How much ammo would soldiers carry?

[.45&TKD]

As I reflect on my growing "assortment" of rifles and consider SHTF and TEOTWAWKI scenarios, I was wondering how much ammo and how many magazines could or would be carried in these situations,

Just to make it fun, pretend it is the worst possible situation.
You are bugging out on foot. You are alone or the head of a small family unit.
You're not sure what conditions will be like when you get to where you are going, but anything is better than where you are at.
There are armed hostiles along the way, you could be followed, or sniped at from distances.
When you get to where you are going, there may not be any ammo resupply.

Taking only one semi auto rifle, how much ammo and how may mags can or would you reasonablly carry in the following cailbers (in addition to what else you would have to bring with you).

I'm thinking that the answers to these questions would help one decide which rifle to bring in this type of extreme situation.

AR-15 How much .223 and how many 30 round mags?

Ak47 How much 7.62 x 39, and how many 30 round mags?

FAL or G3 How much .308 and how many 20 round mags?

M1 Garand How much 30.06 on 8 round enbloc clips?

SKS How much 7.62 x 39, on 10 round stripper clips?

 

[Ian]

With an AR, AK or mag-fed 308, I would take two mags. One in the gun, and one in a belt pouch. It's a bug-out, not an infantry offensive. Carrying a lot of ammo means that much less you can carry of other important stuff, like clothing and food.

With my M1, I would carry about the same amount...probably a belt pouch of six clips plus one in the rifle (so 56 rounds total). Same for an SKS...three or four spare clips.

I would be bugging out to somewhere that has more ammo, though. If you think you may need to bug out, you have plenty of time now to pick a destination and make sure you have at some minimal supplies there. You're not just going to grab you BOB and hike off in a random direction, right?

 

[Texas Gunman]

This is one of the main reasons I'd went with ARs 223/556 ammo is much lighter than .308 and 30/06 etc, so Im able to tote more.
Im set up to carry 8 to 12 mags, with proper load baring equipment, this isnt all that heavy or bulky.
For my Glock17, five loaded mags.

TG

 

[BADUNAME13]

CAN?

I've carried over 800 rounds of belted 5.56 in addation to grenades, body armor, pack, water...
I don't recomend it.

Basic military issue: 7 mags

My Bug out:
.308:
(7) 20 round .308 mags, and 2 bandoleers of 60 in my pack along with a couple spair mags, and a box of 50 rounds of .45ACP.

7.62x39
(7) 30 round AK mags and a SKS 200 round bandoleer (Have a stripper clip loader)

SKS: a 200 round bandoleer, and a couple 100 more... depending.

AR: I won't be using one,

M1: I'm not sure.

This is a EVASION load. for combat: I had (11) 30 round mags for the Contractor classes, and I would want MORE!

Edited to add: as for clothing being more important than ammo: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO!!!!!!!!
2 things MIGHT be more important than ammo:
Water, and a first aid kit.
THAT'S ALL!
-A radio in a military situation, but thats not an option here.

The guy who wants to carry 2 mags... study 'Break contact drills.'

 

[kmrcstintn]

In late spring of 2004, I was 'prepped' to be mobilized from Army Reserves to fill-in a vacant unit slot for a deployed military police unit in Iraq; since I was not filling a combat slot, I was issued an M16A2 (full size) and given 7 brand new 30 round USGI magazines; potential for 210 rounds of M855 62 gr NATO fmj; 1 mag for the rifle and 3 for each of the 2 magazine carrying pouches

sidebar: due to an injury, I couldn't be mobilized and I was subsequently discharged (honorable); something happened between the unit level and the command group and they discharged me honorably since the circumstances were not my fault

here is a link that was given to me on another thread about 5.56mm ammo; excellent reading and knowledge base...

http://www.ammo-oracle.com/

 

[possum]

i have the ability to carry 18 mags on my army issued molle gear but i don't because of all the other crap i gotta hump around.

my personal gear carries 12 magazinesfor the ar, or 8 for the ak depending.
but i would take the ar if it was up to me. i have "OO" in one of the gp pouches and a IFAK in the other.

 

[marksman13]

I'm with Nomad on this one. Ammo trumps clothing and I can find something to eat. If you have to use your weapon the last thing in your mind will be your empty belly or cold feet. Not saying clothing and food arent important, but if I'm going into a known hostile area, I'm going to be ready for a fight. Ammo goes fast in a firefight. 10 AR mags and 4 M9 mags everywhere I went in Iraq. An M21 and 10 mags were usually close at hand.

 

[Gordon]

I carried 12 M-14 mags,2 WP grenades,6 1911 mags and an extra box of 50rnds up to the very top of 'Hamburger hill' +weapons,water, kit AND a Crypt Key device that weighed 15 pounds.Course I was 23 in 1968 !

 

[cheygriz]

If you have to take to the hills, carry a 30 round magazine in your AR-15 and one spare. The space and weight of the other ammo will be for food, 1st aid supplies, clothing etc. The pistol should stay home in favor of an extra canteen.

In a quick, bugout SHTF situation, you're trying to avoid a fight, you're not looking for one.

But if you're prepared in advance, all of the things you will need will already be at your retreat.

 

[BADUNAME13]

cheygriz: Absolutley you are trying to avoid a fight.

But what if one finds you?

You WILL burn through that first mag just STARTING to get fire superiority.
(Which you need in order to run away without getting shot.)

If you have a family... you might be there burning through 4 mags giving them time to escape... and that's just the first 90 seconds of contact.

Please do not take my word for it... talk to a combat vet... but PLEASE do some research.

 

[joab]

If I remember correctly a standard battle pack is 180 rounds

My standard for all my guns is at least three mags more if time and space allow and circumstances dictate

 

[meef]

Edited to add: as for clothing being more important than ammo: LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO!!!!!!!!

Nomad.... are you yodeling?

 

[telomerase]

Nomad.... are you yodeling?

That's the sound people make when they freeze to death without proper clothing.

 

[marksman13]

Standard combat load is 210 rounds for the M16 and I believe 600 rounds for the M249 SAW. I've seen a SAW gunner emty two 200 found drums in less than two minutes while laying down suppressive fire. I certainly wouldn't want to be the only person on the battlefield with a silent rifle. Load out the way you want, but water and ammo take priority in my book.

 

[Titan6]

Those are correct for the M16/4 and M249. The M1 Garand was two bandoleers or 12 clips = 96 rounds. Tough call on foot toting wife and kids. Were it me and my family we would be running away and making friends as often as possible. Fighting would be way down on the score card. Cheygriz has the right idea. You need to prioritize.

 

[Ian]

Are we interpreting the original question the same way? I saw the word soldier in the title, but the text of the initial post talks about a family bugging out on foot.

To me, a family bugging out is a situation calling for deterrent and last-resort defensive tools, not suppressing fire and backup weapons.

Seriously, if your family has to walk out the door right now and leave your home town on foot because your home is no longer habitable, are you really going to take 20 or 30 pounds of ammo with you? How far would you have to go? What will you sleep on and under - what will your wife and children sleep on and under? How often will you be able to get potable water? Will you have the tools to treat a sprained ankle or moderate gash? What will you eat tonight? Tomorrow morning?

It'd be a rare bugout where I would take a rifle at all, rather than just my carry pistol.

 

[blackhawk2000]

I talked to 2 Army NG guys last week, and they carry 16 30 rders, and 1-2 SAW boxes, per guy.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Double basic load (210 x 2) isn't the worst starting point to base your load plan on, modified as needed due to mission and the other usual considerations.

You are bugging out on foot. You are alone or the head of a small family unit.

Taking only one semi auto rifle, how much ammo and how may mags can or would you reasonablly carry in the following cailbers (in addition to what else you would have to bring with you).

If by myself, I might think double basic load. Half in mags, half in boxes or baggies or something to shave some weight off. That's 5.56mm (or 5.45x39). For 7.62x51 or x39 I'd adjust downward to match about the same weight overall.

If I have a wife and kids, there's no reason they can't schlepp some extra ammo around, too. Probably have them carry boxed/stripper clips/etc ammo, while I carry the stuff in mags, since (as someone already noted) if I'm putting rounds downrange that's probably so they can take off running, not be tossing me fresh mags.

 

[.45&TKD]

It'd be a rare bugout where I would take a rifle at all, rather than just my carry pistol.

The scenario is that "rare" worst case bugout situation through armed hostile territory.

I've never "humped" ammo in the field.

I really did just want to know how much is practical for an able bodied man to physically carry in the different caliblers.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Seriously, if your family has to walk out the door right now and leave your home town on foot because your home is no longer habitable, are you really going to take 20 or 30 pounds of ammo with you? How far would you have to go? What will you sleep on and under - what will your wife and children sleep on and under? How often will you be able to get potable water? Will you have the tools to treat a sprained ankle or moderate gash? What will you eat tonight? Tomorrow morning?

Well, if I'm carrying all the ammo I guess the family could carry all that stuff.

I don't have a family so I would agree with you that food and shelter would be a priority.

 

[jay43]

the more the merrier

 

[BADUNAME13]

Seriously, if your family has to walk out the door right now and leave your home town on foot because your home is no longer habitable, are you really going to take 20 or 30 pounds of ammo with you? How far would you have to go? What will you sleep on and under - what will your wife and children sleep on and under? How often will you be able to get potable water? Will you have the tools to treat a sprained ankle or moderate gash? What will you eat tonight? Tomorrow morning?

Now, if I am down to a 'combatlike environment...' we're basically in Iraqlike status...

And I believe that is what was outlined... (People shooting/sniping at you...)
-I'm single, no dependants BTW, and I have a definate location I'd be heading to.

That being the case, my loadout is:
Rifle, 7 mags, extra ammo, 1911, 3 mags, 50 extra rounds: (Detailed above)
Webed gear, bodyarmor, PVS14, Otis cleaning kit, compass, VOC, surefire, batteries, RAT7 Leatherman wave.

Miox water filter
Camelback, couple pladapus bags, 'Lifeboat rations' (Forget the brand)
3 Oz gold and 6 silver, $1,000 cash

---------------------------------------------------------------

MSR Expadation multifuel stove, (2) Ti pots with lids.
Spork,

Sox, one pair underwear, Ranger roll, mosqueto neting, plastic bags, wet whipes, small hygene kit, 50 yards 550 cord, first strike, (Fire) lighter,
Alot of food, I'm not gonna break my pack open... dried meat, fruit, peanut butter, Mountain house, parts of MRE's, SOS pad...

Missed a couple odds and ends.

This is the summer set up (It being summer here now) winter clothing added as needed, but not alot, and my one luxery: An insulated cup (Winter time)

Yes, I know this works because this is a civilian adaptation of the gear I used in Iraq in weather that stretched from 130 degrees to the low teens.

-Above the line is my 2nd line gear, below is in/on my Tactical tailor 3 day assault pack.

I can and have lived off this for several weeks... food being the limiting factor... I'll loose some weight... but I can survive.

Edited to add: When I get to my destination there WILL be resupply, unless people are killed, buldings burned, and 11 acres is gone over with a metal detector VERY carefully.

 

[buck00]

I don't expect many people to pay attention to this- but I think there is a paradox about SHTF ammunition estimated needs and the realistic threats and challenges one may face in a crisis.

* The simplest way to explain it is this: if you actually need to fire more than 50 rounds at one time during a SHTF scenario- chances are you are facing a threat and situation that 50 rounds or even 500 rounds won't overcome.


I would say that carrying a single magazine and having the brains and street sense to avoid a dangerous situation is far superior (and safer) than having six South African battle packs of 308, your head-band, and a Chuck Norris "shoot at anything that moves" mentality during a major crisis. JMO.

 

[roscoe]

I doubt that anyone can just declare a priori what they would carry. Circumstances will dictate the load. Do you need to move quickly on foot? Do you have toddlers you may have to carry? Is it hot? Cold? Is there water available where you are going? Do you need to carry shelter? How hostile is the environment?

I can't recall anyone saying they needed more than a few rounds to dissuade potential predators during Katrina. If you are moving to Baghdad, that is different, but even during the LA riots, one magazine would be way more than enough to convince people to look elsewhere for easy prey.

I bet that in all but the most outrageous circumstances, a lever gun and two boxes of ammo would be enough. People don't like to be shot.

 

[USMCRotrHed]

"How much ammo would soldiers carry? "

Never Enough!