On a hunting trip I would agree with you, but I go to the range every other week and shoot more than 20 rounds on any trip. Much closer to 50 rounds each if shooting pistols. All of my guns are hunting guns that shoot a lot of paper and steel.
How many rounds?
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Frank in the Laurels
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Agree, but there's a huge difference on what you mean "on hand" and for what purpose. I also have at least a 100 for competition use in my Dashers, BR's and PPC's but seldom ever need anything near that many for any of my big game cartridges. In reality how many of us ever shoot more than 7-10 in all the big game seasons combined....guess it all comes down to semantics of the interpretation of "hands on"...
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memtb
Well-Known Member
What I failed to mention, as I don't hunt as much as I used to, that 20 to 30 loaded rifle rounds will be used in the "zero proofing" shots fired prior to hunting season as well as hunting. I generally try to keep a full box of loaded ammo in reserve. Once I dip into the final 20…..time to load another 20! memtb
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
Currently, at this very moment, somewhere between 24 and 4500 per rifle. Mostly between 100 and 300 per rifle on hand at all times.
I really need to get in my reloading room and crank some rounds out for a couple that have fallen below 200 that I shoot a lot.
I really need to get in my reloading room and crank some rounds out for a couple that have fallen below 200 that I shoot a lot.
BrentM
Well-Known Member
I usually shoot in the field so I'll take 2 mags, a spare 10. At home I'll have a spare 20ish ready. So at any given time I'd say 20-50 works for me. It takes very little time to charge and seat prepped cases the way I am set up.
Mason Blackmon
Well-Known Member
I keep about 100 hand loaded hunting ammo on hand when it gets to 50 I make more. It's easy to go through ammo shooting at pigs, varmints, various steel targets set up around the ranch.
I keep zero "On Hand" loaded and ready to go. However, I never fall below 400 cases, 20 pounds of powder, 5000 primers Or 3000 bullets.
Greenvette01
Active Member
I still have rounds for my .257 Roberts that I reloaded in 1986 and they work fine still.
340 in Va
Well-Known Member
For rifles I shoot year round I load 50 to 100. For hunting rifle (340 weatherby),I keep around 20 from last year and load 20 before hunting trip. I like to have the extras in case I have scope problems. Haven't had any problems on a hunt but two years ago I had scope ring break 3 days before Co trip. I always verify zero when I get to camp.
I try to keep 1k per caliber and 10k or more for 223, 6CM, 6.5CM, 308 and 300 Win.
Starlite
Well-Known Member
I have 3 Boxes (60rds) made for my rifle(s) and 1 box to SAAMI spec. For each of my rifles. You only have to forget your cartridges once to always bring a box for the next guy in your hunting party who forgets them. I confirm what everyone is bringing for rifles and if I have it I make it; and likewise for the others. Now, hopefully there is always cartridges available. Now back on topic. So 60 rds and each box gets vacuum sealed in plastic bags.
The problem with loading to many round is cold weld, because they sit around. The other problem is if your traveling a long distance. You will need or should check your rifle that nothing has gone wrong. Now the problem begins. Rifle out of wacke. How many rounds to correct it? 5 or 10 possible more. Now I generally have done mostly one shot kills, and sometime I don't. I wish, I could say I never miss, or make a poor shot. So how many rounds do you need. I take about 40 loaded rounds loaded, and especially if I am going out of the country. I generally come back 35 left over. So you tell me. 3 to check the rifle is zeroed. and 1 -3 shot to shoot animals.
