Thread: Carrying Ammo while Hunting with a Single Shot

I like single shot rifles. The Gecado Plinker .22LR shown in the image below was my uncle's. It is over 50 years old. My father also had one, but his had the round knob on the bolt handle. These Plinkers have a long barrel and a sleek figure, and somehow, to me, when I pick them up I think 'I could hit something with this'.

Carrying ammo in a way that you can quickly reload is a challenge when using these simple rifles. It can just be kept in your pocket, but .22 ammo can be contaminated with fluff and grit.... and it can also be damaged or have the projectile loosened in the case if it is subjected to too much stress. Of course I have carried it loose in my pocket, but nowadays I generally have it in an open ziplok sandwich bag which helps ensure that it stays clean.

Recently I cut a bit of aluminium tube to make a holder for five cartridges. I blocked one end and found some plastic tube to make a removable stopper for the top end. This hangs from my belt and I find I can tip one cartridge at a time from it just using one hand.

I sometimes jam one or two cartridges under a rubber band which I tie around the rear of the barrel.

In the past I had a leather bullet belt which was ok, but I wondered if it might take some of the lube off the bullets. I also made a wrist strap from wide elastic that could hold several cartridges.

I was just wondering what other ideas folks here might have. Best wishes...

Nice post. I think you have it. Maybe get someone to ream it out for .22WMR. Even less need for quick reloads and no worries about them being too long for the magazine.

I like the tube idea, how about a cheap 10 shot mag with a belt clip welded on? They are very easy to load (I load my 10/22 mag as I walk) and sliding one bullet off at a time would be easy. Also they won’t slip out if you trip or climb a fence.

Originally Posted by muzza

You mean you dont hold the spare rounds in your mouth ? I though everyone held spare .22 ammo in their mouth when using single shot rifles?

I did until @Coote suggested a better way. I use my 10/22 for most rabbit hunting, the single shot was my go too for lone rabbits near the house. Sadly mum and dad have sold up so both guns sit in the safe now. Shot my last two bunnies with the single shot the day they moved.

I saw a butt stock .22 round holder in the store that shall not be named the other day.

I never need more than one shot





Yeah, right....

Dad put this on for Mum over 60 yrs ago and it's still usefull now.

Originally Posted by john m

Dad put this on for Mum over 60 yrs ago and it's still usefull now.
Attachment 111506

Has that got a boot sole for the buttplate?

part of a mud flap

Originally Posted by Cigar

I never need more than one shot







Yeah, right....

Me too, but some times there is more than one bunny, last two I shot were two of three.
2 out of 3 an’t bad.

Originally Posted by muzza

You mean you dont hold the spare rounds in your mouth ? I though everyone held spare .22 ammo in their mouth when using single shot rifles?

NA, they taste too good and I had to stop myself from chewing them!
So when I used to hunt with my Gecardo Plinker I had about 4 rounds in between my left hands fingers, got pretty quick at taking second shots

Originally Posted by muzza

You mean you dont hold the spare rounds in your mouth ? I though everyone held spare .22 ammo in their mouth when using single shot rifles?

Works till I sneeze. 22's are a pain to find in long grass.

Originally Posted by Coote

I like single shot rifles. The Gecado Plinker .22LR shown in the image below was my uncle's. It is over 50 years old. My father also had one, but his had the round knob on the bolt handle. These Plinkers have a long barrel and a sleek figure, and somehow, to me, when I pick them up I think 'I could hit something with this'.

Carrying ammo in a way that you can quickly reload is a challenge when using these simple rifles. It can just be kept in your pocket, but .22 ammo can be contaminated with fluff and grit.... and it can also be damaged or have the projectile loosened in the case if it is subjected to too much stress. Of course I have carried it loose in my pocket, but nowadays I generally have it in an open ziplok sandwich bag which helps ensure that it stays clean.

Recently I cut a bit of aluminium tube to make a holder for five cartridges. I blocked one end and found some plastic tube to make a removable stopper for the top end. This hangs from my belt and I find I can tip one cartridge at a time from it just using one hand.

I sometimes jam one or two cartridges under a rubber band which I tie around the rear of the barrel.

In the past I had a leather bullet belt which was ok, but I wondered if it might take some of the lube off the bullets. I also made a wrist strap from wide elastic that could hold several cartridges.

I was just wondering what other ideas folks here might have. Best wishes...

You just gave me a great idea.......
I am going to copy your tube mag idea, but mine will hold 12 rounds and be fixed to the underside of my plinker!
Technically it is surely a magazine. I wonder what the future holds for me and my magazine fed single shot plinker?

top pocket of shirt and a couple in left hand if thought action would be thick n fast...shot 11 possums with 11 shots out of haybarn one night,2 managed to escape before a chance to shoot was presented... got really quick with that old remington,she was very accurate,sure hope the fella who bought it has looked after her.with .410 or even the .12ga shotgun..two spare rounds in left hand is the norm.

Originally Posted by muzza

You mean you dont hold the spare rounds in your mouth ? I though everyone held spare .22 ammo in their mouth when using single shot rifles?

Yeh thought that was just how it was done, lead and all. As kids we just hunted with a mouth load of air rifle pellets tucked down beside our gums in Squirrel fashion. Have never had a lead / blood reading... could be interesting.