How much is "enough"? (brass, powder, bullets, primers...)

[TheCZKid]

This last few years has caused me (and I'm sure others) to wish I had more components at hand. And with Brandon in charge, it's only gotten harder to get... anything! So, I've been trying to get more 17 Hornet brass for months. Last time I found it a couple times at Sportsman's Warehouse, got 4 then found another 3 boxes. Then nothing anywhere, how many Google search pages do I go each time I try, 5 to 7 pages deep?

And about a month ago I see Hornady must have finally made more 17 Hornet brass, as it showed up at Midway. But it was expensive $41.99 for 50, plus shipping. But, nobody has had it in stock for almost 2 years, so I got my 2 maximum allowed boxes. Then Grafs had is in stock, and I got 3 more, and then was able to score 3 more, and now they're out.

So, now I wonder, how much is enough. With inflation, supply shortages, etc. hard to answer that question.

Here's my 12 boxes, 3 more coming from Grafs not even shipped yet... still I gotta wonder. I wish I had more primers too! Dang

 

[Cbashooter]

When Trump was in I knew we wouldn't get a Republican the next term. I stocked up on .22 Ammo,primers,powder,blackpowder and lead at what some thought was ridiculous amounts.i shoot minimum 4-6 days a month and in the Summer 3-4 days a week.its mostly with Single shots but I still burn though components.
I have about a 10-15 year supply.
It's not hoarding if you use it!

 

[Chiquita]

So you have 720 cases and if they last 10 firings that is 7200 rounds How much do you shoot? How long do you think this will last you?

 

[TheCZKid]

So you have 720 cases and if they last 10 firings that is 7200 rounds How much do you shoot? How long do you think this will last you?

With sage rat season coming, it's likely I'd shoot maybe 175 to 250 rounds per day. I wanted to load enough during winter to have them all loaded and ready by spring. So this would last maybe 4 to 6 outings of single days. I'm hoping to go at least 5 days this season, 7 or 8 would be great, but not likely, need to coordinate my schedule with my shooting buddy.

 

[Chiquita]

With sage rat season coming, it's likely I'd shoot maybe 175 to 250 rounds per day. I wanted to load enough during winter to have them all loaded and ready by spring. So this would last maybe 4 to 6 outings of single days. I'm hoping to go at least 5 days this season, 7 or 8 would be great, but not likely, need to coordinate my schedule with my shooting buddy.

Well, I guess you need more brass. That is good amount of shootin' compared to mine at about 150 to 200 every month, in a good month.

 

[TheCZKid]

Well, I guess you need more brass. That is good amount of shootin' compared to mine at about 150 to 200 every month, in a good month.

I have to add that I did also accumulate another 600-650 pieces of brass from hunting with factory ammo and testing, and I loaded that for this upcoming season, so I'm probably good to go in reality. It's just a bit of anxiety about the unknown future that's got me wanting just a little more of... everything on hand.

 

[jelenko]

Based on the two previous shortages, I try to maintain 3 years supply of whatever I'm shooting.

These days, if prices come down a bit, I might extend the number of years.

 

[JimPag]

There is no such thing as too much except wives and kids and if u have either one or both that's way too much because then you turn into a pussy and have to ask your wife if you can buy the things that really count like fireams and components.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Maybe just put a little sugar in that coffee! Lol!

 

[JFrank]

There is no such thing as too much except wives and kids and if u have either one or both that's way too much because then you turn into a pussy and have to ask your wife if you can buy the things that really count like fireams and components.

I’m guessing you live alone.

 

[Rodney]

I’m sure the 17 hornet is a great round for what you’re doing. Maybe switch to a round that is a little more attainable such as 223. Or if you can’t part with the 17 caliber try a wildcat that uses an easier to obtain brass to make it from. I mention 223 because it seems like it can be found even if you resort to military once fired. Just a suggestion, but I feel your pain. 6.5 PRC brass is scarce to, but I’m not shooting the same volume you are.

 

[B23]

So you have 720 cases and if they last 10 firings that is 7200 rounds How much do you shoot? How long do you think this will last you?

This stuff isn't the greatest quality and 10X with 17HH brass is probably a little optimistic. If a person can get 5-7X I'd say you're doing really well.

The factory ammo often shoots nearly as well as reloads and new brass damn near cost as much as loaded ammo so I stocked up on many cases of loaded ammo a couple years ago.

 

[Bc'z]

There is no such thing as too much except wives and kids and if u have either one or both that's way too much because then you turn into a pussy and have to ask your wife if you can buy the things that really count like fireams and components.

And be damned if I say 1 word about all the comforter sets causing every closet in the house to bust at the seems.
Not to mention shoes and purses!!

 

[B23]

Not to mention shoes and purses!!

Oh hell, don't even get me started on shoes and purses! I have to admit my wife never says a single word about any of my firearm or firearm related purchases but that's only because I don't say shit when she comes home with a new 2500 handbag or 1200 wallet. I'll never understand what's so friggen special about those things that they can charge so much I mean it's not like the damn things come with cash in them. I've had the same $50 wallet for probably fifteen plus years but my wife seems to think she needs a different one for every season. Ok, carry on, rant over.....

 

[bsekf]

I do a lot of experimenting, so try different powders and primers. I reload for 15-20 different rounds. 222 to 444 Marlin, with a bunch of wildcats in the middle. Usually have 5 -10 different powders and an equal selection of primers. Want to try RL 15.5 and Wolf primers, but I not going to buy 20# or 5000 primers to experiment with.

I am the guy who wants to buy 1# of powder and if it works well, go back and get 5 pounds. Absolutely impossible at this time. Can't even trade around with friends.

Bill

 

[K22]

How much is enough? Good question but a few factors may influence an appropriate answer.

1. How old are you? In other words, how many years of shooting to you anticipate having. The problem is there is no definite answer, but guys like me, in their mid 70's know that the time is limited. So, I put together a 5-year plan realizing that there is always the unexpected but for me, it is better to have some kind of plan rather than none.

2. What is your shooting discipline? Target shooters and varmint hunters will consume a lot more components than the average big game hunter. I varmint and predator hunt as much as I can but I also like to practice at the range. So, if I ration my practice time and focus on meaningful practice, I can stretch my supplies. A 10-round string, fired from a cold barrel per range session at varying distances in a field position and couple of times a week keeps me in shape plus allows me to get out the house. I'm fortunate that the range is close enough to allow this without consuming a lot of gas.

3. In uncertain times with constant shortages like we have now and probably will have for the foreseeable future, I don't think you can have too many components. The problem becomes how much disposable income does one have to spend on a hobby versus essential supplies such as food, utilities, medications, etc. Guys like me on a fixed income find it difficult to pay $100+ for a brick of primers even if you can find them. I will confess however, if I found a brick of Federal 205M primers I'd probably pay it.

So, the answer is, it depends on your situation.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I learned after the Obama years that I should have enough to last me at least 10 years. Now, I don't shoot competition anymore, so my 10 year supply is a drop in the bucket compared to some members here.

That being said, my biggest problem is that I have rifle ADD and can't stop buying or building something new, which leads me down the path to find new components. In the past year I have turned that into upgrading my current inventory rather than purchasing something new. For example, I have a 7X57 frankengun (Yugo Mauser with a cheapy Green Mountain barrel in a Boyds stock). I am going to upgrade that to a nicer version here in the future so I can just repurpose my 7X57 supplies.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I'm not planning to have a need past 2030, John Kerry told the WEF that America is ahead of schedule for the Great Reset. And the Russian/Ukraine war and Biden INCREASING the amount of Russian oil we BUY(funding the war) plays into the democrats plan to totally neutralize the Constitution.

 

[JimPag]

I’m guessing you live alone.

No I don't. I have a girlfriend, my dog Petey and 5 chickens. If Jim Cline, AKA (The Mouth of the South) see's this he'll chime in and tell you I have some goats and maybe an alpaca or 2 but that's not true. I just knew from the age of 12 that I never wanted to get married and never wanted kids. As Clint Westwood once said, "A man's got to know his limitations.

 

[Webster]

This last few years has caused me (and I'm sure others) to wish I had more components at hand. And with Brandon in charge, it's only gotten harder to get... anything! So, I've been trying to get more 17 Hornet brass for months. Last time I found it a couple times at Sportsman's Warehouse, got 4 then found another 3 boxes. Then nothing anywhere, how many Google search pages do I go each time I try, 5 to 7 pages deep?

And about a month ago I see Hornady must have finally made more 17 Hornet brass, as it showed up at Midway. But it was expensive $41.99 for 50, plus shipping. But, nobody has had it in stock for almost 2 years, so I got my 2 maximum allowed boxes. Then Grafs had is in stock, and I got 3 more, and then was able to score 3 more, and now they're out.

So, now I wonder, how much is enough. With inflation, supply shortages, etc. hard to answer that question.

Here's my 12 boxes, 3 more coming from Grafs not even shipped yet... still I gotta wonder. I wish I had more primers too! Dang

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I would think you would need more than one rifle. Range pickups for 223 brass are usually easy to get. I used to get at least a hundred every time I went to the range. Have not been to the range for 2 years because of back surgery. You need to worry about bullets, primers and powder. Would a 17 or 22 HRM work for many of your shoots? Prices were high before Biden took office. Manufacturer gouging.