stocking reloads?

[Axis II]

I'm starting to get this reloading thing down and would like to stock up on loaded ammo because I'm finding my time to do this less and less.

I shoot about 50-100 v max rounds a year for sight in and woodchuck and coyote hunting.

Who knows how much target ammo (rifle and pistol) now that I'm in a gun club.

I hunt with a 44mag and 45-70 so wouldn't need a lot of ammo for them.

what do you guys do? I would like to have say 300 V max, 1k 223 target, 2k 9mm, maybe 100-200 44mag and 45-70 and just stash them.

if its a rainy day reload more until I hit my goal.

also wondering how to store them, if I make up say 1k 223 I don't want to buy all those holders to hold 1k so would putting them in an ammo can loose be okay?

 

[Reloadron]

When I load I store my loaded ammunition in Plastic Ammo Boxes but you can also buy cardboard or a host of others. The link shows a good variety available from Midway but just about any shooter supply sells them. The plastic ammo boxes then get placed in standard metal ammo cans, I like metal GI but again plastic is available. Walmart had the metal cans cheap.

Yes, you can also just bulk pack them in a can. For example toss 1,000 .223 Remington in an ammo can. Just make sure you keep your load data with the cartridges. Just don't be drop kicking the cans around.

Ron

 

[SARuger]

I hunt with my Super Blackhawk .44mag and I shoot it weekly. It will only make me a better shot. If it was me I would practice with your hunting guns more.

As far as storage, the plastic ammo boxes work for me. I like Berry's boxes and I put a index card in the box with all of the load data; bullet size/make/type/part #, powder type/grains, O.A.L. and case make/how many times fired.

 

[FROGO207]

To save room I store my reloaded ammo in quart Zip-Loc FREEZER bags. I put a set amount in each with the load data on a strip of paper. Then I put those into a USGI surplus ammo can. That will keep different loads grouped together and take up less space in the ammo can. Do not use regular baggies as they will split and the ammo will fall out and possibly ignite if struck just so.

I also reload ahead somewhat. I keep what I plan on shooting for the next month or so made up ahead at a minimum. Usually I reload in the winter and shoot in the warmer months. BUT I do not go crazy and reload 50K 9mm just because I have the components to do it either. I keep a fluid stock of available components (five years of planned use minimum on hand) to insulate me from supply shortages/price bubbles that always seem to happen. Then reload what I used up last range trip as I can find time. You never know if a firearm will break or otherwise not be usable or you sell it and to have a bunch of ammo loaded up and not be able to use those primers/propellant in a different caliber is not good reloading practice to me. Others just reload everything until they are out of supplies though. A decision only you can make about the way you reload. Do stock up on the primers and propellants you will use a lot of though. Both for the event of shortages and a hedge against inflation. I have been happy to be sitting on a moderate supply when the last two shortages have happened.

PS: I went from shooting .22 LR to 38 SPL in handgun practice because I could reload it cheaper than buying the .22 ammo. You just never know how things will develop.

 

[JohnMc]

For me, it depends on what the loads are and intended use.
The precision stuff goes in the individual cell, flip-up lid containers, slip top types or even into factory boxes with Styrofoam.
The plinking stuff goes into ammo cans or whatever. I've used Rubbermaid Takealongs (the screw caps are nice), Chinese restaurant soup containers, Ziploc bags, etc.
This type of "packaging" isn't drastically different from the Wally World White box ammo. FWIW, Georgia Arms stuff is sold in heat sealed bags as well, even including their match stuff. They are basically commercial reloaders of high quality.

 

[Walkalong]

I load a couple hundred at a time of some things, 500, 1000, or more of others.

 

[cfullgraf]

I package ammunition in quantities suitable for a shooting session, usually 50 rounds per container. Sometimes it is in plastic ammo boxes, sometimes in zip lock bags. Containers are appropriately labeled with what is in the container, cartridge, date, powder charger, bullet, etc.

Then, the ammunition gets stored in a military metal ammunition box. I mostly use 50 cal. boxes, but have some 30 cal for smaller cartridges or cartridges that I do not keep much inventory on had.

 

[myg30]

Ammo cans either steel or plastic which ever is handy at the time. Silica gel pack and load data Lable with the date. I Seperate loads in zip lok bags just In case there is any trouble when firing them, I have that load sessions separated. ( bad batch primers, mistakes ? )

Be safe, Mike

 

[lightman]

My bulk ammo is stored loose in 50 cal ammo cans. My match and hunting ammo is stored in the plastic MTM boxes. In 50's or 100's. I put labels on the plastic boxes with the load data and date and notes in the ammo cans.

 

[rcmodel]

Zip lock freezer bags in GI ammo cans for me.

rc

 

[ljnowell]

I spend a lot of time at Olin/Winchester handgun facility so I get the opportunity to snag lots of boxes and trays. I just pack mine in that and put them on an ammo shelf in my closet.


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[Hondo 60]

I use MTM, Cabela's & Berry's 50 rd boxes, but that's just me.
Some people use ex-military ammo cans that hold a thousand rds or more.

Some of my .223 ammo is 2-3 years old.
They fire just the same as ammo made yesterday.

 

[X-Ring]

I would not stock anything until you are sure it is the round that you will be happy with for a long time. Over the years I have stocked a lot of good ammo, but now have developed better loads. So now I am constantly going through the old stuff and shooting it, just to get rid of it.

 

[tcj]

I use a lot of plastic ammo cans/field boxes vs metal due to weight. Also, by using smaller cans I can load each up with a full run from reloading and label the can.

I use the plastic ammo boxes (i.e. MTM) for rounds that I take to the range as I have problems lifting/moving a full ammo can.

FWIW - I usually reload 500-1,000 rounds at a time and like to have at least 500 rounds of every caliber I shoot ready so that I can go to the range with whatever firearm I prefer whether to compete, practice or just have some fun. Typical range session if I'm by myself is about 250-300 rounds. If my son is with me closer to 500-600 rounds.

The only exception is that I only keep a hundred or so rounds of 30 cal (308, 30.06) loaded as I don't shoot those that much.

 

[CraigC]

All the handloaded ammo I think I'm gonna stockpile ends up getting shot up.

 

[dragon813gt]

Ammo cans. The government was kind enough to do all the R&D for me. I use MTM boxes for load development and hunting rounds.

 

[RPegram]

Ammo cans, zip lock bags, ammo storage boxes, old factory ammo boxes with the styrofoam holder, you name it, I'll use it. Rarely have less than 1,000 9mm and 223 ready to go bang and around 500 or so 38 special and 357 mag.

 

[mahansm]

Lately I've started using the ammo boxes from Harbor Freight. Plastic, a little smaller than the USGI .30 cal can, but priced right at about $5 with the coupon. They aren't too heavy to move around, have a nice carry handle on them, and stack well.
The only complaint I've got is that labels don't stick to the textured plastic finish.

 

[Fire_Moose]

My plinking 9mm goes into the plastic Barry's box that bullets come in. SD and proven loads get kept in factory packing repurposed from the range trash cans. All labeled of course.

Those numbers sound good as a stock but I would prolly go thru about all that in a year, I'd have what you listed as my "lets hope I never use this" stash.

 

[medalguy]

Quantity really depends on the intended use as some have suggested. For my revolvers, I keep maybe 2,000 rounds of .38 Special; for my hunting rifles maybe 100 rounds, for my 1911 varieties I keep around 4,000 rounds loaded. All this is stored in GI .50 cal cans.

However for my fun guns (full automatic) I keep a heck of a lot more. Two weeks ago we went to a machine gun shoot in Colorado, and for my 1919A4 shot up a tad over 7,000 rounds of 7.62 in 2 days. The M14 ate about 2,000 rounds.

Time to get reloading again.

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

I use factory ammo boxes scrounged at the range. I print out a label with information on the caliber/bullet/powder/load/etc. and handwrite the date loaded. Keeps them protected, grouped in convenient quantities, and identified (and by the date, I can go back to my reloading notes if anything unusual happens, like my unfortunate experience with 700-X in .38 Special leading to pulling several hundred bullets). I keep most of my loaded ammo in a steel cabinet with some in ammo boxes (but still in the factory boxes). Just something about loose ammo in a bag or box...

 

[Ks5shooter]

I use these

http://www.opticsplanet.com/s/mtm-zombie-ammo-can


When they are on sale you can get them from Midwayusa or opticsplanet for $8.50 free shipping. They have an o-ring seal and I have one can that has 2000 9mm loaded and the can and handle are fine.

 

[BSA1]

I am a "coffee can" reloader. I use plastic (Folgers) cans (containers). They are free and the lid snaps well protecting the contents. I usually load all of my fired brass in the winter.

Fired brass goes into a can, then into the tumber for cleaning, then back into the can. If using the Lee Pro 1000 then to the case feeder then the loaded rounds into another coffee can.

If using my RCBS Rockchucker, deprime and tossed in another can. Hand primed and back into the 1st can. Flair the case mouths and tossed into 2nd can. (I charge the cases with powder in batches of 50 cases with a loading block. Finished rounds go into a empty can, a card with load data is tossed inside and the lid is snapped on.

From experience I know about how many cartridges I have in a can. When I go shooting semi-autos I preload all of the magazines and any extra rounds in 50 round plastic ammo boxes. A piece of tape on the lid identifies the contents so it is not necessary to open it when looking for the right ones.

 

[kcofohio]

I use factory ammo boxes scrounged at the range. I print out a label with information on the caliber/bullet/powder/load/etc. and handwrite the date loaded. Keeps them protected, grouped in convenient quantities, and identified (and by the date, I can go back to my reloading notes if anything unusual happens, like my unfortunate experience with 700-X in .38 Special leading to pulling several hundred bullets). I keep most of my loaded ammo in a steel cabinet with some in ammo boxes (but still in the factory boxes). Just something about loose ammo in a bag or box...

When I first started reloading, I did just that. If there was decent looking empty box and trays on the top of the trash barrel. I still have many of them. Plus, now I have accumulated many MTM ammo boxes.

Lately, I have been buying these sets.
http://www.amazon.com/MTM-ACC223-Combo-Holds-Rounds/dp/B00I8NJMM8/ref=pd_sim_200_12?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Xgha99ntL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1Y7R54GWEV4HRC54NQM9
http://www.amazon.com/MTM-ACC223-Combo-Holds-Rounds/dp/B00I8NJMM8/ref=pd_sim_200_12?ie=UTF8&dpID=41Xgha99ntL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1Y7R54GWEV4HRC54NQM9
http://www.amazon.com/MTM-ACC45-Combo-Holds-Rounds/dp/B00I8NJM5K/ref=pd_sim_200_26?ie=UTF8&dpID=41DMdvT81iL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1Y7R54GWEV4HRC54NQM9

 

[BSA1]

I use these

http://www.opticsplanet.com/s/mtm-zombie-ammo-can


When they are on sale you can get them from Midwayusa or opticsplanet for $8.50 free shipping. They have an o-ring seal and I have one can that has 2000 9mm loaded and the can and handle are fine.

Don't drop it when walking on stairs. It doesn't hold up well when it hits the bottom of the staircase.