I was wondering... What do you think about this and why. I guess we all have a minimum number of loaded rounds on hand for our favorite guns but past that; is it better to just go all out and load up everything you have or just keep your minimum and then hold components in reserve. In my case I think I hold onto components in case I want to change, or tweak, a load. I mean I've been loading the same recipe for certain guns for years so why not just max out? There is no right or wrong answer just what is your take?
Cartridges or components?
- Thread starter The Kidd
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I tend to not load everything up, but I have a good inventory of supplies, components, and loaded rounds.
Cartridges that the loads do not change, I tend to keep more loaded than those that are still varying. When inventory runs low, I'll crank up the progressive and make a good run.
There are times that I stop shooting a particular cartridge for some reason or another. If I have a good inventory, I see no need to load up the empties to just have them sit idle. The components might be useful for other cartridges. For example, I do not shoot much 357 Magnum these days and am still working off 10 year old reloads. I still have several hundred 357 Magnum rounds i inventory. I can use the primers and powder that I load in 357 Mgnum in other cartridges that I am actively shooting currently.
I do resize, clean and prep all fired cartridges shortly after shooting them, whether they will be reloaded soon or not. Then, they are instantly ready to reload should the need arise. Also, I find prepping cases shortly after firing goes quickly because the batches are relatively small. If I wait until I have boat load of cases to process then it becomes drudgery.
Cartridges that the loads do not change, I tend to keep more loaded than those that are still varying. When inventory runs low, I'll crank up the progressive and make a good run.
There are times that I stop shooting a particular cartridge for some reason or another. If I have a good inventory, I see no need to load up the empties to just have them sit idle. The components might be useful for other cartridges. For example, I do not shoot much 357 Magnum these days and am still working off 10 year old reloads. I still have several hundred 357 Magnum rounds i inventory. I can use the primers and powder that I load in 357 Mgnum in other cartridges that I am actively shooting currently.
I do resize, clean and prep all fired cartridges shortly after shooting them, whether they will be reloaded soon or not. Then, they are instantly ready to reload should the need arise. Also, I find prepping cases shortly after firing goes quickly because the batches are relatively small. If I wait until I have boat load of cases to process then it becomes drudgery.
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Magnum Shooter
Member
I have loaded in large numbers before only to find a better load at a later time. Thus leaving me with a lot of ammo that I consider second best. Now I only load what I can use in a year or less.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I can never manage to keep much loaded ammo on hand. When it gets loaded, it usually gets shot. So when I want to shoot, I have to spend some time at the bench.
Arkansas Paul
Member
The only thing I load 1,000+ rounds for is .40. I know the load will never change, as it is plenty accurate for my purposes. I also keep several hundred .45 Colt rounds on hand in the standard 8.5 grains Unique and 255 grain cast bullet load.
For .30-06 and .243 I keep 100 or so loaded and components on hand for plenty more. Like has been said, I may want to tweak the load at some point.
For .30-06 and .243 I keep 100 or so loaded and components on hand for plenty more. Like has been said, I may want to tweak the load at some point.
FROGO207
Member
Yep I load through the winter for the warm weather shooting season and try to keep a year ahead loaded. BUT I keep at least enough for 2 years reloads for everything ahead so that supply bumps do not affect me a lot. Also this allows me to use say--primers and propellant, for one thing more if I shoot more of a certain caliber and not have to take apart rounds to scrounge components for reuse if I run short of anything. Might call it "just in time" reloading.
1SOW
Member
On a small scale, I've done both ways.
I'm a few months ahead the game now, but I'm running low on my preferred bullets. My normal suppliers are O.O.S., but hopefully this next week I can stock up a little more.
I don't like to be committed to the same load and bullet for too long of a period. While I'm a fully qualified "bullet hammer" user, I'd rather not set myself up to do hundreds at a time.
I'm a few months ahead the game now, but I'm running low on my preferred bullets. My normal suppliers are O.O.S., but hopefully this next week I can stock up a little more.
I don't like to be committed to the same load and bullet for too long of a period. While I'm a fully qualified "bullet hammer" user, I'd rather not set myself up to do hundreds at a time.
mgmorden
Member
I typically only load enough ammo to keep me shooting for a month or two and keep the rest in components (with part of the "components" inventory being lead ingots ). Components can be used in a pinch in whatever you need.
The powder and primers are obvious there, but even the bullets can be an issue. I've got 7 different .30 caliber rifles spread across 4 different chamberings. It would suck if I wanted to shoot one and had all my .30 cal bullets loaded up for a different rifle.
). Components can be used in a pinch in whatever you need. The powder and primers are obvious there, but even the bullets can be an issue. I've got 7 different .30 caliber rifles spread across 4 different chamberings. It would suck if I wanted to shoot one and had all my .30 cal bullets loaded up for a different rifle.
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