Protect Yourself Against Component Shortages

[Sawfish]

As a hedge against any more component "shortages", real or perceived, I have put together three guns that will handle anything in North America. All are based on Encore actions. All are based on the 30/06 case. Calibers are 25/06, 30/06, and .35 Whelen Improved. All three utilize the same 30/06 parent case. All three can utilize the same powder (4350). I only have to worry about bullets of which I have an ample supply of Nosler "seconds". In a pinch I can cast them. If any of the Encores break down, and I do not have a needed part, I can borrow it from one of the others. You can do the same from your current gun safe.

 

[taskswap]

Folks might sneer but I now have a 50-year supply of muzzleloader materials. Not saying this is better than reloading equipment for those of you that do that, the simplicity and ease just suits me.

 

[mallardsx2]

Good idea.

I found a powder I can use in everything from my .243-my 300 WSM.
IMR 4064 and I shoot the same bullets out of all of the 30 cailbers with the same primers. I can just buy in bulk and not worry about it.
The powder I use in my shotguns also doubles for my 9mm which is nice. I try to only keep a couple different powders on my shelf at any given time. Mostly because I like to keep things simple.

I have also collected range brass for the last 20 years and have it all cleaned, re-sized, de-primed, trimmed, and primer pockets uniformed with flash holes de-burred. All just sitting there waiting to be stuffed and shot.

I'm no F class shooter so I live with 1" groups at 100 yards.....

I got enough ammo to last me a long time now but when prices come down I will likely stock up on a few odds and ends.

If it really hits the fan I guess I could always cast round balls and use up this 5 pounds of 2F powder I got sitting here in my flintlock. Its cheap fun to shoot and flints dont cost much.. lol

 

[JimP]

You don't have to base everything off of a single case. I load for a dozen different calibers and cartridges but what I do is find a powder that works in a couple different ones and buy that powder in 5, 8, or 10 lb jugs.

For most of my pistol rounds Unique works quite well, except for my hunting loads.

I also try to keep 1000 primer of every size that I use at the minimum. Bullets can get expensive for hunting rounds but for my pistols I'll use hardcast lead for general shooting and save the jacketed bullets for hunting.

Same with my muzzle loader. I have a couple hundred pounds of lead and molds for what I like to shoot, but for a couple of my muzzle loaders I have to buy factory rounds but try to keep a good supply of them.

 

[memtb]

A pretty good plan......! memtb

 

[THelms]

I've got my two primary hunting rifles shooting the same powder, it's kept things nice and simple.

 

[Rich M]

Very nice!

I did something similar - loading 357 mag and 350 Legend (.355). The bullets will cross load if size 357 to 356 for the Legend.

Bought a ML last year in prep for a long shot hunt draw. Have stuff for about 300 shots.

The guy who planned for stuff is usually ready.

 

[mallardsx2]

I got called a "Bean Counter" for suggesting using the same powder for several different calibers on another forum....lol

 

[JimP]

It is a lot easier on the pocket book if you can find that one powder that will work across several calibers.

For me it is Unique, and H110 for pistol rounds. Unique works for the light loads and then to power them up I'll go with the H110. Both work quite well in my 357's and 44 magnums.

For rifle rounds I have settled on just RL22, some don't like it since it is temperature sensitive but I work up my loads during the summer when it is warmer out and then have no problems shooting them when fall comes around and it is cooler. That RL22 works in my .25-06 all the way up to my .340 Weatherby mag..