support.

 

[Usagi]

Although velocette has chosen a jacket, it is worth mention for any future readers that the nice folks at Made by Mcron will make a USMC style shooting jacket for you in a reasonable time, at a very fair price, and they will work with you on specific customizations, if needed. Got my wife a pink jacket and had the sleeves reduced in length.

 

[jelenko]

I HATE the Hardback Heavy. It doesnt allow you to get bone support in standing. In prone it is just OK.
Matt[/QUOTE]

Where are you finding you can't get bone support? I.e., in your back or in the arm to body connection?

I find my left elbow will not get to my hip bone. I have to rest it on the front of my rib cage.

 

[velocette]

It's been a bit over 2 months now since my new shooting jacket arrived. It's stiff, not very comfortable and I feel like robby the robot when I'm wearing it.
BUT! my smallbore scores have gone up. At my clubs latest 1600 match, I scored 1584, 89X. This while blowing the 50 yard match with several flyers caused by me.
Then two days ago, the NRA sent me a love note along with a classification card as Expert. Now I must shoot against folks that really know what they are doing. Oh well, I do this for personal enjoyment.

Thanks to all for the advice & suggestions.

Roger

 

[NicholsK]

hey
i'm new to this..
a few weeks ago learned how to shoot and... loved it!
don't have courage to go hunting tho
not sure it's the right thing to do at all

 

[Slamfire]

It's been a bit over 2 months now since my new shooting jacket arrived. It's stiff, not very comfortable and I feel like robby the robot when I'm wearing it

.

You will get used to the uncomfortable stiffness, just wait till July when you will come out of that thing as red as a boiled lobster!

Still, you will wear it because your scores will be better.

 

[Triggernosis]

You WANT it to be stiff and uncomfortable to an extent. The stiffness is what gives you support.

 

[westerngrizzly]

The reason the Creedmoor coat doesn't give you a ton of support in standing is due to how thick and unwieldy it is. They really are not that stiff, they are just really thick and that gives the illusion of being stiff (sort of). But since they are so thick, and restrict your body so much, it is very difficult to get the left hip far enough out to get your elbow planted on it. It is vital that the weight of the rifle in standing goes through the bones in your arm, to the hip, to your legs (bones) and then the floor.

Look at a picture of Camp Perry during HP week and look at their standing positions. Usually there is a gap in between the elbow and the hip. They can't lean back and are forced to shoot a very upright position because of it. Then look at a few finalists in smallbore or air rifle. They have that elbow PLANTED on the hip.

Good shooting BTW. Your scores are only going to go up if you train on a regular basis! I went from shooting in the 1560's at my first match in 2010 to shooting a 1598 a few months ago. This sport is awesome and you can take it as far as you want.
Matt

 

[Soupy44]

Agreed, most jackets designed for high-power do not allow for a shooter to get in a good standing position. It's the straps on the front that are the advantage over international jackets. The ability to put a little back bend in the standing position is important to offset the weight of the rifle for proper balance and bone support.

I say this, but I must admit to being spoiled wearing a custom Kurt Thune jacket and pants the last 9 years. For anyone reading this thinking about buying a jacket, I highly suggest looking at international jackets. The extra cost is well worth it.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

I used a creedmoor hard back for years ( still have it). canvas with the leather sleves. really do like it but the leather on the sleeves have torn twice.
Have used a all leather old cut champions choice for the last 3 years or so. Reallr truely love the thing in all of the positions but off hand does not have the back support like the creedmoor. very comfy shooting coat.

I just bought a custom fit Monard but have not shot in it yet but plan on it come the next month or so. My feelings for the new one seem so far to be in off hand I love it. prone is not bad but sitting I need to get some practice in it.