Culling belt vs Cartridge Slides

Cls.44

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I'm planning a hunt for 2026 with a tuskless and a buffalo cow as the main objectives, and in gathering up a bit of equipment I'm torn between a few options for carrying cartridges. The canvas culling belt from Trader Keith, the canvas slide from same, and the 10 round leather and elastic slide from Rigby. The Rigby has the benefit of 3 loops securing it to the belt and that would make placement on a pants belt easier, while the Trader Keith slide seems only to be open on each end for the belt to pass through (though I have not confirmed this). The culling belt obviously looks the part and would definitely carry enough ammo, but I'm wondering if it's a little over-the-top?

What are your preferences for slides on pants belt vs its own separate belt? If adding to a pants belt is less than ideal then that makes the differences between the Keith and Rigby slides largely moot. Do you find the culling belt "overkill" or uncomfortable?
 
I used the culling belt from trader Keith in Zimbabwe this July and found it to be perfect.

It allowed me to keep 10rnds of solids in front and 2 softpoints at the opposite end of the belt incase we came across something else.

for plains game I used a Murray leather cartridge slide for .300win and it was perfect
 
I used the culling belt from trader Keith in Zimbabwe this July and found it to be perfect.

It allowed me to keep 10rnds of solids in front and 2 softpoints at the opposite end of the belt incase we came across something else.

for plains game I used a Murray leather cartridge slide for .300win and it was perfect
I had wondered about that benefit of the culling belt, especially since a few softs need to be on hand for the buffalo. I'll also check out the Murray products.
 
Watch elephant hunts on YouTube. You will see a fair amount of attempted brain shots turn into a rodeo quickly. The PH and client empty the rifles as the animal turns and runs.

Now also factor in there is a possibility that the non target animals get involved and you may get involved in now backing up the PH as he may have to shoot an aggressive animal or two.

And you stand there with your 5 cartridge wallet empty.

I think it’s irresponsible to assume the PH needs no help or backup. He of course must shoot first in these situations.

What if his rifle has issues

What if he can’t stop 1 or 2 non targeted elephants from attacking.

What if he is being swung around like a baseball bat by the trunk of an angry cow.

Of course you could ask a tracker to dig into the bottom of his pack where you asked him to carry your spare ammo. But will he stay in the fight without his own rifle. Most likely not. Your ammo will be 200 yards and moving away fast.

For me. If you’re going to purposefully engage the most dangerous animal in Africa, A cow elephant, Carry a rifle 5-10 miles per day. Why can’t you carry 5 more cartridges on your belt.

For me 10 minimum. Not in a backpack but quickly available.
 
My experience is very limited here but I ended up going with cartridge slides on an additional belt that went over the top of my normal belt. I loved this combo as it was very comfortable. I went with the Els and Co Somerset pouches for double rifles and then got their canvas belt. It worked great for my double rifle as it separates out the rounds in groups of two. It is mostly leather and then elastic inside the leather to hold the tips of the rounds in place but easy enough to actually extract them from the pouch. I was afraid if I went with a culling belt that had fixed locations, it would not be as comfortable as I would be much more limited on where I could put the buckle. My reasoning for canvas was to allow for a bit more flexibility in the belt when bending over, moving around, etc especially since it was already going over the top of a leather pants belt.
 
Watch elephant hunts on YouTube. You will see a fair amount of attempted brain shots turn into a rodeo quickly. The PH and client empty the rifles as the animal turns and runs.

Now also factor in there is a possibility that the non target animals get involved and you may get involved in now backing up the PH as he may have to shoot an aggressive animal or two.

And you stand there with your 5 cartridge wallet empty.

I think it’s irresponsible to assume the PH needs no help or backup. He of course must shoot first in these situations.

What if his rifle has issues

What if he can’t stop 1 or 2 non targeted elephants from attacking.

What if he is being swung around like a baseball bat by the trunk of an angry cow.

Of course you could ask a tracker to dig into the bottom of his pack where you asked him to carry your spare ammo. But will he stay in the fight without his own rifle. Most likely not. Your ammo will be 200 yards and moving away fast.

For me. If you’re going to purposefully engage the most dangerous animal in Africa, A cow elephant, Carry a rifle 5-10 miles per day. Why can’t you carry 5 more cartridges on your belt.

For me 10 minimum. Not in a backpack but quickly available.
All fair points, and they take the 6 round Keith canvas slide off the table. Rigby holds 10, with 3 in the rifle, but that would start to get pretty tight with carrying a few softs as well. I also appreciate the ability to separate bullet types with an empty slot or two on the culling belt and still have plenty available.
 
My experience is very limited here but I ended up going with cartridge slides on an additional belt that went over the top of my normal belt. I loved this combo as it was very comfortable. I went with the Els and Co Somerset pouches for double rifles and then got their canvas belt. It worked great for my double rifle as it separates out the rounds in groups of two. It is mostly leather and then elastic inside the leather to hold the tips of the rounds in place but easy enough to actually extract them from the pouch. I was afraid if I went with a culling belt that had fixed locations, it would not be as comfortable as I would be much more limited on where I could put the buckle. My reasoning for canvas was to allow for a bit more flexibility in the belt when bending over, moving around, etc especially since it was already going over the top of a leather pants belt.
I can easily understand, because some of those thick leather belts look damned uncomfortable!
 
I have used the same Murray belt for well over a decade. This one is designed for the .375 family and that is usually the caliber rifle I am carrying on a combination DG/PG hunt (simply nothing more versatile). Murray, unlike some of the belts recently coming out of South Africa is extremely supple and double stitched. It could not be more comfortable.

With ten rounds in the belt and two or four in the rifle depending on model, I have never come close to running out. Just a great product.

Blaser R8 .375 Rifle
 
My culling belt from SA is definitely overbuilt. It took a lot of time oiling and flexing it before my hunt to get it pliable. Then sweating it in on many stalks really helped.

It reminded me of the work and dedication it took when buying a new baseball glove. It could be made 1/2 the thickness
 
I have used the same Murray belt for well over a decade. This one is designed for the .375 family and that is usually the caliber rifle I am carrying on a combination DG/PG hunt (simply nothing more versatile). Murray, unlike some of the belts recently coming out of South Africa is extremely supple and double stitched. It could not be more comfortable.

With ten rounds in the belt and two or four in the rifle depending on model, I have never come close to running out. Just a great product.

Blaser R8 .375 Rifle
Was there much break-in time involved for cartridge removal? Past difficulties with full leather products for handgun catridges and mazines have steered me toward canvas and elastic, though this likely wouldn't be an issue with all makers (and I see that Murray offers the C-8 with an elastic loop option anyway).
 
Was there much break-in time involved for cartridge removal? Past difficulties with full leather products for handgun catridges and mazines have steered me toward canvas and elastic, though this likely wouldn't be an issue with all makers (and I see that Murray offers the C-8 with an elastic loop option anyway).
I absolutely hate elastic holders. They do not last, and always seem to fail at the worst time. The Murray loops broke in very quickly. As I remember, I used a little Balistol to speed up the process. The belt is not cheap, but it will last a lifetime of hunting.
 
I have used the same Murray belt for well over a decade. This one is designed for the .375 family and that is usually the caliber rifle I am carrying on a combination DG/PG hunt (simply nothing more versatile). Murray, unlike some of the belts recently coming out of South Africa is extremely supple and double stitched. It could not be more comfortable.

With ten rounds in the belt and two or four in the rifle depending on model, I have never come close to running out. Just a great product.

Blaser R8 .375 Rifle

My apologies for derailing the thread, is this Contessa mount?
 
For double rifle. Cull belt
For bolt sliders are ok
If carrying a scoped bolt for backup a slider On the cull belt. Always a knife on the cull belt
Slider for bolt gun. But cull belt makes loading a double faster and have 2-4 solids if needed
 
I had wondered about that benefit of the culling belt, especially since a few softs need to be on hand for the buffalo. I'll also check out the Murray products.
FYI Using different color primer sealer will help you identify solid from soft while in the belt as well as when you open the action of a double rifle.
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As for the Murray cartridge slide; I have the one with elastic loops that’s universal/.375H&H size and I’ve used it for everything from 30-30 to .404J and it’s a great piece of gear.
 
Well I think they both work and there are very nice examples of both…
I was lucky enough to have a full set of Westley Richards slides, pocket holders and wallet handed down to me by family that has five safaris under their belt over the last thirty years…
The main slider does everything a culling belt will do with the modular component built in. I think they are the best of both options though one can’t go wrong with what they are comfortable with!
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I used to have a Murray Cartridge belt with leather loops but found my expanding waist to be incompatible with the non-expanding leather. ;)

I recently sold it to another member in favor of cartridge slides. I have one and @CM McKenzie is making me another.

Given the choice, I’d probably say the cartridge belt is the way to go for the convenience of being able to take it off when riding on the truck but it’s still possible to do this with slides on a separate belt.

For now I’ll give slides the nod until the cartridge belt is an option again.
 

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

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