.375 Cartridge holder/carrier/pouch - help

[cpr0312]

I am considering using a cartridge carrier for .375 on my upcoming hunt, and want a few suggestions. I have done some searching to see whats out there. I am not a "fancy" guy and don't need top of the line type stuff, however I do understand good quality leather products are probably a wiser choice. Murray Leather looks like a fine choice as does Els Company, but not sure I need to spend that kinda money for a one or maybe two times use.

I have hunted DG 3 times with a .375 and have never used a pouch in the past, so do I really need one?? The rifle holds 4 and I have typically take a few more in my pockets. Usually just one per pocket so no clanging noises are made.

Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. My hunt is fast approaching a must make a decision soon I suppose, so what are your thoughts? Thanks in advance... cpr

 

[Rimbaud]

Murray Custom Leather in Texas makes great stuff. Ammo management style is personal preference. I was always taught that the only time you can have too much ammo is when you are on fire, or drowning, so I wear a shell holder on my belt, and usually have an extra mag, too.

 

[Mekaniks]

I like the expensive leather pouches and belts, but I have never seen the functional need for one. I have an inexpensive vinyl velcro flip pouch for each of my calibers that holds 10 rounds. When I am hunting I fill it half up with 5 rounds and carry it in my shirt or vest pocket. That way the rounds are not loose in my pockets and I am also not carrying a heavy pouch of ammo that I don't need. I put all the remaining rounds in their regular box in my daypack. With 4 in the gun and 5 in the pouch I have never run into the need for more than that before I get back to my daypack where I can fill up again if necessary. The velcro flip pouch may not have the "cool factor" of a nice leather pouch, but at the end of the day all I am doing is carrying a few spare shells in my pocket.

 

[mdwest]

silly question...

ever consider making your own?

leather work isnt really that hard to do (if you want beautiful "art" it is.. but making basic pouches, etc.. is pretty easy)..

I get a lot of personal satisfaction from making my own hunting "stuff".. I've gotten into building my own rifles, grinding my own knives, etc.. and then started playing with leather to support those habits/hobbies (making knife sheaths, slings, ammo pouches, etc)..

For me it adds greatly to the overall hunting experience.. knowing I built the rifle, loaded the ammo, made the ammo pouch, made the knife, etc..etc.. (even though my knives arent as good a nice offering from benchmade, and my leather isnt as nice as something I could have bought from Els, etc..)..

Do I really NEED an ammo pouch? Not really.. I carried spares in my pocket for years.. and in my limited experience with Buffalo (exactly 1 under my belt at this time) it wasnt NEEDED then either..

But the project of making one as part of planning and preparing for the hunt.. was a lot of fun..

 

[Ridgewalker]

The less costly Velcro pouches seem to work fine, but Velcro is just noisey!
The MTM pocket plastic holders are nice as well, but take a long time pulling them out, opening, taking individual cartridges out, fumbling reloading holding case and rifle and cartridge.

I have used 2 different styles. The first was the Galco which attached to my pants belt. It worked fine except it was a hassle putting it on and taking it off. But it would hold 10 rounds which I used 5 soft sand 5 solids. Easy to keep separate.
https://www.galcogunleather.com/stalker-cartridge-wallet_8_450_1297.html

It was suggested to me I try a belt style. Eventually I settled on the Africa Sporting Creations all Cape buffalo model. I have only used it this passed hunt, but so far I like it better. Reasons, it is easy to put on and take off. It can also carry my field knife and/or Leatherman. Negatives, the website said I should get the small size, but the next size up would work better. I have a 33” waist, but by the time I wrap it around my waist, pants and belt, it needed to be the next size up.
https://www.africansportingcreations.com/exotic-leather-culling-belts.html

Good luck in your decision! Lots of options out there. Pretty hard to decide.

 

[WAB]

I use a Murray ammo slide. It is on a second belt that also carries a knife, water bottle and small pouch.

 

[TTundra]

silly question...

ever consider making your own?

leather work isnt really that hard to do (if you want beautiful "art" it is.. but making basic pouches, etc.. is pretty easy)..

I get a lot of personal satisfaction from making my own hunting "stuff".. I've gotten into building my own rifles, grinding my own knives, etc.. and then started playing with leather to support those habits/hobbies (making knife sheaths, slings, ammo pouches, etc)..

For me it adds greatly to the overall hunting experience.. knowing I built the rifle, loaded the ammo, made the ammo pouch, made the knife, etc..etc.. (even though my knives arent as good a nice offering from benchmade, and my leather isnt as nice as something I could have bought from Els, etc..)..

Do I really NEED an ammo pouch? Not really.. I carried spares in my pocket for years.. and in my limited experience with Buffalo (exactly 1 under my belt at this time) it wasnt NEEDED then either..

But the project of making one as part of planning and preparing for the hunt.. was a lot of fun..

Right on @mdwest ! I made my own for my 300
Not the prettiest, but works great and the satisfaction was invaluable.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Right on @mdwest ! I made my own for my 300
Not the prettiest, but works great and the satisfaction was invaluable.

View attachment 302589

View attachment 302590

Nice Job!
I believe Hunter makes one similar that is around 30 bucks. I have a one of that same design that I got from Africa sporting creations and like it, it is Cape buffalo hide and was 45 if I remember correctly.
The Murray slides are actually pretty reasonable for the quality of work

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I have a galco safari five I like it but it’s still pretty new and not all the way broken in yet. They run about $75.

 

[thi9elsp]

The nice thing about having the pouch on a belt is to have a 'gear belt' that is ready to go but no wearing it while you are driving around. Then, when something is spotted, but the gear belt on that has the ammo pouch on it and you're ready to go. I bought a leather ammo holder from Cabelas years ago. Then, from my first Cape buffalo had a gear belt made. When I went to Mozambique in 2016 I really appreciated having the gear belt. That was more important to me than leather vs. nylon/velcro pouch.

 

[Mekaniks]

The less costly Velcro pouches seem to work fine, but Velcro is just noisey!
The MTM pocket plastic holders are nice as well, but take a long time pulling them out, opening, taking individual cartridges out, fumbling reloading holding case and rifle and cartridge.

I have used 2 different styles. The first was the Galco which attached to my pants belt. It worked fine except it was a hassle putting it on and taking it off. But it would hold 10 rounds which I used 5 soft sand 5 solids. Easy to keep separate.
https://www.galcogunleather.com/stalker-cartridge-wallet_8_450_1297.html

It was suggested to me I try a belt style. Eventually I settled on the Africa Sporting Creations all Cape buffalo model. I have only used it this passed hunt, but so far I like it better. Reasons, it is easy to put on and take off. It can also carry my field knife and/or Leatherman. Negatives, the website said I should get the small size, but the next size up would work better. I have a 33” waist, but by the time I wrap it around my waist, pants and belt, it needed to be the next size up.
https://www.africansportingcreations.com/exotic-leather-culling-belts.html

Good luck in your decision! Lots of options out there. Pretty hard to decide.

I agree that velcro is noisy, but I have found by the time I get around to needing more rounds out of it the whole being quiet thing was over about 3 shots ago....

But I do like the idea of a belt with all the "tools" in one place, I just haven't gone there, yet....

 

[Adrian]

I personally like the expensive leather pouches.
Do I need one?
No, but I've got an Els&Co for my .375 ammunition.
I dislike loads of stuff in my pockets, you might need to crawl or sit or bend and Sod's Law dictates that something will be digging in you or stretch your seams so freedom of movement and empty pockets is important to me.
I always take a 'gear' belt, it has spare ammunition, a leather pouch for phone and tools I might need in the field and my knife.
I can also carry my torch on it if needed.
I can slide everything around to my convenience whether sitting in the bakkie, needing to double over and crawl or if I need to take a prone shot I can slide everything round the back and not have whatever is in my pockets stabbing into me.
I like the look of a nice leather pouch and the more scars and marks it accumulates and the darker the leather goes, the more character it will have.
Hunting is an individual experience and part of mine is my African hunting gear.

 

[Philip Glass]

I am considering using a cartridge carrier for .375 on my upcoming hunt, and want a few suggestions. I have done some searching to see whats out there. I am not a "fancy" guy and don't need top of the line type stuff, however I do understand good quality leather products are probably a wiser choice. Murray Leather looks like a fine choice as does Els Company, but not sure I need to spend that kinda money for a one or maybe two times use.

I have hunted DG 3 times with a .375 and have never used a pouch in the past, so do I really need one?? The rifle holds 4 and I have typically take a few more in my pockets. Usually just one per pocket so no clanging noises are made.

Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. My hunt is fast approaching a must make a decision soon I suppose, so what are your thoughts? Thanks in advance... cpr

I’ll carry 2 Murray Leather shell carriers with no top flap. I keep solids on one side and sorts on the other. This setup has not failed me yet. Murray is quality and in no way expensive relative to our other gear. Get some and don’t look back!

 

[BeeMaa]

I have a galco safari five I like it but it’s still pretty new and not all the way broken in yet. They run about $75.

I also have a Galco Safari Five (for 375H&H) and practiced reloading from it while at the range.
Good quality leather that won't break the bank.
Wore it for my entire trip while hunting, but took it off while in town.
Came in very handy while away from the truck and on the run.

 

[Red Leg]

Murray. This one has accompanied me “over there” five times.

Blaser R8 w/Classic Sporter stock

• Red Leg
• Jun 7, 2018
• 1

 

[Newboomer]

30-06 and 7 mm are the same size as 375. I got a 5 round Rob Leahy Simply Rugged slide on Amazon a lot cheaper than elsewhere. It's leather with elastic loops and well made. It was straight and stiff when I got it so I wet it down, put it on my belt and wore it til it dried and formed to me. I have a belt that I wore on my first safari but it's too big and cumbersome for me. The slide works well and I don't even notice I have it on. Got a few strange looks in town because I forgot to take it off.

 

[Nkawu]

How do you all differentiate softs and solids when the business end of the round is concealed by the leather of the ammo wallet/pouch?

 

[thi9elsp]

If its DG, my PH had me load 1 soft at the top of the magazine. Everything else was solids. I only put solids in my ammo wallet.

 

[fourfive8]

Whatever it is, makes not a gnat’s butt difference it’s fashion appeal. A working cartridge holder’s purpose especially for DG is to provide unencumbered, easy, fast, loading hand access to extra rounds without looking for or fumbling with. Simple is usually good and doesn’t have to be expensive or popular. I’ve used either a single row simple loop type belt or an elastic Kolpin type slipped over the right side buttstock.

 

[CM McKenzie]

I love things made out of leather, and have made a decent living building things out of leather. One thing to consider, is leather promotes the development of green vertigris on brass cartridges. Canvas and synthetics won’t do that. It’s hard to beat the look and feel of quality leather though.