What's an adequate supply of brass?

[1Shirt]

Was asked that question, and for me this is what I came up with:
For rifles in 224 & 6MM, that I would use for p-dogs and varm, think that 300 cases would be minimum for each rifle I shoot. 500 would be better.

For my Milsurps, all 30 cals, I think 200 would be minimum, 300 better.

For my heavy rifles 375H&H, 444, and 45-70, 100 would be minimum, 150 would be better.

For my auto hand guns 300 minimum, 500 better.

For my revolvers 500 minimum, 750-1000 better.

I am not much of a handgunner, but enjoy shooting them. If I were a match shooter, I am sure that my quantities would increase drastically. However, I am a varmint shooter, a hunter, and a paper shooter. Probably shoot between 3000+ roounds a year. (Down from what I used to shoot when I was much younger.

Will be interested in the responses and comments!
1Shirt!

[1Shirt]

Correction on Milsurps, forgot my Sweds in 6.5.
1Shirt!

[dverna]

Current approximate inventory
5.56 - 4000 cases
.30/30 - 500 cases
.308 - 2000 cases
.300 Mag - 200 cases
9mm - 5000 cases
.38 - 2000 cases
.40 - 5000 cases
.45 - 2000 cases
28 ga - 500 hulls
20 ga - 1000 hulls
12 ga - 12,000 hulls

I do not hunt except for a bit of upland game but want to be able to if need be. I believe in being prepared for whatever happens. Shortages, new laws, SHTF. I do shoot a bit of ATA trap - 15,000 rounds a year until this year.

Don Verna

[Cherokee]

Being somewhat OCD, I would consider anything less than 1,000 for something I shoot a shortfall in supply. At my age, I suspect much of my brass supply will never be used by me

[Hickory]

When I go out to shoot prairie dogs, I generally take 1500 rounds per gun, 3 gun minimum.

Why the big guns? Do you feel like punishing yourself?

Handgun ammo, I take 18 shot shells and 12 solids.

[RobS]

I get by is how it works for brass but don't over use it. I don't shoot a ton but rather for fun and hardly ever shoot more than 200 at a time and more normal if at 50 to 100. Average a year I get out once every two weeks. So for rifle bolt action 200-300, then for my autos 500-750 and the revolvers 500 or so.

[shooter93]

16.7 million rounds might be adequate.

[mac60]

1Shirt - The quantities you laid out are reasonable to me. I have a few hundred of everything I shoot. What I shoot a lot of (.38 spl.) I have 2,000+. I don't do much shooting during the summer, but I go at it with a vengeance once the weather cools off - I also don't "hot rod" anything and try to make brass last as long as possible, so most things I probably have a lifetime supply of.

[SteveUSP]

If the SHTF, then brass, lead, powder, and primers will be worth more than gold. Stock up all you can get, within reason. It's not priceless, yet.

[dondiego]

Enough to last.......keep savin'......+ 1000

[blikseme300]

Too much is almost enough.

[Cosmiceyes]

I'm like you as I have hundreds of most all I shoot.There is some like the 357 Super Mag that I have a 1000,and the 7-30 Waters as I didn't know how the wild-cattish calibers would would fare in the supply world if discontinued.I was surprised my 7x57 brass numbers were less than 100.I use 100 brass to load till I see a case become unsafe.Then it's put in the recycle bin,and a new one pulled from the over flow.In my .280 Remington I have deer boolits,and Elk boolits.So 200,and when I need brass it is easy to find.What has me scratching my head is how did I get 1000 38 specials? 357 Magnum I would understand. I have a 44 magnum Ruger I am selling as being older I like carrying less weight.So I went to the 44 special in the same model,but Bisley with a 5 1/2 bbl.It is just right. I want another one. So should I have ammo for both?
.25 auto-50
.32 auto-700
.380 auto-500
9mm -1000
38 spl-1000+
357 mag-1000
357 Super Mag-500+
40 S&W-500
44 Spl-500
44Mag-500
223-800
243win-500
7-30Waters-500
7x57-100
280 Rem-700
30-30Win-1000
358Win-60
375H&H-200
8x57-0?

[sealer]

while i've not counted my brass, i have weighed them. not counting the brass that is in reloading rotation, i have just over 800 lbs of assorted cases and hulls. those are just for the calibers that i reload for. and yes, i never plan to run out.
dennis

[btroj]

There is no such thing as too much.

I have over 3 K each for 38 special and 45 ACP. I have over 500 357, about 400 44 special and 300 44 mag. Probably 500 45 Colt.

Rifles are different. I have 300 or so for 30-30, a couple hundred 45-70 and probably 500 each 270 and -06.

I want enough to let me have some ammo loaded and still have empty cases. Nothing worse than wanting to try a load and discovering that all your brass is loaded!

Like pornagraphy, I can't tell you what enough is but I I ow it when I see it

[Abenaki]

"There is no such thing as too much."
Winner! winner! chicken dinner! btroi you are correct!

I have at a minimum 1000 for each caliber. Some calibers I have over 2000.

This is how you keep from crying when there is an ammo shortage!

Take care
Abenaki

[Adam10mm]

I've got a fairly small caliber footprint, so it varied. I'm down to a 20ga shotgun and 10mm pistol, but the others were as such:

Auto pistols like the 9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP I kept an inventory of 20,000 pieces each.

Revolvers in 38/357 Mag much lower at 5,000 pieces.

45/70 rifle I was OK with 500pcs.

.223 Rem was during my obsession with AR15s and I got scared to death if my inventory got down to 50,000 pieces. I hoarded the daylights out of that brass. Think I was up to 300,000 pieces at one time before the wife told be I could only keep one 55 gallon barrel of it.

I was a brass hoarder, but I recovered. Currently I have zero brass for the 10mm, couple hundred rounds loaded, and maybe 600pcs of 20ga Federal hulls.

I'm getting back into revolvers and settled on the .41 Magnum as my muse. Currently have about a hundred pieces but I want 2,000 to have on hand.

[hithard]

When the time comes, I sure I'll find lot's just laying on the ground.

Which is my plan if things get real rough.

[Muddydogs]

If I don't have 1000 I figure I don't have any. For my auto loaders 10,000 is about enough.

[justingrosche]

I am absolutely a brass horder. This what I had two years ago.... I most likely have double that now.

[possom813]

I had an epiphany a few months ago and realized that the answer to this question is simple.

You should have more loaded ammo than empty brass.