I recently purchased one of the new Ruger SBH Bisleys in .454, and am in the market for a good hunting holster. I think I want to start out with a Simply Rugged Sourdough and most likely wear it crossdraw. I am considering getting the Chesty Puller rig with my order. I'm about 5'7" and 145 lbs. My question is, is the chest rig more convenient and/or comfortable than crossdraw? Also if you wear binoculars while hunting, do the binos and chest rig interfere with one another?

This is why I prefer a crossdraw.

Not to hijack this thread, but what's the difference between a chest holster and a crossdraw?

I use both. I've had one of Rob's chest rigs for many years & use it a lot. I really like it when I fishing trout streams, its never in the way but always there if I need it. Its easy to put binoculars under your arm & out of the way if using the chest rig.

Dick

Crossdraw carries on the belt, out of the way. I like binocs on my chest, nothing else.

Okay, that makes more sense. For some reason I was picturing it as a type of chest holster.

I use a Crooked Horn harness with my binoculars and hold them tight to my chest so that's not really an option.

I'm worried about the muzzle end of the holster protruding past my bottom side while setting and pushing up on my belt with crossdraw. I carry a 8 3/8" S&W 686 strong side sometimes and run into this problem (I'm smaller than a lot of people).

Just trying to save some cash by getting others opinions and experiences. I'm probably going to just have to order both and find out for myself. But I'm going to wait to hear what other have to say before I make a decision.

Thanks everyone.

Ok, I think I'm Just going to order the holster for now. If I want to play around with the chest harness I can order that later and it'll only cost $6 more than ordering it with my holster plus another $11 in shipping. Even though I mostly hunt thick woods, I've learned from bow hunting a good pair of binos can really help pick out details through the brush.

Thanks again everybody!

I have the cross draw model. I got it to carry a FA 83 which it holds good and tight. The cross draw feature helps keep the muzzle out of the dirt, snow or whatever I sit down in. The gun is easier to draw from a sitting position than with a strong side holster for me. I have only used it with a six inch barrel. The 8 3/8 would be difficult although the cant in the cross draw would surely help. My only complaint is I ordered mine with the smooth side out and the front sight of the FA would bring small pieces of leather with it. Now I carry a Blackhawk in it and the fit is snug rather than tight and not so much leather on the front sight. I opted for the muzzle closed which is a topic on another thread. All in all I am happy with the holster.

I think that 7X Leather makes a sort of cross draw, sort of shoulder rig that should work with one of those bino straps, as would a Ringler Wyoming Combo Holster.

I have a Sourdough and Chesty Puller harness and can't wear it with my bino harness at the same time. They end up right on top of each other.
No problems with my Wyoming combo.