How Much Reloaded Ammo Do You Keep On Hand?

If Im gone,reloads are already paid for,so why worry. My wife will be set when the time comes. I have several good friends who will make sure she gets proper for firearms, ammo ,equipment ,components etc. Plan ahead and don't sweat it MHO

I usually keep enough for a few range trips like most seem to. I'll second the check with local LE, we would routinely get boxes of old ammo from people to dispose of. Worst case we'd just have our EOD guys detonate them.

Depending on the cartridge, I usually load in 1K lots... primarily .45ACP and .41MAG. I don't load a lot of rifle, only 200-400rds of any one cartridge (5.56mm, .30-30, .348WCF, 45-70, some .308) I have loading data in each box... mostly so I know what's in there. For me, anyway, the people who are going to get my firearms in the event of my untimely death, already shoot my handloads in my guns, or their guns, so it's not really a big deal. In any event, if no one is around when I expire, I won't really care... because I'm dead, and I don't really do anything with an eye on what's going to happen if I die. If I had my druthers... every damned piece of brass I have would be loaded!

As far as the OP, I'm not really sure why there is a conflict... you mentioned disposal, you sure aren't going to get any money if you turn it in for disposal, so in that case I would probably just let someone who wants it for the components have it... you are no worse off.

I see several posts saying they store a thousand of more rounds of ammo for day cartridge they shoot. I would not have the room to store a thousand of more rounds for each cartridge I shoot, I just shoot too many different cartridges.

When I plan a range trip I decide what I want to shoot that day and load what I need before I go, with a little extra just in case... I do have several hundred of what I shoot most but no large stores of reloads.

With state government limits on the number of loose primers and powder you may have on hand, one strategy is to to a lot of reloading. So far no limit to the number of rounds you can have on hand.

santacruzdave said:

With state government limits on the number of loose primers and powder you may have on hand, one strategy is to to a lot of reloading. So far no limit to the number of rounds you can have on hand.

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What states limit the number of primers and powders you can have?
I’m guessing California as that’s in your sig.

As far as I know, thankfully Va doesn’t have such stupidity (yet)

George P said:

And yet a lot of folks buy those "remanufactured" ammo at gun shows all the time. I think it comes down to this - if you knew the person, and whether he was methodical and kept good notes about everything, buying and shooting them is probably not a big deal.

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A couple of my shooting buddies also reload. I know them well enough that I won't shoot their reloads. Because of this it would be hard for me to trust a complete strangers reloads. But I do have another shooting buddy that I know well that I have no problems shooting his reloads and would have no problem buying his stash off him.

There are people that are as careful as I am or even more so.... and others that are not. Knowing the person who reloaded the ammo makes all the difference in my comfort with the ammo.

"How Much Reloaded Ammo Do You Keep On Hand?"

Lots and lots. My wife says "Too much!"

Hokie_PhD said:

What states limit the number of primers and powders you can have?
I’m guessing California as that’s in your sig.

As far as I know, thankfully Va doesn’t have such stupidity (yet)

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I have been under the impression that 50# in the 1” wood cabinet was some sort of federal limit, but maybe not. I’m guessing that’s just a guideline.
I do know many cities, counties and some states have lower maximums. Google shows a lot of 20# limits.

I bet someone knows the exact answer.

It depends on the purpose for the ammo. A thousand rounds is a fair amount for shooting on a regular basis, with more components on hand because buying in bulk is more economical. But for a purpose like civil defense or disaster preparedness, one might have a lot more on hand. I wouldn't balk if someone had 10k rounds of rifle ammo in 30 round magazines. If they stored rounds for a purpose like that in addition to shooting extensively for competition, 50k, even 100k might be reasonable. I imagine at that point they'd want some sponsors though. I can also see keeping many thousands of rounds of something like .223 or 9mm for bartering if the economy and currency collapsed. It's more practical than junk silver or gold.

ArchAngelCD said:

I see several posts saying they store a thousand of more rounds of ammo for day cartridge they shoot. I would not have the room to store a thousand of more rounds for each cartridge I shoot, I just shoot too many different cartridges.

When I plan a range trip I decide what I want to shoot that day and load what I need before I go, with a little extra just in case... I do have several hundred of what I shoot most but no large stores of reloads.

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A thousand rounds of most pistol ammo will fit in the larger typical ammo can - and those can stack nicely. Since changing over to load something different is always a bit of a PITA, I like to load in batches. Once I have found "the load" for a particular cartridge (or gun), I'll run 1000 at a time. Now shotgun, OTOH, I'll reload that every time I sit down at the machine.

santacruzdave said:

With state government limits on the number of loose primers and powder you may have on hand, one strategy is to to a lot of reloading. So far no limit to the number of rounds you can have on hand.

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I do not know of any state government limits, however there are certain National Fire Code rules that are SUPPOSED to be followed when exceeding certain limits of powder, etc. (like a wooden powder magazine, etc.)

I only keep a hundred rounds or so of most calibers, but that's because my shooting habits are to shoot 50-100 rounds through a given gun at a range trip and then I always have time make more before the next trip. Mostly I stay light because with several calibers, I haven't settled on that "one" load yet.

George P said:

A thousand rounds of most pistol ammo will fit in the larger typical ammo can - and those can stack nicely. Since changing over to load something different is always a bit of a PITA, I like to load in batches. Once I have found "the load" for a particular cartridge (or gun), I'll run 1000 at a time. Now shotgun, OTOH, I'll reload that every time I sit down at the machine.

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Yea I don’t even count mine by the round. Count it by the “Ammo can full” I’m not even good at tracking how many primers I used. I prefer the 30 cal can. They don’t stack as good as 50’s, but they are a descent weight and hold more than I can blow in a shooting session. I think about 700 45acp fit in a 30 cal can. No telling how many 9mm, I’m guessing near 1500. I put rifle rounds back in these jewelry boxes the wife has surplus of then pack the boxes in the cans. So I only fit about 330 308’s and twice that many 5.56. 300 blk is the only other thing I load much of anymore I pretty well just fill some mags when I need some, due to buying a ton of brass that was supposed to be ready to load and turned out not to be. So I have to trim and chamfer it and told myself I was gonna get it all in shape and “once fired” before I just load it all. Will take a long time at the current rate of use.

Anything else is custom load for my dad and brothers. 50/100 at a time. I setup the equipment and let them pull the handle.

Oh I forgot the point. Yea ammo cans stack really well and you just throw a desiccant pack in them and store em in a constant temp place and your grandkids can use it up if you don’t.

For the loads that I use for Steel Challenge, USPSA and/or ICORE but mostly Steel Challenge I like to keep a running 1 month supply of loaded ammo on hand. Sometimes I get a bit low as in this weekend I needed to make up 700 rounds and still need more. So I determine how much I need for the upcoming 4 weeks and add some for practice and aim for that number. It's a monster that I feed.

For every thing else a couple hundred rounds is all I keep.

I like to keep 1k each of 9mm and 45acp loaded. I always have components on hand to load 2-3k of both calibers.

I have ammo cans. I fill them up (or get close if I’m having to open a new box of bullets or primers, I stop at that point). One can for each caliber. The only thing that actually stays full though is .357 because I’m not shooting 357 right now. Soon though, once I get a second grip frame that works on my single action.

Patocazador said:

"How Much Reloaded Ammo Do You Keep On Hand?"

Lots and lots. My wife says "Too much!"

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My wife says there is not enough. She is threatening to buy me a progressive so I can keep up with her needs

I think she is a keeper

RMH said:

My wife says there is not enough. She is threatening to buy me a progressive so I can keep up with her needs

I think she is a keeper

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Indeed!

I keep .30 cal cans full of reloads in the calibers I shoot. I’ve always wanted to keep enough on hand for a weekend of shooting without worrying about running short.

Stay safe!

I have the capability, and firearms to shoot the ammunition, to reload 30 plus cartridges. In actually, I probably only actively shoot less than 10 of those so the inactive cartridges have only a box to a couple hundred rounds stored away.

In the active cartridges...

45 ACP, 9x19, and 38 Special wadcutters, I in batches of 1500 to 2000 and shoot them over time until the supply is exhausted. This mostly because I have a favorite load for each and have no plans on changing it.

Other active handgun cartridges, the numbers are fewer, 200-500 rounds or so. These cartridges may have changes as time goes by.

Except for my prairie dog adventures ammunition, I generally have less than 200 or so rounds for each rifle except 30-06 and the Garand. I bought a bunch of surplus ammunition several years ago. I know, not reloads.

As I get ready for a prairie dog hunt, I'll load up 500-800 rounds depending on how much is left over from the last adventure.

Probably just as important, I have several guns chambered in wildcat ammunition. I have the equipment to make the cases so that equipment needs to go with the gun so the next owner can enjoy the gun.

When I'm gone, it's not my problem. I know, bad attitude. There are lots of reloading components to dispose of as well.

Depends on the type of firearm.

I attend an informal handgun competition a couple times a month. Usually use .45 ACP, .38 Special and occasionally .45 AR or .44 Special. I normally like to keep one or two months of 'practice' ammo ahead. (Practice ammo being ammo which shoots like the full power stuff, but has round nose ammo.)

For the few hunting rifles, I try to keep close to fifty loaded rounds of the load I have developed. Additionally, some 'practice' ammo with cheaper bullets on hand to keep in the game.

Home and self defense guns I have several boxes of defensive ammo (some reloaded, some store bought) available.

Components? Yeah. I have components. Speaking of which, most 'limits' on powder and primers are from the fire codes, not the penal codes. Not all jurisdictions have the codes enacted, and they are 'advised'. If over a certain amount of 'stuff', certain storage conditions are specified. Most make sense and are not of punitive nature. PDSR Cal? One must NOT assume rationality in any event.

Wife buys me the 2000 bags of Hornady 55gr. Spire point 223's, so I load 2000 at time, for that. Last time I was at the range, I brought out an ammo can full to the top, with 44 mags, to shoot in my Super Redhawk, and the guy next to me, shuck his head in disbelief, saying he has never seen that many 44's before. I told him reloading is his friend, LOL. He agreed. I try to keep a 30 ammo can or three, ahead, for each caliber, unless I am trying a new powder, or got a new caliber, and haven't decided on the perfect load yet. I don't worry about any leftovers, when I am gone, as both my wife, and my son, shoots.

slow1rder asked:
Finding that balance that I have enough on hand...

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I have components on hand for roughly 12,000 rounds. I bought this prior to my retirement when my income was going to significantly decline.

Of this, I have about 100-150 rounds on hand for 25 ACP, 38 Special, 45 ACP, and 5.7mm Johnson. I have about 70 rounds assembled from current comments along with what remains (about half) of the 2,000 rounds of 223/5.56 that I assembled in 1982/1983.

In short, the components have value. Assembled, reloaded rounds are effectively worthless unless the buyer has absolute trust in the quality of work done by the now-deceased reloader.

I try to keep at least an ammo can for each gun as each gun has its own preferred load. I load for 6 9mm’s, a 38, a 357, 223, & a 45. Each can has complete load info like which primer, bullet, powder & charge, and oal marked and which gun it is for.