Are you stock piling reloading components, ammo, or both?

[sota]

I would like to hear more from people about what they're doing to preserve their materials (in the case of reloading) so that degradation isn't an issue. It does no good to have a stash/cache that is "rotten" by the time you get to using it, and i'm speaking specifically of powder.

 

[Toprudder]

I would like to hear more from people about what they're doing to preserve their materials (in the case of reloading) so that degradation isn't an issue. It does no good to have a stash/cache that is "rotten" by the time you get to using it, and i'm speaking specifically of powder.

I keep all my powders in climate a controlled area. Humidity is kept between 40% and 60%, temp always 55°-75°.

 

[GBExpat]

... I know many reload to get ammo that is more consistent than factory, but with the prices I'm seeing for even .45 ACP I'm thinking of stocking up on ammo while it's so cheap. ...

That sounds very wise to me.

I completed the bulk of my milsurp ammunition stockpiling about a decade ago.

With ~75lbs of propellant and tens of thousands of bullets/primers/cases I figure that I can weather a long drought of same.

Fresh commercial ammo I pickup, usually a minimum of 1k at a time, when the to-my-door-pricing (like now) is good and the urge strikes me.

 

[glc24]

Like Toprudder, my reloading room (used to be my model railroading room) which is in the basement, is always good to go! Whether now, in the winter, or in the summer the room humidity never goes above 60, and the temp is a constant 70!

 

[LiveLife]

In the last 27+ years, I have spent well over $120,000 on shooting and reloading expenses (Wife just won't accept my argument that I have saved her over $150,000 compared to factory ammunition But since we have an agreement that she can spend double what I spend on my hobbies, it's all good. ).

With historic low prices in decades, I spent around $10,000 in 2017 stocking up on components and 22LR (copper plated RN/HP only as I shoot them in my ARs with CMMG 22LR conversion bolts). In 2018, I spent around $8,000 stocking up on components as prices are still good and I anticipate they will rise in coming years (Just look at the mess in Washington DC).

Believe me, we had so many "component shortage" threads the past decades, I tell everyone to stock up now while prices are good and inventory is plentiful. I have enough 22LR copper RN/HP to sustain a protracted full-on battle with any size soda can/2 Liter bottle army for decades. (Wait until my friends' grandkids find out what I have been stocking up for them ... Heh Heh Heh )

Memories ... I wish I had bought more Wolf primers when they were $14/1000. I wish I had bought more S&B primers when they were $20/1000. I wish I had bought more Alliant Promo when it was $79/8 lbs. Thank God for RMR and Jake for supplying us FMJ/JHP bullets better than lead/coated lead bullet prices on his specials and sales!

So put away money each month and/or take your 2018 tax refund and stock up on things that are likely to go up in price like primers. BTW, Natchez is having primers for sale right now til 1/11/19 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...and-free-hazmat-or-10-off-til-1-11-19.846034/

 

[Jack B.]

Converted a spare bedroom into my reloading room. Every thing is like what glc24 says he has.

 

[Chuck R.]

I would like to hear more from people about what they're doing to preserve their materials (in the case of reloading) so that degradation isn't an issue. It does no good to have a stash/cache that is "rotten" by the time you get to using it, and i'm speaking specifically of powder.

Mine all sits in my gun/safe room, behind a vault door, which is on it's own HVAC zone and has a dehumidifier.

I don't stockpile per-se, but I do keep components on hand to keep my practice/matches routine going. Last week 3K in 9mm bullets arrived and when the weathers decent that's about 1 1/2 months worth.

 

[P5 Guy]

This has reminded me I need more bullets.

 

[blue32]

I was recently gifted 1,800 primers from a dead man's stockpile. Most are Federal 150 and CCI 550 from what looks like 1980s packaging. Not too long ago I was gifted 1,500 230 gr 45 auto bullets from another dead man's stockpile. I figure if there are enough of you older guys stacking it deep I really don't need to spend my own money. You may get my social security but I'll get your components.

 

[brewer12345]

I wasn't bothering buying factory ammo for most things since I reload and cast, but lately it is so cheap I have started buying again.

 

[sota]

If posts elsewhere are from reliable source(s), my concern isn't our (collective) storage of powder, but the chemistry of the powder itself. It seems the latter has a far greater chance of causing issues in the future.

 

[Random 8]

What 2008 did was get me to streamline my logistics. I now stock fewer powders, having limited myself to more versatile options across the cartridges I load, and bullets in larger quantities. I tend to avoid the latest Wunderkind powders and bullets, sticking rather to old standby's that held up to the shortage better last time. IMR 4064 and the 150 Speer Hot Core are among my stash. They are types that are generally easier to obtain in shortages. I do stock larger quantities than I used to also.

I have never been a large consumer of factory ammo, other than military surplus. Despite the current cost savings on some factory loads, I can simply create better ammunition than base plinking fodder for a similar price, and superior ammunition to premium loadings at significant cost savings. I do not count my time, as reloading for me is a hobby unto itself, and is done in spare time that would be otherwise wasted on TV or internet forums.

 

[bbqreloader]

I built a nice supply of components and continue to gather for any shortage that may occur. The only thing I have been concentrating on is 22lr for the kids. Don't have what some people have stockpiled for 22 but trying
I wish I had some time back to stock up on S&B primers when they were cheap and available but it is what it is now.
I have my basics that I need for rounds that work, so anything else is just experimenting with a new bullet or a lb of powder just to try out.
I got started reloading during the last shortage and don't plan on getting caught short handed during a next possible drought.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've got several thousand rounds of factory HP ammo on hand. So I've been focusing on primers and powder. When I hit the level I'm comfortable with I'm going to try and maintain it and then focus on a bullet hoard.

 

[cfullgraf]

I'm still working on inventory purchased before and during the shortages of the past decades. For a variety of reasons, I have not been shooting as much as I would like. Too many projects. Not enough time.

I doubt that I will be investing on new reloading stuff much these days.

 

[plodder]

I have actually been trying to work down some of my stash. A recent inventory revealed over 50,000 primers, 108 lbs. of powder, 25,000+ rounds of loaded 9mm, .38spl, .357mag, 45ACP, .223, 300BLK, 30.06 and a few other assorted calibers, plus about 40,000 rds. of .22LR. I go through a lot of 9mm and .22LR because I have machine guns that eat those, but I have more than a lifetime supply of most rifle caliber supplies unless I get that rifle caliber upper for my MAC.

 

[HDMontana]

I need to buy more bullets, since I don't cast. I did an inventory and have a good supply of primers and powder. The bullets needed to use all of that up will cost me a good chunk of change. Did get an order placed with RMR yesterday for the special on .45 seconds and some .308 seconds. Now I need more 9mm.

 

[Walkalong]

You may get my social security but I'll get your components.

Only if my kids sell them to you.

 

[kcofohio]

I don't look at it as stock piling. Maybe a revolving account with a savings option.

What I don't spend (shoot), gets put into the savings account. You know, like saving for a rainy day.

But to the OP, reloading components.

 

[jmorris]

I’ve been doing that for decades, in a side out rotate method. Some stuff I don’t use as much anymore (I still have some components from before Clinton’s AWB) but it has always been stored properly and still works fine.

I am not the guy that waits until everything gets stupid expensive to buy though, that’s when I sell stuff. After Obama’s re-election and sandy hook I sold a Dillon 650 for over $1800, had a 1050, 3 weeks later, one of the best “trades” I have made.

 

[brewer12345]

I am not the guy that waits until everything gets stupid expensive to buy though, that’s when I sell stuff. After Obama’s re-election and sandy hook I sold a Dillon 650 for over $1800, had a 1050, 3 weeks later, one of the best “trades” I have made.

Yeah, I suppose if prices get stupid again I could be tempted to let some 22 go. Easy enough for me to switch to shooting 38/9MM Mak instead as I have plenty of components and I cast.

 

[FROGO207]

I always buy what I have the spare funds for when I see a good sale. These days it is mainly .22/.22MAG ammo and all types of primers. I keep enough ahead for what I presently plan to reload/shoot for the next 5-6 years. I consider it as a hedge against inflation more than hoarding anyway. I am presently using up primers that I purchased for $12 per K. I only keep enough ammo reloaded in advance for the next anticipated range trip. The rest is kept in component form. I do however have manyK of brass cleaned and processed to the point that all I need to do is insert primer, powder, and crimp in the bullet to end up with a finished round.

 

[Charlie98]

I don't stockpile, per se, but I like to maintain a certain amount of inventory of both factory ammos and reloading components. I hate setting up to load something and finding I only have 200 bullets, or a dab of powder left. I also like to buy things in quantity to save money. I'm replacing all my 1# powder cans with 8#'ers, and when I break into a new box of bullets, I put it on my grocery list to order another ASAP.

 

[Bartojc]

Not really stocking up. Every time I think I'm building up a little supply I end up shooting more. Compared to what I shot last year I should have enough powder and primers for 1-2 years for 9MM. I typically order bullets 2-3 thousand at a time 3 or 4 times a year.

My shooting tripled last year. If it triples this year I won't have the supply I think I do I pick up what I can when I see a sale or free hazmat.

-Jeff

 

[Riomouse911]

I have on hand a lot more than I'll use in a year for every caliber I own...but I'm always on the lookout for decent prices so I keep adding at least as fast as I'm subtracting...

Stay safe!