Sporting Clays shell bag

[mikemorvan]

I'm getting into shooting sporting clays. A few questions:

It seems a shell bag is in order. What's the best set up / bag for a guy walking the course?

Shooting glasses? Seem to be required. Any substantial difference in types / styles?

What do i need to know?

Thanks ~

[cajuntec]

On the shell bag, I've done it two different ways.

I started with a cheap Allen shell holder (holds a box of shells on your hip), and attached a mesh bag to it. Allen sells one with a bag attached called the "Allen Eliminator All-in-One Shooting Bag". Midway sells it for $20. It's here:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/615924/allen-eliminator-all-in-one-shooting-bag-foam-shell-gray-red?cm_vc=ProductFinding

After walking the course a few times with friends, and seeing others using "shooting carts" that look like a modified kids stroller, I briefly thought of getting one. The idea was that it carried several boxes of shells, and you could rest your shotgun in the holder when you weren't using it. But all of my friends were just carrying little bags with them, and the range I use had gun stands anyway. As we were shooting several people to a station (usually 4 of us), we had time to load up our gear into our bags and move rather quickly. As long as nobody is goofing off, we moved right along just fine.

Now I just carry a little rectangle shaped, hard bottom, soft sided zipper bag with a couple of boxes of shells in it. I put one box of shells in the Allen carrier (I have this one:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/168...ProductFinding), and after I finish shooting, I throw my empties in my zipper bag. My bag is big enough to carry a few extra boxes of shells, and / or enough room for about 100 spent hulls, as we usually run at least two full courses, and sometimes move to the third course if we have time / shells left.

Shooting glasses are dependent on your shooting style, face shape, and also has to do with the firearm you carry. Depending on how low you put your face down on the stock can drastically affect how certain glasses fit. My buddy shoots a Citori, and I shoot a Auto-5. He couldn't wear the glasses that I like because his face is further down on the stock than mine is, since the humpback Auto-5 allows me to keep my head up a bit, whereas his head is lower on the stock. I liked a wrap-around type lens for a long time, and I had a set that came with multiple lenses that I liked. It's gotten old, and unfortunately, it's no longer made. On early mornings, I liked to throw in the bright high-contrast yellow lens. It helps me pick up the targets faster. In bright sun, I'd change out to a more light-restrictive color - grey, amber, or green - usually grey. Now I'm using my regular polarized bass-fishing glasses with green lenses most of the time. If it's really low light, I have a set of clear wrap-arounds to get me by, but they aren't the most comfortable.

All the best,
Glenn

[mikemorvan]

Man ` awesome info. Thanks!

[cajuntec]

Anytime. Have fun shooting. I love the "rabbits". Never thought shooting clays could be that fun. I always liked skeet and trap, but sporting clays are my favorite.

All the best,
Glenn

[mikemorvan]

Rabbits are devilish. Thanks again.

[locknload]

I bought a pretty Elm Fork leather shell bag

[locknload]

I bought a pretty Elm Fork leather shell bag.

[mikemorvan]

I'm probably going to be shooting mostly at Elm Fork. How much was the bag?

[TreeNinja]

If you wear a belt, try wearing you pouches like they were on a vest. If you are right handed wear your shell pouch on your 10:00. Your hull bag, behind you on your 6:00. I started with bob Allen mesh bag and divided shell pouch.

I wouldn't recommend the integrated pouch with empties and a box all in one. I am 5'10 and couldn't stand that thing banging into my knees. Plus, it made me feel lopsided over the course of 50 targets.

http://www.gamaliel.com/prodcat/bob-allen-bags.asp

Can get this at academy too.

My recommendation is to wear a vest...it's more storage, doesn't pull your pants down, and you mount cleaner no matter what you are wearing. Clays is low gun, mount when you see the bird, the smooth recoil pad helps a ton. The rear shell pouch is handy, and most hunting vests are configured similarly (super fast during a quail hunt.. Felt natural because pockets were like my clays vests.)

I use my Avery blind bag to carry more things with me if I am shooting a harder course and lenses, chokes and 7.5 shot, or if I shoot 100 bird course. I just want to habitualize myself shooting out of one bag, whether it is clays, ducks, etc.

Impact resistant lenses are key. The frame is up to you. Oakleys are awesome, but never fit my face well. I used Randolph Rangers. The lenses are colored to filter/dampen greens and Browns, while enhancing flo Orange. It really does work, I change lenses with the condition I am shooting.

The cart is awesome.. I don't have one, but my shooting instructor always said to put your gun down when you can to save your muscles over a long tournament. When I was shooting, these didn't exist,

Oh and get this if you shoot a O/U, your boots will thank you!

http://www.gamaliel.com/toepadsrests/shooters_gun_toe_rest_brown.asp

[mikemorvan]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've got homework to do.

[dclifton]

Double J saddlery are some of the finest!

[trophy8]

Dont overthink it. I shoot in my oakley radars most of the time. Polarized lenses but I wear them all day every day. If its overcast then I wont wear any!! I use a browning vest. I have a few different bags, beretta and boyt that were gifts that I wear on occasion. Me and my shooting buddies like to walk the course most of the time and rent the little stroller looking carts. If not we get a cart. Just use whatever and have fun!!

[Creedmore]

The best bag around is the deluxe double soft pouch from Lonesome Charlie's.

Two roomy sides hold a box of shells each. Has an outside flap with 5 choke tube holders, and a small inside pouch that's good for holding your skeet or trap misses when keeping score.

They make some outstanding belts, too. Everything handmade right here in Texas.

[Toddcaster]

Welcome to the wonderful world of sporting clays. In about 6 months you will have wished you had taken up crack instead. Much cheaper.

My personal preference is a vest. I like the extra padding on the shoulder and when I mount the gun it doesn't get tangled up in my shirt. Since I wear glasses, I found the Randolph Rangers with the prescription insert worked out best for me. They are fairly expensive but you can pick them up on ebay used for about half price occasionally.

Good luck on the course. Its as addictive as bowhunting!!!

[locknload]

You still got this shell bag?