Side Saddles: Shells up or down?

[MossbergMan]

I think wear and heat have something to do with the plastic SS losing grip.
And for Gods sake don't armor all the damn thing! One of my pals did that so his rounds would come out easier.....oh they came out alright, with every shot he fired.

[esskay]

Another consideration to think about is how you do your combat loads (i.e. how do you drop a round directly into the chamber -- from the top or from the bottom). Obviously if you like to go over the top, then base up will be faster, and vice versa. Of course, this may or may not be consistent with how you like to load the tube... Something to think about for how you do your combat loads too!

[an actual gun]

My idea is learn to do both at least decently, even if you prefer one over the other. Primarily bases down for me to load the magazine, action closed. Bases up is good to manually load the chamber, action open. There's a difference. All around I'd say both methods have benefits and both work. Depends on how you've learned and what works for you.

[slick_711]

I go with brass side down for 00 buck and brass side up for slugs. I have yet to have shells fall down on me but I can see that happening if your shell holder weakens/cracks. I'm looking at Mesa Tacticals sidesaddle. Looks like they put alot of thought into thier sidsaddles. Check them out.

IMG snipped

That's exactly how I use mine. Not saying it is "right" but it is how I've trained, so I'm comfortable with it, I load most quickly that way. I keep 00B in the tube, and then 3/3 on the side saddle just like that pic. Additional reasons I keep the slugs base up and toward the stock: I use them less often, and when I do use them I normally load them over the top dropping them in the action. My 00B gets stuffed in the magazine tube from beneath. Both without ever taking the shotgun off my shoulder. I've also found in shooting one handed that if you have the shells base down and have large hands the bases will rack your thumb pretty bad.

I know one handed shotgun shooting is not ideal, but I like to practice with everything at least occasionally. Never know when you'll be injured, or more likely, be stuck holding your loved ones/children/puppy with your left arm and wielding your shotgun with your right.

[GrimLock]

Never know when you'll be injured, or more likely, be stuck holding your loved ones/children/puppy with your left arm and wielding your shotgun with your right.

while one arm racking and escaping in the nick of time.

[xounlistedxox]

I also have a tac star 6 side saddle. Since it's plastic in time it will wear out. I don't leave any rounds stored in the saddle for this very reason. When I shoot I have all brass side down and haven't had any fall out so far