Anyone consolidate calibers?

[osteodoc08]

While researching my next pistol, I came across an article about consolidating calibers. Not necessarily to one, but less than what most here reload for. I currently have in autoloaders, 9mm, 10mm, 40, 45. In my new pistol I was thinking of getting another 45. Thought about ditching the 9mm, but it's so efficient as far as powder and lead go. Perhaps I should be ditching my 45s for 9mm or perhaps just looking for a new 9mm pistol instead of 45. Thoughts?

[rmark]

I weeded out a Tokarev 7.62x25 and Nagant 7.62x38r, decided to focus on 9mm and 38 special. Much better load and bullet data available.

[Adam10mm]

Got rid of all my pistols and kept the 10mm.

[Zim]

Yep. Much thought put into this. Basically, do what makes you smile. I geared up for 10mm and 41 mag. Then didn't like the odd ball and hard to find, so went with much cheaper and more available selections. Oh, I didn't give up anything power or selection wise.

So I am down to 32s, 38s, 44s and 45s in handgun. Easier to find molds, dies and brass.

Got a buddy that is trying to collect every single caliber ever made in a Contender or Encore platform. Has a wall of barrels, dies and brass. He is smiling! So what makes you smile?

[osteodoc08]

Yep. Much thought put into this. Basically, do what makes you smile. I geared up for 10mm and 41 mag. Then didn't like the odd ball and hard to find, so went with much cheaper and more available selections. Oh, I didn't give up anything power or selection wise.

So I am down to 32s, 38s, 44s and 45s in handgun. Easier to find molds, dies and brass.

Got a buddy that is trying to collect every single caliber ever made in a Contender or Encore platform. Has a wall of barrels, dies and brass. He is smiling! So what makes you smile?

Im definitely geared up for 41. My main big bore in addition to my 45 colts. That's all ill
need but also have some 357s mixed in. I've avoided the 44 due to
not wanting to stockpile more stuff.

I also have 1 mold for the 9mm and 1 for the 45. Brass is considerably cheaper for 9mm in the secondary market, but those little cases give my hands a bad case of the cramps. But it is considerably less lead for sure.

[williamwaco]

Keep'em all.

[Cornbread]

I made it so I can reload for everything I shoot with one powder and two primer types(small rifle and large rifle). I use a couple of powders but if need be I can do them all with the one powder. The guns I shoot the most are in 45 cal of one type or another. I cast for everything I have in 45 cal and I am working on getting molds for the others I shoot in smaller calibers. I shoot and reload for:

223
308
30-30
32 win special
45-70
45 colt
45 acp
454 casull

[Piedmont]

I won't ditch the 9mm because it works so well in small autos, so it is good for concealed carry.
You are still young. Have your fun with whatever you want. You can downsize in twenty years if you feel like it.

[MT Gianni]

I did with rifles and settled on 22, 7mm, 30 and 35. Then I got a screaming deal on a 243 so added jacketed to that. I still shoot 22lr,32 long, 32 mag 327 Fed, 9mm 38, 357, 40, 44 Special and Mag, 45 ACP and 45 colt with no plans to eliminate any there.

[Love Life]

My standbys are 9mm, 38/357, and 45 acp. The 10mm bounces in and out of my life a couple of times a year.

[Lefty Red]

I casted/loaded for 38 Special and 9mm in pistols and 357M in rifles. Expanding to 45ACP and 44M in pistols and 45LC in rifles. Might try to owe every rimmed caliber in a handgun if I can. Too much fun to limit myself. Always wanted a 32 H&R Mag Blackhawk. Would like a 327 SP101. Wish list is long and constantly changing. Smile on my face! :)

Jerry

[RED333]

Well, no, 25ACP, 38/357, 40S&W, 44, 45 Colt, 7mm RM, 308, 12ga

[Garyshome]

Nope not gonna happen any time soon!

[Mtnfolk75]

I've pretty much consolidated over the past year due to lead & powder/primer availability. I cast/load/shoot a Savage 110 Bolt 30-06 & Rossi 92 Lever 38/357 in rifles and 9mm & 38/357 in revolvers & pistols. I have recently started playing with a Glock 32 in .357 Sig ...... [smilie=w:

[seaboltm]

Most of my shooting is 38 special. I have a whole bunch of auto loaders, but I don't like chasing brass. If I could have only 1 handgun for all purposes: target, hunting, self defense, it would be my Glock 20 10mm. If only one rifle, M1A in 308 Winchester. But two guns and two calibers would be a boring life.

[bangerjim]

One can never have too many cal's!!!!!!!!

If I personally got rid of one it would be 9mm. I do not like that cal, Sam I am.....I do not like it even with green eggs & ham!

bajger

[MT Gianni]

Some of you seem to be talking cartridge consolidation rather than caliber. For example by keeping 7mm I shoot 280, 7x57 and 7tcu all using the same sizer die and checks. One advantage to most pistol cartridges is the lack of gas checks and jacketed bullets needed. I don't see much need to consolidate pistols.

[Beagle333]

When I get at least one of all of em, then I'll pick some favorites and start to whittle back down..... but I ain't there yet. ;-)

[bangerjim]

When I get at least one of all of em, then I'll pick some favorites and start to whittle back down..... but I ain't there yet. ;-)

Your thought pattern (I feel the same way!!) is totally EVIL.........according to my wife!!!!!!

But she never runs out of room for her Flow Blue collecting.


banger

[Low Budget Shooter]

At first I just did .38 Special. After a few years I found I was doing .32 ACP, .32 S&W Long, .380, 9mm, .38 Special, .45 ACP, .223, 30.06, 20 gauge, and 12 gauge. Casting and reloading was taking over my life! I decided to go back to just .38 Special, 12 gauge, and 30.06, because I need to keep this just a hobby. LBS

[Garyshome]

No sense in cutting back on what I already have.

[FergusonTO35]

In handguns I am currently loading and shooting .32 Auto, .38 Special, and 9X19. When funds permit I am going to add the .380 Auto in the awesome little Glock 42. I got out of the .32 revolvers last year. I love those cartridges but the selection of guns and factory support stinks.

I have also consolidated my handguns down to small autos, medium size autos, and medium size revolvers. No snubnose revolvers or magnum caliber handguns for me. I can't shoot them worth a darn so not going to waste time or money on them.

[DrCaveman]

Yeah, go with 45 for everything

45 colt saa loads for plinking
45 colt ruger loads for stomping
45 acp loads for defense/combat/concealed carry
454 casull loads for bears
460 magnum loads to help destroy your hearing ;)
45-70 rifle (yeah, a little bigger molds, but they can be sized down) for lots of stuff
45 colt lever gun for brush hunting
458 win mag for elephants

Get a smith model 25
A 1911
A ruger vaquero
A bond arms 45 mini
A FA or BFR 454
tc/encore 460 magnum
Marlin 1894 45 colt
I dunno about the 458 mags...

[Lefty Red]

At first I just did .38 Special. After a few years I found I was doing .32 ACP, .32 S&W Long, .380, 9mm, .38 Special, .45 ACP, .223, 30.06, 20 gauge, and 12 gauge. Casting and reloading was taking over my life! I decided to go back to just .38 Special, 12 gauge, and 30.06, because I need to keep this just a hobby. LBS

Man, if I HAD too cut back I think it would be in caliber. Might whittle it down to 9mm, 38/357, 38 Super, and 380. I can run those four on just two molds and a couple of powders. All take small primers. But I would miss the roar of the 44mag or the push of the 45LC. :)
Jerry

[Lefty Red]

Yeah, go with 45 for everything

45 colt saa loads for plinking
45 colt ruger loads for stomping
45 acp loads for defense/combat/concealed carry
454 casull loads for bears
460 magnum loads to help destroy your hearing ;)
45-70 rifle (yeah, a little bigger molds, but they can be sized down) for lots of stuff
45 colt lever gun for brush hunting
458 win mag for elephants

Get a smith model 25
A 1911
A ruger vaquero
A bond arms 45 mini
A FA or BFR 454
tc/encore 460 magnum
Marlin 1894 45 colt
I dunno about the 458 mags...

I like your way of thinking! :)
Actually, you could just paper patch the 45LC bullets for the 45/70.

[Four-Sixty]

I couldn't explain why, but I love every cartridge with a rim. The automatic cases smaller than 40 are frustratingly small for ml XL hands.

I am still working "up" to the number of cartridges I will consolidate to.

[bdicki]

I have been cutting back and I am currently down to 45 colt, 41 Rem mag, 444 Marlin, 357 Mag, 38 Special, 8mm-06, 30-06, 308, 7-30 Waters, 270 Win, 225 Win, 10mm, 40 S&W, 380, 32ACP, and 22LR.

[bob208]

unless some thing catastropic happens i do not see any point in cutting back. my most used cal. right now is .38-.357.

[rintinglen]

If by cutting back, you mean adding more, then yes I am consolidating. The guns in my safe would be scattered all over the place had I not corralled them.
I only load for
250 Savage
300 Savage
30-30
30-40
30-06
32-40
32 Acp
32 S&W Long
32 H&R
327 Federal
380
9mm
9 mm Largo
38 Super
38 S&W
38 Special
357 Magnum
44-40
44 Special
44 Magnum
45 ACP
45 Colt
45-70
Oh, I recently added the 303 Savage to the list. And have my eye on a Model 8 in 35 Remington. I did sell one of my 30-30's to free up space for the 1899 Savage. Consolidation is for old guys. I'm only 60.

[dragon813gt]

I seem to keep adding 30 and 35 cal rifles to my collection. The 35s are convenient because I can load lighweight pistol bullets for plinking. Not so much w/ the 30 cals but at least the molds can be used across all of them. So I haven't been consolidating. But I did make the decision to not buy any more rifles unless it works w/ 308 brass or I can convert from it.

[trapper9260]

I say keep what you have and then add more later because later on down the road you will wish you keep what you had.All I have I keep and add when think of something that will be of use one way or another for what ever reason it might be.Like I got a 327BH when they came out and after seeing all I can use in it I end up also get a 32auto since I can use that in the 327. But I also load all the other brass that works in it.I do not give anything up, but if got lost when on the trap line then it is lost.

[Good Cheer]

Caint rightly say it's consolidation but I needed a .41 Special and got me a 1858 Remington to shoot all those .41Mag molds.
[smilie=w:

http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy192/SNARGLEFLERK/41Remington_zps774098f7.jpg (http://s791.photobucket.com/user/SNARGLEFLERK/media/41Remington_zps774098f7.jpg.html)

http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy192/SNARGLEFLERK/selection_zps258ee372.jpg (http://s791.photobucket.com/user/SNARGLEFLERK/media/selection_zps258ee372.jpg.html)

http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy192/SNARGLEFLERK/th_4118582014-08-27_zps4c872e74.mp4 (http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy192/SNARGLEFLERK/4118582014-08-27_zps4c872e74.mp4)

Thank you Mr. Taylor.
Gonna be having a blast working up loads for a long time. Right now that 41028 looks like a winner.

[Markbo]

What is the weight on that Lyman 410610? I stopped reloadi g for 9mm completely. The cost of store bought plinking ammo is so cheap there is no point in reloading. I shoot so little of SD bullets my current stash will last years and years.

[runfiverun]

41026,,,,, that's the mold number I have been shooting all this time,,,, dang it's accurate, and I need to write that down.

I tried consolidating a couple of times, but then I start 'specializing' in other stuff.
luckily I don't have any 40 cal stuff to bother with anymore, except a 38-40 mold I keep around for when I find a lever gun or get back that matched pair of rugers I let my pop swap me out of a few years back.

I did cut down to the 30/357/375/410/430/452 revolver and pistol diameters though so it's all good.
I must be lacking in 7mm and 30 cal rifles though, because me and the oldest girl are both going to use 25 cals for deer hunting this year.

[runfiverun]

What is the weight on that Lyman 410610? I stopped reloadi g for 9mm completely. The cost of store bought plinking ammo is so cheap there is no point in reloading. I shoot so little of SD bullets my current stash will last years and years.

mine is 210 ish and takes thin gas checks.

[Artful]

Keep'em all.

Darn right - it makes me smile when I get out the 7.62x38R put the suppressor and and many people go - HUH?

7.62x25 - like shooting a laser, little 32 revolvers like shooting 22LR only more punch, 9x18 - good little pocket round - want something for a smaller pocket go .380 ACP - 9x19 good for plinking - 40 S&W you can find it when all the masses wiped out both the supply of 9x19 and 45 ACP - 45 colt What's not to love - 44 Magnum when you want to put a hurting on something, The old 38 spl/357 mag - most versatile accurate cartridges and 357 max is just so good at long range.

[9.3X62AL]

I have deleted 7 calibers over the past year, did away with moulds--dies--cases--and melted the stored bullets back into ingots. The idea was to save some space and streamline the operation to some degree......net effect was about like shaving hair from an elephant. I've also disposed of almost 20 firearms, but have added 3 over this same time period. I think further reductions are pending, both in calibers and in herd count. My hobby interest in this field has diminished significantly, assisted in no small way by the lack of supplies for reloading the guns I still enjoy. As I exhaust components, the guns that consume them will be sold off or given to friends and relatives. A small number of service and hunting arms will remain, but the caliber count and inventory level will diminish to under 20% of present levels. I am permanently disgusted with much of the gun/ammo/components trade, after weathering serial shortages and outages that occur cyclically due to trade laziness and lack of initiative. I'm tired of gunmaker gunsmith gun dealer component maker bullsquat. I'm pretty much DONE.

[monadnock#5]

The only caliber I should have stayed away from is .380. The new choices that have made their way into the marketplace in 9mm pocket/concealment pistols, along with Hornady Critical Defense ammo, have rendered the poor .380 obsolete. Oh, and did I mention what a giant PITA separating .380 and 9mm brass is? This doesn't become as obvious as it should be until it's time to decap. At the least, choose one, but not both.

[Frosty Boolit]

yup. got rid if .40 and .44. now I have a lot less stored brass and ammo.

[dragon813gt]

Oh, and did I mention what a giant PITA separating .380 and 9mm brass is? This doesn't become as obvious as it should be until it's time to decap. At the least, choose one, but not both.

It's easy as can be. One of the best investments I've made is the Shell Sorter. Here is the 380 plate: http://www.shellsorter.com/page3/380%20Shell%20Sorter%20Plate.html

[375supermag]

I don't really have any interest in consolidating calibers or reducing the number of calibers.

In fact, as I get closer to retirement I am thinking/planning on adding a few rifle calibers and maybe one or two handgun calibers.

I would like to get a .243 and a .308 and I have had an interest in a .45/70, for a while now. Since I already have rifles in .25/06, and .30/06 , I am not sure how to justify a couple of rifles in the same caliber range, but it really isn't about need or justification, is it? More an I want sorta thing...
I already have dies and brass for about 6-8 other rifle calibers, so it shouldn't be a strain to add one or two more.

I don't have a .40S&W yet, so I may go that way. I don't see much need (for me) for a .380, though. I really should find something larger than .45Colt...maybe a .475Linebaugh, though they do come a bit expensive. Another alternative is one of those .500S&W revolvers.

I have limited myself to one cast bullet weight/style in pistol/revolver loads, though. More an inventory control/cost thing, than anything else. I still keep a variety of weights on hand for various calibers in Hornady HP/XTPs, though.

I don't have much interest in consolidating....more into expansionist tendencies.

[DLCTEX]

Variety is the spice of life. Never met a caliber I didn't like. One man's trash is another man's treasure. etc. etc.

[monadnock#5]

It's easy as can be. One of the best investments I've made is the Shell Sorter. Here is the 380 plate: http://www.shellsorter.com/page3/380%20Shell%20Sorter%20Plate.html
Thank you for the heads up. The product shown does indeed silence the complaint. I'm still thinking about divesting myself of all things .380ACP however. The more I think about it, the better I like the idea.

[Danderdude]

I started loading specifically for 7.5x55 Swiss and have not fired a j-word since. It was a very minimalist set up just those few years ago. Ever since, I've worked on a cohesive firearm philosophy for myself. I've eliminated many guns and calibers and added a few. I still am looking for a Keltec Sub2000 9mm that accepts Sig mags (and therefor CZ magazines) but I have all my bases covered otherwise with only 4 calibers. Every now and then I have to fight back the urge to get a .30-30 or .357 Sig because the extra clutter and investment doesn't make sense to me.

[dragon813gt]

Thank you for the heads up. The product shown does indeed silence the complaint. I'm still thinking about divesting myself of all things .380ACP however. The more I think about it, the better I like the idea.

I can't blame you. I have no interest in the 380. I bought the 380 plate so it doesn't get mixed in w/ 9mm. It's a popular round at the ranges I belong to so it's a constant battle.

[FergusonTO35]

Well, if you want to get rid of your .380 stuff give me a holler. I'm planning to get into .380 soon with the Glock 42. It will likely replace my Kel-Tec PF9, which I feed .380 level loads.

[scattershot]

Yeah, I'm down to 6 or 7 now.....

[Fergie]

I started consolidating calibers and guns after my father's death. Had a C96 that went, along with the 7.63 ammo. Currently getting rid of a .455 Webley and ammo. Got rid of a few carbines in .45ACP and 9mm. Got rid of some of the BP rifles and pistols.

Basically, I got rid of odd ball calibers or guns that were not shot and did not serve a practical purpose.

I added .44 mag to the mix, and focus mainly on straight-wall pistol cartridges for most of my reloading...from .32 to .45 Colt.

I'm also trying to get my hands on a .327 Federal Magnum since I already load .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Magnum.

The whole hobby is give and take.

[scattershot]

Yeah, I'm down to 6 or 7 now.....

[Bzcraig]

I have limited my handguns to 22, 9mm & .38/.357 and rifles to 22, 30-30 & .308 but I struggle with wanting other calibers in both.

[harley45]

I'm down to 4 handgun calibers, 10mm (my favorite!) 45 acp cuz 10 is hard to find and I can't sell my first duty gun. 45LC and 38 special. I like just having the 4 to deal with and keep components for. I am also moving towards 1 mold per caliber.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

while I am certainly not selling anything I am not buying any calibers I don't already have dies for unless they make me a deal i can't walk away from on the gun.

got one of those deals last week but in a cal i already have

[Comrade Mike]

Yep. I'm pretty much done buying hand guns.

.38 special
.357 magnum
.45 ACP
9mm
.44 magnum

No desire/ need for me to expand into anything else really.

[Charlie U.]

Consolidate.....Reduce.....Abstain......These terms are not consistent with the reloading addiction.

If anything I find myself drawn to things I would not otherwise have considered. For example, if it weren't for reloading I probably wouldn't even consider owning guns in calibers like the 480Ruger, 9x23 Dillon, or 500Linebaugh.

No, consolidation is not at all in the game plan. More guns in more calibers, that's where this hobby leads.

[Markbo]

Oooooh I know... We can take from all those "what 3 guns would you keep..." threads and use this as impetus to get rid if everything but 3 handgun and 3 rifle calibers!

Who's in!?!!!

[tazman]

Oooooh I know... We can take from all those "what 3 guns would you keep..." threads and use this as impetus to get rid if everything but 3 handgun and 3 rifle calibers!

Who's in!?!!!

I would need to buy another 2 handgun calibers and 3 more rifle caliber in order to have some to get rid of!

[LUCKYDAWG13]

i just want one more caliber and that's it.

[osteodoc08]

Oooooh I know... We can take from all those "what 3 guns would you keep..." threads and use this as impetus to get rid if everything but 3 handgun and 3 rifle calibers!

Who's in!?!!!





Rifle: 22lr, 30-06, 375 H&H
Pistol: 45acp, 41, 45colt


that will cover anything that needs hunting 2 legged or 4.

[texaswoodworker]

Keep'em all.

That's my thought on it. Just about every gun I own is in a different caliber. I like the variety. Should a shortage happen again, I'm sure to find components for at least some of my guns (I also try to keep a decent stockpile ready for such an occasion).

[catboat]

... In my new pistol I was thinking of getting another 45. Thought about ditching the 9mm, but it's so efficient as far as powder and lead go. Perhaps I should be ditching my 45s for 9mm or perhaps just looking for a new 9mm pistol instead of 45. Thoughts?


My personal choice would be a .45 acp over a 9mm every time. You can go light with a 45 acp. You can only go so heavy with a 9mm.

I HAVE been ditching calibers over the past 10 years with both rifle and pistol offerings. The motivation is to keep reloading easier (buy larger quantities for fewer calibers). I've sold off my 9.3x62, 35 Rem Marlin 336, 257 caliber (250 Savage and 257 Roberts), my 270 Win (pre-64 model 70), 7x57 (M98 type M and Rem 700 Classic), 358 Win (Browning BLR), 223 (Rem 700), 244 Rem (Rem 40x), 218 Bee (Marlin 1894 and Ruber #1s), 6.5x55 sporterized 1896, 41 mag (Ruger Bisley with fluted cylinder)and 22-250 ( Rem 700VS). My 16 gauge is gone, as well as my 20 gauges (kept the 12 gauge). My 22 mag rifle is gone, as well as my SMLE Mk IV no.1 303 Brit "sporter" and 45 Colt Ruger Redhawk.

I'm selling off my 357 mag pistols now (not in any hurry). I picked up a S&W model 629-3 Classic Hunter in 44 mag. It can do anything my S&W 586, 686 and Ruger gp100 can do and more. I'll keep my S&W model 14 38 special-at least for a while-just because it's so fun (and accurate, not to mention cheap) to shoot.

Currently I load for .222 Rem, a couple of .308 calibers, 45-70, 38 special (and 357 mag), 12 gauge, 44 mag, and 45 acp. More than enough for me.

I'm not missing the other calibers or guns. They are just "things." It's all personal preference. Do whatever floats your boat.

[sandman228]

I went through this a while back and decided to dump both of my 44 mags . I had a super blackhawk and a rossi r 92 I sold them both off in a package deal along with a set of rcbs dies all the brass I had and a lee mold . I still load for 380,9mm,40s&w,45acp,32h&r/327 fed mag,38spl/357mag,45lc in handguns 30/30 win,35rem,243win, in rifles along with 12 guage and 410 bore for shotguns .I cast for everything I load except the 243 along with casting 44cal round balls for a cap&ball revolver and I make my own shot . its to much but I just don't wanna part with any of them .I'd really like to try my hand with a 41 mag but im already doing to much

[tygar]

Well in pistol I don't have a 25 or 32 or things like Russian odd ball stuff, but .22 - .500 are in my safe. I'd be much more likely to buy than sell.

Rifles, same thing. Have or have had, all standard & Weatherby cals from 22 - 460 & 470, lots of metric & wildcats. I am always making a new rifle, 1 or 2 a year. So adding all the time. I do have a lot of duplicates that I will move out. (who needs 15 or 20 .22s with several match)

I'm always adding rifles of various size actions to use to make new rifles.

My version of consolidation is to move out dups like when there are 20+ 1911s cluttering up the place.

[revolvergeek]

That's my thought on it. Just about every gun I own is in a different caliber. I like the variety. Should a shortage happen again, I'm sure to find components for at least some of my guns (I also try to keep a decent stockpile ready for such an occasion).



This was my observation a couple years back. When ALL popular handgun ammo was hard to find, I could still walk into most any gunshop around here and find .32 Long, .32 Magnum, .38 S&W and 10mm.

[xman777]

I'd hang on to what ya got just in case ammo/component availability becomes scarce. Thats how I got by a few shortages before I overstocked on components. I like options.

[dragon813gt]

I tried, but Ruger released the Single 7. I swear this will be the last new cartridge I reload for ;)

[DR Owl Creek]

For handguns, I still handload 9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 38 Spc, 357 Mag, 44 Mag, and 45 Colt. I no longer have the 9x18 Makarov, 454 Casull, or 500 S&W. I decided they weren't necessary for me any more.

I haven't gotten rid of any of my various rifle calibers yet.


Dave

[Jeff82]

Definitely. I load 38-special and 357 exclusively. My casting and reloading set up feeds my S&W Model-36 snubnose revolver, S&W Model-14, Ruger Blackhawk and Marlin 1894C carbine. The problem is there aren't very many cartridges that allow you to cover a really wide range of applications that way the 38/357 does. Fortunately for me, it's always been my favorite cartridge; economical too.

[paul h]

I've never consolidated, but the reason I cast/load/shoot 22rf, 9mm/38/357, 45acp/45 colt and 480 is that every time I think about taking the 32 or 40/10mm plunge I think about how much I've got tied up in molds, sizers, brass, dies, etc. and figure I'll just get another gun in one of the chamberings I already use.

With lead becoming more expensive and harder to come by (I really miss getting 5 gal of ww's for $20 from the tire store) I shoot mostly 38/357.

[Markbo]

I would never tell anyone what to get rid of anything based on my biases. But I would like to add something. There WILL be another ammo & component shortage. Always have been and always will. The hard part is guessing when so that we can all prepare in advance. One piece of wisdom I have picked up is that it is a lot easier to keep topped off than to stock up from scratch.

A lot of lead, bullets and brass is a beginning and keeping topped off on primers & powders is easier than looking for for them when there are none to be had

[Quiettime]

I got rid of .380, .300 Wby, .22 mag and also 6.8 SPC. Then I added .45 Colt, .300 Blk and .30-30 :veryconfu
I justified this by telling myself that I can cast the same boolits for all the .30's and the .45's

Next on the chopping block is .25 ACP. I have a lot of brass and jacketed bullets for it but I can't justify the primers these days

I would eliminate 9mm Mak but those guns belonged to my Dad and he was especially fond of them so they get a pass.

I'm proud of myself because I have resisted the urge to add a .40 or a 10mm. Sure would like a .327 though.....

[Jtarm]

Yep. Much thought put into this. Basically, do what makes you smile. I geared up for 10mm and 41 mag. Then didn't like the odd ball and hard to find, so went with much cheaper and more available selections. Oh, I didn't give up anything power or selection wise.

So I am down to 32s, 38s, 44s and 45s in handgun. Easier to find molds, dies and brass.

Got a buddy that is trying to collect every single caliber ever made in a Contender or Encore platform. Has a wall of barrels, dies and brass. He is smiling! So what makes you smile?

Shooting rather than futzing with "stuff". Cranking out hundreds of rounds instead of scratching my head saying "now where'd I leave those 4.7 x 44 Fitzenpheppher dies".