stocking up on 9mm ammo now or wait? what's your guess?
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Jlr2267
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sgammo seems to have a good selection, good price, and very reasonable shipping. I rarely buy elsewhere.
rodregier
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Just to drift the thread a little bit...
If you are reloader - having at least 2 years of your consumption
ahead on components is a smart move. It reduces your exposure to temporary
movements in pricing and availability, typically driven by events beyond your control.
If you are reloader - having at least 2 years of your consumption
ahead on components is a smart move. It reduces your exposure to temporary
movements in pricing and availability, typically driven by events beyond your control.
I asked earlier and didn't see an answer...how many primers, max, is a person supposed to have stored at their residence?
The base of MY argument for the value of factory ammunition in cartridges as extremely economical as 9x19 is time saved.
The base of MY argument for the value of factory ammunition in cartridges as extremely economical as 9x19 is time saved.
BSA1
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I suspected you were leaving out the cost of the brass. What do you figure the life of your brass is? Maybe 10 reloadings? My biggest problem is losing brass in grass.
Your math pretty much matches mine. I don’t figure the cost of press, powder measure, dies and scale as with proper care they will last a lifetime (actually several lifetimes).
Reloading is the best way to go. Are Berry’s plated bullets? I don’t have any experience with plated bullets. What do you use for powder data?
I shoot 98% cast lead bullets for about the same cost. Actually I could cut the cost down to very little if I want to cast my own. I just need to order a set of bullet molds. I have a lot of lead and bullet sizer from long ago deals. I rather let someone else deal with melting dirty scrap lead. My excuse is my scrap lead is for when supply of bullets disappears.
BSA1
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Yep. It is a buyers market for 9mm brass. .05 cents a case for once fired is on the high side. .03 - .035 cents per 1,000 is common on the Internet.
WVsig
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State law governs the amount of small arms primers that may be stored in a residence so the exact number can differ from state to state depending on the code. Most, if not all, states have adopted the fire code recommended by the National Fire Protection Association. The NFPA code is not a federal law but is insteada a recommendation that most jurisdictions adopt as part of their state fire code.
The SAAMI document on primer storage references the "RECOMMENDATIONS ON STORAGE AND HANDLING Issued by the National Fire Protection Association" which says this:
11-5.4 No more than 10,000 small arms primers may be
stored in residences.
11-5.5 No more than 10,000 small arms primers may be
displayed in commercial establishments.
Some believe that this applies to loose primers still in their packaging as well as primers in loaded ammo. In the end it will differ by state. The other major concern is to talk with your insurance carrier and make sure that they do not have a limit or exclusion in your coverage that could cause them to reject a claim. The danger from the primers and powder can also be mitigated by storing primers in their original packaging in a powder magazine constructed of wood. These rules are rarely if ever enforced. I cannot find a single innocent where a Fire Marshall came into a home to site someone for this offense.
The general consensus is that the "limit" for powder is 50#.
The SAAMI document on primer storage references the "RECOMMENDATIONS ON STORAGE AND HANDLING Issued by the National Fire Protection Association" which says this:
11-5.4 No more than 10,000 small arms primers may be
stored in residences.
11-5.5 No more than 10,000 small arms primers may be
displayed in commercial establishments.
Some believe that this applies to loose primers still in their packaging as well as primers in loaded ammo. In the end it will differ by state. The other major concern is to talk with your insurance carrier and make sure that they do not have a limit or exclusion in your coverage that could cause them to reject a claim. The danger from the primers and powder can also be mitigated by storing primers in their original packaging in a powder magazine constructed of wood. These rules are rarely if ever enforced. I cannot find a single innocent where a Fire Marshall came into a home to site someone for this offense.
The general consensus is that the "limit" for powder is 50#.
WVsig
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Depending on what your time is worth and depending on your goals. If you are looking to shoot the most consistent accurate ammo you can buying factory will never achieve that goal. The consistency and the customization needed to maximize the load does not exist from factory ammo.
If you are looking for the cheapest thing that goes bang and sends a bullet downrange then yes you have an argument. Your MO on the subject gets really old because you do not consider any other point of view or consideration outside of your take on ammo.
You put a value on time. Other people are putting a value on quality and consistency which is not achievable in factory ammo. Their time is worth that extra performance so they are willing to put in the time. You clearly are not. You never compare apples to apples you compare apples to pineapples.
I am not one who believes that I save a ton of money reloading. I believe I get better ammo and by buying components smart I am able to ride out 18-24 months of shooting when I take into consideration components on hand and reloaded and factory ammo. The best way to protect yourself from the price swings in the market is to have options. Reloading gives you that. Even if I don't touch my equipment for 6 months I can ramp up and make ammo today for 2014 or earlier prices.
If and when loaded ammo prices drop and they are cheap I can buy factory ammo and still have my components on the shelf waiting for the prices to rise.
The same can be done with loaded ammo but if that is all you have if prices rise for a long enough time if you have not stacked it deep you should be out of luck. There is a lot of value in having flexibility.
BSA1
member
Thank you for the data.
Reloading never saves money overall.
I believe it leads to more shooting.For me reloading allows me to allocate my shooting budget more wisely. Reloading my own target and practice ammo is much cheaper than buying factory "white box" fmj. I use the savings to buy premium factory self-defense stuff. I watch for sales at a Cabelas not too far away and save even more of it.
Jlr2267
Member
That's the time to stock up. You're already too late if there's a shortage evident.
I always say more is better when it comes to ammo. I would think at least 5,000 rounds of your main rifle/pistol caliber is a good realistic goal. (Personally 50,000 rounds of each is the goal but YMMV).
Definitely buy by the case. Some websites are better on shipping than others.
Definitely buy by the case. Some websites are better on shipping than others.
ColoradoShooter77
Member
My brass was free since I bought a case of factory ammo for my brass supply. I'm usually able to recover 90% of them on every range outing.
I use the on-line Hodgdon data for CFE-Pistol and 124 grain Berry's bullet, I'm loading 5.2 grains at 1.150".
Berry's isn't the best plated bullet around, but they serve my purpose very well, just target blasting ammo.
If you catch the Cabela's sales with free shipping, you can get a very good deal on them.
I use the on-line Hodgdon data for CFE-Pistol and 124 grain Berry's bullet, I'm loading 5.2 grains at 1.150".
Berry's isn't the best plated bullet around, but they serve my purpose very well, just target blasting ammo.
If you catch the Cabela's sales with free shipping, you can get a very good deal on them.
ColoradoShooter77
Member
A couple years ago, during the last big panic, there were very few shooters out in the Natl Forest.
Since I had a stockpile of reloads on hand, it didn't really affect me and I was able to continue my normal shooting regimen.
Since I had a stockpile of reloads on hand, it didn't really affect me and I was able to continue my normal shooting regimen.
That's one of my annoyances about reloading and stocking up on components.
10,000 total primers isn't really all that many, and is definitely a limiting factor. I was pretty sure on the 10,000 number.
I haven't ever seen anybody think it applies to loaded ammo lol.
Jlr2267
Member
Every business that sells primers in my area has waaayyyy more than 10k on display, lol. More like 100k+...not even counting the ammo! Folks I know who reload typically have more than 10k primers...maybe 10k per type (sp, lp, sr, lr, etc)
WVsig
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Have you ever heard of anyone being fined or charged with having more than 10,000 primers in their home. If properly stored it's a non-issue if there was a fire if they're in a proper container it's not going to make a difference they would just burn up like everything else. I don't really see it being an obstacle. There are many other household items that are a more dangerous accelerant then primers and powder.
BearBrimstone
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I consider it the time to buy any time I find a sale in which I give less than $10 a box for factory brass 9mm including shipping.
I understand a lot of people break laws and break codes and don't mind recommending it to other people, but I'd rather not. Would hate to, say, have a house fire and have insurance get a freebie because I was in violation of this or that with storing too many powder or primers.
I like to play it safe (and by the rules/laws).
It's annoying but it is what it is.
And yes I have 10,000 primers.
I like to play it safe (and by the rules/laws).
It's annoying but it is what it is.
And yes I have 10,000 primers.
WVsig
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Just ask your home insurance company. I did. You also assume incorrectly that all localities follow or have adopted the NFPA code which is not the case. In the end people are free to do as they choose. I have not "recommend" that anyone break laws or codes. What I have stated is that I believe it is a non-issue and more of a logical red herring when it comes to considering buying factory 9mm or reloading.
Speedo66
Member
Your answer is kind of ironic. You couldn't find or didn't have .22 ammo because you didn't stock up when you were able to.
If I walk into a store that sells ammo, if it's a decent price I'll buy a box or two. Although I didn't buy any when the prices were high, I was able to sell thousands of rounds of .22 at then market prices because I still had thousands of rounds left. Some of which, as I previously noted, were purchased at Dick's years ago for $8.99 per brick of 500. I was able to buy another gun with the proceeds.
Ammo is one of the few commodities that will almost never go bad, so there's no reason not to stock up if your budget allows it. Lots of things are capable of decimating the available ammo supply, as we've seen. Why not be prepared to wait them out?
rubicon923
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My goal is to accumulate 10 years or so worth of ammo. I used to say a lifetime supply, but that could mean storing ammo for decades which may not be wise.
Of course, if you shoot a lot, 10 years worth of ammo could be expensive.
I have several thousand rounds of Winchester White Box target ammo. If I had it to do over again, I would probably buy better quality ammo like Speer Lawman.
Of course, if you shoot a lot, 10 years worth of ammo could be expensive.
I have several thousand rounds of Winchester White Box target ammo. If I had it to do over again, I would probably buy better quality ammo like Speer Lawman.
Try TargetSportUSA -- sorta slow but shipping is free in 1000rd lots.. cci blazer brass 124gr is 230$ for 1000. Haven't found any consistently cheaper w/shipping for brass cases. If you like AE Federal 147 - it's only .01$ more per round.
I don't shoot steel or plastic. I like MassAmmo Sasquatch reloads -- 199$ or so a 1000 w/12$ shipping, but they haven't been available lately.
I don't shoot steel or plastic. I like MassAmmo Sasquatch reloads -- 199$ or so a 1000 w/12$ shipping, but they haven't been available lately.
SGAmmo regularly has Speer Lawman at $226/1,000 shipped. 115gr and 124gr
Right around that price is as good as it has been for quite awhile for good quality 9mm Luger FMJ
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