Storing ammo vs. reloading as needed

[mdi]

I reload because I like to. I'm fortunate enough that I might be able to afford purchasing most of my ammo, so it ain't money that drives me to reload. Sometimes (actually many times) I just reload some ammo up whether I need to or not, and don't consider an inventory level for "just in case". I enjoy the whole process from inspecting fired brass to boxing up my reloads. Being that I have more reloading time than shooting time I usually wind up with a goodly supply of loaded ammo and always have ammo for "what if" handy. Some of my "less popular" loads date back several years (I have some jacketed .44 Magnum ammo from '96 that is just so-so, but too good to pull).

Sometimes I don't know if I reload so I can shoot, or shoot so I can reload...

 

[Reloadron]

For the past several months, I have been on a serious weight loss program. In the evenings, if I am sitting around watching tv I really get the urge to eat. I have learned that if I am at my reloading bench, my focus is such that I easily block out any cravings for food & snacks. As a result, I have lost about 50 lbs, and have enough reloaded ammo to hold off most third world armies.

Back in May I finally after about 50 years quit smoking. I haven't smoked but I went from 180 to just over 200 pounds. I just seem to sub food stuff for cigarettes. I figure I'll deal with the weight gain once this smoking thing is behind me. This sucks!

Ron

 

[splattergun]

All my loading is done in common calibers. I keep several hundred rounds loaded pn hand as well as thousands, as components on hand.

 

[splattergun]

Back in May I finally after about 50 years quit smoking. I haven't smoked but I went from 180 to just over 200 pounds. I just seem to sub food stuff for cigarettes. I figure I'll deal with the weight gain once this smoking thing is behind me. This sucks!

Ron

Congratulations! I smoked over 30 years before quitting 14 years ago.

 

[Jeff H]

Back in May I finally after about 50 years quit smoking. I haven't smoked but I went from 180 to just over 200 pounds. I just seem to sub food stuff for cigarettes. I figure I'll deal with the weight gain once this smoking thing is behind me. This sucks!

Ron

It happens. You'll loose the weight. Just go on walks and stay active. You be better of in the long run. I quit 6 years ago. Best thing I've done in years.



On topic, I like to keep 1000+ in 9mm, 45, 28spl and 223. Is I shoot up my supply, I usually reload 500 at a time (that is the quantity of bullets in a box)
Other calibers that I don't shoot in high volume like 30-06 or 7.62x54R, I keep a couple hundred loaded and have a couple hundred extra brass.

 

[mstreddy]

For me, I reload my common calibers in quantity and stack them up. So, I'll run a batch or 3 of 9MM, then switch to 38 Spcl, 45 ACP, etc. I stack in my ammo cabinet and that's what I use up as I go shooting. Once I see that I'm running low it's time for another batch.
I generally load 100-300 rounds per session for the pistol calibers.
Since I shoot (mostly handguns) nearly every week, I like to ensure I have ammo on hand.
For rifle, my most common round is 223, and I'll load 400-1000 rounds, stick them in an ammo can and use it up as I hit the range.
For my other rifle calibers, I load up 20-50 as I need to for planned outings.