Do you reload even when you have ammo?

tjhands · May 19, 2005, 11:38 AM

My girlfriend makes fun of me by saying, "you in there AGAIN? You already have like 300 'bullets' made! Why do you need to make more?"

Does anyone else reload even when you have plenty of rounds already?

How many loaded cartridges do you have ay any given time? What is your personal record?

hawk · May 19, 2005, 11:41 AM

I probably have 1,000 rds loaded in 5 different calibers right now but I have about 3,000 cases sized, primed and flared standing by also.

Trapp · May 19, 2005, 11:57 AM

My wife is the same way. I try to load all my brass that I have as soon as I shoot it. Right now I have over 1k of .45acp which will soon disappear this weekend, 500 .44mag, and various rifle reloads. I have about 3 to 4k other store bought rounds (.223 & 7.62, etc..).

tjhands · May 19, 2005, 12:01 PM

Wow, Trapp! 5000 rounds. That, my friend, is a lot.

Edward429451 · May 19, 2005, 12:13 PM

Sure why not? I have between 3 & 4K rounds loaded right now and why wait until I'm out to load more? If I have enough of a given caliber to feel like I don't need to load anymore...then I look for a new experimental load to cap.

When new loads are plentiful and it'd be stupid to continue that direction, sometimes I'll crank out some starting loads for a caliber that I don't even have a gun for but may in the future.

Trapp · May 19, 2005, 01:31 PM

Ha, I know what you mean Edward. I have a few hundred .357mag and 38sp sitting around waiting for me to buy the kGP-161 at my local gunstore.....

TJ, By next week they will all be gone. I am heading to Louisiana where my Bro has a place to shoot indescriminatly.....ahhh, life is sweet!

Now I have to start collecting stuff to shoot. I am going to have plenty of video for the "What does the X do to Y?" questions. (X = bullet Y = item shot)

renaissance7697 · May 19, 2005, 02:04 PM

I reload SIX Pistol Calibers.
I have a minimum of 20 (more in some calibers) plastic cartridge boxes for each caliber; color coded and appropriately sized.

I keep the finished rounds boxed and stacked by caliber in an old fridge
I stack the empties boxes sorted on an open shelf.

A glance at the empties, tells me when I need to start reloading in any given caliber.

Up until very recently, I reloaded on a RCBS PiggyBack.
I had to set up the dies etc. all over again every time I switched calibers.

Each time I switched calibers, I would run 50 or a 100, then take them out and "test them" to make sure all was right with the set up I had just created.
If they passed the test I go back and reload with that proven setup till all my empty cartridge boxes in that caliber are full with fresh reloads.

Before switching calibers on the Piggy, I would use the already proven setup in the Piggy, to fill up any empties in that caliber wether I was low in that caliber or not.

I recently acquired a 650 and am in the process of setting up dedicated Toolheads for each caliber.
I am not decided yet, how I will structure my reloading regimine now that I do NOT have to adjust the dies (dedicated tool heads).
I suspect I may follow a plan similar to what I did with Piggy.
Even though I can rely on my die settings, I still have to deal with the Caliber Conversion on the 650 (above and beyond the toolhead).

I should NOT, however; have to "test" the reloads (50 - 100) before rolling into "production".

BUT I probably will anyway........Anal !

*******************

Sometimes I wonder (and worry).

6000 plus rounds of handgun ammo in a suburban residence.
Might I have to explain / "justify" that: to A Judge / Fire Dept / Insurance Co. some day ?????

What about Bulk Powder Supplies ????....... Primers ???

"renaissance" needs to be reassured................

Trapp · May 19, 2005, 02:37 PM

I just thought of soemthing......I should get a progressive. It takes a bit of time on my old RCBS single stage to load 1k at a time........

tjhands · May 19, 2005, 03:02 PM

Yipes, looks like 6000 rounds is the record so far.

On a single-stage Lee, I doubt I will ever be a contender in this race!!!

caz223 · May 19, 2005, 03:12 PM

Somehow, I sense that this isn't over.
The people that have 20,000 rounds in stock aren't going to respond.
For instance, I prolly only have 2000 rounds loaded right now, and those are a mishmash of maybe 200 in each caliber plus odds and ends.
I also have a case or two of ammo from my pre-loading days.
I could crank out 6000 rounds in a weekend, but I only have a dillon 550b.
So the people who have the most rounds in stock are the ones that are posting and say 'my friend has at least 30,000 rounds of just 9mm in stock!!".

Johnny Guest · May 19, 2005, 05:21 PM

Since I've been shooting in an every-other-month submachine gun match, I can't seem to keep any .45 ACP loads on hand. I end up in a flurry of loading in the couple of dys before the match.

I load mostly on a Dillon 550 but recently got a used Square Deal B back from reconditioning, set up in .38 Spl, so I've recently stocked up on light RNL practice loads.

Not I NEED to load some +P level heavy practice and hunting loads, and then switch over and load a bunch of my favorite low-end .357 ammo.

I probably am down to 200 .45 Colt and about 100 .44 Special. I gave Elder Son all my .44 Mag ammo along with my Super Blackhawk.

I gave up handloading 9mm and .223 a few years ago. Factory practice ammo is too cheap to spend my time at the press.

Best,
Johnny

Russ5924 · May 19, 2005, 05:59 PM

Lets see 1600 .38HBWC,1400 .38 158SWC,300 .45 colt,500.45acp, 600 .357, 200 9MM, 10.000 of .22,400 Shotgun shells all LOADED about 15.000 different empty cases

maxwayne · May 19, 2005, 06:16 PM

I like to keep approx 1k rounds is each caliber that I shoot. I try to load in the winter and shoot in the summer. Severaly years ago a fellow on rec.guns did a survey and found that the average guy said that he had 7k rounds on hand and the big boys had 10 times that amount,

Ben Shepherd · May 19, 2005, 06:20 PM

My minimum on hand for my pistol calibers is 1,000 rounds per gun. My "combat" rifles are at a minimum of 2,000 per gun. My "hunting" rifles have at least 500 rounds ready. This means I consider myself "out of ammo" at these levels. Sound excessive?

1. Surplus ammo is a lot cheaper in bulk.
2. On my dillon 650, 750 rds/hr is no biggie.
3. If I need it it's there.
4. If I end up in a financial crunch, I'll still be shooting. Will you?

willsjeep · May 19, 2005, 10:13 PM

Things You Can Never Have To Much Of:
Love
Fun
Happiness
Guns
Ammo (Factory or Hand Loaded)
(No real Order)
Will

yorec · May 19, 2005, 11:44 PM

I reload as long as I have compnents and time... Just so long as I don't run out when it's time to shoot!

Current count? Don't know - when I do my .357 and .38 special loads I just dump them into 20 mm ammo cans - have two full of each - you'll have to estimate. Probably half that many .223 and .40 SW - shoot them too much to accumulate as badly. And a bunch of other calibers too.

Yeah, an accountant I am not.

Shooter 973 · May 20, 2005, 04:24 PM

I reload when ever I have empty cases! Since I order cases in several different calibers, by the 1000, I always seem to have some mt's on hand.

Peter M. Eick · May 20, 2005, 04:59 PM

I tend to do it in blocks. Here in Houston, the summers are hot and the winters are nice, so I tend to shoot up the ammo in the winters and load a lot in the summers. For example, right now (today actually) I finished up my 10mm stock pile, so I have about 4000 pieces of brass ready to go. I have about 2000 more 357 sigs, so that will last another month or so. I have around 3000 9mms maybe 2000 380 auto's, around 2000 45acp and maybe 2500 40 s&w's. I am totally shot out of 38 special, 357 magnum, and 10mm.

This gives me around 20,000 to maybe 25,000 pieces of brass to load on. Since the temp is currently 97 degrees, humidity is around 90%, it is time to start thinking about reloading again. My pregressive is inside and AC makes it really nice to work on.

If you are curious, I shot 15,492 rounds last year, and loaded 35,152 rounds last year. I am still taping down my excess from prior years and a big gift of a lot of brass.

Dave R · May 20, 2005, 05:36 PM

I must not have the bug very bad. I reload for 6 cartridges, and I only keep about 50-200 loaded rounds around, depending on how much I shoot that cartridge.

cgpro856 · May 20, 2005, 06:32 PM

I don't consider myself too much of a reloading nut, I just sit at the bench for an hour or so whenever I'm not doing anything else. I just checked my ammo closet and between 9mm, .38, .45, .223 and 12 Ga. I have about 7000 rounds ready to shoot.

Chris P.

caz223 · May 20, 2005, 06:33 PM

You have ammo because you reload, you don't reload because you're out of ammo.
If you do, there will be a time when there's optimal shooting conditions outside, you have spare time, and you're stuck in the basement.

mbott · May 21, 2005, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Does anyone else reload even when you have plenty of rounds already?

All the time now that I've upgraded from my Lyman turret press to the RL 550B. It's almost become another addiction ... kinda like my CZs.

--
Mike

StrikeEagle · May 26, 2005, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Does anyone else reload even when you have plenty of rounds already?

I sure do. I enjoy reloading for its own sake... it's an relaxing and engaging hobby all by itself.

beenthere · May 26, 2005, 07:08 PM

I haven't kept up for a couple of years and it has cut down on my shooting. I bought 200 cases for the 32 mag the other day. Of course I don't have a 32 mag but you never can tell. Gosh - Maybe I am a real bug.

moredes · May 26, 2005, 08:30 PM

Hmmm. Let's get the ball rolling....

A year ago, I was one busy mofo.... I had to go to the range for about 8 consecutive Saturdays and Sundays to shoot up about 4500 rounds of 12 ga. (trap) so I would only have to transport the empty hulls when I moved; I sure gave that Rem1100 a workout. I spent every Wednesday morning for 5 months blowing up 300-500 rounds of 45acp. I think I moved about 10,000 empty 45 acp cases. Broke my heart to shoot it up all at once. Sure I got better, and back in the groove, but it took me almost 3 years' of spare time to load all that up--casting bullets, lubing, reloading. I figure I had ~9,000 in 45acp, 4000 12ga, 750 in .308. I shot it all up so I wouldn't have to move it across 5 states.

I've only got ~1,000 rounds of 45acp loaded now, about 400 12ga, and maybe 300 .308. I start to replenish when I'm down to my last 1000 bullets in .308, 2500 in 45acp, and 8lb of powder for either. Makes me itch knowing there are no 'reserves'--I'm prey to market prices at that point, instead of having the time to find the good deals....so, yes, I reload even when I have ammo in storage.

May 19, 2005, 11:38 AM	#1
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	Do you reload even when you have ammo? My girlfriend makes fun of me by saying, "you in there AGAIN? You already have like 300 'bullets' made! Why do you need to make more?" Does anyone else reload even when you have plenty of rounds already? How many loaded cartridges do you have ay any given time? What is your personal record?

May 19, 2005, 11:57 AM	#3
Trapp Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: KTN Posts: 1,221	My wife is the same way. I try to load all my brass that I have as soon as I shoot it. Right now I have over 1k of .45acp which will soon disappear this weekend, 500 .44mag, and various rifle reloads. I have about 3 to 4k other store bought rounds (.223 & 7.62, etc..). __________________ HDR Ban!? It's a shame all of my guns sank with my boat last week... Time to catch up.....like mayonnaise

May 19, 2005, 01:31 PM	#6
Trapp Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: KTN Posts: 1,221	Ha, I know what you mean Edward. I have a few hundred .357mag and 38sp sitting around waiting for me to buy the kGP-161 at my local gunstore..... TJ, By next week they will all be gone. I am heading to Louisiana where my Bro has a place to shoot indescriminatly.....ahhh, life is sweet! Now I have to start collecting stuff to shoot. I am going to have plenty of video for the "What does the X do to Y?" questions. (X = bullet Y = item shot) __________________ HDR Ban!? It's a shame all of my guns sank with my boat last week... Time to catch up.....like mayonnaise

May 19, 2005, 02:04 PM	#7
renaissance7697 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2001 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 203	MY reloading Habits..... Need I be concerned ??? I reload SIX Pistol Calibers. I have a minimum of 20 (more in some calibers) plastic cartridge boxes for each caliber; color coded and appropriately sized. I keep the finished rounds boxed and stacked by caliber in an old fridge I stack the empties boxes sorted on an open shelf. A glance at the empties, tells me when I need to start reloading in any given caliber. Up until very recently, I reloaded on a RCBS PiggyBack. I had to set up the dies etc. all over again every time I switched calibers. Each time I switched calibers, I would run 50 or a 100, then take them out and "test them" to make sure all was right with the set up I had just created. If they passed the test I go back and reload with that proven setup till all my empty cartridge boxes in that caliber are full with fresh reloads. Before switching calibers on the Piggy, I would use the already proven setup in the Piggy, to fill up any empties in that caliber wether I was low in that caliber or not. I recently acquired a 650 and am in the process of setting up dedicated Toolheads for each caliber. I am not decided yet, how I will structure my reloading regimine now that I do NOT have to adjust the dies (dedicated tool heads). I suspect I may follow a plan similar to what I did with Piggy. Even though I can rely on my die settings, I still have to deal with the Caliber Conversion on the 650 (above and beyond the toolhead). I should NOT, however; have to "test" the reloads (50 - 100) before rolling into "production". BUT I probably will anyway........Anal ! ******************* Sometimes I wonder (and worry). 6000 plus rounds of handgun ammo in a suburban residence. Might I have to explain / "justify" that: to A Judge / Fire Dept / Insurance Co. some day ????? What about Bulk Powder Supplies ????....... Primers ??? "renaissance" needs to be reassured................ __________________ An Armed Society, Is a Polite Society.

May 19, 2005, 02:37 PM	#8
Trapp Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: KTN Posts: 1,221	I just thought of soemthing......I should get a progressive. It takes a bit of time on my old RCBS single stage to load 1k at a time........ __________________ HDR Ban!? It's a shame all of my guns sank with my boat last week... Time to catch up.....like mayonnaise

May 19, 2005, 11:41 AM	#2
hawk Member Join Date: May 16, 1999 Location: Fremont, NE Posts: 22	I probably have 1,000 rds loaded in 5 different calibers right now but I have about 3,000 cases sized, primed and flared standing by also.

May 19, 2005, 12:01 PM	#4
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	Wow, Trapp! 5000 rounds. That, my friend, is a lot.

May 19, 2005, 12:13 PM	#5
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Sure why not? I have between 3 & 4K rounds loaded right now and why wait until I'm out to load more? If I have enough of a given caliber to feel like I don't need to load anymore...then I look for a new experimental load to cap. When new loads are plentiful and it'd be stupid to continue that direction, sometimes I'll crank out some starting loads for a caliber that I don't even have a gun for but may in the future.

May 19, 2005, 03:02 PM	#9
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	Yipes, looks like 6000 rounds is the record so far. On a single-stage Lee, I doubt I will ever be a contender in this race!!!

May 19, 2005, 03:12 PM	#10
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	Somehow, I sense that this isn't over. The people that have 20,000 rounds in stock aren't going to respond. For instance, I prolly only have 2000 rounds loaded right now, and those are a mishmash of maybe 200 in each caliber plus odds and ends. I also have a case or two of ammo from my pre-loading days. I could crank out 6000 rounds in a weekend, but I only have a dillon 550b. So the people who have the most rounds in stock are the ones that are posting and say 'my friend has at least 30,000 rounds of just 9mm in stock!!". __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

May 19, 2005, 05:21 PM	#11
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Not nearly as often as I should. Since I've been shooting in an every-other-month submachine gun match, I can't seem to keep any .45 ACP loads on hand. I end up in a flurry of loading in the couple of dys before the match. I load mostly on a Dillon 550 but recently got a used Square Deal B back from reconditioning, set up in .38 Spl, so I've recently stocked up on light RNL practice loads. Not I NEED to load some +P level heavy practice and hunting loads, and then switch over and load a bunch of my favorite low-end .357 ammo. I probably am down to 200 .45 Colt and about 100 .44 Special. I gave Elder Son all my .44 Mag ammo along with my Super Blackhawk. I gave up handloading 9mm and .223 a few years ago. Factory practice ammo is too cheap to spend my time at the press. Best, Johnny

May 19, 2005, 05:59 PM	#12
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	Lets see 1600 .38HBWC,1400 .38 158SWC,300 .45 colt,500.45acp, 600 .357, 200 9MM, 10.000 of .22,400 Shotgun shells all LOADED about 15.000 different empty cases __________________ Russ5924

May 19, 2005, 06:16 PM	#13
maxwayne Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2001 Posts: 402	I like to keep approx 1k rounds is each caliber that I shoot. I try to load in the winter and shoot in the summer. Severaly years ago a fellow on rec.guns did a survey and found that the average guy said that he had 7k rounds on hand and the big boys had 10 times that amount,

May 19, 2005, 06:20 PM	#14
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	My minimum on hand for my pistol calibers is 1,000 rounds per gun. My "combat" rifles are at a minimum of 2,000 per gun. My "hunting" rifles have at least 500 rounds ready. This means I consider myself "out of ammo" at these levels. Sound excessive? 1. Surplus ammo is a lot cheaper in bulk. 2. On my dillon 650, 750 rds/hr is no biggie. 3. If I need it it's there. 4. If I end up in a financial crunch, I'll still be shooting. Will you? __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

May 19, 2005, 10:13 PM	#15
willsjeep Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2005 Posts: 180	Things You Can Never Have To Much Of: Love Fun Happiness Guns Ammo (Factory or Hand Loaded) (No real Order) Will

May 19, 2005, 11:44 PM	#16
yorec Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,328	I reload as long as I have compnents and time... Just so long as I don't run out when it's time to shoot! Current count? Don't know - when I do my .357 and .38 special loads I just dump them into 20 mm ammo cans - have two full of each - you'll have to estimate. Probably half that many .223 and .40 SW - shoot them too much to accumulate as badly. And a bunch of other calibers too. Yeah, an accountant I am not. __________________ What part of "... shall not be infringed..." don't you understand?

May 20, 2005, 04:24 PM	#17
Shooter 973 Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2001 Location: Home town of John M. Browning, Utah Posts: 499	Reload??? I reload when ever I have empty cases! Since I order cases in several different calibers, by the 1000, I always seem to have some mt's on hand. __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

May 20, 2005, 04:59 PM	#18
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	I tend to do it in blocks. Here in Houston, the summers are hot and the winters are nice, so I tend to shoot up the ammo in the winters and load a lot in the summers. For example, right now (today actually) I finished up my 10mm stock pile, so I have about 4000 pieces of brass ready to go. I have about 2000 more 357 sigs, so that will last another month or so. I have around 3000 9mms maybe 2000 380 auto's, around 2000 45acp and maybe 2500 40 s&w's. I am totally shot out of 38 special, 357 magnum, and 10mm. This gives me around 20,000 to maybe 25,000 pieces of brass to load on. Since the temp is currently 97 degrees, humidity is around 90%, it is time to start thinking about reloading again. My pregressive is inside and AC makes it really nice to work on. If you are curious, I shot 15,492 rounds last year, and loaded 35,152 rounds last year. I am still taping down my excess from prior years and a big gift of a lot of brass. __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

May 20, 2005, 05:36 PM	#19
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I must not have the bug very bad. I reload for 6 cartridges, and I only keep about 50-200 loaded rounds around, depending on how much I shoot that cartridge. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

May 20, 2005, 06:32 PM	#20
cgpro856 Junior Member Join Date: February 13, 2005 Posts: 14	I don't consider myself too much of a reloading nut, I just sit at the bench for an hour or so whenever I'm not doing anything else. I just checked my ammo closet and between 9mm, .38, .45, .223 and 12 Ga. I have about 7000 rounds ready to shoot. Chris P.

May 20, 2005, 06:33 PM	#21
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	You have ammo because you reload, you don't reload because you're out of ammo. If you do, there will be a time when there's optimal shooting conditions outside, you have spare time, and you're stuck in the basement. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

May 26, 2005, 07:08 PM	#24
beenthere Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2004 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 460	Reload I haven't kept up for a couple of years and it has cut down on my shooting. I bought 200 cases for the 32 mag the other day. Of course I don't have a 32 mag but you never can tell. Gosh - Maybe I am a real bug. __________________ The weak, and those unwilling to make the struggle, soon resign their liberties for the protection of powerful men or paid armies; they begin by being protected, they end by being subjected. Louis L'Amour

May 26, 2005, 08:30 PM	#25
moredes Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Posts: 325	Hmmm. Let's get the ball rolling.... A year ago, I was one busy mofo.... I had to go to the range for about 8 consecutive Saturdays and Sundays to shoot up about 4500 rounds of 12 ga. (trap) so I would only have to transport the empty hulls when I moved; I sure gave that Rem1100 a workout. I spent every Wednesday morning for 5 months blowing up 300-500 rounds of 45acp. I think I moved about 10,000 empty 45 acp cases. Broke my heart to shoot it up all at once. Sure I got better, and back in the groove, but it took me almost 3 years' of spare time to load all that up--casting bullets, lubing, reloading. I figure I had ~9,000 in 45acp, 4000 12ga, 750 in .308. I shot it all up so I wouldn't have to move it across 5 states. I've only got ~1,000 rounds of 45acp loaded now, about 400 12ga, and maybe 300 .308. I start to replenish when I'm down to my last 1000 bullets in .308, 2500 in 45acp, and 8lb of powder for either. Makes me itch knowing there are no 'reserves'--I'm prey to market prices at that point, instead of having the time to find the good deals....so, yes, I reload even when I have ammo in storage.

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