Whats your comfortable amount of ammo

[380guy]

I read an interesting post in here about shooting as much as normal. One response was in reference to not shooting .223 rounds because he only had 400 or so rounds left. In your opinion whats a "good number" of rounds to keep on hand. I have about 700 rounds of .40, about 3k of 22lr, and about 1k of 380. I dont know if thats a good amount or not. I can still get 380 at a normal cost but who knows when spp will become available to reload with, hell who knows when my press will ever get here and when it does I only could find 1k spp in a 50 mile radius. Many, many people bought their new guns and ammo prepping for what might happen, in your opinion is my amount safe to maybe shoot off a couple hundred of each caliber or should I just keep buying and maybe wait to see when all this blows over. BTW its winter here and cold and snowy so shooting doesnt appeal to me right now anyways.

 

[usafmora]

I was one of the dumb ones caught short on ammo. I have about 300 rounds of 380s, and 200 rounds of 7.62. Then I have about 250 rounds of 9mm and I dont even have the 9mm ruger any more.

 

[Jordan]

Ammo is gold, especially in the event our federal money goes kaput. Hoard it. There is never too much. Lol. Seriously though, I think its totally subjective. I usually make sure I have enough ammo to fill every magazine for every gun and have a box or two left over.

 

[CitiusFortius]

I had a friend who used to say, keep 1,000 rounds minimum, then feel free to shoot anything you get over 1,000. In a perfect world I'd agree with that, but even in non panic times ammo was expensive. So I guess I'd say 500 per caliber as a minimum would make me feel ok..

 

[hornadylnl]

Whatever amount you think is necessary, double it. When you achieve that amount, double it again. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Seriously, if I had invested $100k in ammo and components back in 2000, I'd be nearly retired now and I'm 36. You could buy 1000 30 cal ap bullets for $80. They're going for $1 or more a piece now.

 

[Max Volume]

It depends on the firearm and it's useful purpose in a SHTF scenario. For a carry gun, oh maybe 3-4 thousand with enough to reload just as many. For the AR's, 5-6 thousand. Shotgun, several thousand including reloads with .22 the same amount. For something just used as a range toy maybe a couple of hundred. Something to be used for deer sized game maybe 500.

I have not done any panic buying but have acquired ammo throughout the years as price and spare funds allow. Guess I'm opportunistic in that manner. Last week I decided to shoot my .22's. Yes, I have over 4000 rounds but wanted to replace what I was going to shoot. The shop had abut 30 boxes of 50. I could have hoarded it all but only bought 4 boxes. What I planned on shooting.

 

[patience0830]

Whatever amount you think is necessary, double it. When you achieve that amount, double it again. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Seriously, if I had invested $100k in ammo and components back in 2000, I'd be nearly retired now and I'm 36. You could buy 1000 30 cal ap bullets for $80. They're going for $1 or more a piece now.

Darned wannabe commodities trader.
Right, he is though. Ammo is a means of exchange just like gold only ammo is cheaper than gold bullets to shoot. Not by much though.

 

[Darral27]

I just buy ammo anytime I see a good price on it. Not happened so much here in the last month or so. I did just find a decent deal on 10mm. I think how much you want really depends on the caliber and what it's SHTF uses are. If it a long range hunting rifle you do not need as much as you would for an AR or AK. Same thing with pistols. It just depends on what it's uses are. Bottom line is you can never have too much.

 

[j4jenk]

Interesting question. I usually break my ammo stocking levels into 3 categories based on priority level:

1. Personal/Home defense = enough to load every weapon, and associated magazines, intended for defensive use at least 3X with high quality ammunition

2. Training = enough ammunition to train with weapons included in #1 at least once per month for 12 months (may need to up this to 36 months)

3. Fun/Plinking/Nostalgia = enough ammunition to have fun with your range toys!!! .22s, C&R guns, dedicated target guns, ect... (Seriously, you can never have enough .22LR, 7.62X54r, or 7.62X38r)

#1 and #2 are not negotiable in my home.

 

[nemo97]

Funny, I was just eyeballing my supply to see if I can stomach shooting any right now. 11,000 rounds of .22 LR, 1,600 rounds of 9 mm, 500-600 rounds of .357, 400 rounds of .308, 3,500 rounds of 5.45x39mm and I don't feel like I have anything to comfortably shoot with supplies as dry and expensive as they've become in the past few months.

I'd like to have 20,000 to 30,000 rounds .22 LR;
2,000 to 4,000 rounds of .357;
5,000 to 10,000 rounds 9mm;
1,000 rounds of .308;
And about 6,000 rounds of 5.45x39mm.

As for need for practice, I believe handgun practice is much more needed than long gun practice as the skill seems to much more quickly erodes.

 

[1988-4551]

No such thing as too much. Centerfire calibers would be 1k ready rimfire who knows

 

[VN Vet]

When I have 100 rounds more than my enemy.

With Homeland Security buying millions of rounds, I guess I will alway be out-gunned. That is where you all come in. We will all need each others help.

 

[Max Volume]

When I have 100 rounds more than my enemy.

With Homeland Security buying millions of rounds, I guess I will alway be out-gunned. That is where you all come in. We will all need each others help.

DHS is probably no different than NYC police. They would probably miss most of the time and waste their ammo.

 

[Bunnykid68]

When I have 100 rounds more than my enemy.

With Homeland Security buying millions of rounds, I guess I will alway be out-gunned. That is where you all come in. We will all need each others help.

Not true my friend, we are on your side too

 

[jqunac]

My goal is to accumulate 5k rounds of each caliber, 9mm and 5.56, as prices fall. Should have done this last year but earmarked money for home improvements instead. What the heck was I thinking.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

1 round per gun.

 

[jabbett]

I will be comfortable when there is plenty on the store shelves!

 

[~Jeff~]

I will be comfortable when there is plenty on the store shelves!

^^^THIS^^^

 

[Bunnykid68]

My goal is to accumulate 5k rounds of each caliber, 9mm and 5.56, as prices fall. Should have done this last year but earmarked money for home improvements instead. What the heck was I thinking.

Yeah seriously, what were you thinking. If the roof wasn't leaking you could have waited

 

[45-70]

When I have 100 rounds more than my enemy.

With Homeland Security buying millions of rounds, I guess I will alway be out-gunned. That is where you all come in. We will all need each others help.

Count me in Bro' I'm old but at least I can provide cover from the rear.