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Pretty much what sax said, I have full boxes in different jackets and calibers, and a few full magazines, but I try not to have loose rounds, I actually sucked up one in the vaccum cleaner once!
I don't reload (yet), but I save my cases for when I do start in the future. I do have a rough idea of how many bullets I have on hand, and I also keep a rough count of empty cases. But the empties are counted as raw materials, not as a finished product.
When I do start reloading I will probably keep a separate total. Something like:
'x' rounds, 9mm practice
'y' rounds, 9mm defense
'z' rounds equivalent, 9mm primers, powder, bullets, and empty cases (only require putting together)
'zz' rounds equivalent, 9mm primers, powder and bullets (will re-use cases from above)
Until they are ready to fire, the quantities in 'z' and 'zz' should not be in the same category as 'x' or 'y'. For one, it will take time to assemble, for another, you might use the same powder and primers for a different caliber.
But you should definitely keep track of how much of each you have, if nothing more than to keep your inventory from getting out of balance. Several hundred pounds of powder is useless if you only have a few dozen primers.
It'll never "balance", and counting it all gets really old, really fast if you're reloading - it's not hard to acquire mass-quantities of components, just to reduce shipping costs -I.E. -124 grain 9mm projectiles come in a box of 3,750 (flat rate box) prolly want a couple boxes, right? and you probably shoot & reload for more than one caliber... Powder & primers have a hazmat fee per shipment of about $27 (might be a little off on that), so it doesn't make sense to order one box of primers and one pound of powder..
9mm brass is best "counted" by the pound or the bucket / barrel / dumpster full.. that's how the army sells it off.. don't pay much for 9mm brass, the ammo crunch is over for now..
Well it used to be easy. I picked up 2000 rounds of 9mm 115 and 125 gr copper jacket for 110 bucks a while back but after SH every one thinks they have silver bullion. I see people trying to get 75 bucks for 500 brass 223 empties on Craigslist. I go to a lot of flea markets and see old Lil ralcle riders trying to pimp 10 bucks a box for the same Tula 7.62 they buy at walmart. Then they get mad if someone says they can pick it up at walmart for 5.24 a box. I have not checked to see if reloading has come back into supply yet. I suspect that most re-loader's will be stocking up for a time yet. I don't count my unloaded ammo in my tally either. I keep a hidden excel list of what I have or as close as I can. I know its off some but gives me a close idea. I also don't count what I buy for shooting in the next bit, or have reloaded to shoot in the next bit. I just got another box of 22lr Blazer and will not add it in as I will keep it for plinking.
If you are able to keep an accurate count, you probably don't have enough.
I agree and disagree at the same time. I disagree because one of the reasons I keep a count is to help me prioritize ammo purchases. That is the reality I live in: a constrained budget. I can't always buy everything I want when I want it, so I have to pick and choose. Having an idea of the health of my inventory of one type vs another helps me decide what to buy and when.
I agree because I firmly understand the general thrust of what you're getting at. A good friend of mine always says, "There's no such thing as enough .556!" I agree. I don't think I'll ever "lose count" of how much I have because my brain is just not wired that way. But I do get what you're saying.
I don't reload. I do keep my brass and recycle it along with scrap copper from work. I wouldn't count it with my ammo count because its technically not ammo.
I don't reload. I do keep my brass and recycle it along with scrap copper from work. I wouldn't count it with my ammo count because its technically not ammo.
i wouldnt turn in your brass for metal value - especially if it's a favored caliber for reloaders (45, 38/357, big stuff like .500 s&w, fn ammo or any rifle round) lots of reloaders will buy brass or swap xx brass for xx rounds of loaded ammo - especially if its known to be fired only once. most commercial brass sellers sell range pick-ups which are mixed headstamps & unknown number of reloads.. 9mm & 40 are usually easy to find, but still sell to reloaders for more than metal value.
I reload, but brass that is clean and intact is valued to other reloaders .
Even caliburs of spent brass, I don't have guns for are ready for barter.
The only brass not worth holding is rimfire shells.
I'd have to be a multi-millionaire to buy the amounts of a factory ammo that I enjoy shooting. I have gotten to the point where I pay kids to "mine" the dirt berms for my lead, and cast the bullets, tho. I size and lube with the Star progressive machine while I keep an eye on how the casting is going. I just totally hate the idea that eventually, 9mm is going to cost me more than 8c a shot. :-)
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