[Gunner65]

After reading topics and post, I remembered a question that was asked to me about 15 years ago, “How much ammo is enough?”

I asked back, enough for what? They then replied “Well I have heard guys talk to you about – when it all hits the fan – how much ammo is enough to have stored.

At what point (amount) are you safe, paranoid or nuts?

How many boxes of ammo per rifle, shotgun and pistol would be considered proper?

Just something I thought would be interesting to hear people’s ideas.

 

[coinshooter]

I think you will find most people will say you can never have to much.
How much food is enough, how much TP is enough?
I could care less being considered paranoid or nuts, shoot I would rather them say that
then standing over my dead body saying, wow if this would have went another hour he would have outlasted our ammo supply

 

[Squawker]

My personal goal is to eventually have 5000 rounds in each caliber for the weapons that I have. Certainly, when I reach that point, I'll still probably add to it, but I'll be happy to reach that goal. Currently, I have 9mm and 45 caliber pistols, 2 shotguns, a 22 rifle, and an AR 15. But, I will also keep adding guns, so I'm sure that there will be other calibers as well in the future.

 

[rednecknoise]

1k on hand at all times
1k a year to train

that's the minimum imho.:thumb:

 

[Gunner65]

Thank you all...

My answer was also "There can never be enough" and I just got some strange looks but I don't care, I would rather be safe then sorry!

 

[mortdooley]

My personal belief is that you will never feel you have enough. However how many firefights do you think you can survive? At some point you will be supplying someone else after your last fight.

 

[unknownroot]

My current goals are:
Each hand gun: 500 rounds
For my shotgun: 200 rounds
For my AK: 1k Rounds
Once I get an AR: 1k Rounds

However once I meet these goals there will be a new level to meet.

 

[Freshgrease]

Only as much as you can carry. If SHTF, you may become nomadic to avoid threats. You can't carry tens of thousands of rounds if you need to carry food/water as well. It is limited by your plan. If SHTF at BOL, you need to move.

You also have to consider the fact that ammo isn't water-resistant, and old ammo doesn't shoot well/at all. If you are going to horde ammo now, make it a habit to go to the range often to shoot the oldest of your ammo FIRST. Then replace as needed. This will provide a good cycle of freshness to your cache.

 

[Coastie Kyle]

I agree with Fresh. Defenetly as much as you can realisticly carry with whatever weapons you will be useing. Plus maybe another medium size stash in case you hold up. So that number will vary a lot depending on what guns you have. My opinion, since eventually you will need a resupply, keep weapons that are common (12ga., 9mm, .40, 45acp, .223, 7.62...ext). I am wondering this about the 12ga. Is it worth takeing? It is hard to carry a lot of ammo, but at the same time it will be very common and probly easyer to find. Heavy gun, but many uses?????

 

[Freshgrease]

12g will be more common than anyother ammo IMO. Everyone i know has atleast a 12g pump. Stores like Academy and Gander mountain stock up on these and put them on display. The selection and amount are huge. I would just buy ammo cans from army surplus and fill two with as much as you can.

EDIT: Buy a Mossberg 500 persuader with a pistol grip and sling. I ALMOST bought one yesterday. The thing is shorter (take off main stock and put pistol grip) and has an 18" barrel with a magazine just about as long. The thing has a thinish and cheapy feel receiver (compared to my heavy Remington 870 express), but it was light and easy to carry.

 

[Grinnan Barrett]

For weapons you plan to live with like your hand guns and your AK/AR/M1A etc. a minimum of 1000 rounds per gun plus at replacement for the ones you train with each year. Plan to shoot 500 rounds per year to keep up. For guns like my Swedish Mauser i keep 200 rounds min. For my 22LR I keep at least 5000 rounds at all times.

For those starting out don't necessarily try to buy it all at once. Look for bargains when you can. Buy 22LR buy the 500 round brick. it is good for barter as well. Be sure to buy some hollow points in 22LR as well. You need at least 500 rounds of these.

To start out buy at least 200 rounds for any new gun you buy. Better would be to buy at least 300 rounds. Always shoot high. You will go through more ammo than you think on the range.

 

[Coastie Kyle]

12g will be more common than anyother ammo IMO. Everyone i know has atleast a 12g pump. Stores like Academy and Gander mountain stock up on these and put them on display. The selection and amount are huge. I would just buy ammo cans from army surplus and fill two with as much as you can.

EDIT: Buy a Mossberg 500 persuader with a pistol grip and sling. I ALMOST bought one yesterday. The thing is shorter (take off main stock and put pistol grip) and has an 18" barrel with a magazine just about as long. The thing has a thinish and cheapy feel receiver (compared to my heavy Remington 870 express), but it was light and easy to carry.

I agree with the ammo statement, it will be easy to find. But it is not easy to carry. Im thinking a 100 rounds will be a b-tch to carry, along with what ever else you will have. A 12ga shell takes up the room of about three 762X39 bullets. I have a 870 TacMag that I would defenetly be takeing, but A decent way to carry enough ammo....thats the prob.

 

[BudgetSurvivalist]

Asking how much ammo is enough is a little like asking when you will be all done prepping.

I think they have about the same answer.

 

[Gunner65]

Lots of good post here and idea's...

I think it is smart to have as much as you can carry, enought at your home... and then more at your fallback position...

But in thr big picutre, there is never enough....

 

[Andrew1985]

How much ammo is enough? Well the answer is as much as you can afford. Each persons money is differnt so it depends on each person. But surely the more ammo ya got the longer you can stay in the fight.

 

[HippieSurvivalist]

I anticipate the need of becoming a hunter/gather in remote parts of New England and southern Quebec. As such, I have stockpiled 3,000 rounds of .22 (for small game) and 700 rounds of 20 gauge of various types (for everything else).

HippieSurvivalist

 

[OKC03cobra]

12g will be more common than anyother ammo IMO. Everyone i know has atleast a 12g pump. Stores like Academy and Gander mountain stock up on these and put them on display. The selection and amount are huge. I would just buy ammo cans from army surplus and fill two with as much as you can.

EDIT: Buy a Mossberg 500 persuader with a pistol grip and sling. I ALMOST bought one yesterday. The thing is shorter (take off main stock and put pistol grip) and has an 18" barrel with a magazine just about as long. The thing has a thinish and cheapy feel receiver (compared to my heavy Remington 870 express), but it was light and easy to carry.

I have a Mossberg 500 and was going to upgrade to the Mossberg 930 SPX until I saw the Saiga 12 Tromix Conversion. It will be my next shotgun purchase.

 

[Gunner65]

OKCO3 Have you had any problems shooting reload with your Moss? At the club trap shoots you see a few guys all the time fighting reloads.

 

[Coastie Kyle]

.22 is defenetly the "survivalist's" gun. When all come tumbleing down, its not going to be constant fighting, or combat. And really, you dont want to be involved in that anyhow. The 10/22 (or equivalant) will be the most important gun to have. And .22 ammo is the cheapest to stock, and carry! Win-Win.

-ps- gunner, I like the "loose lips" avitar.

 

[Grub]

Only as much as you can carry. If SHTF, you may become nomadic to avoid threats. You can't carry tens of thousands of rounds if you need to carry food/water as well. It is limited by your plan. If SHTF at BOL, you need to move.

You also have to consider the fact that ammo isn't water-resistant, and old ammo doesn't shoot well/at all. If you are going to horde ammo now, make it a habit to go to the range often to shoot the oldest of your ammo FIRST. Then replace as needed. This will provide a good cycle of freshness to your cache.

Old ammo shoots great, and most decent ammo will still shoot even though it might get damp/wet

As long as the primer doesn't get wet you have nothing to worry about. Higher quality ammo has seals that prevent the primers from getting moisture as easily.

Should you keep it try perferably? Of course.

Will old ammo fire? Of course. I have shot 30 year old RELOADS before with no problems...