Culling belt vs Cartridge Slides

[Boela]

I would recommend a canvas belt all day long.

Using a belt allows you to put it on and take it off at will. This is especially helpful when gitting in and out of vehicles since you will, in all likelihood, be carrying various other items on your belt that may cause discomfort when you sit.
So, too, can you repostion it quickly and in such a way that your ammo is either in front, to the side, or at your back, depending on what the situation requires.

Being able to quickly take your belt off is quite handy when you recharge your belt with fresh ammo or change the rounds. So, too, when doing water crossings , take the belt off and all your other items being carried on your belt comes with. Your day to day wearing belt keeps your trousers in place, and after clearing the water, you are free to put your ammo belt on again.

An ammo belt allows you to put it on over all garments worn, allowing you quick and unobstructed access to your ammo.

Using a canvas / leather combination, I have found that my cases corrode a lot less due to the canvas being more breathable. It dries quick if wet from either rain or sweat, and it requires little to no break-in.

I so, too, prefer to use the double-loop configuration.
I feel it is a whole lot quicker and easier to pull two cartriges at a time, instead of one at a time, especially if your rounds are close to each other - it is not always that easy to get a proper grip on a single round. It has seldom happened to me that I require one round only, for once the shooting starts, two or more shots is usally fired, and having a firm grip on two rounds is an help for a quicker reload.

The little gap created in a double loop configuration allows your fingers to easily get in between your rounds, allowing a secure grip. And if you really only need one round....you can easily pull the single. And if you ever take possession of a double rifle.....your beloved, trusty and well used belt is allready set up for it.

When arriving back at camp, you can take your belt off, and stick it in your back pack or leave it in the truck, tuck your shirt in, and within seconds you look neat and presentable. And lets face it, a ammo belt does have a tacti-cool look to it .

(My belts are custom made by Lindwells, South Africa)

 

[Altitude sickness]

I had my belt built for a 500/416 double. To have solids on one side softs on the other.
Then decided to use a .505 Gibbs magazine rifle instead. The belt still worked fine.

Then I used slides for the .416

 

[BeeMaa]

This is the belt I sold and it's holding 416RM.

This is a Galco Safari Five that I had my local leathersmith cut the top off and burnish the edges.

Overall, the slides are lighter and I appreciate that. I'm already carrying more than I should. When the new slide shows up I'll post a few pictures.

 

[Philip Glass]

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 have used Murray Custom leather (all leather) ammo holders for many safaris for the .375 and .300. They are perfect for me. I bought the Murray leather and elastic ammo holders for big bore ammo and used them one time and they were horribly uncomfortable. While hunting with York Mare of Dalton & York some years ago I noticed him using the Trader Keith culling belt. I asked about it and he stated that a client gave it to him and it was light weight and very easy to use. The big leather culling belts are popular but when it gets hot it seems the canvas was better. A side note is that when hunting elephant you can never have too much ammo. I bought the Trader Keith model and have used it with great success in several safaris now. Thanks York!

 

[uplander01]

Murray leather cartridge slides here, ( I think I have 4-5 different ones) have used both leather loops and elastic, personally like the elastic but if I was out in it all the time I could see how they may not last as long. For a belt I use a suede galco belt, interestingly they are more flexible and quite

 

[Luvthunt]

Guess I am one of the non traditional folks as to canvas or leather. I have used Uncle Mikes nylon slides and belts over a pants belt. Starting using those so long ago in the USA that when I first began my trips to Africa in the early 90s I went with what was very familiar to me. Usually had a cartridge holder on the butt that I would place 5 or 6 rounds. With 3 or 4 in the rifle. Most all my hunts were diy except where the law required a guide. Had another 10 rounds in my backpack in an Uncle Mikes nylon.
Many of those hunts were in weather that was rough on all gear and I believe canvas and leather would of been useless once they absorbed rain sleet for days on end with little means to dry somewhat over night. Only getting wetter the next day.
It was not until I found this forum that I learned of the canvas or leather carriers.

 

[wesheltonj]

I have both. The belt is more for show. The slide is easier to deal with.

 

[baxterb]

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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Very nice kit.

 

[Beck]

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 asked this same question a few years ago, and I received many thoughtful answers. I landed on a cartridge slide from Murray Custom Leather, and I wear it on a second larger belt on top of my clothing. The culling belts end up being too bulky in my opinion, and I have used a couple of them. I also found that wearing the slide on my regular belt limited my range of motion, and was uncomfortable in particular when I get in/out of the cruiser. The second belt allows me to easily remove the cartridges when I get in/out of the cruiser - hope this helps

 

[Edge]

Uncle Mikes nylon belt with Murray slider, knife (or folder in my pocket) and two small zip pouches from my backpack belt.

I use a Hill People’s Gear shell holder on the buttstock with additional rounds right on the rifle. Empty the magazine and into the buttstock shell holder they go along with an extra soft / solid or two always there and ready to go.

The small zip pouches contain a package of bleed stop, a small headlamp, rehydrate packets, light face mask/pull-up, individual size alcohol wipes, a pack or two of bug wipes, a snack bar / candy and any Allen or Torx wrenches that fit the rifle. I used to carry a couple of extra rounds in the pouches but with the Murray 10 round slider, no need.

Light, functional and with a water bottle or two stuffed in my back pockets I’m ready to jump on a set of tracks and head into the bush knowing I’ve got everything I need for a long days tracking if needed.

If I don’t wear a fixed blade on my belt I can keep it on in the vehicle and it’s relatively comfortable.

Kit in action in Cameroon earlier this year: