Author Topic: Shooting Vest (Read 1960 times)

Jason · « **on:** March 30, 2005, 07:54:22 AM »

Since I didn't get my entry fee in for the Conard Cup in time, I've decided to put that money I just got back into equipment to help me shoot better. With some better stuff to help me shoot and getting into Machias range this year so I have a place two miles from home to practice, I might actually be able to improve. One of the things that most serious silhouette shooters seem to have that I don't is a shooting vest. What should I be looking for in a vest for silhouette shooting? Where should I be looking for one? Do they all have those velcro straps on the side to adjust girth? At 6' tall and 160lbs, I'm built a little different than most of the guys I see with those vests. Are those straps going to adjust enough for me?

What's the real benefit of using one of those vests anyway? Hopefully it's not just somewhere to put your shooting pins.

Thanks for any advice you can give, as usual.

GeoNLR · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2005, 08:07:52 AM »

Look at the Winstead shooting vests. They will make you a custom fit vest for I think $185? The side adjustments will allow you to adjust the fit to your liking.

Once you shoot with a vest on, it's hard to go back...LOL. To me, IMHO, you are better able to "weld" the stock to your shoulder w/o so much tension needed to simply support the rear of the rifle. You add a layer of pulse deadening between you and the rifle. They are kinda heavy witch adds to your weigh and makes you somewhat steady. Give you a place to keep up with all of your gear - Timers, Ammo, magazines, OCI, Pens, ear protection, sight setting, lens pen, score book. Heck Cathy keeps a stuffed animal in hers I think...., if you shoot high power they catch some of the recoil, give you a place to hang a towel from, give you a place for name tag, award pins, State your identy or "motto", etc.

Then for the most important reason...They make you look so damn good!

Seriously, The Winstead's do alot to support our sport and they have a top knotch product. Give him a call and he can help you with the required measurements.

Chicken George

genphideaux · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2005, 08:17:42 AM »

Chris Winstead's number is 406-388-6376, new price 195.00 and 10.00 for shipping, total 205.00.

money well spent.

Dawg

Jason · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2005, 09:18:49 AM »

Umm... I'm gonna have to see a fairly big sales pitch on the benefits of one of those vests before I drop that kind of change on one.

lucho · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2005, 09:38:27 AM »

I wear a shotgun vest.

It offers no support and a little padding. The most important thing it has are large pockets. That helps carry stuff to and from the line.

Lucho

GeoNLR · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2005, 10:34:44 AM »

To steal a line for the movie heat "we have pleanty more to sell, but this kinda stuff right here sells itself" Follow the links to pics of competitions and shooters that wear a vest, they might even be kind enoungh to add a response... Good luck with finding out what works for you,the fun is in the journey...

Chicken

http://www.tsra.com/NRAMtchs03.htm

Link to match listing I think...

http://www.angelfire.com/blues/shootingpaul/pictures1.html

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=48327&sid=7cc5cd8aa7bcfb0937888b560a6b60da

http://photobucket.com/albums/v325/jatello/RIDGWAY%20PA%202003/?action=view&current=RIDGWAYPATRIP008.jpg

1 shooter w/o a vest

http://photobucket.com/albums/v325/jatello/RIDGWAY%20PA%202003/?action=view&current=RIDGWAYPATRIP007.jpg

0 shooters w/o a vest

http://photobucket.com/albums/v325/jatello/RIDGWAY%20PA%202003/?action=view&current=RIDGWAYPATRIP134.jpg

...

http://webpages.charter.net/n2837t/nationals.html

And then there are these 4 guysTheir achievements speak for themselves

jneihouse · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2005, 10:46:14 AM »

The Winnstead vest offers pockets and it isolates your rifle from your pulse in the shoulder. Not trying to sell vests for Chris, he doensn't need me to do that, but after shooting with the vest I simply can't shoot without it. Not to say that I'm a great shot with the vest, but the difference, in a world of 1000 dollar rifles and 700 dollar scopes not to mention travel expenses it's an investment well worth the money.

John Neihouse

Jason · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2005, 11:30:33 AM »

Quote from: jneihouse

... the difference, in a world of 1000 dollar rifles and 700 dollar scopes...

Well I'm living in the "just starting out, just bought a house, married with kids" world, so I'm nowhere close to the "in a world of 1000 dollar rifles and 700 dollar scopes." I'm not saying that I won't buy any vest, but I just can't see dropping $200+ on a vest when I'm just learning the game and shooting 30 or so out of a 60-shot match.

I was honestly expecting something around $60 to $75 that I'd have to skip a few cups of coffee to get. The cost of that Winstead vest would mean skipping eating, and I'm way too attached to the whole eating habit.

yankee · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2005, 01:31:35 PM »

You have kind of answered part of your own question. Get what you can afford. A shotgun type vest that suits you and has pockets for all the junk you will start hauling around and a leather recoil pad area to help the butt stay put will help you a lot. Remember the vests can not be tight around you but must stay loose enough to pass a 4 inch pvc pipe between it and your shirt. The velcro straps on the vests are to just hold it together and some people don't even use them. Don't try one of Winsteads vests on because you won't want to take it off.

nomad · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2005, 02:07:26 PM »

Yankee,

AFAIK -- unless there's been some change -- shotgun vests are exempt from the pipe test.
3.12(a) is pretty specific about the pipe rule applying only to vests: "that may be considered or construed to be unnecessarily heavy or to provide artificial support..."
As I read it, 3.12 pretty clearly permits shotgun vests -- separately -- from the heavier, supportive types that must allow the pipe...
Have you heard of any 'reinterpretation' of that?

Are you still at Raton?

Hornetx60 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2005, 02:10:59 PM »

Jason , When I was in you financial position in life I had a good friend that would tell me to Save my money until I could buy what I wanted rather than buy less than what I really wanted. It costs more to buy twice. The Winstead vest is not cheap but for how it helps you in shooting it's a bargain. It's the closest thing to cheating that is legal. That is how big the difference is between it and a shotgun vest. Not all shooters may feel that way. But I'll bet they're the ones not wearing a Winstead vest or one like it.

Washita · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2005, 06:54:14 PM »

They look really hot. As in temperature. Do the vests really help enough to make up for the added body temperature, or is this a non-problem?

genphideaux · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2005, 01:49:51 AM »

They are hot, especially in Mississippi, but I would not come to the line without one, there is a lighter one made from slick leather not roughout, have both and still like the heavier one.

In Winnsboro you will only see me in that vest at the line, then it's off.

dawg

greer · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2005, 02:20:13 AM »

Jason, you might take a look at the Utility Vest from www.creedmoorsports.com, Item # N055, $79.98. I like mine. Very sticky rubber shoulder pad and thick suede for your support elbow. My husband Doug bought a cheap cloth left-hand shotgun vest. It has quilted padding on the left side. He had the saddle shop sew suede over the quilted padding which made nice elbow support. He had a small patch of suede sewn on the right shoulder for his buttplate. Works well for him and cost less than my Creedmoor vest. Good luck and hang in there. Sarah

yankee · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2005, 08:56:14 AM »

Nomad--Yes I am still here doing my thing. 40-50 mph wind and horizontal snow today. I 25 closed north and south and 64 closed east and SW. Have the place to my self today but can't see the targets. Just love it. I think you are right about the heavy or multiple layered vests. I always thought all vests should be loose.
Hi Sarah--It's been a while. Tell your worse half Hi. Those vests you mentioned are pretty good and would probably be a second choice. Stop by and visit on your way to the nationals. I keep getting further from Bowling Green than closer. Have a great year.

CB · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2005, 03:00:58 PM »

Yankee?
Does this mean no Phoenix? Man that's dedication!

jbeckley · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2005, 05:21:57 PM »

There are a few reasons to choose a certain vest. Take for instance there is a guy (a pretty big boy) that we shoot with in Phoenix, named Mike Slagel, now if Mike wanted a leather vest, it would take 4 cows and a calf to put a vest on Mike, now I'm not from India and I don't hug trees, but let's keep a few cloth vest around.

Arizona Jake · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2005, 09:01:12 AM »

If y'all never see another posting from Jim, its probably because Mikey decided he needed to add a little extra hide to his vest.... :eek:

Fivepigs · « **Reply #18 on:** April 04, 2005, 10:00:01 AM »

Make sure to get a vest with plenty of room for patches and pins. Patches and pins are the most important part of any vest since they are where most of your luck will come from (choose them wisely). Pockets are nice too, of course.