Crawford,
I’m not 100% sure at this point what I am looking for. That’s why I’d like to see many different rigs and shamelessly steal all the good ideas that fit my design goals.
Here is a high level short list of my design goals in a very loose order of priority:
1. Relatively light weight. This would be mostly driven by number of shells I would think. Is 50 rounds a good number?
2. It must be adjustable enough for winter and summer clothing and everything in between. East on and off.
3. Other stuff. Trauma kit, a few pouches for some important items (cleaning items, fire starting items, flashlight, extra batteries, extra small knife or multi tool, gloves, phone or radio, eye and ear protection, tie wraps, etc.). I think a dump pouch is a good thing but this may be better on a heavy belt. I prefer the pistol and fighting knife on my belt so they stay with me.
4. Lots of molle attachment points for other stuff that may be mission specific.
5. Hopefully it doesn’t break the bank. You can buy a Mav 88 for about $200. A chest rig should be 1/4 to 1/2 of this maybe?
6. Color is interesting as well as important since I live in 4 season territory.
All. Please feel free to add, subtract and comment. Maybe by the end of this thread we’ll have a solid set of recommendations!