Range bags for shells & more
A day at the clays range requires plenty of gear. Not only do shooters need guns and an ample supply of ammunition, but they also need shooting glasses, hearing protection, chokes and wrenches, as well as other items like shooting gloves, towels, water and more. Of course, loading all of these supplies into a shooting vest isn’t going to work. Which is why there are bags designed specifically for toting shells and sundries onto the clays course. These range bags come in various shapes and sizes, but they all are designed for one purpose: to keep shooters supplied and organized. We checked out five popular models to see whether they were on target.
WILD HARE PREMIUM TOURNAMENT BAG
Wild Hare gear is designed and redesigned with input from shooters, and the Premium Tournament Bag is a prime example of this. The smart-looking bag is made of rugged 1,200 denier nylon reinforced with PVC for durability and water resistance. Quilting throughout offers contents extra protection. The main compartment has a plastic base for stability and will hold 16 boxes of shells. Exterior pockets include two side pockets—one with organizer pouches and three elastic loops—an end pocket and (bonus points here) an insulated bottle holder. Inside there is a large side pocket, two end pockets and six elastic loops. The top secures with a double zipper, and there is a removable padded shoulder strap and 4 non-slip rubber feet. Dimensions: 20" (l) x 11" (w) x 12" (h). Color: Hedgetweed Brown. Price: $110. Wild Hare, wildhareshootinggear.com.
CAESAR GUERINI BOXLOCK RANGE BAG
Being that Caesar Guerini is not a lifestyle brand like Browning or Beretta, it may seem odd to be toting one of the company’s bags if you aren’t carrying one of its guns. However, based on its design and features, Guerini’s Boxlock Range Bag stands on its own. Made of 1,680 denier nylon, this heavy-duty bag will hold 16 boxes of shells. A hard base plate offers stability and helps retain shape. Outside there are two large double pockets with multiple storage compartments, including choke-tube holders. Inside there are two small side compartments and an end compartment. The double-zip top is lockable, and there is a removable padded shoulder strap and 4 non-slip rubber feet. Dimensions: 15" (l) x 11" (w) x 9" (h). Color: Black. Price: $95. Caesar Guerini USA, gueriniusa.com.
BROWNING LONA RANGE BAG
The Browning Lona Range Bag has classic good looks and offers plenty of storage. The bag is made of 9-oz cotton canvas with leather trim, and padding in the sides of the bag and in the cover offers added protection and helps the bag retain its shape. Lacking a hard bottom and with a cover flap that buckles on the side, the bag resembles a satchel. The large interior has a zippered top, two small side compartments and a semi-rigid moveable divider. It will hold 16 boxes of shells. The exterior has two large side pockets and two end pockets, none of which have organizational compartments. There is a removable padded shoulder strap. Dimensions: 19" (l) x 13" (w) x 11½" (h). Color: Flint/Brown. Price: $120. Browning, browning.com.
BERETTA TRANSFORMER MEDIUM CARTRIDGE BAG
Beretta’s Transformer Medium Cartridge Bag is almost too much of a good thing. The largest bag in our test, the stylish Transformer Bag is made of polyester and likely could double as a travel bag. The cavernous interior will hold 24(!) boxes of shells—or more with the duffel portion unzipped and expanded—and has one mesh side pocket and four organizational compartments. Outside there are two side pockets, one with thermal insulation. The EVA plastic bottom unzips to reveal a separate lined storage compartment—perhaps for a jacket or raingear. The bag has a double-zip top and a removable padded shoulder strap. Dimensions: 17½" (l) x 12½" (w) x 13" (h). Color: Black. Price: $139. Beretta USA, berettausa.com.
BOB ALLEN SIGNATURE RANGE BAG
The Bob Allen Signature Range Bag is a few-frills cartridge carrier that gets the job done. Made of durable ripstop nylon, the bag has a hard bottom and foam inserts in the sides and top for protection and to help the bag hold its shape. The interior compartment was the smallest among the bags tested, with a capacity to hold 12 boxes of shells, and has no pockets. Outside are two side pockets and two end pockets—the zippers on which were difficult to operate—none of which have organizational compartments. The top of the bag zips closed, and there is a removable padded shoulder strap. Dimensions: 18" (l) x 9" (w) x 9½" (h). Colors: Green, Black, Navy, Brass and Pink. Price: $82. Boyt Harness Co., boytharness.com.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL O’NEIL
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