What weight of leather for pockets/loops for shotgun belt

[mrappe]

I need to make a shotgun belt for mt wife to shoot CAS style and I need suggestions as to what weight of leather to make the loops or pockets out of. I will make each pocket hold 2 shells.

Thanks,
Mike

[Slowhand Bob]

For shot shell  singles I normally  use 6-7oz and for doubles or pouches I use 7-8oz but 8-9oz would probably be even more popular. 

[Trailrider]

If I understand correctly, you are asking about the loops and not the belt or pouch.  I use 4-5 oz for the loop material on shotshells and cartridge loops down to .38 Spl/.357 Mag.  On .22 rf, I use 3-4 oz.  Anything heavier gets way too bulky. For pouches I may use 6-7 oz, and 7-8 oz for the backing piece, depending on the design of the pouch. For Civil War pistol cap/cartridge pouches, I use 5-6 oz for the front piece because it has to be formed out, and that was what the originals used. Six-7 oz. for the backing piece and integral flap. 

[mrappe]

I am talking about the the loops and pockets that hold the shotshells on the belt for Cowboy Action Shooting where you would have two shels in one loop or pocket.

[Slowhand Bob]

I know everyonehas a preference but I saw one on the SASS Classifieds this morning that I really liked.  It used regular single loops BUT every pair had a small space that divided them into pairs.  Here is a photo of it I grabbed.

[ChuckBurrows]

I know everyonehas a preference but I saw one on the SASS Classifieds this morning that I really liked.  It used regular single loops BUT every pair had a small space that divided them into pairs.  

That's what I do -

If you put the slots closer together than you think they should be (about 5/8" inside edge to inside edge for the two shells I use the two slots per shell method) than the shells will snug up together real nice and tight. The two 1/2" below belwo keep the shells from sliding down in the loops.

[Slowhand Bob]

Really attractive belt Chuck and that is exactly the idea of which I spoke.  Sometimes we get all wrapped up in wanting to do something so different and creative that we miss the fact that something basic and simple will serve as well or better than gadgets. 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I like the space between the loops. It allows a two-up grab nicely. My belt has solid single loops. I fill all the slots then at the loading bench pull two up higher so they come out effortlessly and skip one, pull two up and skip one, right across the belt. Same result but there is a little more space required for the same number of shells used. The advantage is that I can always go back and pull the singles if needed.

[Ned Buckshot]

I have always made mine with the extra space between, works well for me and all my customers.

[mrappe]

Nice looking slide. What weight leather do you use for the loops?

[Ned Buckshot]

Thanks!

I use 7-8 oz. for loops on shotgun slides,seems to hold the shape very well. I use the same style on belts also. It also has the advantage of tillting the shells out just a bit at the top, particularly usefull for those of us that have a little extra around the middle!

[ChuckBurrows]

Forgot about leather weight - since I only make period styles I use for loops at heaviest 4/5 ounce and more often 3/4 oz - the most common weight for shell loops in period, but then again I don't make competition rigs as such....

[Slowhand Bob]

One last thought for those who want something that looks somewhat period but does like for the shells to stand tall for extraction, one small stitch at the bottom.  With a slightly deeper shell loop you can pinch each loop slightly at the bottom and stich it to prevent full insertion of the shell.  Without the thick spacer at the bottom it would appear to be just old time common loops.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

One last thought for those who want something that looks somewhat period but does like for the shells to stand tall for extraction, one small stitch at the bottom.  With a slightly deeper shell loop you can pinch each loop slightly at the bottom and stich it to prevent full insertion of the shell.  Without the thick spacer at the bottom it would appear to be just old time common loops.

That's a great idea. Thanks for the idea.

[mrappe]

I use 7-8 oz. for loops on shotgun slides,seems to hold the shape very well. I use the same style on belts also. It also has the advantage of tillting the shells out just a bit at the top, particularly usefull for those of us that have a little extra around the middle!

Thanks for the picture. I like the way you did this. I think that having the recessed area inside the loop would help the shell to stand up to where it would be easy to grab and not sit too close to the body.

[Ned Buckshot]

Thank You kind sir!

I designed this type of slide nearly 20 years ago and havn't built them any other way since!

Works just fine on a belt also.

[mrappe]

I just bought some leather from Tandy yesterday (7-8 oz for the loops) hopefully the project will turn out as well as all as all of the fine work that has been displayed in this thread.

Mike

[Ned Buckshot]

Good luck!

If I can be of any help let me know.

Ned

[Massive]

I just invented that !  Mine was an angled cut into the leather with stitched down loops. You way looks a lot easier to do!

[Trailrider]

I have done paired loops two different ways. (Sorry, don't have means of photographing and posting.) The first is to make separate loops with the pair close together, separated from the next pair by a space. This works with open-bottom loops. The advantage is that you can push the shells in deep enough so the ends of the shells extends below the bottom of the loop. You can push the shells up from the bottom, and grasp the pair with your thumb and other fingers.  I use 4-5 oz for the loops.

The second type uses a single, closed-bottom loop that holds two shells side-by-side.  On those I use 3-4 oz. leather. The pair of shells are snugly held and the heads of the shells stick up where they can be easily grasped.