Stocked Up

High Desert Hunter

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With this last delivery of brass from Midway USA, I should be set for the 375 Ruger for a few years, I now have 400 rounds of brass, of which 350 is unopened, 900 jacketed projectiles plus a 350gr bullet mold, 10# of powder, and more than enough primers. I will be able to practice and hunt with this rifle for a little while without the fear of running my supplies dry. I long for the days when I didn't really feel the need to stock up in such a manner, when I could just make a trip to my local gun store and buy just what I needed. Hope we can get back to that someday.
 
Congrats to you on your stockpile! It gives you a warm fuzzy feeling to know you are self-sufficient for ammo production.

Here is how I look at my situation, using your stocks as an example.

400 cases = 2,000 rounds of ammo, assuming 5 loadings per case (this is just a swag average to use for bottle-necked rifle cases, ymmv).

So for the 375, you need of course 2,000 bullets and 2,000 primers, and 23 pounds of powder (assuming all full-power loads). I have been using the 375 myself for about 25 years off an on, and have only loaded about 1,200 rounds, so this would be a lifetime supply for me, for that cartridge! I currently have 800 jacketed .375 bullets, plus a mold. So at my age, I am probably set.

BUT - you also have the wildcard....a bullet mold! So your bullet needs can be reduced, replaced with lead alloy needs (and gas checks, if you use them; and bullet lube). You also need a way to size the bullets if they are not tumble lube type bullets. And your overall powder needs are reduced, but you need a second powder such as RE7 or SR4759 for the mid-range cast loads.

You might also need to up the primer/powder stash now, as careful cast bullet loading can extend the life of your brass (careless cast bullet loading will reduce the life of your brass, through excessive flaring of the case mouths to accept the cast bullets without shaving the lead).

Good on you for working toward self-sufficiency in ammo. The last 6 years should be teaching everyone (in America at least) that the "good old days" may be a distant memory only!

Tim
 
Oh, and here is a real-world example of how the mind has been changed by the last years....

My son, wife and I have had range sessions two weekends in a row. Combined, we shot about 400 rounds of 45 ACP and 40 S&W.

I just replaced those 400 bullets with 1,000 (currently oversupplied on powder, primers and cases, if that is possible)

My motto right now is "Shoot one, replace it with at least two". :)
 
I shoot on Sunday and spend a few days during the week to clean Brass ,Remove and Replace Primers Load on Saturday and Back out on Sunday. I loaded about 400 rds, this week a bit of a work out on a single stage press
 
For my pistols, I shoot lead almost exclusively, have molds for all, so I'm god there. I have stocked up well on primers for pretty much everything. So far with the 375 Ruger, I have 10-12 reloads on the cases, I have yet to have any splits, or case head separations, I do only neck size. I currently have about 500 cast bullets for the 375, and 2000 gas checks. I have found with the cast, Unique or 2400 works really well, for a little more speed I use IMR4198. I am afraid that things will never return to the way they were, even if the prices are higher, I think shortages are the name of the game. I was taking to a powder distributor, apparently they can no longer ship powder in casks, it has to be shipped in individually marked canisters, so 1# or 8# marked canisters due to new rules from the ATF. I just pray I will be able to afford to keep shooting and hunting.
 
Can you Americans please please please stop buying up all the stock so that we can get some shipped to South Africa :) We have a tremendous shortage on many types of cases, bullets and rounds.
 
We need all the Ammunition we can get ,,When our Society Collapses Bullets will be the New Money
 
We need all the Ammunition we can get ,,When our Society Collapses Bullets will be the New Money

I am getting as much of the three Ls (LLL) as I can. Land, Lead, LORD. Not necessarily in that order. :)
 

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Shot me email if Beretta 28 ga DU is available
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Pancho wrote on Safari Dave's profile.
Enjoyed reading your post again. Believe this is the 3rd time. I am scheduled to hunt w/ Legadema in Sep. Really looking forward to it.
check out our Buff hunt deal!
Because of some clients having to move their dates I have 2 prime time slots open if anyone is interested to do a hunt
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dogcat1 wrote on skydiver386's profile.
I would be interested in it if you pass. Please send me the info on the gun shop if you do not buy it. I have the needed ammo and brass.
Thanks,
Ross
 
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