Some musings about ammo and such

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mugsie

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I was sitting in my basement earlier today and looking at my reloading bench, specifically at the amount of ammunition I have, and began to wonder.
I have a variety of guns, from Black powder, to revolvers, pistols, and several rifles in different calibers. I reload for most everything except the 22LR or the .380, otherwise it's reloaded.

So I'm wondering - why so much ammo stockpiled. Obviously I reload more than I shoot. I have several hundred rounds of numerous calibers on hand, including 22LR. So why do this? Why not reload as I need it? Why not buy a few hundred 22LR, establish some arbitrary "don't go below" number and buy only when I reach that number? In fact, why so many calibers? Why not pick two rifles - the .223 and .308 will get any job done and ammunition is readily available. Same thing on pistols - 9mm and 45 - yup, that'll get 'er done too.

I'm sure I'm not alone on this journey, so what do all of you think? Why multiple guns (other than why not which is a very valid reason but I'm not going to let you off that easy) and why so much ammo?

Comments?

Mods - if you want to move this to the reloading section - that's ok. If you want to move it to the "what the hell is he talking about?" section - that's ok too. (I'll just go do some more reloading!) :D
 
My thoughts:

-Because reloading's fun, and firearms are beautiful examples of mechanical ingenuity.

-Because ammo, components, and weapons will never be cheaper.

-Because ammo, components, and weapons may be subject to further unconstitutional regulation, and I have a family that I'd like to provide the tools of self-defense for, for at least the next generation.
 
I don't think anyone here will tell you that you have too much.

And, at a certain point that's up to you to determine it's all right to put energy into other hobbies as well.
 
Because you can, and because you enjoy it. It allows you to enjoy your firearms hobby at home without burning powder. Switching to different calibers is nothing more than spreading out and trying new things. Do you need to, not really, as you stated, the .308 and .223 will cover about everything hunting, and the 9 and the 45 will cover about everything pistol shooting related. Where's the diversity in that. People like to mix it up, I'g gather that's all you're really doing.

I used to snowboard, A LOT. But when I ran the same resort too often, it became kinda boring even though it is my favorite winter activity. I visited new resorts and found new fervor for my favorite thing to do in the snow. The exploration of new ground reinvigorated my fervor. Same with getting a new caliber, something new, different even along the same lines, is exciting.
 
Jeepmor - you nailed it. Because we enjoy it is the real reason, and yes, I also agree, we can never have too much ammo.

I think everyone is correct - there's no real right answer since it's all up to the individual. If we enjoy it then we should pursue it. Different calibers - you betcha - they're all fun.
 
I'm sure I'm not alone on this journey, so what do all of you think? Why multiple guns (other than why not which is a very valid reason but I'm not going to let you off that easy) and why so much ammo?
Click to expand...

Because you have placed emotional significance to "stuff".
 
mugsie said:
So I'm wondering - why so much ammo stockpiled...I have several hundred rounds of numerous calibers on hand, including 22LR.
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I propose that you don't have so much ammo stockpiled. Maybe enough to take a gun in that cartridge to the range once or twice.
 
The only time you can have too much ammo, is if your house is on fire and you have to move it all in a hurry.
 
I look at it this way. It's relaxing and enjoyable to reload, this way I have ammo ready to go to the range. And most of all my children don't reload. This is my way of keeping them shooting if there's any left when l'm gone.
 
Odd post on a gun forum. No offense meant. Several hundred for each caliber is hardly enough to get many through a month or two of shooting. You got yourself into reloading for a reason. I keep a lot more than that on hand so I can shoot as much as I want to, whenever I want. Reloading is a separate hobby. Unless it's causing a financial burden, keep at it. I've NEVER heard anyone I know say they were concerned they had too much ammo loaded and ready. Unless you know you'll never have a need for it, ammo inventory is a huge plus!
 
The only time you can have too much ammo, is if your house is on fire and you have to move it all in a hurry.
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You can also have too much if you are drowning.

Ask any WWII Vet that jumped off a landing craft on Omaha beech and survived!

rc
 
Because you are smart and anti-gun politicians are constantly scheming and thinking of ways to deprive us of ammo. The 2A precludes them from disarming us but many politicians feel that the 2A doesn't cover ammo, even though we know it does. If had the money, I would stockpile a lifetime supply of every caliber I shoot, a few hundred thousand rounds of each. Anything I can do to take the supposed power that the government holds over my life as a free man is a step in the right direction. Without ammo, guns are pretty boring. You are doing the right thing, continue to build up. I wish all people of the gun had as much foresight.
 
I have ridiculous amounts of ammo and I still slowly add to the stockpile. I've been doing it for decades and do it for three reasons:

First, I handload for a couple rifles that have "pet" loads. I buy factory stuff, shoot it in other rifles, then reload the brass for them.

Secondly, I don't want to choose between groceries or range trips when I'm 70-something and on a fixed income and ammo has gone up who knows how much between now and then. I'd rather buy it now when I can make extra cash working overtime and have more options for limiting expenses

Thirdly, I am hedging against availability. I don't want to be caught with my pants figuratively down if (when?) there is another ammo shortage.

I've pared it down to .22 rimfire, .223, .308, 12gauge, .45ACP and .50 muzzleloader. Multiple examples of each, some requiring a different load than another similar.

As for the "why multiple guns" question, there really is an answer. For some it's because I can or just want to. For me, it's purpose. I have two different .50 caliber muzzleloaders, for example. One is a 1:66 twist for roundball, which is required in Pennsylvania. The other is a 1:48 that shoots a 220 grain conical. A .223 varmint gun and a HD carbine, both AR types. I'm sure somebody out there has a .308 deer rifle and a FAL.
 
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Overall, reloaded ammunition is more useful than components sitting on the shelf.

From a hazard point of view, completed ammunition is much safer than separate components such as propellant or primers.
 
We reload for economy.

How many components is based on individual circumstances.

As we watch the Primary elections and see the possibility of the Republican Party ripping in half many of us also know that the next panic is likely only a just a few short months away.
 
I have quite a bit of factory ammo on hand, pretty much all mainstream calibers and literally a ton of .22LR. Don't have to reload but I do it mostly for the economical standpoint, because it gives me something enjoyable to do during the winter months, and for the pure satisfaction of tailoring a specific load for it's best performance in my guns.
 
I enjoy reloading and shooting. I think I'm obsessive compulsive because when I see good brass left at the range, I think, "I can fix that", so I gather it up and reload it. I don't really need any more but I can't stand to see it laying there broken.
 
In fact, why so many calibers? Why not pick two rifles - the .223 and .308 will get any job done and ammunition is readily available. Same thing on pistols - 9mm and 45 - yup, that'll get 'er done too.
Click to expand...

I don't reload any more but I have always kept my caliber variety to a minimum.

My shotguns are 12 and 20
My rifles are .22, 30-30 and 5.56
My handguns are .22, 9mm and 38/357

That covers just about anything I want to do and I don't have to stock 32 different calibers like one of my friends does. I like simple!
 
Yes I have more ammo than I can shoot in years and years at the rate I am shooting. BUT I enjoy the reloading process and when I need some therapy I head to the reloading bench.

May times I open my cabinet of ammo and reloading supplies thinking that I would like to reload something. Then I look at the ammo that I have on the shelf and there is no more room on them. Then I think that I might load some to store around the house and open up some closets and there is a couple hundred loaded rounds of them most popular calibers in there.

I still have stuff that I reloaded in 1980 but still reload for 38s and 357s.

I am addicted to reloading and buying reloading supplies but I will NEVER be caught short on ammo or supplies again.

AND IT IS FUN
 
I reload 26 handgun calibers and .223. I have roughly 500 rounds of each caliber ready to go. There's enough supplies probably for the rest of my life, I'm 66 now. I do this because my income will drop greatly when I retire and I can afford this stuff now.

It's great fun. The dozens of firearms I have will hold at least a fair portion of their value, there are no duds in my collection (unless you are gonna get me on the Glocks), but the vintage Smiths, FA's, etc will hold good worth.

It's a fun hobby, and as a BK amputee I spend a lot of time sitting. Firearms, reloading supplies, and so on aren't likely to get cheaper or easier to find.
 
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