Rifle Stocks

Rifle Stock Ammo Holders

A rifle stock ammo holder is a buttstock-mounted cartridge carrier that holds 2 to 14 rounds of ammunition in elastic loops, neoprene sleeves, or covered pouches attached to the comb or side of the rifle or shotgun stock for quick access during hunting, competition, and tactical shooting. Rifle stock ammo holders provide 3 benefits: immediate access to extra rounds without reaching into a pocket or belt pouch, a raised cheek rest that improves cheek weld and scope alignment, and weatherproof cartridge storage during field use. There are 5 types of rifle stock ammo holders: elastic buttstock shell holders, neoprene stretch cartridge holders, leather buttstock cartridge carriers, buttstock pouches with zippered compartments, and belt-mounted cartridge holders. This guide covers rifle stock ammo holder types with prices from 4 brands — Allen Company, GrovTec, Beartooth Products, and Mesa — along with the Stockguard 2.0 system, cartridge compatibility, material options, and related cheek risers for improved stock fit.

Buttstock Shell Holders

Elastic Buttstock Shell Holders

Elastic buttstock shell holders use individual elastic loops sewn onto a fabric or neoprene base that stretch to hold cartridges ranging from .22 Long Rifle (LR) to 12 gauge shotgun shells against the buttstock. Allen Company manufactures the Elastic Buttstock Shell Holder at $6.79 — the lowest-priced rifle stock ammo holder available. GrovTec manufactures the Rifle Buttstock Ammo Holder in Black (GTAC81) at $21 with 4 reviews and the Rifle Buttstock Ammo Holder with Cover (GTAC83) at $32 with 3 reviews. The covered version adds a nylon flap that protects cartridges from rain, snow, brush, and dirt during field use. GrovTec rifle buttstock ammo holders are available in TrueTimber camo (GTAC76, $23, 7 reviews) and TrueTimber Pink (GTAC74, $23) patterns.

Neoprene Buttstock Cartridge Holders

Neoprene buttstock cartridge holders use stretchy neoprene fabric that conforms to different buttstock shapes and holds cartridges through friction and compression rather than individual elastic loops. Mesa manufactures the Neoprene Buttstock Shell Holder in black at $12.99. The Neoprene Stretch Buttstock Cartridge Holder from Allen Company costs $13.99 and fits most rifle and shotgun buttstock profiles without adjustment. Neoprene holders are quieter than elastic loop holders because neoprene dampens cartridge rattle during movement — a practical advantage for hunters who stalk game at close range.

Silicone Band Cartridge Carriers

Silicone band cartridge carriers use a flexible silicone ring that wraps around the buttstock and holds 3 to 9 cartridges in molded slots. Allen Company manufactures the Next Shot Rifle Cartridge Carrier Band in black and gray at $15.99 and the Next Shot Shotgun Shell Carrier (3-shell capacity for 12, 16, and 20 gauge) at $15.99. Silicone band carriers add no bulk to the stock profile, weigh under 1 ounce (28.3 grams or g), and do not damage wood or synthetic stock finishes. The silicone material grips the stock without adhesive or screws.

Leather Buttstock Cartridge Carriers

Leather buttstock cartridge carriers use full-grain or top-grain leather with sewn cartridge loops that age and darken with use, and leather carriers complement traditional wood-stocked hunting rifles. Allen Company manufactures 3 leather buttstock carriers:

• Castle Leather Buttstock Cartridge Carrier ($47.99): a premium brown leather carrier with individual cartridge loops stitched into the leather body
• Westcliff Leather Buttstock Cartridge Carrier with Cheek Piece ($57.99): the highest-priced Allen buttstock carrier, combining a leather cartridge holder with an integrated leather cheek rest for improved cheek weld during scoped rifle shooting
• Castle Rock Forend Leather Ammo Carrier ($16.99): a leather ammo carrier that mounts on the forend (handguard) rather than the buttstock for forward-mounted cartridge access

The Del Norte Leather Belt Loop Cartridge Holder ($36.99) provides a belt-mounted alternative for shooters who prefer carrying extra rounds on the waist rather than the stock.

Buttstock Pouches

Buttstock pouches combine cartridge storage with zippered compartments for small accessories like ear plugs, cleaning patches, lens wipes, and range cards. Allen Company manufactures the Deluxe Buttstock Shell Holder ($19.99) with a 5-cartridge rifle carrier, an adjustable hook-and-loop attachment, an accessory pouch, and a plush cheek rest. The Next Shot Cody Buttstock Pouch ($27.99) provides a larger storage volume. The Next Shot Bridger Buttstock Cartridge Carrier ($21.99) holds 7 rounds from .223 Remington to .300 Winchester Magnum (Win Mag) calibers with an adjustable strap. The Ruger 10/22 Buttstock Pouch ($14.99) fits the Ruger 10/22 stock specifically and holds spare magazines. The Next Shot Magazine Pouch ($14.99) holds detachable rifle magazines against the buttstock.

Belt-Mounted Ammo Holders

Belt-mounted ammo holders carry cartridges or shotgun shells on the shooter's belt for range, competition, and field use where buttstock-mounted holders do not provide enough capacity. There are 4 belt-mounted ammo holder types from Allen Company and GrovTec:

• Rifle Cartridge Belt Holder ($8.99): holds 20 rifle cartridges in elastic loops on a nylon belt
• Shotgun Shell Belt Holder ($8.99): holds 25 shotgun shells in elastic loops for trap, skeet, and sporting clays
• Heavy Duty Bandoleer ($25.99): a shoulder-worn ammunition belt that holds rifle or shotgun cartridges across the chest
• Neoprene Shotgun Shell Belt in Realtree MAX-5 camo ($40.99): a neoprene belt with a camouflage pattern for waterfowl and upland hunting

GrovTec manufactures folding belt slide ammo holders in rifle (GTAC86, $25), handgun (GTAC85, $25), and magnum (GTAC90, $35) configurations. The folding design allows the ammo holder to fold flat against the belt when empty.

Beartooth Stockguard 2.0

The Beartooth Stockguard 2.0 is a neoprene buttstock sleeve that wraps around the entire comb area of the stock and provides a raised cheek rest, cartridge loops (on rifle and shotgun models), and stock protection from scratches and dings. The Stockguard 2.0 comes in 3 models:

• Rifle Model ($17.99 to $18.99): includes elastic cartridge loops sized for rifle cartridges and a raised cheek rest — available in Black, Walnut Brown, Coyote Brown, OD Green, Mossy Oak Break-up ($18.99), and Realtree EDGE ($18.99) with ratings from 4.47 to 4.85 out of 5.0 across 15 to 74 reviews per color
• No Loops Model ($15.99 to $16.99): provides the cheek rest and stock protection without cartridge loops — available in Black, Walnut Brown, Steel Gray, Coyote Brown, OD Green, Mossy Oak Break-up, Realtree EDGE, and Realtree MAX-5 with ratings from 4.29 to 5.0 out of 5.0
• Shotgun Model ($17.99 to $18.99): includes elastic loops sized for shotgun shells — available in Black, Walnut Brown, Steel Gray, Coyote Brown, OD Green, Mossy Oak Break-up, Realtree EDGE, and Realtree MAX-5 with ratings from 3.0 to 5.0 out of 5.0

The Stockguard 2.0 fits most straight-comb and Monte Carlo rifle and shotgun stocks. The neoprene material stretches to accommodate different stock dimensions and insulates the cheek from cold metal and wood surfaces during winter hunting.

Ammo Storage Boxes

Allen Company manufactures the Lockable Steel Ammo Box (from $39.99) for secure cartridge storage during transport and at home, and the 12-Gauge Ammo Card ($8.99) holds 7 rounds of 12 gauge ammunition in a flat, pocket-sized card format. The steel ammo box features a padlock-compatible latch for secure ammunition storage. The Rifle Ammo Pouch ($12.99) in black or Realtree EDGE holds loose cartridges in a zippered nylon pouch. The Bottomland Ammo Holder in Mossy Oak Bottomland camo ($9.99) provides a camouflage-pattern ammo carrier for turkey and waterfowl hunters.