This is not an end of the world question. I am thinking that once the presidential elections get going full swing, meaning two possibly three candidates, ammo will dry up again, if it seems likely that the Dems will win. I would like to know how much ammo people think they would want to have in case the shortages start all over again. Break it down by handgun ammo, Shotgun if any and both light and heavy rifle. Light rifle to me is anything like 223 up to 7.62x39 and heavy would be 243,270, 308 and so forth. Keep 22 by itself whether it goes in you favorite pistol or rifle. I know there is no right answer. I am just wondering what people feel is a good amount if supplies start to dry up. Reloaders, I am one of you, please feel fre to substitute components for loaded rounds.
How much ammo for the next four years
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bannockburn
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CZ223
Short answer: as much ammo and reloading supplies as you can afford.
In the past I have usually bought large amounts when it's on sale and small amounts whenever I went to the LGS or gun shows. I would buy more .22LR (probably like a 5 to 1 ratio), over the other major calibers that I shoot, those being 9mm., .45ACP, .223, and 7.62x39mm. I don't think shotgun shells would be affected as much by any possible ammo shortages in the near future but I would probably stock up on some of those as well.
As to how much ammo you should buy for the next 4 years mostly depends on much shooting your planning on doing and how well stocked you are with reloading components. I would think somewhere around 100 to 200 rounds per caliber per month (more for calibers that you shoot more often, less for those you don't shoot as much), would be a decent starting point.
Short answer: as much ammo and reloading supplies as you can afford.
In the past I have usually bought large amounts when it's on sale and small amounts whenever I went to the LGS or gun shows. I would buy more .22LR (probably like a 5 to 1 ratio), over the other major calibers that I shoot, those being 9mm., .45ACP, .223, and 7.62x39mm. I don't think shotgun shells would be affected as much by any possible ammo shortages in the near future but I would probably stock up on some of those as well.
As to how much ammo you should buy for the next 4 years mostly depends on much shooting your planning on doing and how well stocked you are with reloading components. I would think somewhere around 100 to 200 rounds per caliber per month (more for calibers that you shoot more often, less for those you don't shoot as much), would be a decent starting point.
Lord Teapot
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no idea, i buy ammo constantly. as much as you can get. focus on .223 and 7.62x39 if you have those calibers, most likely to be restricted by the Clinton regime.
1911 guy
Member
We all know that politics can affect gun and ammo prices and availability. However, that isn't the primary cause of cost increase. Flip open the commodities page of you local newspaper and check prices for metals used in ammunition manufacturing. Then look up those same prices a year ago.
I have a certain amount of money in my account that goes toward hobbies and stuff. Every month I spend whatever is left over for that month on ammo. It will never be cheaper than it is right now. Sometimes I buy a box of something, sometimes a case of something. It will be more expensive next year than now. Maybe next week.
I have a certain amount of money in my account that goes toward hobbies and stuff. Every month I spend whatever is left over for that month on ammo. It will never be cheaper than it is right now. Sometimes I buy a box of something, sometimes a case of something. It will be more expensive next year than now. Maybe next week.
BullRunBear
Member
I agree with Bannockburn's short answer.
This is something the wife and I have been discussing lately since we don't trust either political party. Decided we want at least 5,000 more 22lr, preferably more. Pistol: at least several hundred rounds of commercial ammo per caliber. Rifle: about 200 rounds of commercial for each caliber. Shotgun: a case each for 12 and 20 gauge target and small game shells and at least a hundred rounds of heavier loads for each gauge.
Our big focus is on reloading components and tools. I don't put a limit on that; it's get primers, powder, etc., as the budget allows. That includes metal for casting bullets and shot and wads for shotgun shells.
I take a similar approach to black powder guns: at least 50 pounds of BP, mostly 3F, as many percussion caps as I can find, a good supply of quality flints, and at least several hundred pounds of the softest lead available.
We have a fair start on most of these but the search continues. I won't mortgage the house to achieve this but it is a discretionary budget priority. This isn't a SHTF fear, it's political caution.
BTW, my approach this situation is tempered because I'm in my sixties. If I were a lot younger I would be looking at a larger stockpile of ammo and components.
Jeff
This is something the wife and I have been discussing lately since we don't trust either political party. Decided we want at least 5,000 more 22lr, preferably more. Pistol: at least several hundred rounds of commercial ammo per caliber. Rifle: about 200 rounds of commercial for each caliber. Shotgun: a case each for 12 and 20 gauge target and small game shells and at least a hundred rounds of heavier loads for each gauge.
Our big focus is on reloading components and tools. I don't put a limit on that; it's get primers, powder, etc., as the budget allows. That includes metal for casting bullets and shot and wads for shotgun shells.
I take a similar approach to black powder guns: at least 50 pounds of BP, mostly 3F, as many percussion caps as I can find, a good supply of quality flints, and at least several hundred pounds of the softest lead available.
We have a fair start on most of these but the search continues. I won't mortgage the house to achieve this but it is a discretionary budget priority. This isn't a SHTF fear, it's political caution.
BTW, my approach this situation is tempered because I'm in my sixties. If I were a lot younger I would be looking at a larger stockpile of ammo and components.
Jeff
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DaisyCutter
Member
That's kind of an individual question.
For some, a range trip is 50 rounds of 22lr and for others it's 1000s of rounds. For some, a spare box of ammo feels sufficient, others want a couple full 50 cal ammo cans.
It's always cheaper to buy it now, versus later.
In hind sight, I've never regretted buying ammunition. I also started hand loading a few years ago, and find that making cartridges is more fun than shooting them.
Another paradigm shift for me, was to start shooting more bolt action rifles, revolvers, and lower capacity firearms. My days of ripping through several 30 round mags are mostly behind me.
I found it was cheaper to tinker with hand loads than it is to keep filling high capacity mags, so I managed to adapt myself to love hand loading.
I even ordered a Garand rifle. My theory is that shooting 24 rounds in a Garand will be more enjoyable than shooting 30 rounds in an AR.
So for me, 5 boxes of primers, a couple pounds of powder, and 500 bullets would keep me entertained for a couple years.
For some, a range trip is 50 rounds of 22lr and for others it's 1000s of rounds. For some, a spare box of ammo feels sufficient, others want a couple full 50 cal ammo cans.
It's always cheaper to buy it now, versus later.
In hind sight, I've never regretted buying ammunition. I also started hand loading a few years ago, and find that making cartridges is more fun than shooting them.
Another paradigm shift for me, was to start shooting more bolt action rifles, revolvers, and lower capacity firearms. My days of ripping through several 30 round mags are mostly behind me.
I found it was cheaper to tinker with hand loads than it is to keep filling high capacity mags, so I managed to adapt myself to love hand loading.
I even ordered a Garand rifle. My theory is that shooting 24 rounds in a Garand will be more enjoyable than shooting 30 rounds in an AR.
So for me, 5 boxes of primers, a couple pounds of powder, and 500 bullets would keep me entertained for a couple years.
PJSprog
Member
This is the kind of thinking that got us into this current mess in the first place.
Yes it did. Hopefully we don't continue the same stupidity every election cycle.
I began casting and loading in 1970. At the onset of those activities, I immediately became a scrounger: brass, lead, lead alloys, fired boolits, and etc. It's never been a quest defined by any time period; it's been a lifetime activity and a constant one at that.
Now days I do less actual scrounging and more component buying. But the idea has always been the same: be the ants and stock up.
Now days I do less actual scrounging and more component buying. But the idea has always been the same: be the ants and stock up.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Buy it cheap and stack it deep. Right now ammo and gun prices are pretty good (relatively). I wish I could tell you all the ammo and gun purchases I regret not making. Excellent condition surplus MkIII Hi-Powers for $280 (hand select price). 1,000 rounds of 9mm CCI Blazer for $80. 1,000 rounds of Winchester Q3131A 5.56mm for $149 (before discount coupons).
Ammo and gun prices fluctuate - A LOT. If you want to be able to ride out the various panic buying and random swings of the market without taking out a second mortgage, you need to buy when you see ammo prices cheap and keep enough on hand to meet whatever your shooting needs for at least two years are. Given how bad the recent Administration has been in that regard, I wouldn't laugh at anyone who planned for four years instead. I know I waited at least that long before prices got where I was willing to start restocking my deplenished supplies.
You don't need to be preparing for the end of the world for stocking up to make sense. There is lots of good financial sense in it even just for casual recreational shooters not expecting the zombie apocalypse.
Ammo and gun prices fluctuate - A LOT. If you want to be able to ride out the various panic buying and random swings of the market without taking out a second mortgage, you need to buy when you see ammo prices cheap and keep enough on hand to meet whatever your shooting needs for at least two years are. Given how bad the recent Administration has been in that regard, I wouldn't laugh at anyone who planned for four years instead. I know I waited at least that long before prices got where I was willing to start restocking my deplenished supplies.
You don't need to be preparing for the end of the world for stocking up to make sense. There is lots of good financial sense in it even just for casual recreational shooters not expecting the zombie apocalypse.
Longhunter1700
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I keep at least 500 rounds on hand for all my big bore handguns and rifles. as for .22, too many to count. If I find it I buy it.
bannockburn
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Rembrandt
Most definitely agree with your premise that if the Antis can't legislate ammo out of existence then they will look for some other means, either through bureaucratic restrictions (BATFE, EPA, Homeland Security, etc.), or with prohibitively high taxes placed on the manufacturer, the retailer, and the buyer.
Good advice to buy it now and save it for later.
Most definitely agree with your premise that if the Antis can't legislate ammo out of existence then they will look for some other means, either through bureaucratic restrictions (BATFE, EPA, Homeland Security, etc.), or with prohibitively high taxes placed on the manufacturer, the retailer, and the buyer.
Good advice to buy it now and save it for later.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I have 3 cases of .22 LR, several slips of primers and buy powder in 8-lb kegs. I have about 200 lbs of wheel weights. Right now, I'm working on cast bullet loads for my .22 Hornet
CoalTrain49
Member
Personally, I have enough to keep me going for 2-3 years at the rate I shoot. I may bump that up to 4 years with prices where they are.
There is nothing worse than looking for powder and primers for several years and not finding any.
Figure out how much you will probably shoot in a span of 2 years. Then procure the components or ammo to do that. Keep that level and work thru your supply first purchased first used. You won't be sorry.
It isn't hoarding, it's resource management.
There is nothing worse than looking for powder and primers for several years and not finding any.
Figure out how much you will probably shoot in a span of 2 years. Then procure the components or ammo to do that. Keep that level and work thru your supply first purchased first used. You won't be sorry.
It isn't hoarding, it's resource management.
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MachIVshooter
Member
Being pragmatic, as much as you can comfortably afford when the prices are low. Supplies are ample, and we're very unlikely to see prices lower than what they are right now, so it's a good time to buy. Don't put yourself in the poor house, and definitely don't use credit unless you can pay it off right away. You're not saving a thing if you buy the ammo on a card and wind up paying more in interest than you would if you'd bought the ammo at a higher price. And paying cash for the ammunition but then having to use credit for other expenses is no different. People get themselves in a lot of trouble spending plastic money on things because it's a great sale/deal, not thinking about the interest that winds up costing them more than they'd have paid to buy the item at full price with cash at a later date.
For a long time, I've been buying how ever much I could comfortably afford when the prices were what I consider very reasonable. When Wally world was still carrying the ZQI M855, I'd buy at least 2 or 3 boxes every trip, sometimes more. After tax, the stuff was $0.36/rd, which is slightly more than you'd pay buying case quantities at the right time, but it's less painful at $20 here and $50 there than $330 at once. Didn't take very long before I had a case worth, which I put into a water tight container and then started on the next one. Once they dropped the M855, I began doing the same with the .308. Much like a savings account, where it's difficult to deposit an entire paycheck a couple times a year, but taking 5% or 6% out of each check, you barely notice, with the same results.
For a long time, I've been buying how ever much I could comfortably afford when the prices were what I consider very reasonable. When Wally world was still carrying the ZQI M855, I'd buy at least 2 or 3 boxes every trip, sometimes more. After tax, the stuff was $0.36/rd, which is slightly more than you'd pay buying case quantities at the right time, but it's less painful at $20 here and $50 there than $330 at once. Didn't take very long before I had a case worth, which I put into a water tight container and then started on the next one. Once they dropped the M855, I began doing the same with the .308. Much like a savings account, where it's difficult to deposit an entire paycheck a couple times a year, but taking 5% or 6% out of each check, you barely notice, with the same results.
Sheepdog1968
Member
Calculate how much you shoot over a year of the various calibers. A two year supply (with the exception of 22 LR) would let you ride out just about any ammo shortage. If that's not possible, I would say the absolute minimum should be six months supply.
The other part of the equation is what do you keep for emergency reserves in case of natural disaster or civil unrest. I think having at least 1000 rounds of defensive calibers on hand is a good minimum. More is better but not at the expense of food and water reserves at home. For that at least a month and six months even better. It lets you ride out things as well. I live in bad earthquake country so overall preparation is on my mind.
Being able to stay at home and avoid panicked crowds for ammo, food, water minimizes yourself to threats.
The other part of the equation is what do you keep for emergency reserves in case of natural disaster or civil unrest. I think having at least 1000 rounds of defensive calibers on hand is a good minimum. More is better but not at the expense of food and water reserves at home. For that at least a month and six months even better. It lets you ride out things as well. I live in bad earthquake country so overall preparation is on my mind.
Being able to stay at home and avoid panicked crowds for ammo, food, water minimizes yourself to threats.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Just to reiterate that point, had I bought a case of 5.56mm ammo at $149 in 2002 (which was an amazing price given hindsight) and then paid 14% credit card interest on it until 2015, I'd have ended up paying about $550 interest on top of the $149 for the ammo. So buying on plastic is rarely as good a deal as it sounds like.
10,000 primers and 30-40 lbs of powder. Cast bullets I'm not too worried about flying off the shelves. I do keep a couple of Thousand around along with some lead and moulds for 30 and 45 Caliber bullets.
I have maybe 5000 loaded rounds on the shelf not including .22lr which I have 2K or so but I hardly shoot it any more because I cant replace it and I wont pay $40+ for 500 rounds. In my mind it should still be 89 cents for a box of 50.
I have maybe 5000 loaded rounds on the shelf not including .22lr which I have 2K or so but I hardly shoot it any more because I cant replace it and I wont pay $40+ for 500 rounds. In my mind it should still be 89 cents for a box of 50.
P5 Guy
Member
Take out a home equity loan and buy everything you can find. Loaded ammo, primers, powder, bullets of what you shoot.
Buy it cheap and stack it deep. I was a hoarder back when it was called SENSIBLE STOCKPILING'
Buy it cheap and stack it deep. I was a hoarder back when it was called SENSIBLE STOCKPILING'
That is beyond insane. Risking your house to buy ammo?
Vern Humphrey
Member
Depends on how you do it -- I use a credit card for internet purchases, but pay it all off each month. Never carry a balance on a credit card!!
Blue Thunder
Member
I have been buying and scrounging components since the early 1990's when I started shooting IPSC. Over the next several years up to 2008, I bought something every paycheck (powder, primers when they were $1.99 per hundred, bullets and some brass). In 2008 I had a very good reading of the Tea Leaves and bought several thousand rounds of "Social Ammo" by the case in my carry guns calibers. I likely will not have to buy much more ever, but you never know. You just have to put together your own plan for getting what you need before the next panic. I have always used Social Ammo in the last 4 Gun Fighting Courses I have taken. Lots of reps on a 360 degree range that is hot all the time makes for good memory of how to do it.
Speedo66
Member
I used to buy ammo whenever I saw it on sale, regardless if I actually needed any at the time. Figured it was one of those that didn't spoil.
I now have enough to last me the rest of my life in all calibers I shoot. Had enough to sell a few thousand rounds of .22 when others needed it.
If nothing more, my kids can either look at it as a material inheritance, or sell it off for some spending money when I'm gone.
I now have enough to last me the rest of my life in all calibers I shoot. Had enough to sell a few thousand rounds of .22 when others needed it.
If nothing more, my kids can either look at it as a material inheritance, or sell it off for some spending money when I'm gone.
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