Useful Shotgun Gear - Let's Make a List

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TrapperReady

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We've done this before, but not in a while. I'm sure we've all purchased a fair amount of paraphenalia, some good and some bad. Let's list off those shotgun-related items which we have found particularly useful over the years. I'll start with the following (in no particular order):

1) MEC 9000G reloaders - progressive and well-built. Lets you churn out a lot or a little, custom-tailoring your shell to the mission at hand.

2) Filson tin cloth hunting vest - nearly indestructible (although I did have a dog eat the bottom out of the game pouch -- which Filson fixed for a nominal fee). I LIKE the fact that it has no shell loops, just big pockets with well-designed flaps. Just dump a box in and go!

3) 550 cord - Takes up just a smidge of space in a pocket, and can be used to make a field-expedient sling, or string up some birds for a photo, or about 10,000 other things. Doesn't rot like rawhide can. ;)

4) Leatherman - enough said.

5) Those big green absorbant cleaning pads - My wife doesn't mind when I clean guns in the kitchen as much since I got one.

6) Hoppes #9 - Sure it doesn't work as well as some of its competitors... but it smells good.

7) Custom-molded ear plugs - I picked up a pair at a DU (not Democratic Underground) show last year. They seem to work very, very well.

8) Pachmayr Decelerator Recoil Pad - I just plain like the feel. It soaks up the recoil pretty well, but isn't sticky enough to get hung up on clothing when hunting.

9) Beechwood Casey Choke Tube Lube - Just a little dab on the threads is good prevention against having them sieze up. It can also help to keep them from working free (unintentioanally) quite as easily.

10) Good eye pro - I used to use cheapo glasses which would rattle around in my bag, getting scratched. Then I switched to a better grade which has a seperate carrying case and a few different lenses for various lighting conditions. Whether I'm shooting clays or birds, the greater clarity and light-enhancing properties really help me focus on the target.

Well, ten items is a good start. What do you care to add?
 
Good idea....

A golf tee, perfect for pushing out the action pins when dropping the TG on an 870. Chopsticks work also.

4/0 steel wool. Unmatched for getting plastic buildup off the bore.

A Leatherman tool.

A small Hard Arkansas Machinist's stone.

MEC 600 Jr. Found out today mine was made prior to 1982. Fellow at MEC said PM consists of a little oil on the main shaft every year or so. Suggested sending it in for a rebuild every 100 K rounds.

A kitchen scale going up to ten lbs. Great for weighing guns and trigger pulls.

Nylon 100 lb test trotline cord. Don't leave home without it.

AA battery. Will remove a stuck wad well.

Silencio cheapo ear plugs. These last until you lose one. Clean the earwax off before use and they may outlast the lot of us.

SLIP 2000, CLP and Hoppe's #9.

Leather driving gloves or (shudder) golf gloves.
 
Safety Minded is a given...

Hello TrapperReady !

I have to agree with #'s 1,2, 3,4, 6, 8,10.
You need explain # 5 , I was asleep in class that day I guess. ;)
I still use the cheapies for # 7.

Ok

1) Mec Reloaders have been mentioned but I'm going to add the Single stage variety as well.

2) Filson's is great, I want to add LLBean Field Coats, Carhart, and the various Wax Cotton Coats . I'm using a Woolrich, ( my Barbour *ahem* shrunk :p ,) LLBean , Browning...Any of these "somehow" get torn, the mfg will stand behind them...or one can sew them up, re wax and continue on.

3) Rawhide - handy and like 550 tons of uses. One advantage over 550...when it gets wet and muddy...smells like an old hunting dog. Some smells have wonderful memories. ;)

4) Otis pull thru cable or GI cleaning kit. Mud, Squib loads, stuck wads ...something to clear an obstruction. Pipe Cleaners are a lifesaver.

5) Whistle , Compass, Waterproof matches...Just always have...be prepared.

6) Beef Jerkey! Trapper I cannot believe you left this off. In small print on the back of a Hoppe's No. 9 bottle. "Thou shalt hunt with Beef Jerkey in hunting coat".
[ps carry peppermint to bribe the hunting dogs to retrieve your birds first
;) ]

7) Old Backpack is great for heavy game. Gets the weight on shoulders. Rabbits, Squirrels tote easier...won't pull your pants down. Doesn't seem to affect shotgunning. Hey I can miss without one too. :)

8) EXTRA KEY to vehicle. We used to hide on under the vehicle...Better to have extra sets and let each party member have in case of emergency. It is that Murphy deal. Use a bright color or marine type that floats - especialy if waterfowling.

9) Camera. The Disposable ones are great . Besides Dogs are hams when a Camera is around.

10) Good Attitude. Remember it is the Dogs, The people, The memories...the game is just a bonus.
 
Dave - Thanks for the additions. The golf tee idea is a great one. I've had to drop the TG in the field a couple of times, and each time I've just whittled a little stick to do the job (using the Leatherman of course).

In my cleaning kit, I've got a set of chopsticks. One has been trimmed down to punch out the pins. The other is slightly mangled as I have used it to drift the rear sight on a couple of pistols. I thoroughly mangled one the first time I disassembled and reassembled a brand-new Ruger Mark II.

Steve - The jerky was an unfortunate oversight. Although please don't be offended if I prefer venison jerky (with lots of red pepper and a touch of soy sauce).

My extra vehicle key permanently resides in the inner zippered pocket of my Filson vest. A good buddy just throws his keys behind the left front wheel.

Another thing I particularly like are the small disposable (as if I would actually throw them out) Ziploc storage containers. I usually fill one with some dog food and toss it in my game pouch. Then, about 1/2 way through the day, we can take a longer rest and feed the dog. When he's done wolfing his food, I use the container as a water dish.

WRT #5 in my initial list... I'm talking about those Drymate (although Hoppes makes some too) green pads. They have a backing which prevents anything from leaking through, and an abosorbant top, so that stuff doesn't get all over the place. I used to use newspaper, but the local rag only has an afternoon edition and seems to be edited by a bunch of dyslexic monkeys, so I cancelled our subscription a couple years back.

Another item I might suggest is the sock/liner combo made by Patagonia. One of the first things I learned in the Army, aside from "Don't draw attention to yourself" ;) was how important it is to take care of your feet. I've gone through a lot of different socks over the years, and suffered some pretty horrendous blisters in the process. The stuff by Patagonia is a little pricey, but I've been able to get away with things that shouldn't be possible (using brand-new boots for day-long hunts on very uneven terrain) with absolutely no problems.
 
Re jerky.....

Jerky can be made from any striped muscle tissue ranging from ostrich to dead enemy and still taste about the same. South African biltong lightly sponged with vinegar, sprinkled with fine ground white pepper and hung to dry protected from flies in an arid clime is my pick, though hard to come by now that I do not work with any tranplanted Transvaalers.

Another item that's just plain best is the Bean Hunting Shoe. Great boot. The pair my MIL gave me before our marriage 27 years ago is going strong. An insulated pair gotten for our 20th Anniversary will serve a couple more generations.

The little GI First Aid kit known to vets is a great takealong. When I instructed for the State I kept some battlefield dressings handy. We never know...
 
TR - I don't take the paper either, but I use an old towel...humm so I need one of these huh? Ok never seen one...learned something - thanks !

LLBean Boots - a must have. Granted the Danners are great, but mine have lug soles. Mud gets heavy - quick. Back then the lug was the only sole. [25 yrs or so old] . LLBean do not pick up mud, still allow good traction.

Before the Polypro socks, We used the silk socks. These are still made and are less expensive. I have silk underwear and socks that are probably older than...nevermind. :) I have some hi-tech stuff...but I'll be darned if I don't like the old stuff better.

Old foggies new that keeping the skin dry meant staying warmer. Silk that amazing stuff, is extremely strong, wisks moisture from skin. Dry = Warm.

Also good for keeping one from getting blisters. Wet socks stick to heel, heel rubs and blisters result. You youngun's laugh...carry your "liquid skin" not a bad idea...invest in silk socks ,put these on first then regular socks...won't need the "liquid skin" - most likely.

OK where can I get the old GI first aid kit...I need one.
 
Damn!! late to the party as usual ..... hard to add a solitary thing to what is here now ..... leastways, not that I can think of.
Leather driving gloves or (shudder) golf gloves.
Click to expand...
I guess these are in same category but ..... fingerless motorcycle gloves .... they do great!
 
Electronic hearing protection. Great for sporting clays and fivestand when hearing the target release gives you an edge.

Kydex two shell holder. A couple of extra target rounds on your belt at the range and a couple of buckshot rounds in the field in the event you come across something requiring more than #6 birdshot.

Tinted shooting glasses. That orange blur looks twice the size and half the speed when the right coloured glasses make it stand out from the background. Also good for hunting because blaze orange stands out more.

A top quality thermos. A steaming hot cup of coffee or soup in the middle of a winter day in the field will keep you going longer, likewise a cold drink in the summer.

A large metal cake pan. Put your loader into the cake pan before you bolt it to the bench. When shot spills as it inevitably will you won't have it bouncing all over the place.

A can of compressed air. Makes cleaning actions and triggers much easier.

Ditto on the Leatherman or some other multi-tool. It's the American Express of shotgunning: Don't Leave Home Without It.

Paul
 
Paul - That's an excellent idea about the cake pan! Do you know what size and depth would work best? When I built my reloading bench, I put some quarter-round all the way around the top, but shot still manages to spill off once in a while.

BTW, that reminded me of another thing. I keep a roll of cheap strapping tape by my bench. When I'm done with a reloading session, I take about an 8" length of tape and use it like a lint brush to pick up any spare bits of powder or shot from the bench and reloader. It only takes a minute or so, and keeps the gear clean.
 
Paul
Trapper

Had a fellow in the sheet metal business make a similar idea for me. [ He wanted to repay a favor to me]

I just measured mine. 1 1/2 " deep.

Cake pans would be easier to aquire. I just "C" clamped the Mec reloaders to the work bench.

The measurements on the sheet metal one I have is: 21" x 21" x 1 1/2" deep.

[ why these dimensions...what he had as scrap , allows one whatever size wood base they choose to mount whatever reloader being used...we didn't get real hi - tech about this stuff.]

All my wood bases for all Mec reloaders were the same. [ Progressive or single stage Mecs]. My bases measure 12" x 20".

I had pre-drilled the mounting holes for 9000's , 600's and the old 700 Versamec. I had a bunch of reloaders set up. With the pre mounted holes and the bolts running "up through" ...loosen wing nut, remove reloader, set the reloader ( ga) onto the correct bolts and wing nut. One removed went onto the base I remove one from, set onto the correct bolts, wing nut.

I didn't have to undo any "C" clamps this way. My sheet metal pan was easy to clean because it was held in place by the "C" clamped reloaders. I might once in a awhile take everything down and do a deep clean. [ okay every year ...two years...:uhoh: ] *ahem* Most often just used a mini dust pan and broom. :p
 
Just got off the phone with a new shooter, remembered some stuff.

Dry Shaving Stick.
Mine happens to be the Remingtin brand, found in the shaving accessories. Picture a larger version of a tube of lip balm/ deordordant...twist to height, apply , put lid on. Dab a bit on cheek where face contacts comb and the shotgun "slides". When mounting the gun comes to face/cheek, ( slides) , in firing there is recoil ( slides).

For hot humid days especially clay games and training this comes in handy. Just every so often "brush a little on". Talc works, but- harder to apply and can and will blow into eyes...seen it too many times. Wood stocks are not as bad about getting stuck to sweaty faces as are synthetics and those with Pachmyer pads to raise comb...speaking of which...

Moleskin.
Multitude of uses, from raising comb on stock, to blistered heels, ill fitting boots, scraped knuckles from briars....

Electrical tape.
I have had better luck with this stuff sticking than duct tape afield. Small role works as first aid, taping a styrofoam cup to stock to raise comb, to keeping the sticks in place to hold a TG in when a member of hunting party loses the TG pins while afield. [ whittle a twig, just a bit shorter than width of receiver, shove in stick, cover with tape...and yes the gun works safely].
 
trapper/sm

The pan I use is about 12x24x2" deep. If there is a spill some shot does bounce out but it does keeps the spills largely contained. I just put the loader into the pan and drilled the entire package into the bench. I can't take credit for the idea because one of the guys at the club put me on to it.

The tape is also a good idea to pick up those little bits of powder.

Paul
 
Dry socks, gotta have dry socks.

I like the Filson vests, but I have an old Red Head vest that has served me well for years. I have another "barncoat" made by red head with a game pouch and shell elestic inside the pockets. It's a durable old coat that just make you feel like you are walking into an old Remington ad.

And the MOST important accessory you can have... is a good dog to share your shotgunning with.
 
I use one of the one time roasting pans sold in supermarkets. The 600JR is bolted to a 2x10" about 24" long. The roaster goes in between and the whole setup is C clamped to a workbench. Easy cleanup.

That strapping tape is a good idea, but as a card carrying Redneck, duct tape finds yet another use here...

Dr Rob, I respectfully disagree. A good dog is NOT an accessory. It's a partner....
 
Useful SHotgun gear

Friends with ranches in West Texas.
Friends with Quail leases anywhere.
Friends with good dogs and custom made quail vehicles.
Friends that are better shots than I am.
Friends that put up with me.
Friends that let me shoot their guns "just to see".
Friends that let me buy the drinks afterwards.

What else do you need? The rest is just "gear"

Smoke
 
Hoppes #9 for Semi-Automatics just seems to power through plastic and carbon rediue about 5x as fast as regular Hoppes.

If given a choice between duct tape and 550 cord. I gotta go with 550 cord, mcuh more useful.


Smoke is dead-bang on. Friends/Family. I hate going to the range by myself and I won't go hunting alone, that a scarelige.

over heard at deer camp many moons ago.....
"The huntin' is always good, and sometimes we get to shoot deer."
 
I can't believe nobody mentioned the T&S shell catcher. I'm disappointed in you guys. ;)

Ed
 
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