Why Do You Need a Plate carrier at Range or While Hunting?

A plate carrier is a light body armor that protects the torso. Its features can be characterized by several facts: small weight and small dimensions; the ability to install plates of various protection classes; modularity (attach any cartridge pouch according to the weapon and personal needs).

It seems that the inside of body armor is the main thing, but the cover plays a very big role too. The plates weigh a lot, and an improperly selected cover will become rather a burden than protection. Plate carrier is "customized" to the size of a person. It protects the main lethal zones and gives an advantage in a range of motion and the convenience of firing. Besides, a plate carrier can also play the role of an assault vest. But why exactly would you need a plate carrier while at the range or hunting? What are the risks it may protect you from?

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When Plate Carrier Saves Lives

In every setting, when there is a firearm around, there are potential risks. Even at range, there is always a risk of ricochet and people’ carelessness with a weapon. Those same risks magnify at the hunting grounds. The main of them are:

• Large forest areas. These are the most difficult and dangerous conditions for hunting, as the hunters may lose sight of the shooting line while moving.
• Shooting for an obscurely visible target or just “for a noise”. This is one of the main reasons for hunters' deaths, which usually happens in conditions of poor visibility. In well-organized hunting grounds, hunting is carried out only in conditions of good visibility at full dawn, no fog or heavy snowfall. Conducting hunts in conditions of insufficient visibility is prohibited. In decent hunting grounds there is a rule: each hunter has to be dressed in a bright orange or red vest. Unfortunately, this “fashion” is not yet common in every hunting team.
• Ricochet is another common danger at hunting or at range. There have been numerous cases when hunters shoot in an animal's head and the bullet ricochets off the skulls and hits the shooter or another hunter around.

And despite training programs that include classes on weapons handling skills, hunting safety, and even survival in extreme conditions, the death of people while hunting is still a hot topic. No matter how prepared you are, you can never exclude people’ carelessness with a weapon and the risk of ricochet. That is why a plate carrier is a must to protect yourself while hunting or at range.

How to Choose a Plate Carrier?

Today, the market is literally oversaturated with these types of vests. Many companies make a variety of cheaper and more expensive models. Which one to choose?

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Here is what you should pay attention to:

• Level of protection you need (plate carrier, soft bulletproof vest, multi-purpose vest)
• Ratings and certifications (effectiveness against handgun or rifle calibers)
• Types of plates you want to use (SAPI, ceramic, polyethylene, steel)
• Weight (consider the purpose you are choosing a plate carrier for and how much you are going to move in it actively)
• Functionality and attachments (must have a MOLLE system)

To have real protection at the shooting range, you need a high-quality product. Check out this plate carrier as a great example of such.

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