[wheelgunfan]

Just wondering, how much ammo do you keep on hand at your house for self defense? Prices and the chances of a new congress may limit everything..do you stockpile?:confused:

[searcher451]

There are plenty of good reasons to stock up on ammo, and the thought of a change in Congress after the November election, regardless of which side walks through the door, doesn't have to be chief among them. It's a good idea to put some ammo away for a rainy day right now, if for no other reason than the rising costs of brass will continue to push prices skyward. It's not going to challenge the price of gasoline anytime soon, but 100 rounds of Winchester white box at Wally World just jumped from $15.72 to $18.46 in my neck of the woods. And we have not yet seen the last of that northward movement.

[hanno]

I have ummm... lots, for every caliber I shoot and buy more each month. Yes, I stockpile.
I've started reloading and shooting the .22 more to knock down costs (more money for guns) but I intend to have ammo in reserve for many, many years to come.

[Scratchy]

Don't you wish you stocked up on gas when it was $1 a gallon or $2 or $2.49.
Ammo is very easy to store. Don't get wet.
Lasts longer than you will.

[Ben Shepherd]

See this thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=232145 For a lot of good input on the subject.

[Just Jim]

I got just enough.

jj

[Gun Slinger]

I stockpile ammunition also. It is all stored in sealed ammo cans with dessicant packs.

Several years ago, I "streamlined" the diversity of calibers that I have and ended up with handguns in .22LR, 9x19mm and .45 A.C.P. and rifles in .223 REM, 7.62x39, .308WIN, .30-06 and .375 H&H.

My accumulation of these calibers was completed well before prices began to soar wildly.

I do this because it offends the "libtards" that we have elected (and will most likely see elected soon) and it is both my intent and pleasure to offend the "Anti's" in any way that I can. It is also a wonderful form of "civil disobedience" in my opinion.:evil:

May Hilary and Barack choke whilst reading this. ;)

[Grandpa Shooter]

A lifetime supply. Of course that depends on who's life.

[asknight]

I don't own any firearms. :cool:

[CWL]

Can you ever have too much cash in the bank?

Ammunition should follow the same principle.

[guntotinguy]

The little lady and I started buying guns and ammo 'late in the game' (Last August til now) but we did manage to make a large enough 'investment' to have stockpiled a good amount.I commented a brief on another thread and even that amount has grown since the last posting.

Ammo the currency of the new millenium?I am beginning to think so...

[Titan6]

You won't see a return on any investments like you would have it you had bought say 100,000 rounds of .308, .223 or .45 ACP ammo three years ago. Much ammo has nearly doubled in price in that same time span. Some ammo (surplus) is now completely unavailable in certain calibers and when you can find it is going for as much as 3X what it was going for three years ago. Compared to the stock market, your savings account or even your house there is no comparison. Since ammo does not lose value and can be easily disposed of if you ever want to sell it, it is a great investment.

[MarcusWendt]

I have about 4000 rounds, most in .40 S&W, then 9mm, then .308, and last 12ga

[h-word]

I usually have 500 rounds of practice ammo and 100 rounds of Hornady TAP in .40

Will I buy more? Certainly!

[J Lambs]

I lost my ammo when my hunting jon boat sank.

[Gator]

Amo my ammo. :neener:

Ciao!

[dstark]

Lots, and not enough ;)

[woad_yurt]

Rounds specifically for self defense? Like hollowpoints or Pow'RBall stuff? Less than 150. Rounds in general? Thousands. But they can be used to defend, too.

[.cheese.]

2,000 Speer GD .40SW, 1,000 WWB .40SW

470 Speer GD .38 spcl +P

500 .223 REM UMC FMJ

Some .223 Hornady FPD
Some 5.56 Hornady TAP

I would like to add more 5.56 Hornady TAP, more .223 FPD and more .40SW Speer GD. Maybe some more Speer GD .38 spcl too. Unfortunately cash is an issue since I'm focusing on finalizing any purchases that might be affected by a future AWB.

[Cowboybootnut]

Let's just say I don't want my house to catch fire. :eek:

[tblt]

about 3000 rounds

[DZL HOG]

Ammo is like guns and knives, do you ever have enough?

I dont have alot ammo around, b/c I know I dont have time to shoot like I want to or should.

I keep 5-16rd mags for my XD9 loaded, and about 50rds in a box. About 100rds of 45ACP, no extra mags and dont shoot that hardly any.
50rd box of .17HMR and partial box in my truck.
250rds(case) of #8 12ga, a few 5rd boxes of 12ga 00buck.
Thats about all I shoot.(not all thats in the house)
I'll probly buy 50-100rds of 9mm each time I go to the store, and I look forward to buying an AR so Ill start stockin up on 223REM and probly a 32ACP or 380 for light carry.

Matt

[mattd987]

Not enough... but, there is always room for improvement. ;)

[mavracer]

this count its some of the overflow from my gun room ammo shelves. http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii261/mavracer/P3140101.jpg

[Just Jim]

I read something by Jeff Cooper a while back on Guadal Canal. His story was that when they issued out ammo on a daily basis most of the men took 20 rounds. Think about it.

Question I have about all this ammo.
No really if you got 3,000 rounds do you think you are going to defend yourself against 3,000 people??

jj

[XD-40 Shooter]

Lets just say I've got a s***load in 40 S&W, 357 mag, 38 spl, 7.62x39, 22 mag, 22 LR, 30 carbine and 12 gauge.:D

[Gator]

Question I have about all this ammo.
No really if you got 3,000 rounds do you think you are going to defend yourself against 3,000 people??


No. I think that when I buy in bulk I get a better price.

[wideym]

For the past year and a half I have been buying in bulk. Never again will I buy by the box, now its buy by the case. It only makes sense to buy that way when ammo has increased in price almost monthly. I would love for ammo prices to fall, but its just like gas prices, they will only go up. I have even started to buy ammo for guns I do not have yet, but plan on getting. Spending a few thousand dollars now on ammo will save me a few thousand dollars later.

So far:

3000 9mm
2500 45acp
1500 40cal
1000 380acp
500 357sig
1500 357mag
1000 44mag
6000 223
6000 308
3500 762x39
1000 762x54
270 50bmg
8500 22lr
800 12guage
And I'm still looking for more to replace what I shoot on weekends.

[jungleroy]

I have about 3 gallons displacement of 45 slugs sitting by my press, guess i need more primers. ;)

[XD-40 Shooter]

I reload all of my pistol calibers, I buy bullets and primers 2000 at a time.:D I usually buy the 2000 bulk pack of bullets from MidwayUsa, with free shipping, I buy primers at gun show's, 2 bricks at every show.:D

[bdjansen]

I shoot everything I buy. I do keep one box on hand but that's it.

[The Bushmaster]

Just the right amount to do the job...Nothing less, nothing more...

[Titan6]

I read something by Jeff Cooper a while back on Guadal Canal. His story was that when they issued out ammo on a daily basis most of the men took 20 rounds. Think about it.

In Iraq we don't go anywhere with less than 255 rounds per person and usually a bit more. Think about that.

Question I have about all this ammo.
No really if you got 3,000 rounds do you think you are going to defend yourself against 3,000 people??

? Not sure I understand, you think you will need 3000 rounds for home defense? That seems excessive in anything but the most extreme times. Maybe the ammo can be used for things other than HD?

[Fourbits]

I'm retired, with a simi-fixed income. I love to reload and am stocking up on components for reloading. I keep a fairly large stock of reloaded ammo (1000 rounds of various calibers from 9mm to 45ACP).

[Katana8869]

My opinion on ammo is that you want a good supply on hand but you want that supply to be within a level that is portable in case you have to change locations.

Right now I have about:

300 rounds of 7.62x39
300 rounds of .45
250 rounds of 9mm
150 rounds of .357
150 rounds of .38
100 rounds of .380
50 rounds 12 gauge buckshot
30 rounds 12 gauge slug

last but not least 700 rounds .22lr

For range use for my .45's and .357/.38's I just sit at my press and reload a couple of hundred rounds as needed.

If need be, I can throw all of the ammo listed above in a large gym bag, toss it in the trunk of the car and be on my way. I have a good friend that has 2 Outters gun lockers full of ammo. If he ever has to evacuate due to a hurricane or some other event, he is going to have no choice but to leave a good part of that behind. What gets left will probably supply the looters that come along behind him very well. :rolleyes:

[loop]

Better question is what ammo do you always keep at least 1,000 rounds of on hand?

That would be:

.45 acp
.223
7.62X39
7.62X54R
30-06
.22 rimfinre
7.62X25

Probably a couple more...

[ZeSpectre]

Question I have about all this ammo.
No really if you got 3,000 rounds do you think you are going to defend yourself against 3,000 people?
Not if I don't practice and do so regularly and you know what, that requires...wait for it.... AMMUNITION!

I refer to this thread 2007 Round Count (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=330831). 3,000 rounds is NOT that much ammo for a regular shooter and it's Peanuts for a competitor.

[Run&Shoot]

At last count I had about 24,000 loaded rounds and components for reloading about another 4,000. Mostly .30-06, .223, 7.62x39, 9mm, .40, .45ACP, 12 ga and .22LR.

The point is not to have "just what I need for self defense". Sure, that is how my dad thought and we got along just fine. One or two boxes in each cartridge did just fine for sighting in and hunting each year.

BUT:
1) I like to practice! You aren't practicing much with a couple of boxes in the closet or range bag.

2) Save money by stockpiling as much as you can afford. I have never heard of ANY ammo getting cheaper over time. Some of the surplus such as .30-06 and .303 British is limited in supply and someday there will not be any "cheap" surplus at all. I buy a few thousand rounds or bullets and powder more each year than I shoot just to get it cheaper over time.

3) A box of ammo is plenty to fend of a burglar. But the folks in the LA riots or Katrina found PDQ that when something big happens all of a sudden there is no ammo on the shelves at the local shops and stores. And if you think we might ever have a situation bigger than Katrina or LA and lasting a lot longer (e.g., a depression, bird flu outbreak, zombies) then you might want quite a lot of ammo on hand.

If my boat loaded with firearms and all my ammo hadn't sunk in the river recently I would've been hoping to pass on a lot of free shooting fun and practice to my grandkids.

[Titan6]

Didn't get the chance to play the round count game when it was fresh... let me think a little... estimates are on the low side of course.

.50 BMG- 400
.223- (about) 3500
7.62X51- (about) 2500
9MM- (about) 1000
.40 S&W- 600
.22RF- not a solid idea.. Maybe 3000
12 GA- (All description)- 550
.30-06- 450
Other center fire rifle- 1250
Other center fire pistol/ carbine- 350 Other shotgun- 50
Blackpowder - 0 :( (got to work on that one)


So more than 10,000 rounds fired last year, with about half work related. So maybe having 3000 rounds (or much more for that matter) laying around in my "arsenal" is not so strange after all. I only wish the Army would get with the program and allow us free ammo to practice with on our own as many police departments do.

[Mac45]

I mostly roll my own, so I only have a few hundred rounds laying around, (not counting .22's).
Tend to shoot it as fast as I load it.
I do try and stock up on primers tho:)

[Checkman]

Never enough. I'm gathering ammo. At the same time I'm conserving ammo. Shooting less, but I now own Snap Caps in most of my calibers so I can at least practice dry firing as well as immediate action drills, reloading etc.

It isn't perfect, but I've read how Hicock, Hardin, and even Elmer Keith (among others) were advocates of dry firing. It's helped me improve - especially with the revolver shooting.

[Border]

At least 10 boxes of every round I need. Down from what it was.

[Just Jim]

Quote:
I read something by Jeff Cooper a while back on Guadal Canal. His story was that when they issued out ammo on a daily basis most of the men took 20 rounds. Think about it.

In Iraq we don't go anywhere with less than 255 rounds per person and usually a bit more. Think about that.


Quote:
Question I have about all this ammo.
No really if you got 3,000 rounds do you think you are going to defend yourself against 3,000 people??

? Not sure I understand, you think you will need 3000 rounds for home defense? That seems excessive in anything but the most extreme times. Maybe the ammo can be used for things other than HD?

So how many rounds have you ever fired in a fight while in Iraq??

jj

[Run&Shoot]

I would like to hear the full context of what Jeff Cooper was saying. My dad was on the canal toward the end and later on Guam and Okinawa among others. From what he described the Marines had very limited ammo on Guadalcanal because the NAVY BUGGED OUT with their supplies before completing the landing. And yes, 50 years later it was still infuriating to Marines. ;)

Dad drove an Amtrac and after surviving the landing one of their primary missions was to deliver ammo from beach to front lines (and retrieve dead and wounded). Sounded to me like the Marines never had enough ammo as it was hazardous to run around in a vehicle on an island in which the enemy has almost every inch zeroed in with artillery and mortars.

Let me ask a broader question: "Has any one that has been in combat found they had TOO MUCH ammo during a firefight or ongoing battle?" "Gee, I wish I had only brought 20 rounds with me, this bandolier is just too dang heavy for a little ole firefight."

To balance the above, I will mention a firefight in a Tacoma, WA neighborhood back in the early 1990s. The local drug dealers got tired of a nosy neighbor hassling them. So one day when Mr. DoGoody was having a BBQ with a couple fo friends the locals decided to let him have it good. The started blasting his yard and house with semi-auto fire from multiple locations aorund his house.

Oops! Turns out Mr. Good is actually a Special Forces NCO at nearby Ft. Lewis and his buddies are his team mates. When the police showed up the SF NCOs had the upper hand. No one dead but the bangers were starting to run. Over 100 holes in his house alone (who knows how many in the lawn, flying down the street), while the three NCOs had fired something like 14 rounds between them. So sometimes 20 rounds could be plenty. :D

[Spieler]

Not enough!

Seriously, a couple of hundred rounds at least of each caliber.

[wideym]

JustJim: While I was in Iraq most engagements were very short, 5-20minutes in duration with maybe 120 rounds fired by the squad. But some firefights lasted half a day or longer with the longest being three days of running firefights with over 4000thousand rounds fired by my platoon from rifles and belt fed MGs.

From that experince I found out you can never have enough ammo on hand. Your pucker factor increases when your PL uses a captured PK MG against a squad of insurgents.

[Just Jim]

JustJim: While I was in Iraq most engagements were very short, 5-20minutes in duration with maybe 120 rounds fired by the squad. But some firefights lasted half a day or longer with the longest being three days of running firefights with over 4000thousand rounds fired by my platoon from rifles and belt fed MGs.

From that experince I found out you can never have enough ammo on hand. Your pucker factor increases when your PL uses a captured PK MG against a squad of insurgents.

So how many rounds did you fire in the average fight?? You see I am kind of jealous, when I went to Iraq they wouldn't let me have a gun. I just drove them damn fuel trucks around to help out.

jj

[doc2rn]

If you draw 20 rounds per day you would need 7120/ yr. That vastly exceeds the 3000 you mentioned, and that would not even fill up one mag today w/ 30 rd mags. You would need 10,680 rounds if you shot off one 30 rd magazine everyday.

[Schofield3]

my god mavracer, thats awesome, I thought i had a decent amount of ammo, looks like i need to go to the store-:D

[Rugerlvr]

I've kinda stockpiled. I have 1500 rds of .223, 1500 rds of .22LR, 500 rds of 9mm, and 300 rds of .38 spl. I'm looking to buy about 500 rds of .357 Mag.

[Funderb]

In Iraq we don't go anywhere with less than 255 rounds per person and usually a bit more. Think about that.


Well, that's because we use .223 now, and it takes 30-50 rounds of that to kill a person, add 200% for the ones on drugs.

[Just Jim]

If you draw 20 rounds per day you would need 7120/ yr. That vastly exceeds the 3000 you mentioned, and that would not even fill up one mag today w/ 30 rd mags. You would need 10,680 rounds if you shot off one 30 rd magazine everyday.

So if every man hit 10,680 enemies then the war would be over quickly. Let's see, how many troops do we have in Iraq and how many enemies do we have there?

jj

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

I like having enough for 2-3 loadouts, per Army standards. Thats it! Any more than that goes out of strategic reserve into my training reserve for usage there :D. Ammunition mongers! What use is all that ammo if you cant carry it expediantly? How many arms do you have? How many people will you have with you? How much of a target does someone want to be.

Im not 100% sure of the 30-50 round thingy above, but .223, loaded properly, can be a sure thing on a person, also if used properly. Spraying down an area can be (and many times IS) the only way to fight in an urban environment using ball ammo with little wounding potential other than penetration or fragmentation). In a civilian case though, I have of late had a love affair with 64 grain PP on top of some BLC2 attempting to replicate the Winchester 64gr PP load. Seems to do alright in penetration (100 yard newspaper testing breaks the 2" board in front and behind the paper to simulate bone and spinal cord, cannot find the round afterward). Seems to trash the the wet pack really crazy. Ive been loading and stashing some of that around, replacing my basic M193 with it, keeping any M855 for country work. I am intending to keep making the PP loads until I feel I have enough for replenishment concerns.

As for handgun, for .45, its all ball. Loaded to 850 fps, it can be used as training and strategic reserve. Most of the other loads (110 gr. .38+P and 147 gr. 9mm, in addition to an assortment of target and defensive handloads) to be used as supplementation of arms for secondary use or barter.

[S&W620]

About 2-3 WWB 100ct boxes. If I have any more than that, I have to ask myself why I'm not out shooting.

For all of "what if" scenarios, I can't think of one that is even remotely likely that I would need more than a magazine full, let alone more than 200.

People can mention all of the Katrina and LA riot situations they like, but I'd like to see how many law abiding citizens fired a single round in self defense in those situations, let alone multiple rounds. I will all but guarantee not one of them went through a 50ct box.

If folks want to keep more, good for them, I'm jealous. But I don't have a wallet fat enough to allow me to shoot AND stockpile AND support other hobbies and bills. Maybe when I'm out of school....

[Cosmoline]

I'm buying up components, esp. primers and powder. I've noticed sharp price spikes in both lately. Powder has gone up by 1/3rd in the past year alone. And primer shortages are appearing all over town. Bullets I'm less worried about.

This is not a hypothetical concern in Alaska. We cannot order loaded ammo, powder or primers direct from the lower 48 unless it's barged up at great expense. Canada will not allow ground shipments of these items through, in spite of their promises when we built the Alaska Highway. So yeah, I horde ;-)

[SoCalShooter]

I keep a lot on hand...a lot never know how much if I think I am getting low I go buy more ammo, if you think you have enough you need to buy more.

[CountGlockula]

Currently, I keep at least 500-1000 of range ammo and 200 rounds of home defense ammo. I end up running out to let the Glocks eat them up and restock around the same amout.

Now, for zombies and when we get invaded by foreign invaders...It'll be 10,000+ of full metal jackets.