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when to stop buying components?
- Thread starter axis223
- Start date
Primers, powder and bullets. Especially,the first two. You can never have too much powder or too many primers. I try to keep a 4-5 year supply. I cast for my firearms so that gives some flexibility. I don't want to be caught short. It doesn't take much to upset the supply and demand balance, as we are all know.
More than just market pressures but the iron fist of regulations and restrictions.
More than just market pressures but the iron fist of regulations and restrictions.
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Buy brass if it's cheap(Your definition of 'cheap'.). Brand doesn't make much difference if you're hunting. Avoid range pick up brass. Unknown stuff.
Stop buying every possible powder and buy only the one you're getting those 1" groups using.
Once you have a load, buying in bulk(8 pound kegs are usually special order things and you'll likely have to and should pay in advance. Over $100 to $150 per and don't buy on-line. Shipping hazardous goods is very expensive.) assuming you have the money and place to store it, isn't a bad idea. No buying in bulk until you have a load though. Unless it's bullets and they're really cheap(also your definition of what that is.).
Ditto for bullets. A 55 grain bullet is a 55 grain bullet if you're hunting varmints or just poking holes in paper. Any of the types you have will do just fine for executing ground hogs, etc.
Primers don't go bad. Still a 'have the money' thing.
Your 9mm dies and brass is just the beginning of the same process of working up the load. Neither is much good to you without components though.
Think cast bullets for hand guns. Less expensive and jacketed gets really expensive if you shoot 'em all the time.
Stop buying every possible powder and buy only the one you're getting those 1" groups using.
Once you have a load, buying in bulk(8 pound kegs are usually special order things and you'll likely have to and should pay in advance. Over $100 to $150 per and don't buy on-line. Shipping hazardous goods is very expensive.) assuming you have the money and place to store it, isn't a bad idea. No buying in bulk until you have a load though. Unless it's bullets and they're really cheap(also your definition of what that is.).
Ditto for bullets. A 55 grain bullet is a 55 grain bullet if you're hunting varmints or just poking holes in paper. Any of the types you have will do just fine for executing ground hogs, etc.
Primers don't go bad. Still a 'have the money' thing.
Your 9mm dies and brass is just the beginning of the same process of working up the load. Neither is much good to you without components though.
Think cast bullets for hand guns. Less expensive and jacketed gets really expensive if you shoot 'em all the time.
I generally use 50-55gr hornady v max for varmints, h335 produced the good groups, guy at store shoots at Camp Perry said try benchmark incase h335 is out. I only bought 100 400-450 and BR primers to try before buying 1k. that will be next.
bought 100 sp, fmj-bt to see if the gun likes it before buying 1k.
bought 100 new Rem&Win cases for varmint only loads. I shoot them out to 300yards off a tower in beans so mostly head shots so need to best.
target ammo I plan on loading mixed brass and whatever works. I figure one the h335 load works well and I can keep it well then 8lbs. store has them in stock regularly with no haz fee.
I figure each payday a brick of primers once I settle on one. then next payday a box of say 1k rifle bullets and so forth.
the whole once fired brass thing from online has me a little nervous cause how do I know its once fired, etc.
bought 100 sp, fmj-bt to see if the gun likes it before buying 1k.
bought 100 new Rem&Win cases for varmint only loads. I shoot them out to 300yards off a tower in beans so mostly head shots so need to best.
target ammo I plan on loading mixed brass and whatever works. I figure one the h335 load works well and I can keep it well then 8lbs. store has them in stock regularly with no haz fee.
I figure each payday a brick of primers once I settle on one. then next payday a box of say 1k rifle bullets and so forth.
the whole once fired brass thing from online has me a little nervous cause how do I know its once fired, etc.
axis 223, your on the right track .What ever powder, bullet & case works in your rifle go with it. As for once fired brass, no big deal. You will need a full sizing die, full size, shoot in your rifle then the case is fire formed to you chamber, then you can neck size from there.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
Be practical when it comes to components. Buy what you think you'll use over time.
A couple hundred pcs of new brass will keep your rifle/pistol shooting for a few years if you bother to pick them up after their firing and you aren't one of those fellers who believes "all cartridges must have muzzle flash and/ or barrel lift to be fun."
Powder and primers: Check with the city hall officials before buying to see if there are guidelines (ordinances) having to follow in regards to residential stored amounts?
A couple hundred pcs of new brass will keep your rifle/pistol shooting for a few years if you bother to pick them up after their firing and you aren't one of those fellers who believes "all cartridges must have muzzle flash and/ or barrel lift to be fun."
Powder and primers: Check with the city hall officials before buying to see if there are guidelines (ordinances) having to follow in regards to residential stored amounts?
axis223 said:I'm new to reloading and only have 100 rounds under my belt and they shot good loading for 223rem.
My current supply is 100 55gr SP, 100 55gr FMJ-BT, 100 55gr v max bullets, 1/2lbs of h335, 1lbs of benchmark, about 70-90 Hornady once fired brass, 100 once fired rem brass, 30-50 mixed brass, 100 cci400, cci 450,cci br-4 primers.
I currently FL size but would like to try neck only.
I also have 9mm dies but no other components other than 500 brass.
Part of me says buy more brass for each Caliber this way I have it, buy a crap load of bullets for each and try several different powders.
when do you call it quits and stick with one thing?
you guys think I'm getting too ahead of myself?
I think that a lot depends on what you are trying to accomplish by reloading. Are you trying to produce low quantity super accurate ammo for your rifle for matches or hunting? Are you trying to produce more consistent ammo then factory but still basically plinking just as a slightly higher level? Are you just looking to save money vs factory ammo and plinking away.
When I started I knew about what I was shooting a year when I was buying factory ammo. I added 20% to that number and built a par, 1 year of shooting. When I started powder and primers where the hardest part to get so I bought 2 years worth or powder and primers based on my calculated par. I am basically building ammo to plink that is a more consistent that factory ammo and can be made on demand.
I then bought enough bullets to last 6 months. Bullets have been consistently available so it made sense not to have to stock them as deep. In an unlimited funds situation I would have bought 2 years of bullets as well but something had to give.
I have now worked it up so I always have enough loaded ammo plus components to last 2 years. I continue to buy so that I maintain this level. If there is a run and $$$ permit I would push that up to 4 years. If times get really tough I can adjust the amount I shoot to extend my supply. If there are signs of another real shortage I would also stack factory ammo.
For me the number one thing is not to over extend. Don't horde to the put it effects other parts of the hobby and I do not buy unless I have the cash to pay for it. Don't base your spending and your supply based on what other shoot. Base it off of what your individual needs are.
My goal is to have a 3 year supply of components. I am good on brass and primers. I need a few more pounds of powder and 3 times the bullets that I currently have on the shelf.
I keep between 1000 and 2500 round loaded up for the calibers that I shoot often. I keep a even balance between what I shoot and what I load per month. I shoot pistol more than rifle so I generally only load up rifle one month out of the year.
I keep between 1000 and 2500 round loaded up for the calibers that I shoot often. I keep a even balance between what I shoot and what I load per month. I shoot pistol more than rifle so I generally only load up rifle one month out of the year.