150 calibers in my collection in less than a year!

[scriptguru]

Just bragging

I always wanted to collect ammo but there always were some major obstacles (living in a wrong country, etc), so few years ago I just bought a poster with 100+ different calibers printed in real size (called "American Standard") and was pretty happy with it. But less than a year ago a fellow CGNer was selling a lot of oddball ammo on the EE and I couldn't resist. And then another CGNer was so generous that he sent me another lot of ammo almost for free, and then I bought another lot. And now thanks to CGN members and CGN itself there are 150 different calibers in my collection!

Now it includes some specimens I've never heard about (but it was fun to identify them and read about them) like...
- 8x50R Lebel (the first smokeless cartridge ever adopted in any army)
- 56-56 Spencer (pretty rare rifle cartridge from US Civil War time) in amazing condition
- 11x60R Mauser or .43 Mauser (quite an unusual looking round)
- 22 K Hornet (improved 22 Hornet)
- 22 Extra Long (just like 22 LR but longer)
- 4.85x49mm NATO (experimental NATO round)
- etc, etc

If somebody is interested in full collection, it's here

Just in case somebody also wants to collect ammo (or already does) but doesn't know how to store it in a properly organized way, the best solution I've found it Akro-Mils Cabinet, Parts Storage, 64 Compartments that can be bought from Staples or similar store. It's quite inexpensive and the size of compartments fits ammo well (it's too small for 50 BMG, but works for all the rest of my ammo).

 

[MG4A6]

Cool, Thanks for sharing!

 

[Evanguy]

Thats really neet man, i always want to start somthing like this, but i get way over involved and obsessed in things like this. So i tend to just stick to what im already doing, (lee metfords/enfields and 303br) Although some of the rounds you listed are really cool. The nato round you listed and the 8x50r would be neat to have. Well all of them haha. If i could buy a collection i would. and i also have some 43 mauser ammo, i havent shot any yet, im saving it but i have 20 brass and i reload it and shoot my 71/84 all the time. Its an awseome round. 1oz bullet 1640fps

 

[scriptguru]

Reloading is definitely another thing I want to do, but living in an apartment and having two young kids stops me from doing it. Probably having a collection is even more valuable for somebody who is reloading because it might inspire you to experiment with wildcats, bullet shapes, etc.

From time to time I have thoughts like "why do I even need this collection?" but I'd probably not sell it if I received an offer because I know I'd regret selling it. It's one of my long time dreams that came true. By the way, just recently I've exchanged emails with a guy who is collecting ammo since 1960s. His collection is around 2000 rounds and it's worth $$$$, and it's really cool thing to own, but not something you can easily sell - more like a frozen investment you'll hardly ever return (it's hard to find a crazy person who would appreciate your collection as much as you do).

1oz bullet 1640fps is definitely impressive. I thought people don't shoot those calibers much anymore.

 

[calibrecarstairs]

Impressive collection. A picture is worth a thousand spreadsheets they say...

 

[bertn]

Impressive collection. A picture is worth a thousand spreadsheets they say...

Yeah indeed was hoping the link got me a nice picture!

Keep up the good work!!
Your list will hopefully inspire some gun nut here to contact you about calibers they are willing to share.
I would not be surprised that there will even be someone here who has reloading dies for 150 different calibers lol.

 

[jonnyc]

Great start!
Too bad you're not here down south; much easier trading and shipping. I would happily add to your collection with a shovel-full from my basement floor. If you join the IAA (cartridgecollectors.org) you'll get a copy of the members' list, including a bunch of good eggs from Canada. A few of them regularly come to our US cartridge shows.

 

[scriptguru]

Thanks for the advice, I'll probably apply for membership in IAA.

OK, here are couple pictures.

Here is how the collection looks like (probably I'll need to buy another cabinet soon).

And here are a few cool looking cartridges

I'd say the best thing about having the collection is that besides just looking at different cartridges you can compare them - that's when you see all the details of each cartridge.

 

[tootall]

Get the book Cartridges of the World.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=cart...&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=szAFWePnI5LMjwO11ZvQBA
I have several editions of COTW, and use it as a checklist. I make detail notes of the headstamp and bullet type, etc.
COTW breaks it down into Current North American, Obsolete NA, Pistol, Military, British Sporting, Euro Sporting, etc...

 

[polskiogorki]

All you ammo collector guys really need to find me a 13.2x92sr round. Im dying to have one to show with my gun ☺

 

[jonnyc]

There is a guy in Michigan who sells new-made solid black plastic dummies of that round. Would that work for you?
The originals aren't that hard to find here in the US, but they aren't cheap, and there's no easy way to get one up to you.

 

[FLHTCUI]

I might have to do a count and see how many rounds are in my shoe box of cartridges too.
You have to start someplace and thats a good a place as any.
Got a pic of that 13.2x92sr?
As informal as mine is (collection) it is addicting.
Rob

 

[jonnyc]

Tell me about it...........many thousands down the road. Not to mention trays, books, cabinets, boxes, files, etc.

Sorry, but I never got one of the plastic dummies, I have an example of a live original. You may be able to find him on-line: David Bell, Michigan, USA

 

[Craig0ry]

You need to find a way to display them, I have mine in a glass top coffee table.

 

[scriptguru]

Agreed!
But it's not gonna happen any time soon, unfortunately. Perhaps when I retire (in 30 years) or when I buy a house, whatever happens first.

 

[polskiogorki]

There is a guy in Michigan who sells new-made solid black plastic dummies of that round. Would that work for you?
The originals aren't that hard to find here in the US, but they aren't cheap, and there's no easy way to get one up to you.

I probably wouldn't bother with a plastic one. I have family in Texas. .. il get them to keep an eye out !

I might have to do a count and see how many rounds are in my shoe box of cartridges too.
You have to start someplace and thats a good a place as any.
Got a pic of that 13.2x92sr?
As informal as mine is (collection) it is addicting.
Rob

 

[jonnyc]

Nice. I had one a few years ago, although not quite as nice as yours. Couldn't shoot it, so out it went. Paid for lots of other good stuff.

 

[tiriaq]

Cartridge collection storage...
See if you can find a map/chart cabinet. Used for storing large sheets. Shallow drawers. Lay a sheet of corrugated cardboard in the drawer. The stuff used to wrap objects in shipping. Lots of cartridges will lie in the grooves.

 

[Lead hammer]

I came across some old stuff I have never hear of. One was 9mm bird shot.

 

[stubblejumper]

Nice collection, but you don't have even close to 150 calibers.