Spare Components?

roy reali · September 15, 2009, 06:49 AM

I was just doing a quick inventory of my reloading supplies. I have many boxes of bullets that have just a few left. I even have some cans of powder with hardly enough in them to put together more then a few loads. Should I toss these, I could use the shelf space? Should I throw together a few reloads using these components, even though I wouldn't have enough rounds to amount to much? I'll probably leave them there for "someday".

Does anyone else here have spare reloading components sitting around? You know, boxes with a few left over bullets or cans with a few grains of powder left in them?

What do you do with those?

lizziedog1 · September 15, 2009, 07:16 AM

I have die sets for cartridges that I don't have guns for anymore. I guess I'm keeping them in case I get another gun for those calibers. I also have assorted brass for cartridges that I don't reload for anymore. Some of them are older then I care to think about.

dsv424 · September 15, 2009, 08:51 AM

If it is powder I know I'm going to buy more of I usually pour the remainder of the old can into the new one. Same goes for bullets. I hate to toss anything if I can help it. Of course if I know I won't be re-stocking it I grudgingly toss it. Just because space is getting smaller all the time!

Sevens · September 15, 2009, 09:04 AM

I'm a pack rat... always have been.

If it's annoying you, get rid of it. But for me, I look at the amount of shelf space a plastic bullet box takes and it's comical to even consider tossing it. Really. I've got a box of .400" Speer 180gr TMJ bullets... I think there are 8 bullets in that box. And they are just plain ugly little slugs. I've had these leftover 8 slugs since the summer of 1992.

I've been using Nosler 150 grainers these days... So whenever I get a hold of someone else's 180-gr jacketed 10mm slugs, I'll probably load up those last 8 TMJ's right along with them.

And you know what? I'll keep the damn empty box. I will-- for certain!

That's a guarantee. I still have the first can of Bullseye that I ever emptied. (I don't toss empty powder cans... I think they look cool displayed above the load bench. It's these items that truly "make" the man cave.)

BigJimP · September 15, 2009, 10:18 AM

I usually maximize my storage space by selecting powders that will load more than one caliber or one gague. If its a powder I will not use again - then I would dispose of it. If its one I use all the time - I will just use it up / refill the powder measure on the press with powder from the new container ( and check the powder drop - in case the density is different ).

I never have bullets left over - I load whatever I have in the container.

If I switch primers - I remove the unused primers from the press - put them back into the original packaging and store them like my other primers.

Rich Keagy · September 15, 2009, 10:53 AM

It's best not to mix identical powders from different batch Lots. This is to say, don't mix old and new powders, even if they are the same brand/type.
Small amounts of powder can be broadcast on your lawn or flowers. It is a mild fertilizer.
By all means, keep those bullets. Something to show a grandson or nephew some day. Gotta keep the chain growing..

GeauxTide · September 15, 2009, 12:39 PM

Yep, I've got some 30 year old H4831 that has about 50 loads to go. I'll put the rest in the garden. I don't worry about same brand, same weight bullets - they just mix with the others.

DWARREN123 · September 15, 2009, 02:40 PM

No, when I get bullets I reload them all, use up the powder as fast as I can and want more!

I shoot a lot!

amamnn · September 15, 2009, 04:09 PM

I has been my experience that you can mix lots of the same powder with no adverse effects on accuracy as long as the powder density does not differ by more than 5% or the date of manufacture by a couple years or so. I've never let a jug sit for more than 2 years. Of course, this requires you to keep track of density, which is not hard to do, but apparently many casual reloaders fail to do so.

Odd components such as powder, brass, and bullets from loads that did not work out may still be used for practice in wind reading, hold, and follow through.

I don't pour out any powder on the lawn and garden until and unless there is not an amount sufficient to load any of the other leftovers.........

**Mal H** · September 15, 2009, 04:47 PM

I'm afraid I'm much like Sevens in the pack rat area. I just checked and I have a Speer box holding 1 (count 'em - one) .308 150 gr flat nose bullet for 30-30. I haven't reloaded for 30-30 in about 35 years! Danged if I'm going to throw it out now!

(Oh, and I still have the dies for that caliber.)

I also found a 45 year old box of Speer 52 gr .224 HP bullets for my 22-250 with 4 bullets left in the box.

I have several large cardboard boxes full of empty bullet boxes, powder cans, and ammo boxes. Hey! You never know when you'll need one!

Pack rat - yep. Space is cheap, but that 40 year old empty can of 4064 is irreplaceable.

.284 · September 15, 2009, 06:45 PM

Guilty.......I'm a pack rat too.

Don't mix powders.......bad karma.

September 15, 2009, 06:49 AM	#1
roy reali Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2005 Posts: 3,248	Spare Components? I was just doing a quick inventory of my reloading supplies. I have many boxes of bullets that have just a few left. I even have some cans of powder with hardly enough in them to put together more then a few loads. Should I toss these, I could use the shelf space? Should I throw together a few reloads using these components, even though I wouldn't have enough rounds to amount to much? I'll probably leave them there for "someday". Does anyone else here have spare reloading components sitting around? You know, boxes with a few left over bullets or cans with a few grains of powder left in them? What do you do with those?

September 15, 2009, 09:04 AM	#4
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,755	I'm a pack rat... always have been. If it's annoying you, get rid of it. But for me, I look at the amount of shelf space a plastic bullet box takes and it's comical to even consider tossing it. Really. I've got a box of .400" Speer 180gr TMJ bullets... I think there are 8 bullets in that box. And they are just plain ugly little slugs. I've had these leftover 8 slugs since the summer of 1992. I've been using Nosler 150 grainers these days... So whenever I get a hold of someone else's 180-gr jacketed 10mm slugs, I'll probably load up those last 8 TMJ's right along with them. And you know what? I'll keep the damn empty box. I will-- for certain! That's a guarantee. I still have the first can of Bullseye that I ever emptied. (I don't toss empty powder cans... I think they look cool displayed above the load bench. It's these items that truly "make" the man cave.) __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

September 15, 2009, 02:40 PM	#8
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2006 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 1,758	No, when I get bullets I reload them all, use up the powder as fast as I can and want more! I shoot a lot! __________________ Have a nice day!

September 15, 2009, 04:09 PM	#9
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I has been my experience that you can mix lots of the same powder with no adverse effects on accuracy as long as the powder density does not differ by more than 5% or the date of manufacture by a couple years or so. I've never let a jug sit for more than 2 years. Of course, this requires you to keep track of density, which is not hard to do, but apparently many casual reloaders fail to do so. Odd components such as powder, brass, and bullets from loads that did not work out may still be used for practice in wind reading, hold, and follow through. I don't pour out any powder on the lawn and garden until and unless there is not an amount sufficient to load any of the other leftovers......... __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

September 15, 2009, 06:45 PM	#11
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	Guilty.......I'm a pack rat too. Don't mix powders.......bad karma. __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

September 15, 2009, 07:16 AM	#2
lizziedog1 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2005 Posts: 289	I have die sets for cartridges that I don't have guns for anymore. I guess I'm keeping them in case I get another gun for those calibers. I also have assorted brass for cartridges that I don't reload for anymore. Some of them are older then I care to think about.

September 15, 2009, 08:51 AM	#3
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	If it is powder I know I'm going to buy more of I usually pour the remainder of the old can into the new one. Same goes for bullets. I hate to toss anything if I can help it. Of course if I know I won't be re-stocking it I grudgingly toss it. Just because space is getting smaller all the time!

September 15, 2009, 10:18 AM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I usually maximize my storage space by selecting powders that will load more than one caliber or one gague. If its a powder I will not use again - then I would dispose of it. If its one I use all the time - I will just use it up / refill the powder measure on the press with powder from the new container ( and check the powder drop - in case the density is different ). I never have bullets left over - I load whatever I have in the container. If I switch primers - I remove the unused primers from the press - put them back into the original packaging and store them like my other primers.

September 15, 2009, 10:53 AM	#6
Rich Keagy Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: southern California Posts: 48	It's best not to mix identical powders from different batch Lots. This is to say, don't mix old and new powders, even if they are the same brand/type. Small amounts of powder can be broadcast on your lawn or flowers. It is a mild fertilizer. By all means, keep those bullets. Something to show a grandson or nephew some day. Gotta keep the chain growing..

September 15, 2009, 12:39 PM	#7
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Yep, I've got some 30 year old H4831 that has about 50 loads to go. I'll put the rest in the garden. I don't worry about same brand, same weight bullets - they just mix with the others.

September 15, 2009, 04:47 PM	#10
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	I'm afraid I'm much like Sevens in the pack rat area. I just checked and I have a Speer box holding 1 (count 'em - one) .308 150 gr flat nose bullet for 30-30. I haven't reloaded for 30-30 in about 35 years! Danged if I'm going to throw it out now! (Oh, and I still have the dies for that caliber.) I also found a 45 year old box of Speer 52 gr .224 HP bullets for my 22-250 with 4 bullets left in the box. I have several large cardboard boxes full of empty bullet boxes, powder cans, and ammo boxes. Hey! You never know when you'll need one! Pack rat - yep. Space is cheap, but that 40 year old empty can of 4064 is irreplaceable.

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