Big Game Rifles & Loaded Rounds ?

[1100 Remington Man]

I have been polishing a couple hundred 6mm Rem. Cases and it got me to thinking the best thing I ever did was buy 500 pieces of brass for my 700 BDL 6mm REM.
I wish I had bought a couple hundred for my 300 H&H Mag as it is hard to come by these days and even though Nosler just released some, I found it very high prices at just about $ 4.00 a piece.
Unfortunately when I emailed Winchester they said it has been discontinued.
How many rounds do you keep loaded for Big Game Rifles not Varmint Rifles or AR’s ?

 

[xphunter]

For big game hunting rigs, at least 100.
For most, at least 200.

 

[SJB358]

I keep 50 loaded for most serious guns. Less for the casuals.

 

[Blkram]

I try to have at least 100 rounds of factory ammunition, plus 100 rounds of handloads, for each rifle on hand. (All preferred loads for that particular firearm.) By having the factory ammo, if I do run short on a firearm's preferred handload, at least a quick trip to zero for the factory ammo allows me to hunt with that firearm should I choose to and not have time to reload more for it.
While I may have the factory ammunition, I am behind on the handloading for the newer acquisitions, and a couple of older rifles in my battery that haven't seen the light of day for a while. (Might have to trim the herd here...)
I also try to have a good supply of components on hand for each as well. While I am not always successful for each, I am always on the look out for supplies. (Need to get these for my newest acquisitions)
I too, try to have a supply of prepped cases for each so that I am able to just reload as needed, or wanted, without having to spend the extra time with prep before loading. I started on this for some of my more commonly used cartridges...and need to get back to doing this again, as I haven't yet done this for a number of my newer acquisitions as yet.

 

[clearwater]

box of 20 and components for at least 100
also lots of practice rounds including cast or reduced loads

I have more than one rifle, so that gives more flexability.

 

[ronco]

I have 100 rounds loaded for my often-used guns and 50 for the others. I always have a 5-gallon bucket full of 12-gauge shells, loaded for competition and dove hunting.
Here's a good website for brass, they have good sales on both brass and bullets.
https://ravenrocksprecision.com/

 

[wvbuckbuster]

50 or less for deer rifles, more for range plinkers. Doesn't count some factory stuff for couple firearms. Brass prepping is the least of my favorite part of reloading. I just consider it a necessary evil,

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

It depends. If it’s something that gets a lot of action, I may keep several hundred cases and loaded rounds on hand. The .22-250, .30-06, and .357 Magnum for example. I don’t load .22 LR or 20 gauge shotgun but keep lots of ammo around for them.

If it’s an oldie that I love to shoot but don’t shoot a lot, it may be as little as 20-50 rounds. The .300 Savage and .35 Whelen are examples.

I kinda operate on “it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it” mentality in general.

Cartridges like the .25-20, .25-35, .257 Roberts, .264 Win Mag or .300 WSM are kind of a rule unto themselves for me. But generally 100 cases or loaded rounds will do.

 

[GregoryB.]

Most of my rifles are for hunting so 50 rounds or less, plus if I am low on ammo it forces me to use a different gun. Also I don’t want to leave a bunch of loaded ammo for my Wife to deal with if I pass suddenly she will have enough on her plate with all of my guns.

 

[hunter24605]

I try to keep 50 rounds for my bolt guns. And for the AR's, being the hungry little beasts they are, I try to keep many, many more of .223, Grendel, 6 Arc, 308 win, and 350 legend. I don't varmint hunt much anymore, but if I did, I expect I'd keep a pile of 22-250.

 

[bkordon]

I will just say, it is excessive. I don't want to get in a pinch. I mainly hunt with my 6.5X284 so last time I looked, it was 200 or so. Mainly because when loading, I get into a groove and press them out. I hand measure all of my loads and find it easier to make more when I have the components out. This is just one example.

 

[FNWhelen]

I use a 35 Whelen for just about everything and so does my son. He does not reload so I try to keep 500 or more ready to go. That way after he puts me in the oven he will have plenty to last him for a while.

 

[RL338]

I have a lot of load rounds for each cartridge I own. The biggest thing is having a good amount of brass on hand.

 

[Wolfshead]

I load up approximately 50 at the beginning of hunting season, and then if I don’t use that up it’ll probably get used through out the year, up to sighting in before the next season.
And then the process repeats itself….

 

[NYDAN]

I must be the odd man out here. I like to have about 100 cases or more on hand for each cartridge I load but, I don't really load a lot ahead since I am always trying this, or trying that, or can't get this component or can't get that component. So, I load only enough for that hunting season. For my western trips the outfitter wants us to bring 40 rounds, so I usually bring 30-40 rounds.

For hunting here in New York, I might load up a box (20 rounds) but, I have started the hunting season with as few as 8 loaded rounds (for a rifle already sighted in).

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I must be the odd man out here. I like to have about 100 cases or more on hand for each cartridge I load but, I don't really load a lot ahead since I am always trying this, or trying that, or can't get this component or can't get that component. So, I load only enough for that hunting season. For my western trips the outfitter wants us to bring 40 rounds, so I usually bring 30-40 rounds.

For hunting here in New York, I might load up a box (20 rounds) but, I have started the hunting season with as few as 8 loaded rounds (for a rifle already sighted in).

You sound like me. I had ten shells loaded for my 308 after sight in and practice. Took it on a couple of doe hunts, shot twice, killed two have eight left.

 

[Blkram]

There is no wrong answer here; do what works for you!

I'm reminded of an old Federal Cartridge ad where the fellow said something along the lines of he sighted in his rifle with Federal ammo; 2 shots and then 18 animals in the 20 years after that.

Theoretically, it only takes one shot to put meat on the table.

Being that I am not the best shot in the world (I shake like a leaf in the wind on a good day), and had developed a flinch from a magnaported 300 Win Mag early in my shooting career (I blink when the rifle goes off - more from the noise than the recoil) I like to practice every year to where I can keep my eyes open during the shot, and to ensure my rifle is still zeroed before I head afield for game. But this is just my practice, and has worked for me for the past 35 years. Therefore, I like to have more ammo readily available for every rifle, as I may take anyone of them for that next hunt, and need to practice with it/verify zero before I do.

 

[FOTIS]

I keep 50 loaded for most serious guns. Less for the casuals.

Pretty much the same thing for me

 

[JD338]

I load up approximately 50 at the beginning of hunting season, and then if I don’t use that up it’ll probably get used through out the year, up to sighting in before the next season.
And then the process repeats itself….

Pretty much what I do too.

JD338

 

[Slimfinn]

I typically work in batches of 50, like alot of the others, unless I come to the end of a box of bullets or primers, I may add a few more