On Shotguns: What is the Best Way to Carry Extra Shotgun Ammo?
With shotguns seeing a resurgence of popularity in urban preparedness, the age-old question of "what is the best way to carry extra shotgun shells?" has likely come to mind. With all the advantages that come with the things, ammo management is definitely not going to make the list. They're low capacity, the ammo is cumbersome, and it sure as heck ain't lightweight. Add in the complexities of reloading, and you're probably wondering why even bother. But whether you're already on-board or coming off the fence, sorting out how you carry your shotgun ammo can make or break your loadout. Be it offense or defense, don't forget to take a deep dive into what you're getting yourself into - carrying that extra box of shotshells may not be as straightforward as you once thought.
POCKET CARRY
Carrying a pocket full of shells is about as simple as it gets. Heck, we've got pockets built into just about every piece of clothing we own. That said, there are some obvious nuances that should stand out. A slanted jacket pocket will leave you shell-less after a short jog through the woods, just as a pair of skinny jeans won't hold more than a couple of shells. Looking to older chore coats, it's easy to see that the large flap pockets were added with this in mind. They were the perfect 'load bearing equipment' system for the time and still have a place today. After all, you could easily split a box between two large pockets and romp around without a care in the world. This is a stand-out for me when moving around my family's property, but as soon as I start to pick up the pace, it becomes a far less attractive option as retention and noise become more of an issue. This also applies to just about any other carry method with an open top. Fans of the dump pouch, I'm looking at you. But when the pressure and pace are low, don't hesitate to load up those pockets. Just be smart out there - nothing quite like bumping the 'wildlife' because you forgot that velcro was the loudest sound in the world.
SHOTSHELL BELT
As an upland hunter, the leather shotshell belt has long been a favorite of mine. They have near-perfect retention on the move, are silent in the field, and the shells are consistently oriented. While you could pocket-fondle a shell until it makes sense, sometimes you just don't have that kind of time. With a properly sized belt, the hand goes to the waistline, slides to a shell, and extracts. It doesn't matter if you're left-handed or right, there's a configuration for you. At about $10 for a decent elasticized belt, they can be packed up with a full box and staged as you need them. You burn through a belt of shells - grab another from your pack. You're heading out the door to see what the dogs are barking at - grab one from the drawer. Lastly, if you need to make a stop at the gas station on your way back from a hunt, just slide the belt around and no one will be the wiser. Just don't forget that jacket or overshirt or you may take on the wrong kind of looks. When the name of the game is to blend in - such as a state of emergency - a low-profile approach to carrying shotgun ammo may be the safest way through it. If the time comes to go loud, just spin the belt around and you're back in the game.
FANNY PACK
Fanny packs have made a comeback in recent years, and I'd say that it's for good reason. For those who don't have the pocket space for first aid or otherwise, the fanny pack provides a right-sized carry option without the need for a backpack. Even better, they're a fantastic way to carry shells. Most fanny packs will get at least a box in them, while others can stretch those numbers up to two. If you really want to get silly, just look at a lumbar pack like the Mystery Ranch Hip Monkey - I'm talking three to four boxes easy. Not great on the move, but a fantastic way to maintain resupply. My only recommendation here would be to avoid anything that opens more than half-way down. Clamshell packs are great for accessing your pistol quickly but are even better at dumping shells. And while fanny packs are aces when it comes to capacity, comfort, and concealment, there are a couple of minor drawbacks to consider. Similar to pocket carry, you're going to have to reorient in-hand before bringing them to the gun, and they make a fair bit of noise on the move. This brings me to my final gripe and likely the most important one - retention. If you forget to zip that sucker back up before speeding off, you're going to find yourself with an empty bag. While it's not the end of the world on the flat range, it's not a mistake you'd want to make in the real. To combat this, I recommend putting a large pull tab on one of the zippers, and training yourself to remember which way is 'closed'. It sure beats the alternative.
SHOTSHELL CARDS
For those looking to feed their shotguns on the move, this one is pretty hard to beat. Attached to the receiver with hook-and-look, these 6 or 7-round shotshell cards ensure that there is always extra ammo in close proximity. This is particularly helpful when you want a little more than the ammo on-board, but don't want to bother with carrying anything else. By moving your ammo directly to your workspace, you're able to tackle reloads by both sight and feel. And while this makes this less about 'carry' and more about 'location', the shotgun card is a great way bolster your system. In fact, this can be used in combination with other carry methods such as the pocket or fanny pack, eliminating some of the downsides noted above. Love the profile and capacity of the fanny pack but hate the noise and orientation issues? No problem - pack it full of shotshell cards and you've filled the gap. Want to put together a fighting rig? Your existing AR magazine pouches can also be used to pull double duty. Just pull your mags and rigid inserts (which don't always interfere) and throw in a shotshell card. Once you've burned through a card, strip it off, and grab another from your mag pouch. If you usually carry six mags, that could easily make for an additional 36 rounds. Pocket, pouch, or random patch of real estate - once that hook-and-loop has been added to your receiver, the options are pretty well endless.
SO, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CARRY YOUR SHOTGUN AMMO?
While any one of the above would fit the bill, it's important to plan for the occasion. Do you need to reload quickly? Run? Worry about noise or concealment? Depending on the ask, the game of give and take is likely to yield different results. But just as important as checking off those boxes, you can't forget to create a plan that aligns with your lifestyle. As a matter of function or optics, this may see you swap that belt for a shoulder bag or that fanny pack for a dump pouch. The options are pretty well endless. So, whether you're hunting ditch chickens or planning for civil unrest, keep your objective and audience in mind and the rest will fall into place.