How much ammo is enough for SKS ?

[lykoris]

I will be getting an sks is a few months and have seen an offer of

EUR135 for 1120 rounds 7.62x39 124FMJ surplus CZ (S&B)



I have read the problems you guys have had with finding ammo in the US, many people saying I WISH I had bought more surplus ammo when prices were cheap and I am thinking as a result I should perhaps stock up on this calibre to avoid this mistake....was thinking of reloading for it originally but perhaps I would be wiser to buy bulk

Would it be a good idea to put EUR1350 on 11,250 for the years ahead - might even get an extra box for free if I negociate. I have the storage in an ammo safe for that amount.

another reason is I am sure I will buy other rifles in this calibre down the road also

 

[xsquidgator]

If you can afford to spend it, yes I'd do it. I think the exchange rate is running about $1.35 per Euro, so you're looking at maybe $188 roughly for 1120 rounds of ammo. That's about $0.16 per round, which is now considered way way way cheap here in the U.S.

Back in early 2007 I bought some 7.62x39 ammo for about this price. In the last 2 years the price has more than doubled. I would buy a bunch, if you can afford it.

Regarding how much ammunition you "need", that's a different question. A lot of people here think you "need" maybe a couple hundred rounds up to a thousand or so per rifle, which ought to be enough with margin to get through a period of civil unrest bad enough to require a rifle for home defense. If you're stocking up for the end of the world or Armageddon, then I guess no amount will be enough.

 

[SaxonPig]

We can't tell you "how much is enough."

How much to do you plan to shoot?

How much do you want to have on hand?

How much can you afford to spend on ammo?

Nobody can answer these questions except you.

Really, why do people keep asking this question?

 

[danprkr]

A friend of mine and I were discussing this the other day, and we decided that for a end of society situation that takes 2 years to stabilize that we 'should have' 7,500 rounds per gun. That would allow us to shoot 100 rounds per month to maintain proficiency, and have just over 5,000 for fighting, but that was us spit balling hypothetically. For what it's worth, I have arbitrarily rounded that number to 10,000/gun just because.

Of course my true belief is that the correct amount of ammo is all you have (no matter how much it is) + all you can afford when you're at the store. Especially at half price like you're talking about here. But, that's just me.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

one more box

 

[lykoris]

I have a rough budget per year and if I bought this in bulk I would postpone buying reloading equipment/components & other things shooting related I wanted to get until next year.

it is not at all a "how much ammo is enough" thread and I apologise for the incorrect thread title.

I have been wondering these past few weeks if the upfront cost now would be worth it down the road if prices here go the same road as they have in the US, i.e. significantly higher - what started it was reading all the ammo threads on here or rather lack thereof months ago.

It is not at all for an anticipated "end of the world" type situation or civil unrest or anything like that.

Just wondering out loud if stockpiling ammo for the years of shooting ahead for this calibre will be cost effective down the road...will buying it now in bulk avoid the "if only I had bought this when it was 12cents a round" :banghead:

to answer your question´s SaxonPig, apologies I didn´t give more details

How much to do you plan to shoot?
1. about 2,000 rounds a year, more if I get other rifles in this calibre...no doubt I will within the next two years

How much do you want to have on hand?
2. based on what I can safely store is my ammo safe, 10k give or take

How much can you afford to spend on ammo?
3. I can afford it, just won´t be spending it on other items I wanted this year especially a scope for a .300 win mag I have coming in Sept.

Nobody can answer these questions except you.

I realise it is perhaps a stupid question and nobody can answer except me but having thought it over a lot I just can´t definitively make up my mind

perhaps I am reading too many ammo shortage threads and seeing ridiculous prices for ammo in the US and thinking not sure I want to be in that position and having to shoot .22lr due to the ammo cost

 

[me26245]

ammo

Myself I try to keep 2K rounds of ammo for each rifle. Thats just to fall back on if it's needed.

I'd say most standard combat loads are about 400 rounds, so youd have 5 combat loads.

Then if you shoot/practice much which you should at least once a month 100 rounds min so thats 1200 rounds a year.

So lets see 2000 (base) +6000 (5 years shooting)=8000 min

But what I've found is that you can never have to much ammunition. If you don't shoot it you can trade it.

Oh and it's best to find out what kind of ammunition your gun likes and then always use the that same ammunition.

 

[danprkr]

not sure I want to be in that position and having to shoot .22lr due to the ammo cost

I certainly can attest to not liking that situation.

Also, the general trend on things is that prices go up NOT down, and ammo stores very well. You may as well buy it when it's cheap if you can afford it. Save you money later down the line.

 

[Reid73]

If you can afford it without making significant sacrifices, then I would say that it won't do any harm to lay down a stock of ammunition. Prices always trend upwards, and if stored in a reasonable fashion it will last for many years.

I not sure I want to be in that position and having to shoot .22lr due to the ammo cost

While I wouldn't want to be restricted to shooting only .22lr, there are many worse fates. It may not have the 'bang' factor or the recoil, but it is still lots of fun, and easy on the wallet.

For the past year, all of my pistol and revolver shooting has been .22. I enjoy my centrefires too, but am not in any great hurry to get them out of the gun safe.

 

[Ignition Override]

When a person finally makes the decision to keep a certain caliber rifle for the long term, having a few years' worth (or more) is both a good investment and the solution to any future supply problem.

Despite the very slim chances, the fact that your currency is the Euro indicates that your country could also suffer a major attack by Al Qaida in the future, which could cause chaos for a while, and then cause ammo prices to go higher.

For my Mini 30 and SKS I only have 4,700 rounds, but I shoot these twice a month. This ammo was bought long before the election.

 

[geologist]

I try not to get below 700 rounds of 7.62x39 in the ammo locker.

 

[VTChuck]

Why do we have an ammo shortage that allows some dealers to jack up the price? Look at your ammo pile at home and then look in the mirror.

 

[rdhood]

Why do we have an ammo shortage that allows some dealers to jack up the price? Look at your ammo pile at home and then look in the mirror.

Does every new member with 1 to 10 posts have to chime in with this drivel? Or maybe it is the same poster with 10 accounts? I... and everyone else with an SKS or AK or commie rifle... have been buying ammo by the tin/case/1000 since it existed. The OP's ammo is *packaged* in 1120 round increments. That ought to tell you newbies how folks purchased ammo long before the current political/economic situation.