Ammo vs. Chow

[Aaryq]

Howdy, folks. We have danced around this topic before in threads that have survived and have been locked. We all have talked about bug out guns. We have flamed and defended taking more ammo than chow. When it comes to bugging out we have: 1. Decided it's better to bug in if at all possible and 2. Decided if you have to bug out do you bring more food or more bullets (and then had a flame war about eating bullets). I have a new topic to propose (hopefully it's new). If you are in an area where you may have to bug out (hurricanes, toronadoes, earthquakes, floods, etc) how many days of food would you plan (per person) and how much ammo would you plan?

If I have to get out of my house (bug out is such a nasty phrase) for an extended period of time, I plan for 3 days of chow per person, my P89 and 50-100 rounds of 9mm for it. There are other things I have staged but this thread should be about ammo vs. chow.

**ETA** When speaking of chow, I'm talking about a 3300 calorie US Military MRE.

 

[elkhuntingfool]

Three days of chow is the norm. A box of 50 rounds is about the same size as an MRE pack - maybe a bit smaller - I shoot a 45acp so the box is bigger than 9mm. What about water? how do you plan on carrying for that? Or, do you take containers and rely on filters and purifiers/tablets? We have 72 hour kits in daypacks and have 3 days of water and food, first aid, emergency shelters, poncho, bags, etc.... pretty prepaired.

Also - are you only taking a handgun? What about shotguns and rifles? Are you prepared for those as well? I'd probably grab a shotgun as well as a few boxes of shells. Still debating on that one.

 

[whitetiger7654]

Better plan for more than 3. How long did it take the Katrina victims to get out?

When we were hit with 3 back to back hurricanes here a couple years back. Although we didn't have the damaga and flooding New Orleans had. We were without power for weeks. A lot of people without water and food. I would plan for a minimum of 3 weeks.

*edit* I am saying if you get hit by disaster and can still live at home. Not having to carry stuff somewhere.

 

[Kali Endgame]

**ETA** When speaking of chow, I'm talking about a 3300 calorie US Military MRE.

Yikes! Are you munching on a cold weather MRE?

 

[Hoppy590]

Better plan for more than 3. How long did it take the Katrina victims to get out?

depends, the ones who actualy tried to get out? or the ones who sat around and waited for some one to get them out?

A lot of people without water and food. I would plan for a minimum of 3 weeks.

your gunna carry 3 weeks of food for a bug out?!

 

[elkhuntingfool]

whitetiger7654 - good point. I should have clarified that I'd be carrying 3 days of chow and water. If I can stay at home - I'm solid. My religion teaches us to have a year+ supply of food - wheat, sugar, etc... and be able to sustain off that. I for one have about 60-90 days of grub in my house and no, you can't have my address.

I am pretty well set except water - could use more, but I think if I needed it -I have two 50 gallon hot water heaters that could be used as well.

 

[Kali Endgame]

My religion teaches us to have a year+ supply of food - wheat, sugar, etc... and be able to sustain off that.

What religion, may I ask. I'm not flaming just curious.

 

[Alphazulu6]

Spend the time at the range and get decent with what you carry. Then you can carry more chow and be happy knowing you can both shoot and eat well Good Luck!

 

[Titan6]

Most military MREs are only 900-1500 calories. Even if you eat the whole thing. Figure two per day per adult is plenty for up to 60 days of strenous physical activity. You will likely lose weight if you are really working but you won't starve either. (This is the same amount they give you in Ranger School).

And this thread will be closed soon no matter what as it is OT.

 

[elkhuntingfool]

Kali Endgame - LDS/Mormon. They don't teach that the world is over - just prepardness for the unknown. A guy I know lost his job and was able to feed his family on his food storage until he could find a job.

 

[whitetiger7654]

Yeah the Mormon's here teach that as well. I knew exactly which religion you were referring to.

Definetly stock up on water. You'll drink more than you think.

 

[Kali Endgame]

elkhuntingfool,
Thanks for feeding the cat.

 

[elkhuntingfool]

Of course, food will be a good currency as well.

 

[strat81]

The plastic ammo "can" I got from Cabela's will easily hold 1,000 rounds of 7.62x39... probably more. If I'm bugging in or out and I need more than 1K rounds of ammo, I'm in deeper trouble than I can handle. That being said, that ammo can isn't very big, maybe the size of 2-3 boxes of cereal.

So, I'd fill it with 1000 rounds of rifle ammo and top it off with pistol ammo. Small suitcase full of clothes and toiletries and the balance with food.

Oh yeah, and a can opener.

 

[Aaryq]

An Military MRE has enough calories to sustain an active man for 1 day. You may not feel full but you will have the energy to continue. If you field strip your MRE (take all of the boxes off, squeeze your meals down to the bottom of the package and fold your crackers, cookies and other stuff in half) you have half the size. I'm aviation logistics, but I'm also a brig chaser. I escort prisoners from the brig to medical apointments, legal hearings and courts martial: By order a Prisoner/Detainee has to eat chow but it has to be a military chow. If we're not near a chow hall/a picnic would be a good idea/it would be inconvienent to eat at a chow hall, he/she can eat an MRE. I also look out for my family and in SoCal, if we have to wait a little bit for temp housing after an earthquake, I'll use that chow to feed my family.

If I have to bug out, I'm only bringing a pistol because I'll more than likely end up being at work helping the SoCal citizens. If I'm out of the Corps and back in ND, yes I'll take something longer with more punch so I can take out more food, and predators (4 and 2 legged).

When it comes to water, I have 2 1 gallon camel backs and 6 gallons of water in reserve in addition to whatever water I have in the fridge (usually 3-5 gallons just because I don't trust the tap water).

 

[rangerruck]

zi would keep food to an absolute minimum. stock up on the high energy bars. they are small and light. bring some multi vitamins. Water is going to be more of a priority.