Are you actually out of reloading components or ammo?

[guy_with_boolits]

Please respond with your level of desperation:

Defcon 6: I have way more reloading components and ammo than I actually need.
Defcon 5: I have enough reloading components AND finished ammo for my needs.
Defcon 4.5: I have enough reloading components but I am low on finished ammo.
Defcon 4: I am LOW OR OUT of brass and/or bullets, but I have plenty of finished ammo.
Defcon 3: I am OUT of primers and/or powder and its been difficult finding what I need. I have plenty of ammo.
Defcon 2: I am OUT of primers and/or powder and its been difficult finding what I need. I am low on ammo as well.
Defcon 1: I am OUT of primers and/or powder and its been difficult finding what I need. I am out of ammo.
Defcon 0: I am OUT of primers and/or powder and its been difficult finding what I need. I am out of ammo. I am also broke.

If anyone is in Defcon 1 or 0 maybe forum people will have mercy on you somehow! Or maybe they wont and its survival of the fittest!

[guy_with_boolits]

I'm at Defcon 4.5. I have enough reloading components but I wish I had more finished ammo.

[Chris S]

Is there such a thing as "enough"? I have many thousands of loaded rounds, but would like to be making more...right now.

Chris

[osteodoc08]

DEFCON 4-5 for me depending on cartridge.

I could use more primers and a few different powders. About out of unique. Need about 20k primers each type and I’ll be set for a while.

I’ll sit there and wish I had more loaded ammo. Just finished 1K 38 spec Plinkers and wished I had 2k done. Should I have that done I’m sure I’d wish for 3k. The illness continues. Have to draw a line somewhere.

I certainly have enough to defend my family should the need arise.

[guy_with_boolits]

Is there such a thing as "enough"? I have many thousands of loaded rounds, but would like to be making more...right now.

Chris

"for your needs"

so if your needs are more than thousands...then you dont have enough

[marek313]

I agree I'm about the same Defcon 4.5 meaning I got everything but wish i had little more finished ammo. For some reason I had a feeling this shortage might happen so I stocked up little bit in the spring when things were on sale and before COVID got here. I'm sure glad that I did that.

[Hossfly]

I’m always low or out of something. When i get a load i like, it seems like i run out of powder or boolits and have to make more or order powder. DEFCON 4 for me.

[peachhead]

I have enough for some things, not enough for other things. Not quite broke which is a good thing. The major thing I lack now is TIME to put it all together.

[Nelsonholsters]

I'm having issues with primers,powder but just stated casting my own bullets.
I'm now on the hunt for lead.

Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk

[guy_with_boolits]

I have enough for some things, not enough for other things. Not quite broke which is a good thing. The major thing I lack now is TIME to put it all together.

defcon 3 maybe? you might be in the lead!

[guy_with_boolits]

I'm having issues with primers,powder but just stated casting my own bullets.
I'm now on the hunt for lead.

Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk

hows your ammo supply?

[Nelsonholsters]

hows your ammo supply?About 2000 9mm, just under 2000 223, 200 45 acp 50 45l, 6000 22lr, 30 44 mag.
100 12 gauge #4 buck

Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk

[poppy42]

I’m neeeever out of Boolets! Powder I’m very good. Brass I’m more than Very very good. Primers I’m good except for spp. I’ve only got 800 with 400 sp magnum primers in reserve. So what does that make me, at defcon 4?

[Neverhome]

5. All set.

[2A-Jay]

I have 30 cal and 50 cal metal ammo cans full of 30-06, 30-30, .45acp 40S&W. .357 Magnum, .38spl. I can wage my own with several thousand rounds. But I still don't have enough to satisfy myself.

[gpidaho]

I'm at #5 Been stocking up for years. It's not like I won't buy more components but the grandkids will likely need to use it up someday. Gp

[guy_with_boolits]

Cmon where are the desperate defcon 1's and 0's??

Or at least Defcon 2's?? Dont by shy!!

This is supposed to be an apocalypse

[McFred]

I'm at 0, what with those boating accidents I'm prone to.

Pity me and tell me where I can resupply in bulk for cheap. I may be broke but I have good credit.

[Froogal]

Defcon 3. I have enough, but I need to choose which calibers to reload. Since I can't shoot any 9mm in cowboy action, I will just save that brass for when primers become available again.

[dragon813gt]

Yes, I bought a boat a few weeks ago. It sunk to the bottom of the Atlantic and all my guns, ammo, reloading/casting tools and components were on it. I don’t know why I keep buying boats. This is the sixth time this has happened. Time to buy everything again, or maybe not.

[BigAlofPa.]

5 here im good to roll for awhile. Well stocked in rimfire ammo too.

[bedbugbilly]

I guess the closest number fo me would be 4.5 - pretty well set with the exception of I wish I had more small pistol primers on hand - down to 500 so not desperate but would like to have a couple K on the shelf - every place I checked a few weeks ago was out and still are out - is what it is.

[Billwnr]

I must be at Defcon 6 as I have friends going thru my powders. Must be Defcon 6 for components but I need to assemble them into ammo. Waterfowl shotgun ammo I think I have enough for the next 6 years.

[405grain]

Rudyard Kipling once said "A man can never have too much books, ammunition, or red wine." Another famous saying is that by the time you hear the sirens it's already too late. If you wait until there's a shortage of something to stock up you've already failed. Buy cheap, stack deep, and always be at Defcon 6.

[guy_with_boolits]

LARGE PISTOL PRIMERS IN STOCK AT MIDWAY RIGHT NOW

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/953155826?pid=155826

[pworley1]

I have plenty of everything except lead. You can never have enough lead.

[StuBach]

I’d say I’m 5.5, I have tons of loaded and most of the supplies I need but would like more tm so I can attempt some additional cartridges.

My biggest need is in lead not because I’m lacking terribly but only cause I’m younger (kids are still literally toddlers) and don’t have enough to last me a year of supply with normal free time much less “lifetime supply”.

[jdfoxinc]

Defcon 5-6. Raw lead, alloy brass primers, hulls, powder, cast, swagged, jacketed, etc. Bullets, shot. Most importantly the tools and skills to make all of the above except brass.

[Wayne Smith]

Defcon 5, but mostly because it's to hot to shoot!

[rcslotcar]

Defcon 6-7+: I have way more reloading components and ammo than I actually can use. And about two tons of lead marked with brindle hardness.

[Cast_outlaw]

5 I guess Where is the I probably have enough but not as much as I’d like option I think that is where I’m at

[GhostHawk]

5.5 here, good shape for loaded ammo. Also COWW, primers, and lots of Red Dot. Various and sundry others, but I mostly load Red Dot these days.
Easy on my shoulder, easy on my wallet, accurate enough to keep me happy.

[RKJ]

4.5 for me also. I have less than a K of SP primers but enough ammo that I won't worry much. I'm pretty well set, just need to get busy again. You never know when the ZA will happen.

[Targa]

I’m down to about 400 large pistol magnum primers. Aside from that, I am doing ok.

[WRideout]

I am at a Four. I have lots of some things (Eight pound jug of Promo) but not enough of others. Rifle primers I am good for a while, large and small. Small pistol primers, I have less than a thousand left, and as you pistol shooters know, that isn't a lot. Also, I shoot some old-timers that I don't have a lot of brass for.

Wayne

[Walks]

4.5

Does anybody EVER have enough ammo for their needs ?

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I don't know if I have enough primers and powder because i don't know how long the drought will be. During good times I usually like to have 4k of each type on hand. Now I'm trying to stock double that. I have a few tons of lead so I'm set for life on that.

[BNE]

5. But not stopping if the right components come along!

[kayala]

5. Set for few years. Learned my lesson during previous administration.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[TyGuy]

I’m going to call myself 4.5.
I just struck a deal with a co-worker for about 25# of misc powders all NOS for about 50% under retail. He is selling off a friend’s estate for the family and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I’m hoping to see some primers get offered up as he sifts through everything. Now if only I could get some time at home to actually do some serious loading...

[36Power]

Defcon 5 and 6 do not really exist...these are just figments of a reloaders imagination.

[charlie b]

I never really have enough. I don't usually stockpile a ton of loaded ammo, just components. If 500 rounds ready to go won't solve the problem, nothing will. The stuff I shoot weekly, I load weekly.

I would like to have more powder, lead and primers :)

[Hick]

4.5 and holding. I can never make up my mind about what to shoot any given week, so I never make up ammo in advance (except of course for a little home defense ammo). But-- I have close to a lifetime supply of the fixin's

[lightman]

I would be at 6 if it were not for that durned leaky boat! :mad:

[44Blam]

I WAS all stocked up on everything... But then I bought a new toy that needs the kind of primers I wasn't really interested in before...

But I think I have enough ammo to keep a small contengent of looters out of my house and ALSO to go to the shootin' matches whenever they start up again.

[sigep1764]

With risk of sounding like a braggart, I have 5k of spp primers, 2k of lp primers, 2k of lr primers, 8k of 9mm loaded, 3k of 223 loaded, 1k of 270 reloaded, 300 of 30-30 reloaded, and 300 of 380 loaded. I have 16lbs of pistol powder and 10lbs of rifle powder plus 4lbs of various useful powder. I am now casting for the next few years of shooting since I am not allowed to go to the shooting range. I am limited to my once a month trip the the lake where I shoot around 200 rounds. I feel like my time and money has been spent wisely.

[Atonic]

3? I have no spp. Am in debt to a friend for 500.

If I decide to shoot some of the odd-ball service calibers, along with all the ammo I have for normal stuff, I probably have a lifetime worth of ammo.

[toallmy]

Well until I couldn't get anymore I thought I had plenty of primers every thing else is good .
I Probably do anyway , but you never know how long the shortage will last .

[ddixie884]

4.5 for me...........

[Rex]

I've quit shooting for a while. Primers are my major hold up. I just switch over to the shotgun as shotshells seem plentiful, I don't reload them anymore. I do grab the S&W once in a while with snap caps just to keep the feel.

[Sig]

Defcon 5.5 here. Only thing I'd like is some more WW lead. That's just to keep me occupied during this cluster*.

[ioon44]

I always stay around 5, but I collect lead where ever I can.

[fivegunner]

Defcon 7, All I am going to say.

[Hanzy4200]

5 - I'm probably a 6, but seriously, how can you have "to much"?

[brass410]

pretty much set except for storage space, we'll be needing an addition. future orders will be by the skid unless swmbo catches wind of my ideas.

[Huskerguy]

I'm a 4.5 kind of guy. Lots of components and 22 ammo, bunch of factory ammo in some calibers I keep in reserve and most calibers I am good except for 9mm which I am working on loads for right now.

That said, I only shoot 22, 38/357, 9, 40, 45 ACP, and 30-06

[Burnt Fingers]

Define "enough".

At current shooting levels I'll be out of small pistol primers in about 18 months. I've got enough powder to cover that.

I've loaded right at 30K of mixed 9mm and 45 ACP so far this year.

Brass is normally free for the pickup at my club. I cast almost all my own boolits. I should go pick up some scrap lead one of these days. I have a 55 gallon drum that's about half full of wheel weights coming my way.

[Gone_rabid]

For the amount I shoot im at defcon 4.5.

Recently got some lead to start casting more boolits.

[fredj338]

Def 4.5. I shoot about 10K rds a year. With what I have, I could shoot for about 6-7y, then primers become an issue. So if this settles down, I will be looking for more primers.

[skrapyard628]

Mostly at defcon 5. All of my target ammo cans are full, plenty of home defense rounds, and more than enough components to last more than a year until I run low on primers.

The only exception is that dang 50beowulf. I feel like Im low on ammo for it by only having about 300 bullets and 99 pieces of brass. Maybe if I still had that one piece of brass I lost in the tall grass I would feel better.

[prs]

6 for me

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Due to a recent canoe accident, all my firearms and reloading supplies are at the bottom of the Buffalo Creek or floated downstream? happened near the Eastern draw by the confluence with the Crow river. I figure that is Defcon 1.1

[mdi]

I'm running around a D5. I have my "Just in case ammo" for 45 ACP (900-1,000 rounds), 9mm (800-900 rounds), and about 2,500 rounds for my battle rifles, and an assortment of other reloads in a few calibers. I am running low on LP primers, down to 1 brick, but I ave about 300 primed cases for my 45 ACP, and maybe 180, 9mm and a bunch of assorted calibers waiting for a powder charge and bullets seated...

[dragon813gt]

Due to a recent canoe accident, all my firearms and reloading supplies are at the bottom of the Buffalo Creek or floated downstream?
That must be a massive canoe or a small collection [emoji6]

[Buckeyeguy]

I’m sitting 4.5-5. I got caught in the last panic buying and decided to not let it happen again. When primers were selling at the great prices I stocked up heavily same with factory ammo. My biggest thing at this point is lead, because you never have enough lead

[Bazoo]

I'm fine on powder, mostly fine on primers but I need more SPP and LPP. I don't have what is considered lots of loaded ammo. I've been working with just 200 pieces of 44 magnum brass, and a batch of just 120+ 357 magnum brass. I have some other 357 brass but not enough to make a batch of 100 in any headstamp. I have some used 30-06 brass I've been using, until I can acquire some that is once fired, or known fired. I hate using rifle brass of unknown loadings. Mostly I'm okay though.

[MrWolf]

Was at Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday in Altoona, PA. Stopped on way to girlfriend's place to move her in with me. They had CCI pistol primers along with large pistol primers and some powder. All with a limit of one box or container. Grabbed a brick of CCI and powder just because.

[sigep1764]

Was at Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday in Altoona, PA. Stopped on way to girlfriend's place to move her in with me. They had CCI pistol primers along with large pistol primers and some powder. All with a limit of one box or container. Grabbed a brick of CCI and powder just because.

You're not too far from the in-laws. They are in Huntingdon. Wish the FIL was into reloading or even just guns...

[Dvdmacdaddy]

DEFCON 3 ....out of SPP, danger low on SRP. I have ammo but my local IDPA and 3 gun started having local matches again. Since they started back up ammo supply is going to disappear fast. Blew through 500 rounds this week getting ready for the Saturday IDPA match.

[elmacgyver0]

I'm at Defcon 6 but feel like I am Defcon 0.

What can I say?

[hickfu]

I'm at Defcon 6, My grand kids will be using my reloading supplies long after Im gone.

[guy_with_boolits]

Defcon 7, All I am going to say.

lol

can't tell us any more?

[Hanzy4200]

It's funny how differently people view they supplies. Some people would say they are well set with 3K of primers. Others feel understocked with 20K. I need to do a count. I think I'm at around 35-40K. I started reloading 2 months before Sand Hook and I vowed to never put myself in the situation I saw so many others in. It was also what spurred me in part to start casting and join here. Not to be a downer, but it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better fellas.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I don't think I can get beyond 4.5, seems I always have some empty cases or a new rifle or a new handgun or getting ready for a hunting season or some reason that I should be loading something (I proably really at a a 5.5)

[gwpercle]

I will never run out of powder , primers and wheel weights in my lifetime ...
Unfortunately my children will not inherit cash money ...just powder , primers and wheel weights !
I hope the market is good when you get them...you knew the old man wasn't right in the head didn't you !
Sorry kids

[Shiloh]

No worries here.
Boy Scout Motto of old. "Be Prepared."

[SSGOldfart]

Deacon 6 I've got more then I need or could use, I'll just keep making ammo for the kidos. I have the time and every thing needed.:target_smiley::Fire:

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Well stocked for now. But you have to wonder how many months it will be before we see plenty of primers again. You also have to wonder given the current political realities if we are going down the tubes once and for all. Not able to see much light at the end of the tunnel.

[TjB101]

5.5 ... could use so more powder

[brewer12345]

I was fine and then I decided it would be fun to get an upper that would be Colorado legal for big game (mostly deer). One 350 Legend upper later and I am scrounging for brass, bullets, ammo, dies, and realizing that I only have a pound of one powder that has a published load for the caliber. This won't be a high volume shooter for me, but you can bet i was searching the grass for every single piece of grass when I tried it out this morning.

[Green Frog]

Who's asking? (as he nervously cuts his eyes back and forth.) :cool:

[Conditor22]

That must be a massive canoe or a small collection [emoji6]

I think JonB meant Viking longboat [smilie=l:

[468]

4.5

I rarely pass up an opportunity to purchase primers.

[El Greco]

DEFCON 5. Half a ton of lead.

[mto7464]

Defcon 6. Seen this happen to many times now.

[evort]

Defcon 5 1/2.

I just started using small magnum pistol primers for 357 Magnum, can't find any more.

I'm all set on everything else, in fact I sold factory ammunition to a friend in need.

[Slugster]

I'm good for a looooong time. Defcon 5.5

[BigAlofPa.]

I had someone who is a friend of neighbor asking me if i had any spare 45 lp casings. I didn't have any one time fired to offer. I told him about our swapping and selling area here.

[toallmy]

I'm good for a wile 2-3 years , but if the dems win in November I'll be concerned and adjust my shooting accordingly .

[imashooter2]

Unless the wolf is at the door and there’s nothing to spare, I don’t understand how anyone that lived through the last 10 or 15 years would ever be short of anything ammunition related again.

I’m at a VERY comfortable 6. My grandchildren might be at 5.

[kevin c]

I have enough to last me for quite a while for what I like to shoot. But I don't have much if any at all for what I don't shoot.

So, plenty of powder, primers, brass and lead for common auto pistol chamberings, adequate loaded commercial ammo and some fixings for reloading in small caliber rifle and shotgun, but no wheel gun or big bore rifle stuff at all.

And has been posted before, given how variable shooting volume and comfort level on component stocking can be, a lifetime supply for one person is grossly inadequate for another.

[762 shooter]

Defcon 7.

762

[cstrickland]

I would say 5.5. I have enough reloading components and finished ammo for my needs, but I have some extra not a lot but some .... that I could part with for a very select few people.

[RogerDat]

Well if I or anyone was fully stocked on ammo & components at the same time it would mean a big reloading session was followed immediately by a big component buying spree. With all this taking place against the backdrop of all local ranges in a 100 miles being shut down in order to have the berms mined while said individual was sitting on massive supply of lead.

It is an evolving process and there is always something on the "shopping" list. A component used in the last big batch of reloading, or something discovered to be superior in some use that now needs to be stocked up on. Or stocks on hand are sufficient but.... just a bit more of ____________ would make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

We are adaptable creatures. As soon as a supply shortage of something exists we either use available supply more frugally or make extra effort to acquire more. Or figure out an alternative. Possibly even larger quantities than usual since looking took long enough we fear not finding it when we need it next time.

So maybe a few more LRP or LPP might be in order and I find I really like Bullseye in certain uses so more of that might be nice, and 4895 is proving itself very well in .308 so despite having Varget in double digit quantities..... yeah a few pounds of 4895 would be nice.

But hey wife says I'm crazy (I'm not last wife had me tested) so my views may be off just a bit from some hypothetical "normal". That said with over 2 tons of lead on hand I still picked up 40# of soft lead to melt down. What can I say it will make superb Minnie balls, C&B round balls or mixer how was I not going to pick it up? Support local economy and all that jazz. Needed? No. But why shouldn't a mans Defcon reach exceed his defcon grasp?

[RogerDat]

Wait I need 9mm and 40 S&W reloading dies. Have brass and suitable components but no reloading dies! And no 40 caliber mold! Or anything that shoots 9mm or 40 S&W so there is that but I still NEED to have that covered. Just in case.

Don't want to miss out on some deal when ammo is too expensive so firearms get sold. Man could have done pretty well on nice .22 RF firearms a while back.

Due to family I'm already set for deals on 44 mag or 30-30 with plenty of components, just no firearm I personally own. And owning a 9mm is really low on my list. I'm afraid I'm just not into bottom feeders with so many wheel guns to get excited over.

[bangerjim]

Defcon 6+ for me.

[444ttd]

no, theres still plenty on the lgs shelves. besides i got primers and powder galore.

[SODAPOPMG]

Defcon 7
I have enough of everything to last for the next 10 years

[Ozark mike]

Guess im gonna have to learn to mine lead maybe gold and silver while im at it. Gold and silver are startin to become easier to get a hold of around here cheeper too haha

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I stopped reloading 9mm because I have several cases of ball ammo. Don't reload for my AK's or AR's for the same reason. Got enough of everything for .44, .357 and .38. Also 30-30 and .308. I reckon these shortages are going to last a good while. A buddy who runs IDPA matches told me folks aren't coming because they don't have ammo. If we don't get the country back to work reloading components might be the least of our worries.

[brewer12345]

I am really glad I don't need stuff. Watched an auction for a 1000 primer brick of Winchester app go for $205 plus shipping. At that price I don't know whether to shoot them or sell them.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I am really glad I don't need stuff. Watched an auction for a 1000 primer brick of Winchester app go for $205 plus shipping. At that price I don't know whether to shoot them or sell them.

I remember when primers were a penny and a half a piece. Used to buy 5000 LPP at a time. Wonder how many primers Federal, Winchester or CCI can crank out in a shift? Seems to take a really long time to get back to normal stock after one of these scares. Starline seems to be well stocked with brass.

[Ed_Shot]

Just cleaned and sorted range pick-up brass from last weeks range trip. Noticed a lot fewer folks at the range. Found 9MM brass with headstamp "GORILLA" which I'd never seen before. Web search revealed Midway carries the stuff for $1.50 a round. Garantee you that I'm never going to get that desperate.

[El Greco]

Have you seen the prices of J bullets at Cabelas. Sportsman’s etc? For the 30 cal 7 mm are going at $30 plus for 100 hundred. Some are just for 50. Loaded ammo, if you can find it , untouchable.
People though I was crazy. Now they ask me if I can spare some.

[guy_with_boolits]

I am really glad I don't need stuff. Watched an auction for a 1000 primer brick of Winchester app go for $205 plus shipping. At that price I don't know whether to shoot them or sell them.

can you post a link to this? I want to actually see this with my own eyes

[nwfdub]

can you post a link to this? I want to actually see this with my own eyeshttps://www.gunbroker.com/item/876077678


Same seller has another with 2 days to go, already at $180.


Sent from my SM-S727VL using Tapatalk

[Shiloh]

Picked up 2 lbs. of powder and 1K LRP last week.
less than $90. Primers are now gone.

Shiloh

[Ozark mike]

Wonder how long it will take for people to finish stocking up so the prices can come back to a realistic price

[bigdog454]

I'm #6, will last me for the rest of my life.
BD

[BigAlofPa.]

That is crazy on gun broker. I grabbed 10,000 more primers yesterday at my LGS. 35 cents short of 350.00 with the sales tax.

[brewer12345]

That is crazy on gun broker. I grabbed 10,000 more primers yesterday at my LGS. 35 cents short of 350.00 with the sales tax.

Count yourself lucky. This suggests to me that once your local inventory is gone it will be tough to get more.

[LabGuy]

4, need to reload a few things.