what would you do?

[Axis II]

Need some advice. I have a 223 I use for varmint hunting and the occasional get bored and hit the range which is maybe once a week or 2 times a month. right now I have about 2-3k primers for that and 2k primers for handgun but I'm also reloading a 44mag and 45-70 for hunting purposes only. right now I have enough to load about 50 44mag rounds which will get me through this year and the next with hunting a practicing mixed in and don't have components for 45-70 yet but it will be the same maybe 20 shots fired a year.

Do you buy say 1k primers for your hunting guns or just a couple hundred to get you by for a year or 2?

I'm thinking the 2-3k 223 primers will last me about 3 years maybe a little longer so would you say good with that or buy more?

right now handgun is what will eat up most my components.

 

[splattergun]

I would keep nothing less than 1000 rounds of any component on hand. If the Wicked Witch of the East wins the election, you'll have trouble finding anything. Remember, she would be there at least 4 years, maybe 8 years. And the Supreme Court Justices she installs will make decisions that impact decades.
A block of 1000 primers is only $35. Hold a few pounds of powder at $25. If you need to trade it for something else, you can. Plan ahead.

 

[Axis II]

The plan for the handgun and the 223 was buy 8lbs jugs of it cause that's what gets shot the most. I guess your right its only $35 for primers. I'm thinking of hammering the stuff that's going to get shot the most first and if I cant find stuff for the 44-45-70 ill just wait.

 

[splattergun]

get 4 years' worth, or more.

 

[witchhunter]

Buy what you can afford. It will not get any cheaper and it won't go bad if you take care of it. This comes from a guy that has ten boxes of each size baggies!

 

[cfullgraf]

get 4 years' worth, or more.

I might do just a couple years worth of components, but four years might be prudent in these times of unsettling politics.

If left as components, primers and powders can be used in multiple applications so that gives some flexibility. You can replenish ammunition that is shot and you do not tie up components in loaded ammunition that you are not shooting at the current time.

Bullets are a bit more specific to the caliber of the cartridge but if you have several guns/cartridges that use the same caliber bullets, you have some flexibility there.

 

[thomas15]

The plan for the handgun and the 223 was buy 8lbs jugs of it cause that's what gets shot the most. I guess your right its only $35 for primers. I'm thinking of hammering the stuff that's going to get shot the most first and if I cant find stuff for the 44-45-70 ill just wait.

You absolutely want to prioritize things just don't forget the small details. I have a lever action Marlin 336 in 35 Remington and I really need to get some stuff for it pronto. But I hardly ever shoot it so my main issues are for 9mm and 38 special pistol.