How do you organize your ammo wallet?

[franzfmdavis]

For those who hunt cape buffalo using an ammo wallet on their belt, how do you organize your rounds for the most efficient and effective reloading?

I will be practicing all summer and I would prefer to start with a proper set up and develop the correct muscle memory.

For example, do you carry only solids for follow up shots?

If not, do you put soft points on one end and solids the other, or do you putba soft and solid side by side throughout? Or do you carry two wallets, one for softs and one for solids?

Also, how many extra rounds do you typically carry (Ive seen video of buffalo taken with one shot, and others still going after seven)?

For example:

 

[thriller]

I carry two smaller wallets one softens and one solids. 2 6rounders plus the gun topped up when I leave the truck.

I always carry more than strictly necessary as running out does not appeal to me.

 

[Betterinthebush]

Thanks for starting this conversation. I use a wallet in Ak, for both.338 WM and .375 H&H. I only ever have one of those two in camp (.338 for sheep/grizz, .375 for moose/brown/grizz) so there is never a danger of grabbing the wrong wallet. Plus up there I only use TSX. So no worries of grabbing the wrong load.

I’ve switched to an ammo belt and took a red sharpie and painted the tops of the solids for training. But, I’m way slower on reloading off the belt by a long way than out of the wallet.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Usually load solids under a single soft (first round into the buff) in the mag. For my wallet: first/front 4 loops: first 3 are solids the 4th is a soft; second/ rear 4 loops: first is a soft the next 3 are solids. The 2 softs are in the center. In the pocket of the wallet are 3 softs and 3 solids.

 

[Flipper Dude]

I take solids if I’m hunting elephant sometime during the trip. Otherwise TSX. Full magazine, full wallet, and a cartridge in each pocket. Two in the shorts and two in the shirt.

 

[BeeMaa]

I have two-five cartridge slides on a separate belt, not the same one that holds up my trousers. I put the belt on and move the buckle to the back.

The first slide is all Barnes TSX and is just in front of my right hip.

The other one carried behind my right hip will be three TSX and two Woodleigh Hydros, with the hydros to the back.

Left side of the belt has a cross-draw sheath for my hunting knife.

I’ll see if I can snap a picture when I get home.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Here is an example of many rounds shot in a short period of time:

In suppose it’s prolly a good idea not to empty your rifle completely on a buff that ain’t charging yet.

 

[franzfmdavis]

I have two-five cartridge slides on a separate belt, not the same one that holds up my trousers. I put the belt on and move the buckle to the back.

The first slide is all Barnes TSX and is just in front of my right hip.

The other one carried behind my right hip will be three TSX and two Woodleigh Hydros, with the hydros to the back.

Left side of the belt has a cross-draw sheath for my hunting knife.

I’ll see if I can snap a picture when I get home.

Thanks! I will be using a separate belt as well, but had not initially thought of two separate wallets until now - I appreciate all the perspectives on this!

 

[Rare Breed]

For those who hunt cape buffalo using an ammo wallet on their belt, how do you organize your rounds for the most efficient and effective reloading?

I will be practicing all summer and I would prefer to start with a proper set up and develop the correct muscle memory.

For example, do you carry only solids for follow up shots?

If not, do you put soft points on one end and solids the other, or do you putba soft and solid side by side throughout? Or do you carry two wallets, one for softs and one for solids?

Also, how many extra rounds do you typically carry (Ive seen video of buffalo taken with one shot, and others still going after seven)?

For example:

I have a 10 cartridge holder with only TSX softs. solids not needed for buffalo

 

[BeeMaa]

I have a 10 cartridge holder with only TSX softs. solids not needed for buffalo

Solids are for targets of opportunity, like the T10...or whenever the PH says to load them.

@franzfmdavis - Picture as promised. Not the exact placement of them when I'm wearing it, but you get the idea.

 

[Red Leg]

I don't use a wallet and would never use any ammo carrier with a flap for dangerous game. I use a Murray belt that has traveled with me for over a decade. The rounds ride on my right hip and provide immediate access. It holds ten. If I am using the R8 pictured, it will have a full magazine, a round in the chamber, and will be not cocked. The belt will carry seven additional SPs (either A-Frame of TSX). I then skip a space and carry two solids - normally Hydros. They are reserved for a world class duiker, suni antelope or something similar that doesn't respond well to a 300 gr SP. I never load solids for buffalo.

Some prefer the ammo carrier center or on the left. To me, the former is uncomfortable and the latter is instinctively very clumsy for a right hand shooter - though many have trained themselves to load from that side. The right hand carry immediately and naturally places the round in the loading hand whether using a double or a bolt action.

All four of mine were taken with one shot, though two were given insurance shots. All were taken with 300 gr .375 H&H loads - two TSX and two A Frame. None went more than 25 yards, and one collapsed back into his bed.

 

[BeeMaa]

I don't use a wallet and would never use any ammo carrier with a flap for dangerous game. I use a Murray belt that has traveled with me for over a decade. The rounds ride on my right hip and provide immediate access. It holds ten. If I am using the R8 pictured, it will have a full magazine, a round in the chamber, and will be not cocked. The belt will carry seven additional SPs (either A-Frame of TSX). I then skip a space and carry two solids - normally Hydros. They are reserved for a world class duiker, suni antelope or something similar that doesn't respond well to a 300 gr SP. I never load solids for buffalo.

Some prefer the ammo carrier center or on the left. To me, the former is uncomfortable and the latter is instinctively very clumsy for a right hand shooter - though many have trained themselves to load from that side. The right hand carry immediately and naturally places the round in the loading hand whether using a double or a bolt action.

All four of mine were taken with one shot, though two were given insurance shots. All were taken with 300 gr .375 H&H loads - two TSX and two A Frame. None went more than 25 yards, and one collapsed back into his bed.

I was going to give Dick a call and see if he does a left-handed belt that would be the mirror image of yours. That way I could put the buckle in the back.

 

[Flipper Dude]

I like this style

 

[sureshot375]

I have two 8rd slides. I usually take both full. There are occasions when I have gone with 1 slide, but in general I’ve never had too much ammo.


The exact load out between softs and solids would depend on whether elephant are part of the equation. If you are in an area without elephant then you might not take any solids.

If I’m in an area with elephant I’m at least going to have 4 solids on me. I’m also going to always have a solid in my second barrel while roaming around.

 

[franzfmdavis]

My wallet is also an open sided “slide” as others have called them. It holds six rounds with each pair separated by a space. I had previously assumed that 8 rounds (2 in the barrel and six on the slide) would be enough but am considering whether I should have another slide to bring the total to 14.

 

[Flipper Dude]

My wallet is also an open sided “slide” as others have called them. It holds six rounds with each pair separated by a space. I had previously assumed that 8 rounds (2 in the barrel and six on the slide) would be enough but am considering whether I should have another slide to bring the total to 14.

I ran out of ammo on a sable once in Mozambique. My fault. I can’t imagine that happening on DG. I’m toting a bunch

 

[ftrovato]

Six in front in an open sleeve (3 solid & 3 soft) & a leather sleeve that closes over my right rear pant pocket with 5 more solids (that you can see below my right elbow) for just in case.

 

[Sideshow]

I like the tip above of painting the primer of your solids, a quick glance then proves what you’re grabbing. Or placing it in the correct position on your hip.

 

[Wahoo]

My wallet is also an open sided “slide” as others have called them. It holds six rounds with each pair separated by a space. I had previously assumed that 8 rounds (2 in the barrel and six on the slide) would be enough but am considering whether I should have another slide to bring the total to 14.

That’s exactly how I carried my .470 ammo and it worked well. I kept my buckle on the belt behind my left hip and the slides centered in the front so I didn’t scratch up my rifle

The first slide I just skipped a hole between the pairs allowing me quick access to pairs (although I could have loaded those holes as well to have another 2 rounds with me) and the second slide I fully loaded with 8 rounds bringing my belt total to 14 rounds and had 2 in the rifle. I also pulled the first pair up a bit to make it easier to grab blindly. If 16 rounds total couldn’t solve my issues I figure I must have royally screwed up!

For what it’s worth I never shot more than 4 at one engagement so had plenty of reserve but had I needed them I wouldn’t have been happy if they were in the truck.

Edit- these were all Northfork FPS for ele so I didn’t have be concerned with keeping soft/solids straight.

 

[K-man]

I prefer to only have one kind of bullet in my ammo carrier. Generally softs (tsx) I almost always have at least a pair of solids in a pocket easily accessible but never mixed with the softs. I also don't like them clanking against each other so sometimes two different pockets. I want a conscious decision to grab a solid not an accident. When waterfowling I have an order of sizes in my belt to adjust to current conditions.