Shotshell carriers, why some shells inverted?

[Noltz]

Seeing this constantly, no idea why;

usually it's 4 one way and two the other, raised up. Is this a speed loading thing?

 

[fred0000]

likely slugs and buckshot, easier to differentiate is my only guess, this is why I do it.
(you can see the front 3 are more orangeish red, and the back 3 are red red, I think my guess is accurate)

 

[Avalonthas]

different type of ammo

shot versus buck, or slug

 

[Polar Man]

Different types of rounds, easier to tell them apart.

You boys is quicker than me! OP did you not notice the shells were a different color?

 

[Trinimon]

According to the "Chris Costa" in the Magpul vid, other than using different ammo, it also helps with reloads. For a right handed shooter, it's supposedly easier/faster/less fidgeting to grab the shells facing down/primer to the sky with your left hand and over-hand feed it into an open breech and close the action to get the gun back in action. When time permits, you roll the firearm sideways and the other set of shells can be used to reload the tube.

 

[Wrong Way]

What they said.

If it pulls upward and pulls out: Buckshot
If it pulls down and pulls out: Slug

It's a far more effective method of determining what you are stuffing in the gun than pulling out a flashlight to determine colour in a dark room

 

[Noltz]

Polar yes I did notice but I didn't want to assume anything. I thought it was for speed loading or something, figured this is where to ask.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Trinimon]

Yes, it does help in speed loading ie combat speed loading the breech with the inverted shells and the other shells used for tactical or just plain reloading the tube.

See 3:15 in with the over hand feed method.