How much brass to buy?

[UTJL]

I’m getting into reloading for a 280ai. With brass being scarce, how many cases would you suggest purchasing initially? 100, 150, 200?

Is there any downside to shooting brass from the same manufacturer but different lots? If for instance I bought 100 cases now and 100 in 6 months?

 

[Pickettpuncher]

100 minimum if possible. For a 280AI I’d think you could get 10 loads or possibly more if you’re not hot rodding it and using soft brass. Peterson would be ideal. Same lots preferably, but in a hunting rig you’ll probably never know the difference.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I’m getting into reloading for a 280ai. With brass being scarce, how many cases would you suggest purchasing initially? 100, 150, 200?

Is there any downside to shooting brass from the same manufacturer but different lots? If for instance I bought 100 cases now and 100 in 6 months?

I try to buy the amount I think I need to burn the barrel up.

Also, I may buy even more if I need it for match shooting where I might need 200 rounds on back-to-back weekends and I won't have time to reload.

 

[Mag_7s]

For me, I would feel comfortable starting with 200 pieces. That should last you the life of the barrel with premium brass.

 

[Mag_7s]

Also, I think the lot to lot difference in quality brass will be negligible. Get what you can when it's available.

 

[MallardSX2]

100. But that's just me. I have 100 of everything I cycle through.

Except for shotgun shells and 9mm shells.....Aint no telling how many of those I have.

 

[ID_Matt]

Agree with the comments above about buying enough to burn the barrel out. On my bigger case hunting guns, I am fine with 100-150 as I don't usually shoot more than 20-50 rounds in a sitting. With my competition guns I like 200-300 pieces. Nice to load up enough for multiple matches and not have to worry about it for a while.

 

[wind gypsy]

100-150 on hunting guns unless its a higher volume range gun too.

400+ for anything that's higher volume like 223 or a match rifle where you might need 200+ rounds in a weekend.

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

I have two different approaches. If I plan on shooting the rifle a lot, I buy enough components to burn up the barrel. The brass qty is less than bullets, powder, and primer because it is reusable. If I don't plan on shooting the gun enough to burn out the barrel I like to buy enough to have components for 500 rounds and a minimum of 100 pcs of brass to start out with. I like to have 500 rounds loaded, but never seem to start there unless its a rifle I plan on burning the barrel up on . My general rule of thumb below:

Hunting Rifles, shotguns, revolvers - 500 rounds on hand
Semi Auto battle rifles, semi auto pistols - 2000 rounds on hand, 12 magazines each

This has helped me not feel guilty about shooting during the current shortages.

 

[SDHNTR]

100 good quality pieces usually lasts me a while with hunting guns and I’ll go through 50 first before I start on the other 50. Only because I get tired of reloading if I have to do more than 50 at a time.

With .223 I just use cheapo stuff and want several hundred.

 

[Rich M]

For my 243 I have about 50 mixed brass and maybe 150 loaded. Could use another 100.

Anyway, to me - 250 seems like a good number.
Shoot 50 and recycle thru em.
Find your good hunting load, then load 50 or 100.
Will have 100 brass as backup or you can load those too, maybe with a lighter or heavier bullet.
Keep doing your target stuff with the original 50. toss em and replace as necessary.

 

[Lawnboi]

It really depends on how much you plan to shoot and the quality of the brass. That and your reloading practices, on if you’re able to load brass 10+ times and avoid the problems that can sometimes come with it.

I like a few of the above buy what I think will kill the barrel. For a hunting gun, that might be 100 pieces. For something I’ll shooter a volume of or something I might take to a match I prefer to buy 300+.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

I go 200 same lot.

 

[Rob5589]

100 minimum. More if you shoot a ton. In this market I'd buy as much as I could afford. It won't go bad and not likely to ever go down in value.

 

[UTJL]

Thanks everyone! I ordered 150 Peterson’s today. This is for a hunting rifle and I plan to get a 223 trainer, so I think it should be sufficient for now.

 

[Hill Difficulty]

Here's my approach based on the supply chain's commitment to the chambering.

• If the chambering is popular with a current production commitment to components and commercially loaded ammo, 200 brass can make sense
• If the chambering has fallen out of fashion and production supply is less available, think 400+ pieces of brass

I have a 7WSM, 240W, and am just about to chamber a barrel in 284 Win. All 3 represent chamberings that don't have reliable production commitments from brass makers. The 284 is not going to happen unless I have 400 pieces.

Other: Unlike most, I load and optimize all my ammo (for hunting) based on new brass. All my rifles are tack drivers with new brass. [Why form brass when a rifle shoots less than half MOA with new brass?] Anyway, can shoot a hunting rifle for a long time before I get to loading 1X-fired brass.


2 things for the OP:

1. If a 280ai, my advice is to keep buying the Peterson brass until you get to 400.
2. Selling a rifle with a lesser demand chambering offers a lot of buyer appeal when you can bundle a lifetime of brass with it. In that context, you'll definitely get your money back on the brass. Should also sell much faster at a higher price.

Hope this helps!

 

[Alex Genereux]

100 minimum but ideally 200