Highpower shooting coat

Champions Choice has a line of jackets. They are OK, a close second to Creedmoor. I don't like their strap buckles.

The $80 jacket is nothing more than cloth with a couple of pads and provides little support. The hardback coats provide good support for the standing position due to their stiffness.

Monard jackets are the top of the line and compare to smallbore jackets in fit and comfort. They run $800.

Champion's Choice sells some for reasonable prices. The CMP sells one as well.

A lot of the gear we use in Highpower can be described as "cry once" purchases. I see most of the folks on the line wearing something quality. Whether its leather, cordura, or a hybrid a good quality coat helps make a match a lot more enjoyable. Even those who aren't world class shooters - which is most of us on the line.

I started with and still have the "deluxe shooting jacket". Its a pretty heavy duty stiff canvas, almost like I would imagine a straight jacket. Its $130 and I think its your best bet to get started. I love mine and think it's a very good compromise to get started.

http://www.creedmoorsports.com/shop/Creedmoor_Deluxe_Shooting_Jacket.html

Sorry to hijack a bit (I think this will help the OP too), but how do you guys feel about cordura vs leather?

I purchased a Champions Choice almost twenty years ago and it's holding up well. I'm not shooting as much as I used to due to a leg injury several years ago, but back when I was competitive I was practicing at least two to three times a week plus matches. Don't think I could afford that today. Still use it for prone.

Taliv, what is it about that combo? Why not all leather, or all cordura?

Thanks.

If I ever have to buy another coat for highpower it will most likely be one of these

http://www.monard.biz/hp_ultimate.htm


That being said I currently am using a Creedmoor leather hardback that I am very happy with

Yeah Tom, they've gotten salty since you got out of the sport.

http://www.champchoice.com/cat-Shooting_Apparel-249-7.aspx coats

I like the leather sleeves because I feel your sling doesn't slip as much as with cordura. My old coat kept shrinking every year so I got a leather/cordura combo this year and really like it.

If you can wait, Creedmore knocks $50 off if you order in December. I've been told that when the sale starts, they even offer free shipping for one day. I missed that one though.

Laphroaig

I have owned several of these contraptions. IMO, the best for standing is the Creedmoor I think they call it "hardback".

For prone or sitting, I like the "half jacket" which has the pads and whatnot, but is cut off mid torso. Much less sweaty in that jacket, and as we all know, comfort adds to peace of mind, which is helpful for accuracy.

Are they as good or better? Is getting a coat which is 3 times the cost of a jacket worth it for someone who is not a world class shooter?

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Absolutely, no question about it. Unless you are a high-master (in which case please disregard anything I say)

Inquiring minds find it interesting that a jacket is $80 and a coat can be $400. Surely they can't be that much better.

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Apples and oranges my friend. A shooting jacket will protect your elbows in prone and may isolate your pulse a bit. A hardback will give you support.
The advantages are mainly in offhand. A hardback will cut your wobble area way down. For me we are talking about 20 points.

I have owned all three types. I started out shooting as a junior wearing one of the cloth jackets. It provided good cushioning for my elbows but that was about it, I had that jacket for a couple of years.

Next I purchased one of the heavy leather jackets, it was a great improvement and not only providedthe cushioning for the elbows but now I had a tremendous amount of support offhand and kneeling that I never had before.

Now, after returning to the shooting sports after a many year layoff, I found my offhand is not what it used to be and that maybe I could benefit from one of the stiffer Monard Ultimate Highpower jackets. I ordered one of those and recently (a few week ago) took possession of it. I will have to put some time into working on a new offhand possition as when I put the rifle to my shoulder it just doesn't sit the same way and I have to either kink my neck or cant the rifle. Neither of which I want to do. I do like the jacket and feel that when I have things worked out, it will be a help to offset some of the skills I've lost.

After this match season I will be trading up from a non adjustable stock to one of the WOA adjustable match stocks and hopefully will find the answer to the way the rifle fits me there.

My leather jacket is over 35 years old and has seen a lot of heavy use. I feel you get what you pay for and if you buy quality right out of the gate, not only will you find the features are better but it should last you a very long time. It makes the sting of the price tag easier to swallow.

If this is for highpower shooting, I'm sure you could easily find another shooter close enough to your size that would let you try one out before you make any final decisions. I have let several people try out my gear, it's good for the sport and I like to see more people interested in it.

Yup, you can take a look at the gear out on the line and decide for yourself if the extra support is worth the cost.

Good equipment helps but competency in my opinion dictates your level of achievement. If one buys into the equipment race but doesn’t excel as a shooter then what good is or was it?

I purchased a Creedmoor hardback coat this past fall. It is pricey but the construction quality is excellent. I went with the leather sleeves/Cordura torso version. I like this combo because it seems to have a little more flexibility in the arms where you need it and stiffness in the back where you want it. Everyone has their opinions on coats but I believe that its worth it to spend a little more for the quality or save up for it till you can. You don't need to be world class to see the benefits of a good shooting coat. (I'm certainly not world class) A good coat will usually give you some extra points in the standing position for sure. With sitting and prone it doesn't make as much of a difference in points but it does protect your arm from sling tension, helps deaden pulsebeat and "locks" you into position a little better. A well made coat will hold up better over time. With a high quality shooting coat, fit is everything so make sure you get your measurements right before you drop the cash. Too tight and it restricts the necessary movement and wont allow you to get into your positions. Too loose and it wont give adequate support in the shoulder area. A rule of thumb is that when the coat is on and buckled up you should not be able to bring your elbows together and touch them in front of you. Keep in mind of course that any piece of equipment in Highpower is just a tool that only reinforces lots of practice but in my opinion a good coat is worth the investment if you plan on sticking with the sport.