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

[TheCZKid]

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

I try to have components for all the guns I shoot on hand. And my early philosophy for choosing calibers was to shoot what I could always get ammo or components for, ones I would find on the ground where I pick brass. So I've mainly collected pistols in 9mm and 45 ACP, and some 380's for carry.
In rifles, 223, 22-250, 308 and 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag.

But for sage rat shooting, which I find is where I shoot the most volume, I was mainly using 17 WSM, as it shoots like a laser, but being rimfire I know the gun is only usable as long as I can buy more ammo. My buddy was using a 17 Hornet, and not only did he have another 50 yards extra range, he could reload and with my 17 WSM I couldn't. So that's why I got a Hornet, but it was in 2018 and soon brass and ammo for that was hard to come by.

So, I also got into 20 Practical, as I have a LOT of 223 brass, and that's my "other" sage rat gun, plus I can use it on PD's and coyotes, etc.

 

[CJ6]

How much brass is enough ???? Well... I'd say enough to burn out at least a couple barrels

 

[B23]

How much "enough" is enough? Hmmmm, I don't know, is there such a thing..........

 

[TheCZKid]

Sometimes I think I have enough for the foreseeable future, until I add another rifle to the collection... and then I start testing this and that powder, and primers, and bullets... and I might want to try a powder I don't have yet.

I really like the process of trying to find the "best" load for a rifle. I think I like the challenge, being on mission, a goal to reach, a reason to go out shooting again! It's fun.

 

[B23]

What's that saying, it's better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. I've been on both sides of that saying and prefer to be on the "have it" side. lol

 

[Ray123]

I enjoy a variety of calibers....but you must have a 223, 308, 22 LR, 9 mm, and 12 ga shotgun all chambers in at least one gun, during hard times.
Where I go plinking I find ammo and free brass in these calibers just laying on the ground, if not at least one or two in local sporting goods stores...so you'll always have "something" to shoot.

 

[TheCZKid]

I enjoy a variety of calibers....but you must have a 223, 308, 22 LR, 9 mm, and 12 ga shotgun all chambers in at least one gun, during hard times.
Where I go plinking I find ammo and free brass in these calibers just laying on the ground, if not at least one or two in local sporting goods stores...so you'll always have "something" to shoot.

Definitely agree! I also have a couple 10/22's and a CZ 455 I converted to a 17 HMR, a the 17 WSM, couple 22 pistols and an early Browning break-apart 22 I got when I was 9. Couple shotguns and a fair amount of ammo for said guns. After the Obama era I decided to stock up on 22 ammo, and I'm in good shape there.

I was mainly focusing on center-fire that I reload for. And with that, you're only good if you have cases, primers, bullets and powder, miss one and you're done!

 

[Louisiana Shooter]

"How much is enough"? I would rather have too much than not enough.

I guess it depends on what you're preparing for. Big game hunting - maybe a 100+ rounds of your favorite big game caliber. Couple of hundred rounds of 22LR. Shotgun loads to handle whatever you hunt with a shotgun...... Target shooting - store two years worth of competition loads or the stuff to load that much.

I prepared for something and little more.....substantial you might say.........I saw the writing on the wall when Clinton was president and what he tried to do with the 2A and started my preparation then. Not for target shooting or hunting......for something much more important. I've been buying what I've needed since that time.....and continue when I run across the right deals. I set aside a specific amount of each paycheck just for this purpose.

At this point I am prepared for me and those who depend on me to supply them with all they will need too.....if what I'm preparing for ever happens.

All I will say is I have plenty of 12 gauge buckshot, 22LR, 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 223/5.56, 308/7.62x51, and a number of others.........but those are the primary ones I've prepared to use the most. Got plenty ready to go and plenty to reload them with too.

 

[358WCF]

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

Too much is just enough.

 

[Twicepop]

If the floor boards in the room where you store your components are sagging you're close to having enough.

 

[Fern]

I asked my friend same question when I was getting into reloading maybe 3 years ago. A friend said if you have to ask you don’t have enough lol

 

[Dgd6mm]

Somewhere I misplaced 5000 Tula LRMP. On a good note I found 5000 CCI 250's stored away.

 

[6MMsteve]

Somewhere I misplaced 5000 Tula LRMP. On a good note I found 5000 CCI 250's stored away.

forgettin is always a pleasant surprise some days anyway

 

[Jacks Grampa]

I've been through these shortages since the assault weapons ban of 1994. I keep 3-4 years components on hand. I have a concern for gun ranges staying open. Ammo shortage means fewer people at the range practicing/learning and more wounded animals during hunting season. Local shops here in Bozeman were selling black powder and archery gear to people who'd never used them because of ammo shortages. We're not in the world we were in two years ago for sure.

 

[CJ6]

Somewhere I misplaced 5000 Tula LRMP. On a good note I found 5000 CCI 250's stored away.

I found him....and 5 of his buddies. They're happy here.

 

[SKWERLZ]

In calibers I shoot a lot minimum is enough to kill a barrel and twice that for a barrel burner cartridge.
if I was in competition like f class, I’d probably go for 5-10x that.

 

[std7mag]

I got 2 bags of Winchester brass from Blue Collar Reloading for my new to me 25 WSSM.
Ordered 3 more the other day since it's available.

Primers i would feel more comfortable if i had another 10,000.

 

[RoyceJ]

Everyone needs to understand when it comes to firearms, ammunition, and reloading supplies the term enough does not apply the only terms that would apply is budget and spouse and you might be able to get around one but not both.

 

[TheCZKid]

I have a few rifle calibers I reload for, and each time I add a new gun, even in the same caliber, it takes testing for that specific gun to see what it likes. And that testing takes primers, powder, bullets, and the fun of figuring it out, which is what I like. But with budget in mind and availability of components, I've been stifled.

I have been collecting brass for 243 caliber, whenever I find it at the range or however, I've got almost 400 cases in anticipating someday... I don't NEED to have a 243, I just WANT one to play around with!

I've thought about building a 243 Ackley Improved bolt gun, even more fun! But after I get it all built (which would be pretty darn expensive for my budget), fireform the brass, test and so on, I still don't have a specific application. And where I live, I don't have a way to shoot long distance very easy. And I don't have any 6mm bullets at all, who knows what powders I'd need to try to find...

But it sounds like so much fun!!

 

[joshb]

I was depressed the other day when I lost my first 6br case to a loose primer pocket. I usually shoot mild loads to avoid the problem. Anyway, I got worried and checked to see if I had enough back up brass. I found 4 new boxes and 200 twice fired. Hmmm. Feels a little short but I might be good. I found 1000 308 cases I forgot I had so that’s a plus.