Some of the more common methods I am aware of:
1) Round Count: Simply that, just by the numbers, this is how many hundred/thousand I have, without much of a context besides more is better. Sometimes this is a lack of forethought or organization, but it could simply be a matter of sporadic and unpredictable usage or calibers/cartridges that don't get regular use.
2) Typical Usage: How long will it last? Some people use this method. They know approximately how many rounds they shoot per month, or per year, and they measure their ammo as "I have a 6 months supply at regular usage rates". Obviously works better with a somewhat consistent/steady rate of use.
3) System View: Your firearms won't likely wear out or break until X number of additional rounds through them, you look at what % of X you have.
The first two seem to be the primary methods by which people measure their ammunition storage, but 3) seems to make sense as I think about it, especially with the way the political climate and guns/ammo market go. I find myself trying very hard not to buy the great deals I currently see on firearms, magazines, parts, optics, etc, because I started to think about it this way...
...if I only have 10% as many rounds as my current firearms can handle before I need to acquire something else (takes spare parts I already possess into account), why should I spend any of my budget on another firearm (assuming it doesn't truly fill a need, but more of a want or a luxury) when the best "marginal benefit" to my future shooting/training/practice is in more ammo?
Just thinking out loud. What do you think?
Edit: Oh yes, reloading. If you have the knowledge/books, equipment, and consumable components (primers, powder, projectiles be they ready made or lead you can use), as well as enough brass to eventually get through the components, I would for the purposes of my line of reasoning above count it basically the same (but not quite) as loaded ammo.
1) Round Count: Simply that, just by the numbers, this is how many hundred/thousand I have, without much of a context besides more is better. Sometimes this is a lack of forethought or organization, but it could simply be a matter of sporadic and unpredictable usage or calibers/cartridges that don't get regular use.
2) Typical Usage: How long will it last? Some people use this method. They know approximately how many rounds they shoot per month, or per year, and they measure their ammo as "I have a 6 months supply at regular usage rates". Obviously works better with a somewhat consistent/steady rate of use.
3) System View: Your firearms won't likely wear out or break until X number of additional rounds through them, you look at what % of X you have.
The first two seem to be the primary methods by which people measure their ammunition storage, but 3) seems to make sense as I think about it, especially with the way the political climate and guns/ammo market go. I find myself trying very hard not to buy the great deals I currently see on firearms, magazines, parts, optics, etc, because I started to think about it this way...
...if I only have 10% as many rounds as my current firearms can handle before I need to acquire something else (takes spare parts I already possess into account), why should I spend any of my budget on another firearm (assuming it doesn't truly fill a need, but more of a want or a luxury) when the best "marginal benefit" to my future shooting/training/practice is in more ammo?
Just thinking out loud. What do you think?
Edit: Oh yes, reloading. If you have the knowledge/books, equipment, and consumable components (primers, powder, projectiles be they ready made or lead you can use), as well as enough brass to eventually get through the components, I would for the purposes of my line of reasoning above count it basically the same (but not quite) as loaded ammo.
