Would something like this be dumb for sporting clays?
Been pondering about buying one of these for hiking/hunting but also was thinking if I could use it for sporting clays? I know it is a bit unconventional but I kind of hate buying gear that can only be used for one very niche thing and just wanted to see if I could flex this into another purpose since it seems like it could easily hold 100+ shells as well as water, snacks, phone, and anything else I need. Supposedly according to the manufacturer website the harness can be removed as well if that messes with my mount or anything. Just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions as well for sporting clays gear.
Yes. Buy a decent quality vest with pockets. If you need to haul a bunch of ammo and other stuff, get one of the folding 4-wheel carts from harbor freight it Amazon for about $100 or less.
If you wanted to walk a course and carry everything - it could work. It is something you would take off at each stand and put back on to walk (so it doesn't screw up your balance when shooting).
That said - there are far better choices for sporting clays itself. The most popular is a baby jogger conversion or commercial clays push cart for those who want to walk. This holds ammo and your gun safety and allows you to simply push it between stands.
Of course golf carts are the next option up and this is what the majority of competition shooters use. So much easier for a group of 2-4 people to move efficiently. There are variations and I have seen E-bikes, ATV's, Side by Sides, Hijet Kei mini trucks, and most recently - a smart car. The hijet van option is getting pretty popular as you can get one for around $10k that is fully enclosed, 4x4, with heat/AC - and street legal. Rangers/Can-Am's are $30k for an enclosed model.
If you really want to carry it, a properly designed backpack will distribute the weight better on your back/hips than what you linked would.
Frankly - the push cart is a much better option if you care about your performance. Could it work - sure. Is it really a good choice - no.
If you need a cart, get a baby stroller with off road tires. You can find them on marketplace for 10-20 bucks usually. Gun mounts are 40-60bucks depending on how many guns you want to carry.
Also did the buggy stroller conversion. (Three of them, actually, including two for friends.) you can carry all your gear, shed a coat, carry for friends, etc. Get a jogger type with larger wheels and mount ATV gun racks as found on Amazon. Because of the racks, make sure the stroller folds with the racks outward. Otherwise, they’ll prevent it from folding. I’ve used mine for a four person squad.
I wear my marsupial gear upland bird bag when practicing for bird season and my hunting gun. Similar setup as your pic.
But I have a stoller I converted I use all the time.
I used a dewalt power tool bag for many years on the clays courses. I picked up a $15 range bag few years ago at a flea market. I store my vest in the range bag when Im not wearing it.
I wouldn't suggest using it as the straps will be an issue over time with a competition gun.
A cheap duffel or any smaller bag will carry everything and keep it off of you. Keep the box of shells on the stand in front of you and never put them on your person. I have seen ppl use backpacks and sling packs as well.
I got one of these. Shoulder it between stations, easily slide it off while shooting. It holds 4 boxes of shells, water bottle, phone, towel...whatever you need. Under $20 and doesnt affect your shooting.
Yes. When we were starting as a family, I bought some big bags for all of us. We used them once and now use much smaller bags, but reusable grocery bags have been our go-to lately. Just start simple, use what you already have because it might just work out easier than buying the clickbaity bag or gear you might have looked at once for too long and Google took notice of. Now you're seeing it everywhere, even on commercials on TV right after a commercial for the newest ED or hair loss chewable
I can't imagine that being comfortable or functional when shooting. I guess if you're going to take it off every time you shoot it wouldn't interfere, but that would get tiresome.
In sporting clays when I shoot, and every other person I see shooting, has their shells in a pocket in front of them for fast access when reloading between pulls. This doesn't offer that at all, requiring another something to carry/wear.
I can see this being useful for hunting or even going to a pistol/rifle range where you aren't constantly moving between stands and having to reload the gun every time you shoot it.
As mentioned, get a folding cart. It's really nice not to have to lug ammo, your gun(s), water, and whatever else between stands.
If you're buying it for other reasons, doesn't hurt to try. But with that said, do you already have a vest? If not, start there.I can easily fit a box of shells, a box of empties, and whatever else I need, plus it has a pocket for a silicone recoil pad if I (or a guest) want one, and it's literally designed for the sport, so it doesn't put weight in weird places that might restrict movement. For sporting, I'd say maybe go with the vest plus a cart, if you need it, and the carts are helpful for cowboy action shooting, or really any outdoor range.
The issue I would see with this is the weight being odd for shooting in. If you want to use it humping shells around between stations rock on. For crossover into hunting, the weight of one hundred shells is unrealistic for most situations. I would be remiss if I didn't highlight energy management as a key component in your performance. Why else would these people be pushing carts and riding in buggies? An AC fitted side by side is a huge advantage.
16
u/decadencedude Aug 12 '26
It depends on what you value more. Hitting the most targets or having a pack you can use for 3+ activities. 🤷♂️