How much to load vs components on hand?

[Bush Pilot]

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'm envious of you, my quack doctor tells me it's OK to use a snow shovel and he actually encourages it.

 

[1895gunner]

I prefer to keep the components on hand to load thousands of rounds and then only load them prior to using them. It's worked for me thus far and I load a lot!

1895gunner

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Reading and thinking about this I had to chuckle when it occurred to me that my "stock" approach to ammunition & components is best explained with a technical term:

Crapload

My scientific approach to this has, for a long time, revolved around the idea that if I'm not tripping over it or losing track of it in one of The Piles or standing there looking at the overflowing bench storage space (which has crept out to include much of the top of the bench) wondering where to put THIS new pile of stuff ...

... I do not have enough.

Only a Crapload? Not a Metric Crapload?

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I prefer to keep the components on hand to load thousands of rounds and then only load them prior to using them. It's worked for me thus far and I load a lot!

1895gunner

Thanks in an ideal world that would be the approach I'd do.
But I see my schedule getting crazier so I want to have assembled ammo ready so I can go to the range even if I have had time to load some.

Compound that with I enjoy loading my ammo, and if truth be told I actually enjoy it more than shooting, so it's kind of a problem. By that I mean if not thought out, I'd probably eventually load all I could. And as we've seen in this thread that raises issues.

So I think I'm at the point that I'll keep brass cleaned and prepped so I can load more if needed. I'll build up a supply of components and load what I need plus a buffer. As figured out above I'll load an amount several times what I use per range trip, So right now figuring out that multiplier is the next task.

I'm was thinking for now it will be 4 to 6. But as I type this is at about a range trip a week that might be a problem. I might have to come up with a minimum/maximum system instead.

By that I mean if I'm shooting 200 rounds per trip and I'm going to the range once a week then a min would be a months supply or 800 rounds. A max could be twice that or rounded up to 2000 and I'd have a good buffer if I were to shoot more or had a time where I was busy and could not reload for a bit.

If I shoot a bit more over the spring, summer and fall I can then adjust this over the winter by reloading more. Likewise if I feel I'm ready go try a competition, I'll have some ammo ready and won't have to rush to make it.

So I think I'm getting close! I don't expect this to be perfect but think I'm getting ideas that will help me find a balance of things. And that order will make things more enjoyable!

 

[CoalTrain49]

I usually have a thousand cases prepped all of the time. That would be decapped, cleaned, resized, trimmed, belled, swaged and primed. Some cases don't require all but they get what they need. I only load what I think I will use for the next 2 range session. Powder charge and bullet weight may change from time to time. There is always a chance that I might sell a firearm also so I don't want to be stuck with thousands of rounds of ammo I won't use. I have more brass that is cleaned and decapped but it just piles up until I prep it. For some firearms I have more brass than I will ever use so will probably just give it away at some point.

A few months ago I moved to coated lead and gave away a thousand lead bullets. That's why I don't load more than I think I will use in two range sessions. Also dropped 44 special from my loading awhile back because I sold both revolvers.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Coaltrain49
Thanks although for 9mm and 223 I'm pretty sure I'll have a firearm in those calibers. ;-)
Now for 45 I don't shoot much. Just enough to stay proficient with my carry gun and to ensure it's working fine.

If/when I add any calibers then I may have to look deeper into this. But for now I'll focus on these calubefs

 

[Orcon]

Reading and thinking about this I had to chuckle when it occurred to me that my "stock" approach to ammunition & components is best explained with a technical term:

Crapload

A crapload is not a defined unit of measure. A buttload is, though.

 

[Walkalong]

I think it is a regional thing on those two. I use buttload myself. Or Metric buttload, which is even more.

 

[GBExpat]

Actually, my term "crapload" reflects "High Road" euphemistic tweaking.

 

[Jack B.]

A crapload is not a defined unit of measure. A buttload is, though.

I think those two are related.

 

[chrisgo]

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.

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 guess I need to have a serious talk with Jesus then!!