Did your idea of what a sufficient stockpile of ammo was change when you started reloading?

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However, I think I'm more inclined to keep 1000 loaded rounds on hand of 9mm, 357, 10mm, 45, and perhaps a mixed lot of 1000 of 454 Casul and 460 magnum.

Assuming your 9mm is an auto and the 357 is a wheel gun, I think your ratios are out - I'm fine with just 100 or so 38/357 loaded on hand, but a few thousand 9mm. I go through more 9mm.

My kanban spreadsheet says I've currently got 2200 loaded 9mm, 2200 primed 9mm, 4300 ready to prime, and I don't count what's in the bucket awaiting depriming or polishing :) Yet I only have 80x 38s and 75x 357 loaded - and it's enough. I update the spreadsheet after each case prep or reloading session - if I deprime and polish a bunch of 9mm, I'll count and bag it, and add it to the spreadsheet.

The cases / loaded on hand part of the spreadsheet looks like this. There's more to it where I record components on hand, grains of powder per average reload, how many components I need to buy to reload every case 1, 2, 3 or more times etc.

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No I have never liked tying up money in excessive inventory of ammo. Eventually you have a lot of old ammo that you want to shoot up just because it is getting old.
I have had ammo that was 20 years old and the original rifle was long gone when I finally shot it.
You can easily sell old and excess components. Reloaded ammo has to be shot up or broken down before it can be sold.


I'm a little bit of a hoarder and prepper. I find I like to always own 3 different sized handguns, plus a carbine for each cartridge I shoot..

Additionally, I like to have a healthy stockpile of ammo for all my guns, in the event of one of those bad situations we don't discuss on THR. Over the last decade, I've squirrelled away a few thousand rounds of factor hollow point ammo in 22lr, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 454 Casul, 460 Magnum and now find myself wanting to stash 9mm and 10mm.

However, I was fairly content that I had enough in the event of a bad situation or a shortage. But now that I am reloading, I find myself desiring to load 1000 rounds of all of the above cartidges, and then have enough components to load another 1000 of each. 22lr being the obvious exception.

I doubt highly that I'll even need it, but I find myself craving a greater stockpile. Did this happen to any of you when you began reloading?
 
No I have never liked tying up money in excessive inventory of ammo. Eventually you have a lot of old ammo that you want to shoot up just because it is getting old.
I have had ammo that was 20 years old and the original rifle was long gone when I finally shot it.
You can easily sell old and excess components. Reloaded ammo has to be shot up or broken down before it can be sold.
That’s why if your going to pile it up you have to pick a caliber to be your lifelong friend.
45 acp and 308, 223.
I have lots of those and conponenents. Everything else just has a standard amount. From 100 to 500 in components.
 
My good friend just got his inheritance from his father. He's pretty sure his portion of the inheritance won't run out over his lifetime. It's all in 9mm and 308.

Just make sure you have someone to hand it over to when you pass, and you can't have too much.
 
Back when I started reloading I was content with a couple of boxes of ammo and enough components to reload them a couple of times. That has changed radically but not really due to the reloading habit. Life has shown that buying ahead on things you actually use is prudent and I love to shoot. A study of history and contemporary politics does not inspire confidence in a perpetual supply of inexpensive arms and ammunition. I haven't invested wisely in many things but I am confident that my supply of ammo is a valuable, prudent and wise investment. If things fall completely apart in my lifetime (God forbid) chances of survival may be poor but if I die because I run out of ammo it will be because I couldn't carry enough not because I didn't have any to begin with.
 
You are more likely to be forced to give up your stuff to your government. Like most you will do it rather than face the alternatives.


Back when I started reloading I was content with a couple of boxes of ammo and enough components to reload them a couple of times. That has changed radically but not really due to the reloading habit. Life has shown that buying ahead on things you actually use is prudent and I love to shoot. A study of history and contemporary politics does not inspire confidence in a perpetual supply of inexpensive arms and ammunition. I haven't invested wisely in many things but I am confident that my supply of ammo is a valuable, prudent and wise investment. If things fall completely apart in my lifetime (God forbid) chances of survival may be poor but if I die because I run out of ammo it will be because I couldn't carry enough not because I didn't have any to begin with.
 
My good friend just got his inheritance from his father. He's pretty sure his portion of the inheritance won't run out over his lifetime. It's all in 9mm and 308.

Just make sure you have someone to hand it over to when you pass, and you can't have too much.

Agree! I started thinking in terms of generations when it comes to guns and ammo. My dad didn't own much so I had to start my own collection from scratch. At least he passed on the traditions of gun ownership, shooting and hunting. I have already given my daughters their first guns, as well as an AR15 to my brother and son-in-law during the 2008 shortages. I plan to whittle down my collection by gifting guns to grandkids as they get old enough, and not wait until I keel over. I helped my SIL get into reloading so I know he will make good use of any left over stocks. I just wish he wouldn't bring a shovel over every time he visits--a little too anxious I think!
 
I don't have weapons to fight the government, I have them to protect myself from bad guys and a hedge in case of riots like have happened before when you are pretty much on your own until things get under control. It will probably never happen to me, and I don't lose sleep over it, but I am ready, just like a lot of people. Some people don't care, they have no hankering to risk injury or death to defend themselves or others. They will hope it doesn't happen (Chances are good for them), and if it does, run hide, beg, maybe die. Maybe not. But some folks (A lot IMHO) just don't have the "defense" "gene".

So, my "stockpile" is whatever makes me feel like I will have plenty to defend myself (Not really that much) and enough to keep shooting for fun without running out every other day. Only you know what "enough" is.

I would say that since, or when, I started reloading I do keep more around, if for no other reason it is cheaper to buy in bulk. Components seem like less than loaded ammo, even when they add up to more, if that makes sense.
 
But some folks (A lot IMHO) just don't have the "defense" "gene".
I agree.

Occasionally I have a discussion with someone about guns, and they mention they don't believe in guns. I tell them that is ok. Then I ask them "what is your plan". I get a blank stare. I explain that whether or not they have a gun to defend themselves, they need a plan. What will you do if someone kicks in the door? What will you do if thugs invade the block. What if.... What is your plan? If they say "dial 911". I ask them if they know what the average response time is for their area. Blank stare. I tell them the average response time for my neighborhood is 20 minutes.

I don't know whether it should be called a "defense gene", or the inverse "denial gene".

I would say that since, or when, I started reloading I do keep more around, if for no other reason it is cheaper to buy in bulk. Components seem like less than loaded ammo, even when they add up to more, if that makes sense.
That is so true.
 
Only in my youth gentleman, only in my youth. But seriously, if you have to bug out suddenly, who needs 2400 rounds of 9MM more than they need a day or so supply of food, water, perhaps meds, warm clothing......

I'd settle for one of these Midway Blue Boxes (About 175) of 9MM in my pack.
9MM Loads # 105, 106, & 107.JPG
 
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