My friend Nick over at Practically Tactical recently made me aware of a new start-up campaign for a shotgun shell dispenser known as the Ammo-BOSS. It intrigued me and when I looked up the company that was behind it, Strike Hard Gear, I was surprised to discover that it was actually a local company in my home state of Minnesota.
I decided to take advantage of living near Strike Hard Gear and stopped by to talk to the owner, Todd, about his new Ammo-BOSS. You can watch the entire interview in the video above, but here’s the gist of what I learned.
Design
The thought process behind Strike Hard Gear’s Ammo-BOSS started mostly as a result of requests that Todd had received to develop an improved means to carry multiple shotgun shells. Last year, as he was creating some nylon gear, the idea came to Todd to make a magazine-type device that could divvy shotgun shells almost like a PEZ dispenser.
Originally, the Ammo-BOSS was going to hold ten to twelve shells, but Todd wanted to keep the design streamlined, ambidextrous and easy to use. As Todd explained, “Once you get past eight to ten shells, there is a mean curve that needs to be implemented into the device–among other less desirable necessities–to assure proper feeding of the shells.”
The latest design of the Ammo-BOSS meets each of these goals:
- Contain, minimum, 8 shotgun shells.
- Straight [magazine] body.
- Ambidextrous dispensing/loading of shells.
- Secure retention of shells.
- Mobility via belt clip/MOLLE attachment.
- Easy gloved operation.
Todd also conducted interviews within the local firearms enthusiast community and used an online survey to obtain feedback directly from likely consumers of the Ammo-BOSS. Based on the feedback received, he decided that the first run of these gunner mates would be for shotgun shells of the 2 ¾” variety.
Uses
Although there are other shotgun shell caddies available on the market currently, they are typically for use with competing in 3 gun competitions. The Ammo-BOSS is not for the individuals that are looking for quickly loading three shotgun shells at a time. As Todd puts it, “this is for the other 98% of us.”
Loading the Ammo-BOSS with shells essentially the same as loading a typical magazine. Slide a shell in from the top, push it down and slide the next shell in on top of the previous one. To dispense shells the user simply just has to push it out.
To utilize the Ammo-BOSS, the shooter does not need to wear a chest rig or purchase a special belt, as many competition shell caddies require. The Ammo-BOSS can remain loaded and kept in a bug-out bag, duck blind, under the seat of a vehicle, on your person, in a gun safe or wherever else you might find it helpful to have quick access to 8-10 rounds of shotgun ammo.
With this device, you would no longer have to deal with loose shells in a bag or box, unsecure elastic loops or bandoleers (which based on personal experience also wear out quite quickly). Personally speaking, I think the most important feature to be noted is the ease of use to both load and unload, singly or two shells at a time.
Start-up Campaign
Utilizing a start-up campaign, Todd is able to collect funds from individuals who want to get their hands on an Ammo-BOSS before anyone else, which, in turn, helps Todd out with the cost of manufacturing the devices. If the Ammo-BOSS is something you would be interested in trying, feel free to stop by the campaign website here and take a look at the donation options available to you. You may also check out the other gear that Todd creates at StrikeHardGear.com.
