Leather conditioner???

[Slow Poke]

I have noticed my shotgun shells sticking in my belt a bit more than normal. I am curious is there a conditioner or a lubricant that keeps the leather from gripping as tightly? I have gotten the loops wet and let them dry with shells in them slightly spread to get them to form fit.

[Choctaw Jack]

Slow Poke,

When you wet form your shotshell loops, try wrapping them in one layer of masking tape or two layers of cellophane tape, then let them dry.

With out the tape the leather shrinks to the outside diameter of the shell, making them even tighter.

Plus, try wiping you shotshells with silicone spray before shooting them.

Hope this helps.

Choctaw

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Spray the inside of the loops with silicone spray. 

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

1 hour ago, Slow Poke said:

I have noticed my shotgun shells sticking in my belt a bit more than normal. I am curious is there a conditioner or a lubricant that keeps the leather from gripping as tightly? I have gotten the loops wet and let them dry with shells in them slightly spread to get them to form fit.

 

You might try this.

 

Facebook

 

Randy

[Muggins]

Occasionally I wipe a little Galco Draw-Ez in my leather shotgun loops after first wiping some in my holsters. It only takes a little bit - like whatever remains on your finger tips after wiping your holsters.

[Snake-eye, SASS#45097]

I’ve used Neatsfoot oil on mine and left the hulls in to stretch them. Works.

[Horse Creek Spinks]

Olive oil.

[watab kid]

interesting topic id not considered in a long time , thanks 

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

I use Pecard Leather Dressing.  Slick as well as protecting the leather from drying out.   Since 1902.   Available direct from Pecard or from Amazon.  Best I've seen for gun leather.  good luck, GJ

[Sheriff Dill]

Would something like Chemicals guys leather conditioner which is like armor all work after stretching them ?

 

It’s called Hydro leather I use it on my vehicle seats. 

Edited August 11 by Sheriff Dill

[Rip Snorter]

I have used Pecards for decades, great stuff.  Last I looked, so did the Smithsonian. I think you would be well served to get some 3/4" dowel and stretch the loops however you decide to treat them otherwise.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

rub some talcum powder inside the loops

[Shooting Bull]

45 minutes ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

rub some talcum powder inside the loops

I like this.^

 

I don’t like liquid lubes because they’ve transferred from the leather to the shotgun shells and ultimately to my hands. More than once that has caused me to fumble subsequent loads due to slippery fingers. 
 

On an entirely different note, you might want to consider getting the leather loops replaced with elastic fabric. Shells are held securely with no chance of sticking. 

[Doc Eagle]

On 8/10/2025 at 6:19 PM, Horse Creek Spinks said:

Olive oil.

This!  The guy who built my custom saddle was a world class maker and he used olive oil exclusively.  I've been following his example for 20 years and saddle and ALL my other gun leather is in perfect shape.  Just a quick wipe with a hand towel, no heavy soaking.

[Longfoot]

Pecard's "Antique" dressing has extra oils when compared to their Classic dressing.  The Antique will soften leather, while the Classic will not.

[Texas Maverick]

11 hours ago, Doc Eagle said:

This!  The guy who built my custom saddle was a world class maker and he used olive oil exclusively.  I've been following his example for 20 years and saddle and ALL my other gun leather is in perfect shape.  Just a quick wipe with a hand towel, no heavy soaking.

I use to make saddles and we used plain vegetable oil, just make sure it isn't peanut oil because the mice will chew on it then. Your saddle guy basically was using the same method and gave you good advice. We have saddles out there still being ridden after 50 years.

 

TM

[Doc Eagle]

5 hours ago, Texas Maverick said:

I use to make saddles and we used plain vegetable oil, just make sure it isn't peanut oil because the mice will chew on it then. Your saddle guy basically was using the same method and gave you good advice. We have saddles out there still being ridden after 50 years.

 

TM

Thanks TM!

He did tell me that in a pinch any vegetable oil would do except peanut because of exactly the same reason you gave.  That's funny, I love talking to experts because they know their stuff!  He just preferred working with Olive oil because he said if you stick to one kind all the time you'll get predictable results.  I also remember him "tanning" my saddle (making the leather get that beautiful golden color) but putting it out on the fence in the sun at the ranch for a few days.  THAT was interesting and I've used that technique a bunch of times when I want to color match belts and holsters from different makers.

 

Thanks for the great memories.

[Doc Eagle]

Actually just found some pics of my saddle.  Again great memories... I told him I wanted a TRUE 1800's saddle and ZERO screws anywhere on it.  Then I asked him to watch Quigley down under and make me HIS saddle.  We compromised on two items, round skirt because he convinced me it was more comfortable for my horse and ONE screw holding the strap for my rope so it could be easily replaced if needed.  No Blevins buckles, not period correct...  She's about 23 years old now and going strong.  I hope my great grandkids ride it.

That concho has my registered brand on it (gold brand on hand engraved sterling) and I have two sets of iron oxbows for it.  The "Sunday" oxbows with the brand on them like the seat concho in the picture and the ones in the picture which are my "working" stirrups.

Sorry for the highjack.  Just thought some folks would appreciate the pics.

Edited August 12 by Doc Eagle

[Eyesa Horg]

That saddle looks comfortable! Beautiful work.

[Texas Maverick]

2 hours ago, Doc Eagle said:

Actually just found some pics of my saddle.  Again great memories... I told him I wanted a TRUE 1800's saddle and ZERO screws anywhere on it.  Then I asked him to watch Quigley down under and make me HIS saddle.  We compromised on two items, round skirt because he convinced me it was more comfortable for my horse and ONE screw holding the strap for my rope so it could be easily replaced if needed.  No Blevins buckles, not period correct...  She's about 23 years old now and going strong.  I hope my great grandkids ride it.

That concho has my registered brand on it (gold brand on hand engraved sterling) and I have two sets of iron oxbows for it.  The "Sunday" oxbows with the brand on them like the seat concho in the picture and the ones in the picture which are my "working" stirrups.

Sorry for the highjack.  Just thought some folks would appreciate the pics.

Yeah a close friend of ours was also our daughter God Father designed and built the Marciante Trail Saddle. His name was Frank Marciante. I bought the business from him in 2001 and continued building his saddles for about 5 years. When we moved out of Colorado I closed the business and never reopened it. In fact all the business equipment still sits in a storage unit in Elizabeth, CO. I guess I need to go back and clean it all out and sell what I can. I have a nice $7k sewing machine in the storage unit that should bring some cash in.

 

Anyway, after each saddle was completed we would paint the complete saddle using a paint brush with vegetable oil. We would let it dry for a couple of days before shipping it to the new owner. Then we recommended the new owner do the same thing about every 6 months to keep the leather supple. It does work and it was cheaper than buying some high price leather cream.

 

TM

[Ol Salty Sailor]

On 8/10/2025 at 5:29 PM, Muggins said:

Occasionally I wipe a little Galco Draw-Ez in my leather shotgun loops after first wiping some in my holsters. It only takes a little bit - like whatever remains on your finger tips after wiping your holsters.

https://www.obenaufs.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22577751834&gbraid=0AAAAADKppP_eFhqJDIL_uM483jN6g54WE&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzOvEBhDVARIsADHfJJQN0kEbyOSTc78M9p-SRtyZHQHLm6RRfXM4-M9GaWliLIK6UTXS6TUaAqlyEALw_wcB

 

Great Leather Care products.

[watab kid]

wow , not only did i learn a lot about leather treatments but also saddles 

[Irish Pat]

KY. that’s what I tell Cindy that it was in the truck for!