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November 7, 2015
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Disasters change the way we see things. I had no idea there was a 1200sf factory jammed into the 120sf bedroom I call my reloading room! One wall covered in benches ( including an old NRA spec bench with tons of storage), the other in shelving units with another shelving unit in a closet. I just toted two dozen 12x8x10 boxes, several flats of shotgun shells and a few larger boxes out to the storage unit in preparation for an upcoming renovation. I had to get those boxes out of the way so I could finish packing!
I obviously have an inventory list of firearms but my books, reloading equipment and supplies are also on my insurance policy. Have any of you serious reloaders actually inventoried your reloading setup? If so any pointers? I figure I will inventory it when I unpack but need to work out a system now. I was in the automotive parts business for over 40 years but the inventory methods I used there will be useless. I’m thinking about just doing the inventory for a one-time evaluation and not planning on keeping it updated. I also want it to be organized so that my heirs have some idea what level of investment that pile of stuff represents if I don’t achieve my goal of shooting it all up and wearing out all my tools before I’m summoned to the shooting range of the hereafter. I’m thinking about an index card file, reckon they still sell those at the office supply stores for us old analog types?
Thanks in advance!
Mike
“Before” pics below of where the magic used to happen. Couldn’t bring myself to take pics after the tornado.
November 7, 2015
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Here’s a hint of what happened to my loading room.
Mike
antler1 said
Looks like a typical gun guy room
I don’t know about that; I thought I had a lot of stuff, but it doesn’t match this. However, I don’t think I could do careful work with that vicious brute on the wall looking over my shoulder.
Never even thought about it. I have inventory for my primers, powder, and moulds but not the reloading dies, bullets, presses, trimmers, scales, etc…. Now I’ve got work to do…
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
November 7, 2015
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clarence said
antler1 said
Looks like a typical gun guy room
I don’t know about that; I thought I had a lot of stuff, but it doesn’t match this. However, I don’t think I could do careful work with that vicious brute on the wall looking over my shoulder.
They seem to like hanging around here. If you look closely the skull of a really big hog is on top of the loading bench. Here’s another.
Mike
In answer to your question, Yes, I have a detailed inventory of everything in my reloading room… all recorded in an Excel spreadsheet. My Center Fire ammo Excel workbook has (20) worksheets in it as follows;
22 Hornet
22 Rem Mag
30-40 Krag
30-06
30-30
243 Win
7×57 Mauser
7mm Mag
32-40
38-55
33 WCF
40-70 Ballard
40-70 Sharps Str
405 WCF
50-95 WCF
25-20 S.S.
32 WCF
38 WCF
44 WCF
35 S.L.
Each worksheet has a column for the Brand, Head Stamp, Loaded Qty, Bullet Type & weight, Power, Primer, Velocity, and Empty Qty.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
In answer to your question, Yes, I have a detailed inventory of everything in my reloading room… all recorded in an Excel spreadsheet. My Center Fire ammo Excel workbook has (20) worksheets in it as follows;22 Hornet
22 Rem Mag
30-40 Krag
30-06
30-30
243 Win
7×57 Mauser
7mm Mag
32-40
38-55
33 WCF
40-70 Ballard
40-70 Sharps Str
405 WCF
50-95 WCF
25-20 S.S.
32 WCF
38 WCF
44 WCF
35 S.L.
Each worksheet has a column for the Brand, Head Stamp, Loaded Qty, Bullet Type & weight, Power, Primer, Velocity, and Empty Qty.
Bert
Bert-
I have software for that, thanks for reminding me. It came with my TMT firearms inventory software. It even prints labels! I’m primarily wanting to inventory tools and components, my inventory of hand loaded ammo is not a huge task as I generally have less than a hundred rounds of each of the cartridges I’m dabbling with. I’ll probably use a scale to inventory my pistol ammo as much of it is bulk. The recipe seldom varies while in some cases (45ACP) the headstamp varies quite a bit. During normal times my supply of ammo for clay busting and social equipment varies so I’m just wanting to establish a benchmark. I suck at Excel but that’s mainly because I haven’t used it on a regular basis for over 20 years. I’m wanting a system that will survive me and I’m not planning on checking out anytime soon.
Mike
Yes,
Surprisingly, just like my brother Bert, I have mine inventoried both in an Excel Spreadsheet and a dump to MS Word (which is easier on my eyes).
I have Excel tabs for Dies, Presses, Misc. Equipment. Here is my die inventory list as an example.
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Mike, FEAR NOT! I have absolutely NO IDEA what all I have! I will on occasion order resupply and find I already had plenty. Then I also get surprised when the box of cast 312 grain .378 diameter bullets for my .38-55 single shot only has three bullets left in it! Back when my brain seemed to work better it wasn’t a real issue as I remembered it all. Well….sort of. After I am gone my son will have fun digging through it all, I guess. Local auctions pick this sort of stuff up, put it on a wagon and sell it in lots for $5. At one time I had a sheet of legal paper with an inventory of numbers of shotgun wads by gauge and type, ditto for types of primers, same for caliber and types of bullets. Then I lost the sheet which I didn’t update anyway. If ever there is a fire, it won’t matter as the powder will guarantee its full combustion. Good luck whatever you do! If you get a good working system that doesn’t use a computer, let me in on how, please! Tim
Mike, FEAR NOT! I have absolutely NO IDEA what all I have! tim tomlinson said
You ain’t alone, my friend. If I’ve packed away more stuff than I can remember (or need), so be it–I’ve got MUCH better things to do with my time than obsess over lists & inventories. But anyone who enjoys bookkeeping, by all means go for it, & more power to you!
JWA said
Yes,Surprisingly, just like my brother Bert, I have mine inventoried both in an Excel Spreadsheet and a dump to MS Word (which is easier on my eyes).
I have Excel tabs for Dies, Presses, Misc. Equipment. Here is my die inventory list as an example.
OK, for those that know us both, there is nothing surprising about your Excel spreadsheets looking almost exactly like mine!
I have documented lists for all of my die sets and reloading tools, another for all of the various types of primers I use, another for my supply of rim fire ammo, and a list of all my “collector” grade ammo and boxes.
Bert (your BFADM)
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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I like your format, Jeff. My die set inventory contains no duplicates other than different manufacturers but the catalog/model # is a good idea. I’m a little like Tim in that I’ll buy powder and primers already well represented in my inventory and have sweated over a casting furnace to produce bullets already sitting on a shelf in my loading bench. When I go to record the surplus in my casting log I find the existing inventory duly recorded. My inventory control training dates back to a system older than most, if not all of us. It’s an inventory card system called Sort-A-Post, or something like that. Every item has a card with one corner cut off; when an item sells the date and quantity is recorded and the card is turned over. When ordering all the clerk need do is look for the cards that have been turned over as evidenced by the visible (untrimmed) corner.
I’m glad I have sufficient digital scales for “counting” bullets, brass and gas checks. If you’ve ever had to inventory a large hardware bin you’ll understand.
And Clarence, I have a really good idea what I have, sometimes the quantity on hand is a bit of a mystery to me.
Tim, I have one BOX of AA wads and a can full of hard shot for when a bullet alloy needs a bit more tin and antimony. My can of 452AA may work as a fire starter in a pinch. I have a few bags of good hulls around here but most were lost in the fire subsequent to the tornado. I don’t figure I was ever going to reload them, anyway.
If anyone wants to come by and help with the inventory I’ll freshen the sheets in my miraculously undamaged guest bedroom. My kitchen renovation is as yet unscheduled so we may have the pleasure of sampling local fare.
Mike
This is just one of the worksheets in my Excel workbook…
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Bert H. said
This is just one of the worksheets in my Excel workbook…
Here’s my “workbook”. It dates back over 40 years but quite honestly I wish I’d started earlier. Some loads I thought I’d never forget have had to be re-discovered. And no, the pages won’t be helpful as most folks can’t read my writing or understand my notes. Good thing I had a file pic, have no idea where it is at the moment.
Mike
TXGunNut said
Bert H. said
This is just one of the worksheets in my Excel workbook…
Here’s my “workbook”. It dates back over 40 years but quite honestly I wish I’d started earlier. Some loads I thought I’d never forget have had to be re-discovered. And no, the pages won’t be helpful as most folks can’t read my writing or understand my notes. Good thing I had a file pic, have no idea where it is at the moment.
Mike
Mike,
I will have a gift for you at the Cody show next year… a stone tablet, hammer & chisel
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Mike,
My bulk ammo inventory is on a similar system but I will not post it here because I think I am a few rounds within the maximum local fire department ordnance…..
For powder and primers I treat those the same way I handle my kitchen food stock, I keep a fair supply in rotation, when I hit a certain level I order more. (use one, buy one). If there is a drought, I have enough to see me through for several years, the same as canned and dry goods in my kitchen. Some people call that “prepping” but in actuality it is simply buying opportunely and having a reserve which costs LESS and eliminates localized shortages (and the accompanying price spikes). I have always considered ammo, powder and primers to be “money in the bank” for normal use and “gold” when it becomes a Mad Max society. There is NO downside to having too much. Just like food, rotate FIFO (first in, first out).
Sorry about your damaged reloading room and the effort it is taking to relocate your gear, from the photos that looks like a total PITA. You have my sympathies.
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Bert H. said
OK, for those that know us both, there is nothing surprising about your Excel spreadsheets looking almost exactly like mine!
Bert (your BFADM)
My BFADM Bert and I speak the same foreign language, it is called “Engineer”. 😉
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
A couple years ago I went through my entire house and inventoried everything gun related. Took weeks. I have excel spread sheets on everything. I have 40 different calibers and almost that many die sets. I’m not real good about keeping it updated but I try. The data is on my hard drive, back up hard drive, and a USB flash drive in my safe.
clarence said
However, I don’t think I could do careful work with that vicious brute on the wall looking over my shoulder.
There’s something about the expression on that hog’s face that rings a bell. Oh, now I got it. A former wife when I had really messed up. Never mind.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
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