TargetTalk

I am considering buying a new shooting jacket (currently using an AHG standard jacket) and was considering buying one of the higher end kurt thune. Couple of questions though

1. Would it be better to get a custom made jacket or would it be better to buy one size and get a seemstress to mod it exactly to me? (I know of someone who can do a real good job doing that)

2. Are there any other jackets besides the kurt thune that are good? Makes and models would be great.

3. If I do go the kurt thune route I would probably either get Expert or Excusive jacket. Is the more expensive Exclusive jacket really worth the extra money over the expert (and for me if it gives you an extra point or two then the answer is "yes")

Thanks!
Jordan

In my experience leather Jackets such as the Thune Exclusive, keep their looks for a little longer than canvas, such as the Expert. I don't think it's easy to clean canvas jackets, but you can wipe down leather.

A leather jacket may be slightly more supple than double canvas, probably a good thing for prone, but not inherently better or worse.

If buying a top end jacket, get it made to measure, the extra money is worth the fit. Thune et al have much more experience at getting jackets to fit a shooter than a local seamstress.

Other good brands would be Sauer, Anschutz-Stenvaag, Truttmann, Monard and Mouche.

Tim S

Exeter UK

Thanks Tim

I am not too concerned about hwo diry or clean the jacket is (as long as it does the job).

The seamstress that I am considering modifying the jacket does work excusively on shooting jackets but htat made to measure does sound like a good idea for $120 or so more.

So is the thune expert 3p jacket the best or at least real close to the top or are there better choices???

Hi

You are pretty lucky to know some one who has the equipment [needles] that will go through very heavy canvas.

Jacket selection must be about what disciplines you shoot such as prone, kneeling and standing. If you shoot mostly prone, jacket stiffness is not so critical where as if you shoot a lot of standing then jacket stiffness is important. Either way, made to measure is the best option for what ever make of jacket you choose.

Kurt Thune are currently very much in favour with a large proportion of world class shooters but this does not meen that other makes are inferior. I have a customised Monard and although not the most expensive jacket, it is a superb fit and my performance has leaped upwards. It is a double canvas with no leather except for a suede patch for the support arm/elbow to grip on. In other words, if you opt for a more supple jacket for the prone position, it may compromise your standing position.

Choose carefully and keep in mind when selecting what your main shooting position is!!

Peepsight

Thanks Peepsite! As always a great reply and something to think about.

My main position is probably standing as I shoot a lot of air rifle. I would day 70% of my shooting would be standing, followed by about 20% prone followed by bout 10% kneeling. So as you mentioned a stiffer jacket would probably be better (Canvas as apposed to leather?).

Does anybody know what model jacket the top shooters use (assuming they shoot standing with a kurt thune jacket). Would most use the expert or the exclusive?

Thanks! :)
Jordan

Hi Jordon f

Look at the Kurt Thune XPERT, made to measure, it is a double canvas jacket and is used by many top class shooters round the world. It is specifically designed for the standing position but equally usable in the prone position.
I shoot mostly air rifle which accounts for 80% of my shooting and i use a Monard standard double canvas jacket but made to measure. You get a lot of jacket for your money as it was only £225 made to measure, Kurt Thune however, must be the market leader and i suggest you give them some serious consideration. In case you don't know, Kurt Thune are made in Finland, and Monard are made in Sweden, so the Germans don't get it all their own way every time.

As other posts have said, there are equally good jackets from Sauer, Mouche, Anschutz Stenvaag Truttmann, Gehmann, Kusterman Etc.

Peepsight

I had a custom coat made back in the late 70s, and I always thought I had the best. I shot well in it too.

Last spring I bought an off the shelf canvas coat from Champion Shooters in Ohio, USA for around $175 or so, and from the start it fits me better than my custom coat that cost $250 in 1978. It has helped my standing scores and it fits my shoulders perfectly. I think I was lucky on this one.

Max Factor is quite right, some times you can find a jacket that fits perfectly off the shelf. Its only when you can't that i recommend a customized [made to measure] jacket.

Peepsight

... Mouche, the Germania model, made to measure. At least for prone. Bought mine a year ago, and it´s the most comfortable jacket I've ever had. Have practised 200 shots+ without elbow problems. No pain at all.
They do the measuring with a special "tape measure sweater", so everything gets very exact.
Also, it uses suède where you really dont need canvas - this makes it very "smooth" and nice. Compared to my old Monard, this one is heaven. But I guess Thune is just as good. Only problem is that they are based in Germany.

C-son wrote:... Mouche, the Germania model, made to measure. At least for prone. Bought mine a year ago, and it´s the most comfortable jacket I've ever had. Have practised 200 shots+ without elbow problems. No pain at all.
They do the measuring with a special "tape measure sweater", so everything gets very exact.
Also, it uses suède where you really dont need canvas - this makes it very "smooth" and nice. Compared to my old Monard, this one is heaven. But I guess Thune is just as good. Only problem is that they are based in Germany.

Suede is fine for prone but if your a 3p shooter then you need the canvas, I have a KT expert suit and I love, it my standing score alone has gone from a 96% to a 98+% (my old suit was a horrible fit on me). What you should do is go and she what the top shooters are using.

The thing that will help you the most is a suit that fits you like a glove the brand does matter but not to the extent that the fit does. Also don't go cheap you will get a better suit if you spend a little more and it will last longer then if you buy the first custom suit you can afford, save your money for a little longer and the go and get a nice suit.

C-son---- KT is made in finland not Germany, and I don't know what the problem is with Germany most of the best shooting equipment comes from Germany.

-Brian

B.T - sorry about the missunderstanding - I ment that MOUCHE are based in Germany. And that might be a problem, since Jordan lives in Canada.

As a shooter in the Great Britain Under 25 squad i would say that if you can afford the price Truttmann is most definetly the way to go... I have had mine 5 years now and it still hasnt lost its shape even though i have grown...

Plus it is so sturdy in the aim and eradicates any unwanted bounce from your pulse..

Im about to have one of the new Truttmann 2000 jackets fitted with the buttons swept to the side to prevent them diggin into you whilst shooting.. Can't wait!!

T

Hi Guest
Tried googling "Truttmann 2000 jackets " and got zip. Do you know of anything on the web?
Environs
New Zealand