Culling belts and cartridge slides

+1 on a really nice buff, if you do not mind me asking, where did you find him? Country?

South Africa, Northwest, Kalahari Bushvelt
 
It would not work for me.

I have tried the wandering about with two rifle cartridges suspended between the fingers of the left hand and find it so annoying that it is not worth the effort. But that would indeed be a left-hand load.

For me, and I own and shoot a lot of SxS's, rifle and shotgun, the right hand load is far more natural. Of course, I shoot many thousands of rounds more with a shotgun than a rifle. I break open the gun, maintain the left-hand hold, grab two rounds (rifle or shells) from the right hand pouch, pocket, or shell holder, drop them in the chambers, close the gun, and am ready to fire.

I should note, I also do a lot of driven bird shooting where I am carrying a shell bag. It is impossible to shoot naturally right-handed with a shell strap crossing the pocket of the right shoulder to suspend the bag on the left side.

The left hand drill could work on SxS rifles and shotguns that are assisted opening like the Boss, H&H, and especially the Beasley action used by Purdey. Often OU shotguns will wear in sufficiently for the barrels to drop under their own weight when the latch is moved to the right. That is rarely the case with the vast majority of SxS actions which are non-assisted - at least in my experience. However, when using a shell bag, one would still have the mounting issue.

A left-hand ammunition carry would be particularly onerous with a bolt action.
Not for us south paws!
 
I have bought several cartridge belts over the years that have all been fine. I do prefer the canvas ones over all leather belts because of the corrasion caused by the leather.
Culling Belts.jpg
 
I have bought several cartridge belts over the years that have all been fine. I do prefer the canvas ones over all leather belts because of the corrasion caused by the leather.View attachment 642642


If you haven't already. To help prevent corrosion occasionally swab a very light amount of Bore Butter, light oil/grease, saddle soap, into the shell pockets to act as a barrier to help prevent the leaching of the corrosive chemicals used in the leather tanning process.
 
Couldn’t find one for the .505 Gibbs so ended up making one based on Richard Harlands hand made belt. I used kudu leather and a shotgun padded army style belt as the base.

A24D443A-625E-4CE6-85E9-CA01202B7A5E.jpeg
BF9C1295-5CDE-46D2-9DD4-B1746973DD1D.jpeg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
If I can't kill a buffalo with four 400 grain 404 Jeffery in the gun and five on the belt, I guess I deserve to be stomped to death. I can see no sense in carrying fifteen rounds in the field. My five round ammo wallet is made of Cape buffalo leather.
View attachment 567587
This slide was made for 375. I soaked the buffalo leather in neetsfoot oil and then forced five dummy 404 rounds into the pockets upside down. That sufficiently stretched the slots to fit the larger cartridges. Just slightly snug so they don't fall out but easily dislodged in my fingers in a hurry if needed. African Game Industries made it and a host of other leather items from African hides. Their skeet bags look very nice. Prices are reasonable and all made in USA.
 
@Red Leg I am also right handed but carry the rifle of shotgun on my right side and as a lad always had ammo of shotgun or rifle on my lest and load doubles with my left hand or cross draw for rifles with my right. So if you want to get rid of a left side 275 class rounds belt let me know.
 
From a total amateur prospective, ain't Els & Co the only solution that protects the cartridges from being bent/destroyed?
Bent or destroyed??? Never seen that happen.....

I prefer sliders....one for solids one for softs....I can move them into action or out of action as conditions require....
 
So it is 4 in the rifle, 10 solids on a slider 10 expanders on a slider min 3 on my wrist carrier and always a solid in one trouser pocket and a soft in the other.....just the way I have always done it......
 

Forum statistics

Threads
58,172
Messages
1,248,910
Members
102,950
Latest member
FawnGaddy9
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

autofire wrote on LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS's profile.
Do you have any cull hunts available? 7 days, daily rate plus per animal price?

#plainsgame #hunting #africahunting ##LimpopoNorthSafaris ##africa
Grz63 wrote on roklok's profile.
Hi Roklok
I read your post on Caprivi. Congratulations.
I plan to hunt there for buff in 2026 oct.
How was the land, very dry ? But à lot of buffs ?
Thank you / merci
Philippe
 
Top