I now pull my loops .. on this one it is a full weave... on the half weave you would have two slots for each..
Full weave problems... the loops loosen as the belt is bent and tighten as it is straightened..This style just will not work for me on my rifle slings... but is does work great on shell slides and and belts as long as the loops are formed while you curve the belt... (and if the customer understands to load it with cartridges while the belt is curved and never smash it flat with cartridges in the loops.
I have found that .025 is a good number for forming the loops a little small.. so for 44/45's I use a 41mag to form the loops. For 38's I have some aluminum arrow shaft of the proper (smaller) dia.
Be warned here ...you will hear all the timne from guys that think you can soak your loops and when it dryes it will shrink... Wel yes&no.. you have to consider that the leather will be thicker when wet so as it drys it can acctually loosen(make larger) the loop holes.
For heavy cartridge belts I now much prefur to make a sheild of loops and then stitch it on the belt.. this really looks nice and it doesn't cut a hole bunch of holes in the belt.. that and my belts can sometimes aproach 5/16-3/8 in thickness..which is not fun to punch slots in..