IPSC Shotgun Caddies

Sniffer

Sniffer

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I plan to do a few IPSC shotgun matches this year. I have never done IPSC shotgun before (only 3 gun) and as such I started to look over the rules.

I noticed that a course of fire can be up to 28 rounds ("Long course") - this being the case I am short on ways to carry ammo.

Firstly, how common are 28 round courses? The rules state that for courses which are longer than 24 rounds it must be a loaded start. If the gun is loaded that helps but I am still coming up short with my current pair of DAA 8 round quad loaders.

Easy button would be to buy another DAA 8 round quad loader shotgun caddy (so 24 on my belt plus what was in the gun - should be sufficient) but in reading further it seems that the outside of the caddy cannot be more than 75mm from the body. I think the DAA are OK but I am not home right now to confirm.

If not I will look at other options, I have already found a "Magload Nexus Pro" which states it is good to go for IPSC and specifically mentions minimal size. Looks like it is available in various sizes up to 32 rounds.

What are others using?
 
I currently use the Magload Nexus 32…Used to use the Invictus Practical 2x8’s (4 of them). Your DAA’s are fine - I see plenty of shooters using them.
I like the 32 because that way with 7 in the gun, 1 on the gun in the match saver and 32 on the belt I can whiff a couple and still complete the max stage.

As for how frequently you see 28 round stages, most level 2 or above around here (SW Ontario) will have at least one if not more stages requiring at least 20 rounds so it’s good to have a setup that can handle it.
 
Last year I made the switch to Magload and am liking it so far. Running the Nexus Element series because it was cheaper than the Pro and Reflex series.
A 12 and a 28 shell carrier gives me a lot of options.
Wearing the belt high on my midsection instead of at belt level was the biggest change I had to get used to but it let's me get the right grab. The caddies are long and you cant turn them on much of an angle so you have to position the belt wherever your forearm will be perpendicular to the shells.
It's also nice to unbuckle the belt and put it aside when it's not your turn to shoot.
 
Rust said:
Last year I made the switch to Magload and am liking it so far. Running the Nexus Element series because it was cheaper than the Pro and Reflex series.
A 12 and a 28 shell carrier gives me a lot of options.
Wearing the belt high on my midsection instead of at belt level was the biggest change I had to get used to but it let's me get the right grab. The caddies are long and you cant turn them on much of an angle so you have to position the belt wherever your forearm will be perpendicular to the shells.
It's also nice to unbuckle the belt and put it aside when it's not your turn to shoot.
Click to expand...

Leaning towards the Magload of some fashion and it seems the 12 / 28 combo is what most go for.

How do you run yours? Do you switch between the 12 and 28 depending on stage / round count or do you run both at the same time?

If running both at the same time do you use the 28 for strong hand and 12 for weak hand (that seems to be the typical setup)?
 
Sniffer said:
Leaning towards the Magload of some fashion and it seems the 12 / 28 combo is what most go for.

How do you run yours? Do you switch between the 12 and 28 depending on stage / round count or do you run both at the same time?

If running both at the same time do you use the 28 for strong hand and 12 for weak hand (that seems to be the typical setup)?
Click to expand...
28 strong and 12 weak hand would be a good setup.
Weakhand for unloaded option 3 starts is faster
Strong hand for the rest gives you better muzzle control
All caddies must be worn at waist level ( rule 5.2.3 ) but they can be turned to make the grab easier.
 
Sniffer said:
Leaning towards the Magload of some fashion and it seems the 12 / 28 combo is what most go for.

How do you run yours? Do you switch between the 12 and 28 depending on stage / round count or do you run both at the same time?

If running both at the same time do you use the 28 for strong hand and 12 for weak hand (that seems to be the typical setup)?
Click to expand...
I picked the 12/28 combo mainly because I trusted the recommendation and because I really like having options. If stages are short and simple, the 12 is probably going to stay in the range bag.
But here's a more long winded list of reasons:
-I've been to matches that didn't have preload tables. Load and make ready at the line would take FOREVER as they loaded the gun, replenished their caddy from a box of shells, took a moment to visualize the stage, f-k with their go pro and settle in to wait for the beep. Frustrating as hell.
I can step into the box, load off of my 12 and be ready to go.
- I remember one time I knocked half the shells out of my caddy with my elbow while kneeling down to shoot under an obstacle. 40 shells allows me to make a few stupid mistakes. Screwing up a Quad load while running is another favorite of mine. Have the belt space, may as well use it.
- sometimes it's just easier to load a quick double on the weak hand side.
 
RJS 800 said:
28 strong and 12 weak hand would be a good setup.
Weakhand for unloaded option 3 starts is faster
Strong hand for the rest gives you better muzzle control
All caddies must be worn at waist level ( rule 5.2.3 ) but they can be turned to make the grab easier.
Click to expand...
Sounds like I need to learn how to weak hand load in that case....
 
Rust said:
I picked the 12/28 combo mainly because I trusted the recommendation and because I really like having options. If stages are short and simple, the 12 is probably going to stay in the range bag.
But here's a more long winded list of reasons:
-I've been to matches that didn't have preload tables. Load and make ready at the line would take FOREVER as they loaded the gun, replenished their caddy from a box of shells, took a moment to visualize the stage, f-k with their go pro and settle in to wait for the beep. Frustrating as hell.
I can step into the box, load off of my 12 and be ready to go.
- I remember one time I knocked half the shells out of my caddy with my elbow while kneeling down to shoot under an obstacle. 40 shells allows me to make a few stupid mistakes. Screwing up a Quad load while running is another favorite of mine. Have the belt space, may as well use it.
- sometimes it's just easier to load a quick double on the weak hand side.
Click to expand...
Another mention of weak hand loading, sounds like better figure that out.

I went with the 28 / 12 combo and belt. Better too much as too little I reckon but 40 rounds must be pretty heavy when all loaded up?
 
Shooting one hand at a time ,well holding onto a rope. Your feet are on a 2x4 on the wall.
It's like rappelling and have to shoot through two different windows (left, right ).
90% of the time it is done with pistols.
Fast As
 
FNG762 said:
Shooting one hand at a time ,well holding onto a rope. Your feet are on a 2x4 on the wall.
It's like rappelling and have to shoot through two different windows (left, right ).
90% of the time it is done with pistols.
Fast As
Click to expand...
You will never be required to do this at an actual sanctioned IPSC match with a long gun.
Not only is it unsafe, totally impractical for Standard Manual division, but the average person can't be expected to support and shoot a loaded shotgun with one hand while balancing on a board and holding a rope, AND transition from side to side.

At best a number of the competitors will end up DQ'd, and at worst you'll have ADs in unsafe directions.

If I saw this stage set up, I'd demand my match fee back and leave....and quite possibly go against my MYOB policy and report it to the province's IPSC section so the match director can have enlightenment on what constitutes an acceptable shotgun/long gun stage design and what doesn't.
 
Since this discussion is about IPSC, the "rule" is that stages should be presented in a 3:2:1 ratio.
For every 6 stages, you should find 3 short, 2 medium and 1 long.
Short stages are maximum 8 rounds
Medium are max 16
Long are max 28

Maximum round count for an unloaded start stage is 23, so realistically an unloaded start would be found in a short or medium stage.
And in all the time I've been doing this, internationally and in Canada, I haven't seen an unloaded start in anything but a short course.

So worst case scenario, you have a 28 round long course of fire.
You have whatever your gun legally holds/ maximum start capacity for your division in the gun.
The difference is what you will at minimum need on your belt for reloads.
28-32 round capacity on the belt should be more than enough to finish a stage, accounting for misses and dropped shells etc.
If the stage is a dumpster fire...no amount of shells will salvage that, stop while you're ahead and just save the ammo for the next stage...

Strong vs weak - learn both if you can as there is a time and place for each.
Some guys split up their belt to have half or more shells in strong hand orientation and the rest in weak.
Grab what you need.

at the end of the day, becoming proficient with whatever method you select is what wins.
You don't have to be perfect, just suck less than everyone else.
 
Hola amigos, quisiera saber si hay un torneo de nivel 3 este año 2025 en Canadá escopeta IPSC, soy de Chile y quisiera ver la posibilidad de participar, saludos
 
sanmartinshooter said:
Hola amigos, quisiera saber si hay un torneo de nivel 3 este año 2025 en Canadá escopeta IPSC, soy de Chile y quisiera ver la posibilidad de participar, saludos
Click to expand...
Translated:
Hello friends, I would like to know if there is a level 3 tournament this year 2025 in Canada IPSC shotgun, I am from Chile and I would like to see the possibility of participating, greetings
Click to expand...
 
I'm a rifle and pistol guy mostly but have done three gun.

I'm confused as to the talk of weak and dominate sides for the shell carriers. Are you guys referring to where there are on the belt or the reloading itself?

I would be loath to take my dominate hand off the pistol grip....
 
Petrock said:
I'm a rifle and pistol guy mostly but have done three gun.

I'm confused as to the talk of weak and dominate sides for the shell carriers. Are you guys referring to where there are on the belt or the reloading itself?

I would be loath to take my dominate hand off the pistol grip....
Click to expand...
In 3 gun or IPSC shotgun reloading will make or break a stage or match. To be competitive you need to load duals (2 shells) or quads (4 shells) at a time. There are different methods to do this. One you rotate the shotgun upside down and control the shotgun with you dominate hand and load with your weak hand. One you put the buttstock on your shoulder with the loading port facing out. Maintain a grip on the fore stock with your weak hand and load with your strong hand. Typically you grap shells from the inside edge of the caddy which close to your centreline (belly button) and work outward on the caddy. There are options on how to carry your gear put many competitors run two caddy’s, one on either side. Either loading method requires breaking your grip.

Maintaining grip on the pistol grip and loading a shotgun with a tubular magazine with the weak hand from the bottom is a typical police / military style loading technique and has is use but is too slow for competitive shooting. Check out some quad load videos on YT.
 
I've used the loaders. Got it. I know how to flip a shot gun, everyone does now that is was in a wick movie.

Only issue I have with what you said is that the chamber should be loaded first, not last. But hey, these guys play for fun and prizes, not life and death.
 
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