Culling belt vs Cartridge Slides

[Cls.44]

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?

 

[deewayne2003]

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

 

[Cls.44]

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.

 

[Altitude sickness]

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.

 

[Mike B.]

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.

 

[Cls.44]

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.

 

[Cls.44]

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!

 

[Altitude sickness]

Two 5 cartridge slides would nicely also

 

[Red Leg]

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.

 

[Altitude sickness]

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

 

[Cls.44]

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.

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).