How much ammo is enough?
 

Do you think you have enough ammo?
Check out the guys at AR15. com The good pictures start a few pages into it

Hell i thought 25,000 assorted rounds was alot. Alot of these guys have 25k of each caliber....

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=307338

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

A couple hundred rounds per gun...if you need more than that.....you will not survive anyway. Unless you live in a hardened bunker....no chance of getting in a protracted gun battle where you exchange thousands of rounds and can survive.

Must be pratical on these things...you probably will never fire a single round.

A good rule: whatever you pay for the gun....spend the same amount on ammo....that would be way more than enough.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Figure the population of your county and divide by 1000 :s9:

Seriously 300 rounds should carry you through fine.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

a few points:
-some ppl shoot as a hobby for fun, and may think it will not be available any more at some point.
-some ppl may shoot automatics, which eat up a ton of ammo.
-some ppl may be planning on using ammo for barter in a shtf scenario.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

True but most of these guys also shoot alot.

They go out and practice and go thru 5-700 rounds a month. Or take a weekend carbine course (1000 rd minimum)

They bought it a couple of years ago at $99/k surplus and now you cannt find it for $400/k Plus many have LEGAL full autos

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

My statements were directed at just SHTF use.....

Stockpile for value/fun uses...that's different....

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Count how much you have now.

Got a number? Good.

You need I more box....

Do this about twice a month...

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

You city guys are such novices.:aetsch:

Aside from the facts Ioptus points out, there's the problem of putting all your eggs in one basket. Maybe 1k rounds is enough, maybe it's not. But 1k rounds in one place is nothing.

What if there's a fire? A robbery? What if you're removed from your home?

One should have 'the minimum' in several locations.

Also, no one pointed out that one might be stockpiling for a whole fire team, or several.:rolleyes:

If you have to stockpile food, rather than have the ability to PRODUCE your own food, If you can throw a rock and hit a neighbor, you're kidding yourself with your 'preps'. You'll just provide something to the hoard that overruns you.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

...always liked your style eat_beef.:ok:

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

You can't have too much. If you hunt your own food you will need ammo for large game and ammo for small game.

As far as the attack from the have-nots, well again you can't have too much large cal. man killiers such as 223. when the ammo box gets too heavy to carry start filling another one. Adding just a box of ammo a week adds up fast.

A freind told me many years ago, a box of 22 shells will have more value than most things when SHTF.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

OK, WHY IS IT THAT NO ONE HERE EVER CONSIDERS TIMEFRAMES?

1k rounds per caliber is plenty. As long as you have a ton of reloading supplies.

But what happens if you can no longer get ammo, EVER AGAIN?

You do the math.

Is 1k rounds per caliber enough? Your call, not ours.

If you can't get any more ammo for 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?

Without ammo, you semi-auto rifle is a pretty poor club.

Even more so with ANY pistol.

As Tn Andy has said, lay in your ammo 'wide and deep'.

And if you live in the big city and are NOT bugging out, double THAT amount. You can never have enough ammo. NEVER.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

I agree 100%! :bear_thumb:

Too many people fantasize about engaging in warfare with someone during social collapse. Defensive firearms are like strategic nuclear deterrents...usage means failure. Although deployment which leads the "bad guys" to go away is not failure.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

If you can never get ammo, ever again, then its also certain that shooting for fun (or any shooting whatsoever) will be frowned on. Pick your reason. In that sort of environment you will be shooting strictly when you absolutely need to.

Trying to account for every and any "what if" scenario could beggar you. I balance what could happen with my enjoyment of today. Fortunately, ammo rots very slowly so the simple practice of buying a little more then I expend serves me well.

300 rounds per caliber that you own in two or three locations should cover most situations. More is better but I think there are better preps that could be purchased.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Worst case, the stuff is keeping pace with inflation better than some better known shiny metals. I have yet to see a brick of .22LR take a 50% haircut off it's recent high.

Case of 5250 for about 200 bucks shipped.... 4 cents/rd. You ought to have couple cases of it, minimum. Bet it outperforms silver.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=498162

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

I used to keep ammo in a drawer.
The drawer broke. that was no sign that I had enough.
It sits on concrete now. I'd say you're right.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Good point!... "lead.....the poor mans PM"

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

I have invested in lead and brass for the last 15 years and like TN Andy says it has never dropped in value.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

When you're thinking of moving to a different locale and then decide not to after you ask yourself, "How the f*ck am I going to get all this there and where the f*ck can I store it?"

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

The Squirrel does not COUNT his nuts, rather he uses his time to ADD to his stack.
This is a simply so when his wife asks "how much more do we need" Mr. Squirrel can always answer honestly " As much as we can get"

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Don't forget to factor in training and practice rounds for yourself, your spouse, older kids, inner circle of trusted friends, etc... I have no idea how much is enough, but I think that right now a big box of ammo is a better parking place for spare FRNs than a bank is.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Even less expensive when picked up at china mart @ $15 per box of 550 (equals $150 per 5500rds).

Anyway, I subscribe to the theory that at some point in the near future military calibers are either going to be taxed to the point of being cost prohibitive or banned outright.

I'd rather have a few put back before that happens in order to maintain proficiency. For at least a decade.

If I had any guns, that is. Unfortunately, I lost all my guns in a tragic boating accident in the Sahara just this past week. Since then, I've come to believe that ALL guns are evil, vile, disgusting, dangerous implements, and I forbid them in my house.

You hear that, BATFE buddies? I HATE GUNS and love the government. Our house is a gun-free zone. No guns here. No siree Bob.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

When my wife and I moved into our current house a couple of years ago, it took one trip with the Chevy Tahoe to bring only the guns and one seperate trip to haul only the ammo. I made these trips after dark and backed up to the back porch so I could shield the view with the open vehicle back doors. I've added a bit to the stash since then. I am now sure that I have enough guns. I'm still thinking I may need a bit more ammo.

Did I mention that I'm a compulsive liar? In reality I only own a rusty pellet gun with a bent barrel and a sling shot. Guns are evil! Long live Obamba! Socialism is groovy!

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Another flawed assumption.

Some are able to train in an environment such that they have no worry of being seen or heard by anyone.

Everyone (myself included) needs to remember that their own circumstances are not the circumstances of everyone else.

Once again, I'll add, if you're not far enough out that you can practice without worry of 'being caught', you're not far enough out, and your 'survival preps' are for naught.

Survival preps are about mindset. If your mindset is I'll live my regular life until the balloon goes up, then 'bug out' or 'bug in' and learn to live primitive, you've already lost.

Unless you happen to be an urban drug/warlord, then you're probably alright.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Training/practice should not be included in one's emergency supply/reserve of ammunition. That should be in addition.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

in my opinion every time i see a good deal on ammo i buy it.....every time i go to walmart i buy a bulk pack of something

cause ...never seen any lose value

and with this stuff i hear about where they are going to register each bullet etc. if that happens ammo is going to get very scarece and expensive

the Obama man will want to make it so difficult and expensive to buy ammo you will not want to buy much at all. i think they will have more luck regulating and restricting ammo rather than guns

no telling what they will do to the reloaders

just my humble opinion

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

still adding ammo 15, of 50 cal can full , but need more

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Q: How do you know if you're on GIM too much?

A: Because "Buy more ammo" always makes it on your shopping list.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Well, with a Dem President and a Dem congress, ANYTHING can happen to that Second Amendment! I absolutely see a 600% tax on ammo for JUST THAT REASON.

The only way we can keep the Dems at bay is public action and strengthening our legislation.

Many many GIM'ers seem to be the paranoid wall flower "I don't want my name on a list! I am not even registered to vote!" types... They wring thier hands about what is happeneing, but they want SOMEONE ELSE to do the dirty work and take a chance, yet reap the rewards.

If you are one of these types, (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!) you need to remember this:

If you are too cowardly to stand up and be counted, to make your voice heard, what will you do with your gun when tyranny arrives? I mean, you already know that you are a coward, so what will you do? Take your super secret gun and go shoot someone in a blue helmet?
I think not.
We know what you will do. You will whisper about the Good Ol Days and hope that "someone else" does something, while you let your supersecret gun rust in it's supersecret hiding place along with your moldy case of discount MRE's.
(pardon me a moment whilst I vomit)

That is NOT how we will succeed.

Better idea:
Buy as many firearms as you want. Give them as gifts! Register as many SBR's and suppressors as you can, join EVERY pro gun lobby group you can, and learn how to start grass roots legislation. Urge your friends to get CCW permits and to buy guns, including assault rifles. Take them shooting and let them burn through a box. Turn them on to firearms. Get them going in the right direction. Turn America BACK INTO a gun culture and freedom culture and personal responsibility culture.

THAT is how to beat the Fed. The Feds just follow the rules. If the rules change so do they. They are like the Borg. They are guys, most... smart, but not brilliant, that are working away at a Federal retirement, doing thier job. If the rules tomorrow change and allow everyone to own an unregistered suppressor, believe me, the hour the legislation passes, they will stop activity related to supressors. Most of those ATF guys (that I know anyway) are not rabidly anti-gun. Most all of them own firearms themselves. They are just following the rules.
They do not get cash bonuses for finding illegal guns, such as the IRS agents receive for "recovering" "lost" revenue from recalcitrant tax payers.
(Everyone here knows that, right? The IRS guys get a slice of the recovered money as an "on the spot cash award". THAT is why the IRS guys are so rabid. They are motivated by greed)

Soapbox Rant Complete. Thanks for reading!<!-- / message --><!-- edit note -->

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

In hunting you need one bullet per animal. In war you need one bullet per enemy soldier. In practice you need one bullet per shot. If you have more than that you are a collector.

Or, to quote another source, "You need enough to cover up what you already have."

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Very good post IMO. Thanks

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

+1

Best firearm related post I've seen in a LONG time.

I'm going to recruit a buddy into the gun culture NOW! :banana:

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

as much as you can easily store. sell it later at a profit if you don't use it.

of course all food preps should be complete before you start investing in ammo above and beyond about 1000rds/caliber.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

When the lead in the bullets stacked in old ammo cans forms an impenetrable barrier from gamma rays caused by the nearby nuclear explosion, then you have enough.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Why store more food than you can eat in a day? What happens if ammo gets banned, or taxed into oblivion, or SHTF and production ceases?

Even if you never got into a single "gun battle" how much ammo would someone need for the rest of their life? Figure a hundred rounds a month per gun for someone who is moderately into practicing. It adds up.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Ahahahhahhahhahahhaha. That, my friend, had me literally laughing so hard tears rolled down my cheeks. Thanks for that.

:4_1_72::4_1_72::4_1_72::4_1_72::rofl::rofl::rofl:

I'd say you have truly defined the limit of how much is enough. This thread should be closed on that statement alone.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

1000 rds for each calibre I own. If I'd need more than that, I'm dead anyway - nobody can keep up a firefight forever.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

You're welcome!

Coincidentally, stopping gamma rays is also my standard to the question "How much gold is enough?"

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

I dont mean to go overkill but.

.308..20,000
.223..15,000
57x28..3000
30/06 4000
9mm..4500
40SW..4500
45ACP..4500
22LR..5000


Anyone want 1000 round case lots of .223, 285.00 per case.
http://hkpro.com/forum/

In the "HK PARTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR SALE" forum...

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

I agree.

1,000 per handgun caliber
a couple thousand for the AKs.

Realistically I doubt I live longer than that.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

IF you are alone. The neighbor you don't know now may turn out to be an ally later. The old guy down the street may have been an Army Ranger in Korea. Or a quartermaster. Today's Neighborhood Watch group might end up deputized in the next natural disaster, or form the basis for a small militia if things are even worse than that. Hard times can make people crazy, antisocial, and violent, but it can also bring them together. A couple old surplus rifles and 10 cans of ammo might be your ticket into such a group. Maybe the family with 5 school age kids will work your garden while you do lookout duty. As hard times get harder I'll learn who my friends and allies are.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

IF you are alone. The neighbor you don't know now may turn out to be an ally later. The old guy down the street may have been an Army Ranger in Korea. Or a quartermaster. Today's Neighborhood Watch group might end up deputized in the next natural disaster, or form the basis for a small militia if things are even worse than that. Hard times can make people crazy, antisocial, and violent, but it can also bring them together. A couple old surplus rifles and 10 cans of ammo might be your ticket into such a group. Maybe the family with 5 school age kids will work your garden while you do lookout duty. As hard times get harder I'll learn who my friends and allies are.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

All -

Just joined this forum.

And I'll maybe get tossed out on my ass very soon. However.

Regarding ammunition,

My store is counted in cases and cases of boxes of knowledge

& my best effort at understanding the whole freakin universe

From day one

On an entirely insubstantial floor,

Of woodsmanship, all the skills picked up in a lifetime

Of do it yourself,

And an extreme cynicism toward anyone

Who tells me that

"Its good for me."

Rather than lead, brass and nitrocellulose

Dependent on a concrete footing.

Don't get me wrong, I own guns and ammo.

Just don't depend on them.

Any fellow travelers out there?



scyth

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

I know the guy that started that thread on AR15.com, he's one of our hometown forum mods. You can literally play hide and seek behind his ammo stash. He used to order 5.45x39mm by the pallet back when it was $35 for 1k. I thought I was doing good on ammo hording till I met him.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

How long does ammo last for before you can't use it? I would imagine if it has a short lifespan say less than 5 years or so, you may not be able to use all the rounds you have stored. But I am probably wrong since you all seem to know your stuff.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

As long as it is in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.......... it will outlast you.

People can shoot ammo from the Nam era with no problems and that stuff wasnt even quality stored.


T

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

I've read that corrosive primer ammo shelf life is very long, like 100+ years.

I've also read that non-corrosive ammo is considered to have reached shelf life at 30 years by the govt. That being said, I have heard of people firing 50+ year old ammo without problems...

My understanding is that corrosive ammo outlasts non-corrosive.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

I've shot a LOT of .303 rounds from WW2 without a problem - maybe a FTF every 150 or so.

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Corrosive primers (that's what makes ammo corrosive, or not) deal better with extreme cold. That's why USSR/Russia still use them.

Shelf life with ammo is a non issue. Make sure it doesn't get hot enough to cook off, make sure it doesn't get submerged in water. This is hyperbole, but not by much.:wink:

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

Thanks for the info. I did not know that corrosive primers were still in use anywhere - learn something new all the time!

Re: How much ammo is enough?
 

I've fired 1932 dated Turk 8mm ammo with no problems at all. That stuff is as old as my dad!

Re: How much ammo is enough?