Basic ammo load for SHTF

[mljdeckard]

I'm making plans to spend the upcoming stimulus package check on rotating some SHTF ammo, thinking bulk packs.

The question is, how much is really enough? I mean, the odds are small that you will survive any engagement that lasts thousands of rounds. My idea of safety is to dig in until it's over, or, if it's going to last longer than a few days, to move to someplace safe. I may or may not be able to drive there, if I'm walking, with my family, I can only carry so much food, ammo, and tired kids.

Bottom line, I don't think I'll outlast more than a few hundred rounds for each weapon. And if I did, I would likely have a stockpile of captured weapons and ammo.

I'll think about zombies when they appear.

 

[woodfiend]

As of now, I have 500 rounds put away. I'd like more, but honestly, I can't see moving more than that, if I'm on foot.

 

[hso]

Before the inevitable jokes about tactical wheelbarrows start, ask yourself just what you can carry and then try it, before spending a huge amount of money on ammo. Now, try it with everything else that you need to make that trek.

 

[Treo]

I try to buy a box or two a paycheck( it's what i can afford) broaden your thinking from SHTF to OBTA ( Obama Bans The Ammo)

 

[JImbothefiveth]

Before the inevitable jokes about tactical wheelbarrows start

Get with the times, it's tactical golf carts now.

 

[Blackfork]

Malvo and Mohammed..

.....shut down the central Eastern Coast of the US with one 20 round box of .223. They had ammo left over when they were found asleep in their car.

Most folks get through deer season firing less than 3 rounds.

You don't need 10K rounds if the SHTF.

 

[Just Jim]

Depending on who you are fighting, all you need is about 20 rounds. Just make em count.

jim

 

[X-Rap]

Not thinking of SHTF minor as in Katrina but more global SHTF as we may soon be facing I like the idea of 4-500 rds per gun if for nothing else but barter material. In bad times even a box of 22 LR will likely buy some food and ammo stores much better than food.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

You just need a few rounds, then you can take better weapons and ammo off the dead russkies. WOLVERINES!!!

Are we getting another stimulus check? The gov't isn't tired of handing out money it doesn't have?

 

[armoredman]

Only to big business. We are out of the loop, our grandchildrens' inheritance is funding AIG's big party blowouts.

 

[browningguy]

I currently have about 2400 rounds of .223, 1400 of 9mm and 1200 of .40 S&W. But I shoot quite a bit. Plus a hundred rounds of buckshot and slugs for the 12 gauge, and 20-100 rounds or so for each of my hunting rifles, plus reloading supplies.

For my 3 AR type .223's I have 10 ea. either 20 or 30 round mags loaded with their favorite load. Most of my defensive pistols have 4 magazines each loaded.

And I try to replace whatever I shoot at the range or a match within a couple of weeks.

 

[jakemccoy]

I have a set spot for firearm supplies in my closet. That closet space is my limit for all firearm stuff. I don't want firearm stuff anywhere else in my house. I have space for about 1000 handgun rounds, 1000 shotgun rounds and 1000 rifle rounds. It's an arbitrary limitation, but it makes things simple. I have some ammo in packs ready to go if I have to hike and other ammo ready to go if I have to load the truck.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think your reasoning is sound although I would not plan on dying anytime soon regardless of the situation. Most things will last longer than a few days. Stay home and keep a low profile.

How much ammuntion is purely up to you and what you shoot. I tend to have a lot of 22LR and a fair supply of the centerfire ammo that I shoot. In my opinion, 1000 rounds is plenty baring a total shutdown of the USA as we know it. With centerfire ammo, I think 1,000 rounds per man with gun would be a reasonable amount especially if you are talking AR's and so forth.

 

[pith43]

I generaly keep 1000 to 1500 rounds for hanguns, twice that for .223 and 7.62, a couple hundred shotgun shells, and scads of .22lr which I can't reload.

Just as important, a good, clean water source, non perishable food, a generator, and lots of firewood. We live on a farm, and can hunker down and keep a low profile. Lots of steak on the hoof. I would like to get a ham radio, but havn't got around to it yet.

 

[threefeathers]

I don't plan to run anywhere but fortify. i have 1k handgun rounds with fixins for 3 K more. 8K rifle rounds with 2 K of that M193.

 

[ccsniper]

just a simple battle pack, for my sks its 200 rounds, my ak 250ish, my mosin 100 rounds, mauser 100 rounds. pistols about 4 or 5 mags. but that is going to be spread around a bit, kids with sks dad with mosin, etc etc. thats what i would think to be sufficient. although i keep at least a thousand rounds of ammo for each gun in the house i cant carry that all over the place

a friend of mine, a marine, says he will carry about 12 mags for his m16 when he goes to battle.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

a friend of mine, a marine, says he will carry about 12 mags for his m16 when he goes to battle.

That's an important thing to consider. Your average person isn't going to be able to carry 1k rounds of ammo more than about 500 yards, especially if you need to carry a rifle (or two or three, depending on how mall ninja), food, water, medical supplies, clothes, and some sort of bedding. Besides, if you get into any kind of firefight with the equivalanet your bodyweight on your back, well, I hope you are a dang good shot and not winded at the time.

 

[~Ace~]

The Min amount to have is what You feel comfortable with.

There is no limit on the Max.. Keep in mind, a 500% Tax on ammo will be the same as a Ban, what you have on hand may be the Only Ammo your grankids ever SEE. If SHTF bad enough, I'd much rather have to much to tote, than not enough.

I reckon what I'm trien to say is buy ALL you can... It will be worth more the next day, Hours of fun shooting / practicing.. And makes good coffee tables

 

[jakemccoy]

There is no limit on the Max.. Keep in mind, a 500% Tax on ammo will be the same as a Ban, what you have on hand may be the Only Ammo your grankids ever SEE. If SHTF bad enough, I'd much rather have to much to tote, than not enough.

In that situation, you'd be toting around conspicuous diamonds, basically. Be careful.

 

[~Ace~]

Seems the owners of large amounts of diamonds have other people to tote them for them

 

[Caeser2001]

buy alot when it's cheap or on sale, if it takes more than a few mintues to count you have enough if not more than enough, but that doesn't mean to stop buying when it is cheap and or on sale.

 

[WardenWolf]

In my opinion, I think 1000 rounds for what you consider your main weapon is a good bet. Your main weapon should also be in a caliber that's readily available. Anything else is entirely up to you.

To those who are saying, "How much can you carry?" I instead will respond, "How much can you quickly load in your car trunk and go?" If you're on foot, you can always take what you can from your case of ammo and go. You can't take ammo that's not there, however.

A case of 1000, in 20-round boxes, is a very handy option. You can quickly load the whole case for car transport, or you can grab a few boxes and stash them on your person.

Your primary sidearm (if you have one) should also have an ammo supply, but being a sidearm it is inherently secondary. 200 rounds is probably sufficient.

If you also have a secondary rifle, and your primary rifle is not particularly suited for deer or other larger game, you might consider 400-500 rounds. Let's face it: if you keep that rifle solely for hunting food or other specialty applications, that ammo load will last you a lifetime.

So that's my take:

1000 Primary
200 Sidearm

Any larger rifle: 500

With some ComBloc designs, you need to be aware of corrosive surplus ammo, and also have the means to clean your firearm effectively. It's better if your emergency stockpile NOT be surplus in this case. Even if it's Wolf, it still won't rust your gun if you can't clean it right away.

 

[moooose102]

how much is enough? there is no such thing. buy as much ammo as you can afford, OR until you floor joists start to crack. then go out and shoot a few hundred rounds. and call it good.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I think people confuse stockpiling for SHTF versus stockpiling for other reasons.

So, for SHTF, I would bet you would do fine with a single magazine for your AR. After a 30 round fire fight, you will either be dead, or there will be plenty of dead people around you and you can scrounge their guns and ammo.

But I think most people stockpile for other reasons. It is a hedge against further price increases in the future. Ammo may be banned, serial numbered, or limited in the future. So many people want to stockpile while it is cheap and available.

 

[punkndisorderly]

I think a lot of it depends on the SHTF situtation and your location. If you're in a very rural area, say a cabin in the woods, and the SHTF is a long term disruption, thousands of rounds could be needed for hunting and dealing with two and four legged predators.

If you're in an Urban area, and the disruption is long, you'll eventually have to move elsewhere as supplies will dry up quickly and looters will get the drop on you sooner or later. Moving thousands of rounds and hundreds of guns won't be possible since you'll likely have to do it on foot. I can think of any number of scenarios that result in the roads being clogged with abandoned cars and no availability of gas.

Although less fun, perhaps having other supplies on had would be a much better investment than tens of thousands of rounds of ammo. Food, water, medical supplies, a radio, flashlights, batteries, etc. Those who have lots of guns and ammo, but only a few days of food and water, are destined to become the very looters they fear.