How much to load vs components on hand?

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Hokie_PhD

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I just got back from the range and enjoyed the loads I worked up.
So thanks to everyone who helped me with the 124 gr RMR 9mm loads

I now have a couple of loads that I know work ok, and which will shoot at least as good as my skills.

I shot a couple of boxes that I loaded and enjoyed myself. I got some practice in and worked on some skills. All great things on a beautiful day. So when I was done I cleaned up around me picking up my brass plus a little bit extra.

Now this got me to thinking. I know there are tons of threads on how much ammo to keep and how much components. I know everyone is different so I'm not looking for exact numbers. What I'm wondering is does it make more sense to keep a bunch of loaded ammo around or does it make more sense to keep what I'll use for the next month, plus some SHTF, plus what I keep for my EDC?

Now keep in mind I haven't been shooting that long and I've on.y reloaded for less than a year. So I'm still learning and building up my supply.

To me the pros of loading all the brass I have are that it's ready to go. The negatives are that it takes more space, and if I decide I want to try a different load I'll have to go make some empty brass (oh my), wait, buy some, or go pick some.

The pros of not loading too much are, less space to store the components, and less storage boxes needed. But the negative is that I'll have to plan my reloading a little better than if I have it ready.

I guess a third option is something in between but I haven't figured that out yet.

So thoughts, advise, ideas etc ate welcome and appreciated.

Oh and as far as components, my thought is to buy 2x what I use to get to a decent level while not destroying the budget or being exposed to another shortage.
 
For handgun ammo, I try to keep most of it loaded and ready to go. Outside of initial load development, I don't do much experimenting. Rifle on the other hand, seems to be in a perpetual state of load development. New powders, new bullets, different brass etc... That said, I do try to keep at least a 50 round MTM box full and on hand for each rifle I shoot.

I had some growing pains as my shooting habit began to exceed my logistical capability, I was always almost out of one component or another. So I started to buy in bulk when stuff is on sale, future me is always thankful for it. 5k primers, 8lb jugs of powder and 500/1000 count bullet packs will save you money in the long run. There's nothing worse than running low on your favorite component only to find it's out of stock.
 
I just loaded 1800 rounds of 9MM. It used up about a quarter to a third of the 9MM bullets I have on hand. Not counting the rainy day ammo I have loaded up in a couple of 30 caliber ammo cans, or the couple of boxes of factory ammo I have. Whatever you're comfortable with. The good news is components are readily available again and it's easy to replenish supplies. 300 of the bullets I loaded were JSPs I bought a long time ago at $29 per 1000 on sale. Should have bought more, but back then i didn't shoot much 9MM.
 
Agreed, buy in bulk. Try to match your primer stock with as many bullets and enough powder to reload for a long time. At least a 1000 rounds loaded in two 30 caliber ammo cans. Buying 5000 primers isn't too many. Buy plinking bullets like FMJ round nose for blasting at the range and a few hundred good self-defense bullets. I'd buy same brand once fired 9MM cases by the 1000 to get your inventory started. The same answer won't work for all shooters. Some of us shoot maybe a 100 rounds a month and others much more. Still makes sense to have a good supply of all the components for a rainy day.
 
Thanks guys
I'm now at the point where I'm buying primers and bullets in bulk. I'm still buying powder in 1 lb containers but will be going to 4and 8 lb ones as I figure out which ones I like best and use the most. And as I get more of what I use. So I'm getting there!!!!!!

As for brass I have built up a supply from factory, range pickup, and some I've purchased.
 
I have been handloading for 4 years. During that time I have built up a fairly large amount of components. I shoot quite a bit of handgun, nothing compared to some but I would say that this year I will shoot over 8000 rounds mostly 9mm. Right now I have enough components on hand to load 4 years supply of finished ammo without having to do any shopping. This is where my comfort zone lies, 4 years supply.

I would not in any way classify myself as an expert in either shooting or handloading. In my inventory of finished ammo and to a lesser extent my components I have some stuff that I liked 4 years ago but have since found other things that I like better. So, what I'm trying to say is on the one hand have components available in your loading room but be aware that as you progress in this hobby you may stumble upon things that you like better than what you like now. So in my opinion take advantage of the plentiful supply of components and make absolutely sure you really like your loads before committing resources to them.

Hopefully in a few years time your marksmanship skills will increase and your interest in firearms will expand. Most of my shooting these days is revolver. I would have never guessed that I would have gone in that direction when I began handloading. For me, I have a busy schedule of both practice and competitions scheduled for this summer. All of the dates are listed on a calendar which I use to plan my ammunition needs. I have enough finished handgun ammo to get me through mid to late May. I will try to keep at least 4 weeks of ammo on hand, usually more than that.

As others have stated, I try to keep roughly the same amount of bullets, primers and powder on my shelf. My weak area is bullets.

It may seem crazy to have 4 years of supplies on hand. What we, as handloaders are enjoying these days is heaven compared to 4 years ago. Back then components, especially powder was difficult to purchase. Many handloaders, myself included, made the decision to keep plenty of components on hand just in case the supply line gets fouled up again.
 
In the summer when I'm shooting a lot and taking care of the place I'll keep 3K loaded. In the winter when I am shooting less and have less to do outdoors (more time to reload) I keep 1K-2K. I always keep enough components on hand to reload 2K. How much one shoots has a lot to do with it.
 
No where near the money that casting your own will. Then you will be able to shoot your handgun ammo for less than .22 rimfire.

Don

Thanks, but I'd rather spend a little more and get bullets from RMR. I just don't feel like screwing with lead, casting and fouling etc at this time. That said, maybe at some time down the road. But not now.
 
If you are an active competitor, you will do just fine if you keep three years worth of components (that you actually use) on hand.

That will be more than enough to get your though any drought such as I have seen in my half century of dabbling in this.

A good policy is to develop load-data TWO different types of powder, from two different manufacturers.
Gunpowder factories seem to blow up quite a bit, or just have some sort of corporate thing that throws a monkeywrench in the supply line. Either situation can eliminate your favorite powder for a long stretch.
If you have a fallback, you won't miss a beat in your activities.

Avoid having 27 partial cannisters of different this-and-that powder.
Avoid buying components that are not the components you really want just because some company is running a closeout on this year's greatest "Tactical Copper-Fouling-Eliminator Suppressor-Calibrated Super-Sub-sonic" gimmick powder.

Its OK to accumulate some amount of excess ammo. But, it has been my experience that excess ammo becomes a burden at some point. Once you reach the point where you have so much ammo that you would have to shoot 100 rounds a day - EVERY DAY - for the rest of your life, its time to have a come-to-Jesus moment with what you have done.

Your TIME is the most expensive component that goes into any ammo.
Once you embrace this truth, the rest of the decisions about ammo management will be much easier.
 
I do it a bit differently than a lot on here do it. First the most time consuming part I am sure we all can agree is the brass prep. So I like to prep all the brass that I plan on shooting in the next year ahead of time in the winter months when I shoot less if I can. I have enough brass of each type I have collected over the years that I can actually do this.;) Then when I need some range ammo I spend a couple nights after dinner loading up what I want to use next range trip. Still I keep a minimum number of reloaded rounds for each caliber always on hand for "emergencies". Add to this that I keep five to six years supplies on hand that I use as needed and replenish when I go below a set amount. I find that having many primers, containers of propellant, and lead/molds/bullets that are ready to make into ammo is better than loading up say a gazillion rounds of 9MM ahead of time and selling my last 9MM a year or two later. Or say buying a 357 SIG and wishing those bullets, primers and propellant were there for me to use in it jnstead of having to take apart a few ammo boxes of 9MM ammo to be able to use the components over. The trick is figuring how much of each stage/amount you need and being able to hold the line when things or your time become scarce for whatever reason IMHO.
 
As long as I have an ample supply of powder and primers on hand I don't really worry about anything else. I can't make those. I'll never have to buy powder or primers for my deer rifles as long as I live. I keep a few hundred pistol rounds and shotgun shells as reserve and the rest is buy to load and load to shoot. I have been putting 22lr away to make sure my young daughter will have some to shoot if the supply dries up again. I never leave Fleet Farm without some 22 or primers or a pound of powder. For me shooting pistols is just a pass time that wouldn't kill me to give up, but my deer rifles, 22 rifle and shotgun are part of a way of life that I will not be without.
 
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And if you do start buying in 8lb jugs keep any empty one lb's you have of the same so you can put powder in them. Much easier to handle. I put the date and lot number from the larger one on the smaller ones as well.
 
I find that having many primers, containers of propellant, and lead/molds/bullets that are ready to make into ammo is better than loading up say a gazillion rounds of 9MM ahead of time and selling my last 9MM a year or two later.
Yep.
 
I had very little to do this winter---they don't let me snowblow anymore or use a shovel-so I reload.
A rough estimate of my reloads on the shelf:
12 to 13000 of various types---we do go shooting every week--sometimes twice. I use a handgun at indoor ranges & a rifle at outdoor range as my legs & a rifle don't mix standing up
Stay safe-shoot straight
 
I only keep a few hundred loaded handgun rounds on hand in each caliber.

For rifles, other than M1 Garand 30-06 and AR .223 ammo I keep 20 or 30 rounds of each loaded. I do however prep all my rifle brass over the winter so when I need more ammo all I need to do is add powder and primers and seat the bullets.

Like said above, it's not a good thing when you load up a truck load I'd ammo and then sell the gun/guns that shoot it. lol
 
I buy and stack components deep when the price is right. I load in the winter months enough to shoot all year.
 
Hokie_PhD wrote:
What I'm wondering is does it make more sense to keep a bunch of loaded ammo around...

It depends on your situation. Once components are assembled into a cartridge, it becomes more difficult to change the powder type, powder charge or bullet weight. On the other hand, are you always going to have access to your reloading equipment?

As I got closer to graduation from college, I realized it might be some time before I was in a position to reload again so I went ahead and loaded up 2,000 .223 and 1,000 .30 Carbine (all I was loading at the time).
 
I just got back from the range and enjoyed the loads I worked up.
So thanks to everyone who helped me with the 124 gr RMR 9mm loads

I now have a couple of loads that I know work ok, and which will shoot at least as good as my skills.

I shot a couple of boxes that I loaded and enjoyed myself. I got some practice in and worked on some skills. All great things on a beautiful day. So when I was done I cleaned up around me picking up my brass plus a little bit extra.

Now this got me to thinking. I know there are tons of threads on how much ammo to keep and how much components. I know everyone is different so I'm not looking for exact numbers. What I'm wondering is does it make more sense to keep a bunch of loaded ammo around or does it make more sense to keep what I'll use for the next month, plus some SHTF, plus what I keep for my EDC?

Now keep in mind I haven't been shooting that long and I've on.y reloaded for less than a year. So I'm still learning and building up my supply.

To me the pros of loading all the brass I have are that it's ready to go. The negatives are that it takes more space, and if I decide I want to try a different load I'll have to go make some empty brass (oh my), wait, buy some, or go pick some.

The pros of not loading too much are, less space to store the components, and less storage boxes needed. But the negative is that I'll have to plan my reloading a little better than if I have it ready.

I guess a third option is something in between but I haven't figured that out yet.

So thoughts, advise, ideas etc ate welcome and appreciated.

Oh and as far as components, my thought is to buy 2x what I use to get to a decent level while not destroying the budget or being exposed to another shortage.
I usually load enough for two trips to the range. I don't like loading beyond that amount. I can't always buy the same components or I'll use different ones by choice so I don't like to limit myself to a single load. Versatility is important to me in case a certain component is not available , plus I load for 10 different guns. There is so much available to us as reloaders for load development that I see no sense in limiting yourself to one particular load. That's one of the many reasons why people reload I believe . There are some tried and true loads that are very accurate and reliable that I have developed over the years and I tend to buy as much of the components for those loads as I can afford when I can find them. Also I'm retired so I have the luxury of time for reloading and shooting.
 
Thanks folks

Lots of good input.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is once I have a decent supply of components how much to load. My gut is telling me a few months plus my SHTF supply. My love of reloading says load all the brass I have. The practical says storing that will be a pain.

I get that as I get more experience I'll figure out what works best for me, I just wish I had a better starting point.
And right now it looks like I'll be shooting about once a week or once every other week until it gets cold. In the winter about once a month. So that's 100 to 200 rounds a trip depending on what I'm working on
 
Thanks folks

Lots of good input.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is once I have a decent supply of components how much to load. My gut is telling me a few months plus my SHTF supply. My love of reloading says load all the brass I have. The practical says storing that will be a pain.

I get that as I get more experience I'll figure out what works best for me, I just wish I had a better starting point.
And right now it looks like I'll be shooting about once a week or once every other week until it gets cold. In the winter about once a month. So that's 100 to 200 rounds a trip depending on what I'm working on
Just keep reloading and soon it will become natural to you as to what you want and like. Keep it simple you don't have do it all at once. Sounds to me like you have a plan Go with it.
 
I keep enough loaded pistol ammo for two trips to the range. Usually, I reload everything I shoot within a week of coming back, but, I never know if a buddy will ask me to go the next day, and I never turn down an excuse to go shoot ;)

Hunting rifle, I keep about half of my brass loaded, because I have settled on a load I like, and have plenty of components, and that is all I have room to store...
 
I started loading in 89 and have always kept 3-5 years of components on hand for the amount of shooting I was doing. I was fortunate enough to catch a few sales years ago and triple my stock on primers and bullets and then caught up on powder. 10 years ago I was shooting 16,000 rounds of pistol a year and kept a 4-5 year stock of components. Due to kids and work I didn't shoot much for 6 years but kept buying powder and primers and started stocking lead and got a few molds. When I started shooting more again I had quite a supply stored in 3 locations and when the drought hit I never slowed down and could shoot what I wanted and however much I wanted.

Personally I scrounge every piece of brass from every range I can, sort what I need and trade the rest for what I need. The brass gets cleaned, prepped, and primed then stored. When it's time to load, it is quick. Im only shooting around 8-10k a year right now but this summer I plan to double it once load development is finished. As I find the best load for each pistol I load a few k for it and move on to the next one. I have 5 9mm's and am working up a load for each one. I'm comfortable with 2 ammo cans loaded for each pistol and enough components to refill both cans by the winter.

Everyone is different and I know some folks that are happy with 100 rounds for their pistols, 50 for their rifles, and 40 for the shotgun. I prefer several thousand each, but each is tailored to the gun and labeled accordingly. I also prefer to have at least 5 mags per pistol. I'm currently sitting on 400# of lead ingots, 75k primers, and around 40# of powder and close to 100k brass cases. Some might call that extreme, some might call it a good start. It just depends on your needs, means, and goals. Personally I'm comfortable where I'm at.
 
does it make more sense to keep a bunch of loaded ammo around

Keeping brass prepped , only needing powder and bullet works for me. Then load a few days or a week before its needed.

If you load 250 or 1000 and a mistake was made, thats a lot of bullets to pull. Applies to old and new reloaders alike.

Long term storage can have its own problems. Powder may go bad while in the cartridges.

Example http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=685785

The temperature powder/ammo is stored at, if to high, may cause problems.
 
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Just keep reloading and soon it will become natural to you as to what you want and like. Keep it simple you don't have do it all at once. Sounds to me like you have a plan Go with it.
Thanks
No no plan yet, the point of this discussion is to try and figure one out that makes sense for me.
 
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