when to is too much too much?

[Reloadron]

when do you call it quits and stick with one thing?

Good question, been working at it since '72. I will let you know when and if I get there.

you guys think I'm getting too ahead of myself?

No, it's just the learning curve at work.

This last shortage had really no effect on me. Whenever I am out and see a good deal on loaded ammunition or components I buy. It's not about want or need. Retired with little responsibility and financially my wife and I do well. I buy more than I load and shoot. I would imagine everyone has their limits. I likely have enough 22 LR to take me to the grave. You set your limits based on what your pocketbook dictates. Keep in mind, the supply of ammunition and components is very fragile.

Last winter I cleaned a bunch of brass. I haven't a clue how much brass I have let alone a caliber breakdown. Since winters suck here is not much else to do, the indoor range is OK but I like outdoors and rifle.

Ron

 

[westy39]

Well I believe you have brought up a normal question for a new handloader. I have been handloading for only about 3 years. I don't go for hot loads, I follow the instructions in my reloading manual, and I just try to have fun. I have found a couple of loads that I use just for my S&W 642 snubbie. I don't worry too much about having enough powder, bullets, or brass. There are a few (about 400) pieces of brass that I have loaded more than 6 times and they are good to go for many more loads, but again I don't load the ammo for that gun hot. I suggest you ask many more questions from the sage members of this forum and consult one of your soon to be many reloading manuals and just enjoy. I would also suggest you consult your reloading manuals and buy powder as well as bullets for various loads. I will have to say for me reloading is an experience to be enjoyed and taken slowly to be safe.

 

[Hardtarget]

I'm always behind the curve on the supply side. I loaded all the 55gr fmj I had for .223 this week. Looking to fix that soon. You have to look at your shooting schedule, what you like to shoot and what it takes to keep it going. Its part of the fun. There is not a "stopping point". You'll never have enough.

Mark

 

[Fatdaddy]

When you're hoarding supplies just keep in mind how much your widow will sell them for one day.....

 

[thomas15]

When I first started handloading a friend showed me his powder supply. He had two (8 pound) canisters or Clays and one (8 pound canister) of Titegroup, plus a few one pounders of assorted powders, about 30 pounds total. I though wow this is more powder than I would ever use in a lifetime.

Today I consider that amount of powder to be way too little. My motto is "see powder, buy powder". Of course I don't buy it every time I see it, supplies are much easier to locate these days but still have some in the bunker for a rainy day.

 

[iagbarrb]

Reloading.
Once you start.... I belive that too much is too much when you will not finish shooting what you have while still alive.

 

[cfullgraf]

With the happenings of the last eight years and the potential for the next eight years, do not expect the local or on-line retailers to keep your reloading supplies in inventory for you.

I like to keep about a year or so worth of supplies on hand. Does a good job of getting over the dry spells and I do not have to pay excessive prices.

Mark Twain is reported to have said, "To much of anything is too much but too much whiskey is just enough." I like that for reloading as well.

 

[evtSmtx]

If I were you, and I "was you in reloading terms" not too long ago I'd

a) consult with people you know and respect personally about what works well for them in the calibers you care about

b) order a pound of several different powders(or what you can find at your LGS) and do small test series in order to classify them into 1amnILikeThat(power pistol & be-86 for autos, H110 for magnums), 2:works ok (cfe pistol, hp-38), 3: kind of a pain to use but if I cant find anything else I'll use it(titegroup)

c) buy at least 8#(LGS or internet sellers that let you buy a bunch with only one hazmat fee) of 2 or 3 powders. If you store it properly, it wont go bad and with an election coming I think there will be shortages.

d) order more of the stuff you really like when your stock dips below X pounds. X will tend to rise over time if you're like a lot of us

e) oh yeah, buy enough primers to light off the powder you bought. Primers and powders get scarce first

 

[evtSmtx]

" a years supply on hand" - ya, dat be a minimum, uff da!

 

[chrisgo]

I had to move my ammo to the garage because my reloading room floor was sagging. Well over 1500 pounds!

 

[HeinyO]

Too much???

My answer is always the same. "I have enough when I don't want anymore."