Does commercial ammo availability drive you caliber choice?

[hawk45]

How much does commercial availability of loaded ammo drive your decision to use a caliber? Do you make that choice based on either reloading or not reloading. Or do you make that choice if you happen to lose your ammo on a trip and need to buy or borrow?

 

[PhulesAu]

Got no place to do reloading, Store bought or nothing.

 

[nateisw]

Don't reload, so yup. Gotta buy guns that I can get ammo for. I'd like to get into reloading eventually, but there's no public ranges where I live so I don't really get a chance to shoot as much as I'd like to.

 

[Daveinjax]

I reload so not in the least. Current shortages are making me think about keep a popular caliber rifle around but I'm hoping the current mania subsides before I buy one.

 

[roninflag]

my inventory is ok. i was shooting clay pigeons at the picnic last week with rounds from the 80's.

 

[SidecarFlip]

No
No
Yes
Maybe

 

[PhulesAu]

No
No
Yes
Maybe

Are you sure? this type of response, sounds a little vague.

 

[azsugarbear]

I prefer the wildcats, so reloading is the only option. Got into it 30 years ago to save $$ while shooting competitive pistol. Even if I shot only std. SAAMI calibers, I would still reload to save some $$ and still get the exact casing, bullet and powder charge combination. Just trying to eliminate as many variables as possible. Nowadays, the only thing that limits my caliber choice is brass. If Lapua doesn't make it, or if I can't form it from Lapua brass, I won't choose that caliber. Personal choice.

 

[varmintH8R]

I am with AZ - I choose a caliber based on capability, reputation, and the quality of the components that are available to reload it. It is pretty rare that I buy factory fodder for any of my bolt guns.

 

[Nimrod]

I reload all my rifle ammo anyway so factory plays no part in my caliber selection.

Got no place to do reloading, Store bought or nothing.

I used to reload in my bedroom floor when I was a kid, after I got married I used the kitchen table and a hand press for several years, kept my stuff in a cardboard box in the closet. You just need to think outside the box!

Bob

 

[Outlaw6.0]

As others have mentioned... I also run a number of wildcats that aren't a commercial offering. Out of a dozen or so rifles, I shoot factory ammo in exactly two of them. .204 Ruger & 6.5 Creedmoor (that will soon change).

I find a lot of joy at the reloading bench, I may not enjoy the sport as much if I were launching factory fodder... maybe


t

 

[varmintH8R]

I find a lot of joy at the reloading bench

I've never quite heard it put that way, but it sums it up for me as well. I like tinkering with stuff and trying to find the "next big improvement" for my ammo.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I've never quite heard it put that way, but it sums it up for me as well. I like tinkering with stuff and trying to find the "next big improvement" for my ammo.

Well then add your quote to mine & we'll have the best of both worlds. I suffer from a severe case of "tinkeritis". Good has never been good enough & i'm not sure it's possible to leave well enough alone...


Seems that i'm always moving on to bigger & better things. Now, whether or not they actually prove to be bigger and/or better


t

 

[varmintH8R]

Well then add your quote to mine & we'll have the best of both worlds. I suffer from a severe case of "tinkeritis". Good has never been good enough & i'm not sure it's possible to leave well enough alone...


Seems that i'm always moving on to bigger & better things. Now, whether or not they actually prove to be bigger and/or better


t

AMEN! I can totally relate. I'll work up a load that shoots as well as i am capable of shooting, and then try a new powder to see if it will shoot BETTER than my capability