Best Shotgun Shells for Quail Hunting: Top Choices 2026

1

Hunters Specialties Rifle Shell Holder with Pouch | Hunting Accessories,

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• ARS Mark

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  -
• Brand
  Hunters Specialties

Key specs2

Ammunition fit

Built for rifle ammunition rather than shotgun shells. Quail hunters running 12 or 20 gauge setups need to verify loop diameter before use.

Storage configuration

Buttstock sleeve with zippered pouch

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Integrated storage pouch holds small field gear alongside spare cartridges
• Buttstock mounting keeps backup rounds directly on the gun stock
• Dedicated model 01620 design stays compact on hunting stocks

Cons

• Sized for rifle calibers rather than 12 or 20 gauge quail shotshells
• Loop count and specific cartridge caliber compatibility are not listed

2

Allen Company Rifle Buttstock Shell/Cartridge Holder, Durable Elastic Loops Hold

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• ARS Mark

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• Brand
  AC Allen

Key specs2

Cartridge capacity

9 rifle rounds

Loop sizing

Stitched specifically for .270, 30.06, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7mm centerfire rifle calibers, making it unsuitable for upland shotshells.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Holds nine rifle cartridges securely in heavy-weight elastic loops
• Slip-on design installs onto most hunting rifle stocks without tools
• Compact 0.5-inch profile fits against the stock without disrupting your grip
• Includes a 1-year manufacturer warranty for build quality assurance

Cons

• Elastic loops fit rifle calibers like .270 and .30-06 rather than shotgun shells
• Cannot stretch to fit wide 12 or 20 gauge shotshell hulls

3

Hunters Specialties unisex-adult Butt Stock Shotgun Shell Holder, Black

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• ARS Mark

  ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

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• Brand
  Hunters Specialties

Key specs2

Attachment style

Slip-on buttstock sleeve

Shotshell compatibility

Engineered for shotgun buttstocks, but verify whether the elastic loops are tensioned for 12 gauge or slimmer 20 gauge hulls.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Dedicated shotgun sizing accommodates shotshells rather than narrow rifle rounds
• Buttstock slip-on configuration keeps spare shells accessible on the gun
• Low-profile black finish avoids catching light in open brush

Cons

• Manufacturer does not list exact round capacity or loop dimensions
• Gauge compatibility between 12 and 20 gauge must be verified prior to purchase

4

Coolrunner 8 Round Shotgun Shell Holder Buttstock Holder for 12/20

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• ARS Mark

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• Brand
  Coolrunner

Key specs2

Round capacity

8 shells (2 left, 6 right)

Gauge fit

Accommodates both 12 and 20 gauge shotshells using 5 by 2.5 cm elastic loops sewn onto a 15 by 9 cm slip-on buttstock sleeve.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Holds eight rounds in a staggered layout with two on the left and six on the right
• Sized specifically with 5 by 2.5 cm loops to fit 12 and 20 gauge shotgun shells
• High-density elastic sleeve slips securely over stocks like the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500
• Lightweight 0.09-pound construction adds minimal swing weight to your shotgun

Cons

• Asymmetrical 2 and 6 shell layout may interfere with cheek weld depending on gun mount
• Elastic slip-on sleeves can migrate forward on tapered stocks under heavy recoil

5

ACEXIER 12 Round Foldable Ammo Carrier Belt Bag Gun Bullet

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• ARS Mark

  ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

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• Brand
  ACEXIER

Key specs3

Carry system

Belt and Molle pouch

Ammo capacity

12 rifle cartridges

Closure mechanism

Secured with a hook-and-loop flap that protects cartridges while riding on belts up to 2.75 inches wide.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Carries up to 12 rounds in heavy-duty reinforced nylon loops
• Molle webbing and belt loops attach securely to hunting vests and belts up to 2.75 inches wide
• Foldable design with hook-and-loop closure keeps spare rounds protected from debris
• Padded nylon shell construction weighs just 0.12 pounds empty

Cons

• Designed for .30-06 and larger rifle cartridges rather than 12 or 20 gauge shotgun shells
• Mounts to belts or Molle packs instead of sliding onto a shotgun buttstock

6

TOURBON Leather Cheek Riser for Rifle Stock Shell Holder Gun

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• ARS Mark

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• Brand
  TOURBON

Key specs2

Stock configuration

Right-handed cheek riser

Material build

Crafted from leather for elevated stock support, though shell loop diameter and retention require verification for shotshell use.

Pros & cons32

Pros

• Leather cheek riser design aids eye alignment when mounting the stock
• Right-handed buttstock orientation positions ammunition loops along the off-side
• Durable leather build resists abrasion from brambles and dense upland brush

Cons

• Listing does not specify shell capacity or compatible cartridge dimensions
• Designed for rifle stocks, requiring verification before attempting to mount on a shotgun

7

HTBMALL Tactical Buttstock for Shotguns - 5 Round Shotshell Holder

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• ARS Mark

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• Brand
  HTBMALL

Key specs2

Sleeve dimensions

5.9 x 3.75 x 0.2 inches

Capacity verification

Listed as both 5-round and 8-round capacity in manufacturer data, so confirm exact loop count for your shotgun setup.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• High-elastic nylon sleeve stretches snugly over long gun buttstocks without slipping
• Compact 5.9 by 3.75-inch footprint sits out of the way of your shoulder pocket
• Elastic retention allows quick shell extraction when reloading during a covey rise
• Backed by 24-hour customer email support with replacement or refund options

Cons

• Product details conflict between a 5-round spec and an 8-round feature claim
• Gauge retention tension is not specified for smaller 20 gauge versus 12 gauge hulls

8

Coolrunner 4 Pack 6 Round Shotgun Shell Holder for 12/20

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• ARS Mark

  ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

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• Brand
  Coolrunner

Key specs3

Mounting method

Adhesive peel-and-stick backing

Multi-pack quantity

4 cards (6 rounds each, 24 total)

Shell size fit

Holds 12 and 20 gauge shells via 5 by 2 cm elastic loops mounted on 15 by 5.2 cm adhesive cards.

Pros & cons42

Pros

• Includes four individual 6-round holders for a total 24-round carrying capacity
• Elastic loops measure 5 by 2 cm to seat 12 and 20 gauge shotshells securely
• Adhesive backing allows direct mounting to shotgun receivers, stocks, or ammo bags
• High-density elastic nylon construction resists tears in heavy cover

Cons

• Adhesive backing can lose grip on oiled gun finishes or during wet hunting conditions
• Manufacturer provides no warranty coverage

Last update on 2026-09-18 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Will a shotgun shell buttstock holder fit both 12 and 20 gauge shells securely?

Yes, dedicated shotshell holders built with high-density elastic material are designed to retain 12 and 20 gauge loads securely. Carriers such as the Coolrunner 8 round and 6 round models use high-density elastic nylon material that contracts snugly around the shell body to keep rounds from dislodging while walking through brush. If you are outfitting a dedicated shotgun for quail hunting, check the manufacturer details to confirm the carrier explicitly specifies 12 and 20 gauge ammo rather than narrow rifle calibers.

How can you tell if an ammo sleeve is designed for shotgun shells or rifle cartridges?

Check the specified loop capacity and caliber designations in the product specifications before purchasing. Rifle buttstock holders, such as the Allen Company model 206, feature nine loops sized specifically for .270, 30.06, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7mm centerfire cartridges, which are far too narrow for shotshell hulls. Dedicated shotgun carriers like the HTBMALL 5 round sleeve or Coolrunner holders explicitly list 12 and 20 gauge compatibility, ensuring the elastic loops are wide enough to seat shotshells without tearing the stitching.

Does an elastic buttstock carrier stay in place without slipping forward under recoil?

A properly fitted buttstock holder constructed from elastic nylon attaches firmly to long gun stocks without sliding out of place. Designs like the HTBMALL 5 round carrier offer high contractility, gripping the contours of the buttstock so the sleeve will not creep forward toward your shooting hand during repeated firing. When setting up a gun such as a field model featured among the best over under shotgun for upland birds choices, verify that your stock dimensions match the sleeve length, such as the 5.9-inch length of standard elastic carriers.

How many rounds can you carry on your gun stock during a quail hunt?

Buttstock shell carriers for shotguns typically hold between 5 and 8 rounds depending on the specific model. The HTBMALL carrier provides a 5 round layout, while Coolrunner offers 6 round and 8 round configurations for 12 and 20 gauge shells. Choosing a 5 or 6 round holder helps keep excess weight off the back of the shotgun, while an 8 round carrier offers maximum immediate reserve shells for rapid reloading when flushing multiple coveys.

Can extra shell carriers attach to a hunting vest instead of the gun stock?

Yes, foldable nylon carriers equipped with Molle webbing can mount directly to tactical bags or hunting vests. The ACEXIER 12 round carrier is built from high-density nylon and features Molle attachment straps designed for secure placement on combat vests and modular packs. This setup keeps a dozen spare shells readily accessible for quick reloading without altering the balance, weight, or cheek weld of your shotgun in the field.