Why are most ammo holders seen in Africa open top style?

[MaxM25]

What is the reason most ammo holders on the belt are open top instead of one with flap closure? Is this a legacy of double rifles needing quick access to more ammo that has just continued with more modern rifles holding 4 or more rounds? Is there a real functional purpose to avoid a flap closure on a belt mounted ammo pouch for use in Africa?

 

[deewayne2003]

I think this is an easy access vs secured storage preference issue.

I’ve seen both but one is more common, just like pistol holsters with a flap or thumb break retention.

 

[Philip Glass]

What is the reason most ammo holders on the belt are open top instead of one with flap closure? Is this a legacy of double rifles needing quick access to more ammo that has just continued with more modern rifles holding 4 or more rounds? Is there a real functional purpose to avoid a flap closure on a belt mounted ammo pouch for use in Africa?
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I have never understood the reason for making your ammo harder to get to on a DG or any other hunt. I have hunted for many, many years with Murray Custom Leather cartridge holders that are all leather and open top. I will be reading for someone to answer why the flap is a good idea.......

 

[Bandera]

The open style works with the double rifle very well. Where do we see the most double rifle use? Africa.

I have used both.
If I am hunting with my lever action or a bolt action I will use a flap style.
If I am hunting with one of my Ruger No.1 rifles it is a open top.
When I use the flap style I will fold the top back out of the way when stalking.
For dangerous game it makes perfect sense to have an open top for faster reloading. Although my buddy who is an engineer seems to think, that resizing the 30-06 flap style to the 375 Ruger is an acceptable solution. I am thinking he needs to film his Buffalo hunt next year.

 

[uplander01]

The only reason I would ever use a flap is if I was carrying spare ammo on my belt or wanted to throw some spare ammo in a pack. I was forced to use an Els model with a flap on a buff hunt (airline lost my bag with ammo and access in it), I felt like the flap was in the way.

 

[YancyW]

I use open top holder, both leather and elastic, I've never had an issue with losing rounds. I also sometimes just put a few extra rounds in my pocket and not clutter my belt with ammo.

 

[dneaster3]

Open top makes for easy access. One less movement in between your ammo and your rifle. That speed and efficiency is almost never important… except of course when it is, and then it is very important

Flap closure protects your ammo from the elements, at least nominally, but more importantly it protects your rifle stock from getting banged up on the cartridge rims. Ditto for truck fenders. Most of the time it’s a good thing to not have 5-10 little brass hammers bonking into expensive wood or clear coat finishes.

 

[CBH Australia]

I think most of their answers are correct or follow the same logic of early hunters.
Also personal preference.

But, it would be interesting to to know what the early hunters used, why and what was most commonly used or produced readily available for early hunters hunters.

Nowadays you can find all sorts online. I have one of each from Dingo leather in Australia. Why because I like leather goods and think they are cool.

 

[Rare Breed]

What is the reason most ammo holders on the belt are open top instead of one with flap closure? Is this a legacy of double rifles needing quick access to more ammo that has just continued with more modern rifles holding 4 or more rounds? Is there a real functional purpose to avoid a flap closure on a belt mounted ammo pouch for use in Africa?
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Your gut is correct as far as my POV…just one look at my lion charge video posted on AH let’s you know why for DG I just can’t imagine not having an open carrier

 

[sgt_zim]

All of my open tops are cartridge specific, and the cartridges fit fairly snugly. Enough to keep them from falling out, but not so much that the ammo is difficult to pull out. I use a cloth flap-top for my 45-70, but it's not like I really need it. My 1895 GBL holds 6+1. The only time I've ever emptied it was while hog hunting, and then I've only emptied it twice.

 

[Russ16]

I’ve only used open top no matter where I’m hunting. The flap is just bulky to me winds up catching on guns and brush and other things more. A well designed open top is quite secure.

 

[Berettaco]

I use the Murray open top anytime I’m putting ammo on my belt (usually buff hunts) but also have one for my 270 and 30-06 for PG. I don’t think I’d care for a closed top - I want to get ammo quick.

I never used one in N.A. Prior to hunting Africa- just threw a couple in my pocket if needed. But hunting Africa is a bit different, multiple shots per day and away from the truck quite a ways. In the states, what is in my rifle is usually plenty, most of the time one shot and done.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have open top five cartridge carrier for my 404. For my 30-06 I usually have four or five extra cartridges in my pants pocket plus six in the Springfield. Had an elastic ammo wallet for it but after four rounds fell out I tossed that piece of crap.

 

[Russ16]

I use the Murray open top anytime I’m putting ammo on my belt (usually buff hunts) but also have one for my 270 and 30-06 for PG. I don’t think I’d care for a closed top - I want to get ammo quick.

I never used one in N.A. Prior to hunting Africa- just threw a couple in my pocket if needed. But hunting Africa is a bit different, multiple shots per day and away from the truck quite a ways. In the states, what is in my rifle is usually plenty, most of the time one shot and done.

In the US I always have one on my belt. The difference is when I load the gun is is short whatever I put in the gun. When I unload and get out of the blind or on the horse or in the truck they go back in the holder on my belt. Basically it’s just how I carry ammo. Always done it that way.

 

[FlyGuy]

Like Winchester or Remington, it’s all about personal choice.
I agree that for DG or single shot rifles, open top makes logical sense.
4 or 5 in the magazine is enough for PG.

 

[BJH65]

I have never understood the reason for making your ammo harder to get to on a DG or any other hunt. I have hunted for many, many years with Murray Custom Leather cartridge holders that are all leather and open top. I will be reading for someone to answer why the flap is a good idea.......

On my last African hunt, I scratched up my rifle stock pretty good slinging my rifle the stock made contact with the exposed rounds, just one time. Of course crawling though the acacia thorns added a few scratches too! I subsequently shoved the ammo carrier to the rear behind my back. It was easy enough to slide it back to access the ammo. Having a total of four 416 Rigby rounds including one in the chamber, I never felt handicapped so I would be fine with a covered ammo pouch like the one Rigby makes with no exposed metal to scratch the rifle stock.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You understand, of course, hunting Africa is often a serious style show. Thousand dollar felt hats, "safari shirts" complete with useless epaulets, shorts and gaiters (mid winter), etc. And that's okay. Everyone needs a hobby. I see hunters here in Montana rifle season decked out in fancy expensive camo togs head to toe literally. Then cover it up with hunter orange vest. My focus is on hunting, not "stuff." The only reason I have a cartridge carrier for 404 ammo is because the shells are so long and fat they don't fit well in a pocket.

 

[dailordasailor]

Only have one time experience withy ammo pouch. But bought a leather open top for my buff hunt in Australia. I ran it dry twice. Wasn’t as much the danger as it was stopping buff before they got in the thick stuff. In heat of the moment, I wouldn’t of wanted to be messing with a clasp or buckle or anything in the way

 

[grand veneur]

I prefer to have ammo holders that can be closed because they protect the cartridges from the sun, the dust and other mechanical stresses.

In West Africa we had at times winds like the Harmattan that brought a lot of sand from the Sahara with it. You have the sand everywhere in your clothes but also in the cartridge holder and on the rifle, sometimes even in the barrel. On the contrary, if you have to go through water up to your waistline, as it can happen in the Zambezi delta for example, it is also better to have the cartridges safely in a closed holder. The cover of the cartridge holder can be leave open during an action so the cartridges are easily at hand. This has never hindered me from reloading quickly, no matter where in Africa.

 

[grand veneur]

You understand, of course, hunting Africa is often a serious style show. Thousand dollar felt hats, "safari shirts" complete with useless epaulets, shorts and gaiters (mid winter), etc. And that's okay. Everyone needs a hobby. I see hunters here in Montana rifle season decked out in fancy expensive camo togs head to toe literally. Then cover it up with hunter orange vest. My focus is on hunting, not "stuff." The only reason I have a cartridge carrier for 404 ammo is because the shells are so long and fat they don't fit well in a pocket.

You have to buy a bigger ammo holder, everything fits in mine and it was very cheap, like all of my equipment, except the rifles. I don't spend a lot of money for hunting clothes. In Africa I use my old cotton trousers and shirts that I also wear for hunting at home. Hats you can get cheaply from military surplus. Camo is out of question, I am hunting in Africa, I am not on a combat mission.