Minimal amount of ammo?
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Rexrider
Member
This is one of those questions where everyone is going to give you a different answer.
Here is my best answer. To start, 0 is bad
There is of course no maximum. As far as I am concerned, the minimum is when I stop shooting it and go buy some. I usually try to by more ammo long before I hit the minimum. (each handgun caliber is over 500 rds at this time except for .32 acp and am currently way over my minimum for rifle ammo)
Handguns:
Defensive ammo - Always have at least 100 rds on hand for each caliber.
Target/Plinking ammo - 100 rds minimum as well.
Rifles:
5.56 (xm193) - 1k is my hard minimum.
223 - No minimum, its what I use if I get low on xm193.
7.62x39 - 560 rds on stripper clips. Four bandoliers in ammo can.
.357 mag - 200 rds since I have a rifle and revolver that use it.
Like I said these are arbitrary numbers based on.....well....round numbers and what fits in ammo cans.
When I was younger I had a lot more guns and a lot less ammo. As I have gotten older, I have been more concerned with making sure there is enough ammo for the guns I do own.
Bottom line is thought, everyone's minimum ammo will be based on what they can afford. Some people will say 10k is a good starting point. If I could afford 10k for each caliber, I would
Here is a tip: Everytime you walk into a store/gun shop that sells ammo, buy at least one box. You will be amazed how fast it adds up without being a finacial burden.
Here is my best answer. To start, 0 is bad
There is of course no maximum. As far as I am concerned, the minimum is when I stop shooting it and go buy some. I usually try to by more ammo long before I hit the minimum. (each handgun caliber is over 500 rds at this time except for .32 acp and am currently way over my minimum for rifle ammo)
Handguns:
Defensive ammo - Always have at least 100 rds on hand for each caliber.
Target/Plinking ammo - 100 rds minimum as well.
Rifles:
5.56 (xm193) - 1k is my hard minimum.
223 - No minimum, its what I use if I get low on xm193.
7.62x39 - 560 rds on stripper clips. Four bandoliers in ammo can.
.357 mag - 200 rds since I have a rifle and revolver that use it.
Like I said these are arbitrary numbers based on.....well....round numbers and what fits in ammo cans.
When I was younger I had a lot more guns and a lot less ammo. As I have gotten older, I have been more concerned with making sure there is enough ammo for the guns I do own.
Bottom line is thought, everyone's minimum ammo will be based on what they can afford. Some people will say 10k is a good starting point. If I could afford 10k for each caliber, I would
Here is a tip: Everytime you walk into a store/gun shop that sells ammo, buy at least one box. You will be amazed how fast it adds up without being a finacial burden.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I don't keep much .380 A.C.P. on hand, since I have only one gun that takes it, and hardly ever carry it.
Whenever I find myself approaching 5,000 rounds of .22 long rifle, it's time to order more.
I tend to load .357 magnum and .44 magnum rounds once or twice a year in large batches. Sometimes I have a lot on hand; sometimes I have a lot of brass on hand.
Whenever I find myself approaching 5,000 rounds of .22 long rifle, it's time to order more.
I tend to load .357 magnum and .44 magnum rounds once or twice a year in large batches. Sometimes I have a lot on hand; sometimes I have a lot of brass on hand.
Rob62
Member
I don't keep as much ammo on hand as I should, or certainly would like to.
But for center fire handguns at least a couple of hundred rounds. For hunting rifles at least 2 -3 20rd boxes. For my AR around 500rds. And last but not least for my Rim fire guns a whole LOT. Probably have somewhere in the neighborhood of 10K, but who's counting. Rim fire ammo doesn't take up much room and is cheap to keep on hand. Maybe I'll count it one day and post some pics. Almost forgot shotgun ammo - 100 slugs, 100 buckshot, 250rds bird shot. The above are the minimums I try to keep on hand.
But like I said I really wish I had more on hand. Since I have a basement now I don't have to worry about floor joists needing reinforcement any more
Somewhere a long time ago I read the following recommendations for minimum ammo on hand. I thought it was a good idea and is my goal.
Center fire rifles 500 rds per gun
Center fire pistols 1,000 rds per gun
Rim fire 5,000 rds per gun
Shotgun 250 asst. rounds.
Regards,
Rob
But for center fire handguns at least a couple of hundred rounds. For hunting rifles at least 2 -3 20rd boxes. For my AR around 500rds. And last but not least for my Rim fire guns a whole LOT. Probably have somewhere in the neighborhood of 10K, but who's counting. Rim fire ammo doesn't take up much room and is cheap to keep on hand. Maybe I'll count it one day and post some pics. Almost forgot shotgun ammo - 100 slugs, 100 buckshot, 250rds bird shot. The above are the minimums I try to keep on hand.
But like I said I really wish I had more on hand. Since I have a basement now I don't have to worry about floor joists needing reinforcement any more
Somewhere a long time ago I read the following recommendations for minimum ammo on hand. I thought it was a good idea and is my goal.
Center fire rifles 500 rds per gun
Center fire pistols 1,000 rds per gun
Rim fire 5,000 rds per gun
Shotgun 250 asst. rounds.
Regards,
Rob
1 old 0311
member
Hi Rob62,
That is EXACTLY the same ammount I keep on hand. Wierd.
Kevin
That is EXACTLY the same ammount I keep on hand. Wierd.
Kevin
5 in the pistol thousands in my home.
I only carry 5 .357 rounds in my ccw. I carry no extra ammo.
At home, I often catch sales on .22lr and usually have 500 to 2000. I currently have 150 .38 special reloads for my son to target plink with - that can vary from 0-200. I almost always have a minimum of 50 .357s but it can go up to 200 if I see a sale.
I only carry 5 .357 rounds in my ccw. I carry no extra ammo.
At home, I often catch sales on .22lr and usually have 500 to 2000. I currently have 150 .38 special reloads for my son to target plink with - that can vary from 0-200. I almost always have a minimum of 50 .357s but it can go up to 200 if I see a sale.
theorgHammer
Member
Never enough!
I reload, so I try to stay 10,000 ahead in components (enough brass, bullets, primers & powder for 10,000 round) for the main caliber I shoot. I only stay around a 1000 loaded ahead. Like good food, make fresh as needed!
I reload, so I try to stay 10,000 ahead in components (enough brass, bullets, primers & powder for 10,000 round) for the main caliber I shoot. I only stay around a 1000 loaded ahead. Like good food, make fresh as needed!
armoredman
Member
9mm, just under 1k, inlcuding reloads.
7.62x39mm, one full Chinese bra always.
7.62x54R, three full pouches, always, mixed heavy ball and steel core.
More would be much better, but so would more guns, too!
7.62x39mm, one full Chinese bra always.
7.62x54R, three full pouches, always, mixed heavy ball and steel core.
More would be much better, but so would more guns, too!
geekWithA.45
Moderator Emeritus
Mininums:
centerfire rifle, .22lr, .45 acp: 1000 rds
lesser centerfire pistol: 100-500 rds (ex: .380 = 100, 9mm = 500)
12 ga: 100
centerfire rifle, .22lr, .45 acp: 1000 rds
lesser centerfire pistol: 100-500 rds (ex: .380 = 100, 9mm = 500)
12 ga: 100
Highland Ranger
Member
If you're looking to save money this is the wrong board to post that kind of question.
Less than 500 rounds of anything means time to buy for me.
Having said that, I do avoid having too many calibers hanging around. 22lr, 357mag, 40, 44mag, 45acp and 12 gauge and I'm done.
On a related note - anyone notice the price of ammo going up online? Just placed a decent sized order and it seems like the prices are up noticeably . . .
Less than 500 rounds of anything means time to buy for me.
Having said that, I do avoid having too many calibers hanging around. 22lr, 357mag, 40, 44mag, 45acp and 12 gauge and I'm done.
On a related note - anyone notice the price of ammo going up online? Just placed a decent sized order and it seems like the prices are up noticeably . . .
Molon Labe
Member
I maintain at least 11,000 rounds of .308. As soon as it gets down to around 11,000, I buy two or three cases.
Preacherman
Member
I think we should distinguish between training/play ammo and "serious" ammo (i.e. stuff intended for hunting, self-defence, etc.).
In the latter category, I subscribe to the "200-round reliability test" theory - namely, that in order to fully trust your defensive weapon and load, you need to put 200 rounds of that ammo, in those magazines, through that weapon, without a single malfunction or problem of any kind, before you can fully trust it. (Of course, this applies to autopistols, not to revolvers, which don't have the same feeding issues.) So, I'll find a load that works well "on the street", and is generally considered a good defensive round, and then I'll try to buy at least 1,000 rounds of it. Some of that will go towards the reliability test: since I typically have duplicates of my carry weapons (in case one has to go for ballistics testing post-defensive use, or needs gunsmithing), each gun will get 200 rounds for testing. After satisfactory completion of the reliability tests, I usually try to keep 300-500 rounds of that load on hand, allowing for rotation of carry ammo on a regular basis. If I have to buy more, I check to ensure that the bullet shape, dimensions, etc. are still the same (it's surprising how these can change sometimes, without the manufacturer bothering to let you know!). If they're identical, I don't worry about repeating the reliability test, but if there's any change, I have to start the testing process all over again.
In hunting ammo, I try to find a load that works well on the animals and in the field conditions concerned, and then keep at least 100 rounds of it on hand, for annual re-zeroing of my rifles, and for hunting use. 100 rounds will typically be enough for 4-5 years of hunting.
For practice ammo, well, I try to stock up at the beginning of each year, as I can buy in bulk for rather less than normally-advertised prices (special deal through a local LE department). I may have as much as 10,000 to 15,000 rounds on hand early in the year, in my carry calibers, and go through that during the year in courses, normal range work, etc. I try not to drop below 1,000 rounds in my most-used calibers, and not below 500 rounds in my less-used calibers.
Here's what my ammo locker looked like at the beginning of 2004, stocked up for the year and not yet depleted.
In the latter category, I subscribe to the "200-round reliability test" theory - namely, that in order to fully trust your defensive weapon and load, you need to put 200 rounds of that ammo, in those magazines, through that weapon, without a single malfunction or problem of any kind, before you can fully trust it. (Of course, this applies to autopistols, not to revolvers, which don't have the same feeding issues.) So, I'll find a load that works well "on the street", and is generally considered a good defensive round, and then I'll try to buy at least 1,000 rounds of it. Some of that will go towards the reliability test: since I typically have duplicates of my carry weapons (in case one has to go for ballistics testing post-defensive use, or needs gunsmithing), each gun will get 200 rounds for testing. After satisfactory completion of the reliability tests, I usually try to keep 300-500 rounds of that load on hand, allowing for rotation of carry ammo on a regular basis. If I have to buy more, I check to ensure that the bullet shape, dimensions, etc. are still the same (it's surprising how these can change sometimes, without the manufacturer bothering to let you know!). If they're identical, I don't worry about repeating the reliability test, but if there's any change, I have to start the testing process all over again.
In hunting ammo, I try to find a load that works well on the animals and in the field conditions concerned, and then keep at least 100 rounds of it on hand, for annual re-zeroing of my rifles, and for hunting use. 100 rounds will typically be enough for 4-5 years of hunting.
For practice ammo, well, I try to stock up at the beginning of each year, as I can buy in bulk for rather less than normally-advertised prices (special deal through a local LE department). I may have as much as 10,000 to 15,000 rounds on hand early in the year, in my carry calibers, and go through that during the year in courses, normal range work, etc. I try not to drop below 1,000 rounds in my most-used calibers, and not below 500 rounds in my less-used calibers.
Here's what my ammo locker looked like at the beginning of 2004, stocked up for the year and not yet depleted.
Rock45
Member
Like a lot of responders I have a hard minimum of 1000 rounds of hand loaded ammo for several calibers...9mm, 45acp, and 380auto. I stay at +2000 rounds of 223 reloads because it seems to get used up more quickly at the range.
Factory ammo
223..................5,000 rounds in ammo boxes, either in mags or on strip clips
45....................2000 rounds
9mm.................2000 rounds
22lr..................I probably have 5k-7k in various flavors
Factory ammo
223..................5,000 rounds in ammo boxes, either in mags or on strip clips
45....................2000 rounds
9mm.................2000 rounds
22lr..................I probably have 5k-7k in various flavors
XDn00b101 said:
I think I have a minimal amount of ammo, my wife does not...
I don't have exact numbers, but generally several thousands for a number of popular calibers, several hundred for a number of other calibers, and less than 50 of .33 WCF.
BozemanMT
Member
ohhhhh, good topic.
I used to try to keep about a 1000, then I got married to a wonderful woman who is even more a gun nut than me. You would not believe how fast you go through ammo.
We shoot a lot of clay sports, so we try to keep a minimum of 5000 rounds of 12ga on hand, (spread around through #7.5, #8, #9), currently we have about 8000 rounds and about 3000 more hulls to load (too cold currently)
I try to keep about 100 rounds of #00 buckshot on hand for the defensive shotgun, I should probably carry more in backup and practice more with it.
I have decided that I am only carrying rifles in two calibers, .223 and .308. I am trying to get to 5000 rounds of each. I currently have about 4000 of .308 (got a smoking deal from fellow getting out of shooting .308) and about 3000 of .223.
I only carry pistols in 3 (4) calibers. 9mm, .357 (includes 38spl) and 45acp. I believe you should have at least 5000 rounds of each and 10k rounds of your carry gun practice and as someone said, a couple hundred rounds of defensive (expensive) ammo. I have about 6k rounds of 9mm and about 2500 rnds of .357/.38spl and about 2500 rounds of .45.
You cannot have too much .22LR. Just can't. Minimum 5000 rounds, better would be 10,000 rounds, trying to get to 20k rounds.
Gotta buy it when it's on sale. It doesn't go bad, grab it when ti's cheap. Gart Bros had a sale on WWB 9mm, went in and bought a 1000, realized that was stupid, went back the next day for more and it was all gone. :banghead: Got a rain check. Went back yesterday adn said "you got this"
"yep, how much you want?"
"How much ya got?"
got 3000 rounds for 90 bucks a 1000. Won't see that again anytime soon.
and everytime you buy ammo, buy two bricks of .22LR
Anyone need any .44mag? I've got about 250 rounds that I don't need anymore.
I used to try to keep about a 1000, then I got married to a wonderful woman who is even more a gun nut than me.
You would not believe how fast you go through ammo. We shoot a lot of clay sports, so we try to keep a minimum of 5000 rounds of 12ga on hand, (spread around through #7.5, #8, #9), currently we have about 8000 rounds and about 3000 more hulls to load (too cold currently)
I try to keep about 100 rounds of #00 buckshot on hand for the defensive shotgun, I should probably carry more in backup and practice more with it.
I have decided that I am only carrying rifles in two calibers, .223 and .308. I am trying to get to 5000 rounds of each. I currently have about 4000 of .308 (got a smoking deal from fellow getting out of shooting .308) and about 3000 of .223.
I only carry pistols in 3 (4) calibers. 9mm, .357 (includes 38spl) and 45acp. I believe you should have at least 5000 rounds of each and 10k rounds of your carry gun practice and as someone said, a couple hundred rounds of defensive (expensive) ammo. I have about 6k rounds of 9mm and about 2500 rnds of .357/.38spl and about 2500 rounds of .45.
You cannot have too much .22LR. Just can't. Minimum 5000 rounds, better would be 10,000 rounds, trying to get to 20k rounds.
Gotta buy it when it's on sale. It doesn't go bad, grab it when ti's cheap. Gart Bros had a sale on WWB 9mm, went in and bought a 1000, realized that was stupid, went back the next day for more and it was all gone. :banghead: Got a rain check. Went back yesterday adn said "you got this"
"yep, how much you want?"
"How much ya got?"
got 3000 rounds for 90 bucks a 1000. Won't see that again anytime soon.
and everytime you buy ammo, buy two bricks of .22LR
Anyone need any .44mag? I've got about 250 rounds that I don't need anymore.
waterhouse
Member
I don't know if I have a set number when I start buying more, but I usually replace most of what I shoot when I see something on sale, so the numbers stay somewhat constant.
Usually anywhere from 4,000 to 6,000 for the .22s
about 1000-1500 .223
300-400 of .308
about 150 for the 30-30
about 2000 each of 9mm and .45
about 600 mix of .357/.38
a couple cases of mixed variety of 20 ga. and 12 ga.
If I make sure to pick up my brass, I've got enough components on hand to crank out another couple thousand each of .45 and .357.
Somehow I also sell guns without shooting off all of the ammo that goes with them (there's probably a rule against this) so I also have some .380, .40, and .45-70 laying around. Guess I need to buy some more guns
Usually anywhere from 4,000 to 6,000 for the .22s
about 1000-1500 .223
300-400 of .308
about 150 for the 30-30
about 2000 each of 9mm and .45
about 600 mix of .357/.38
a couple cases of mixed variety of 20 ga. and 12 ga.
If I make sure to pick up my brass, I've got enough components on hand to crank out another couple thousand each of .45 and .357.
Somehow I also sell guns without shooting off all of the ammo that goes with them (there's probably a rule against this) so I also have some .380, .40, and .45-70 laying around. Guess I need to buy some more guns
mtnbkr
Member
I try to keep at least twice as much as I'd expect to use at my next range trip should I carry that gun/caliber. If I have time/money to acquire/load more, then I do, but that's my minimum.
Chris
Chris
trickyasafox
Member
since i got into reloading:
500 for each pistol i load for
100 for each rifle i load for.
everything else is pretty scarce. box or two. not really up to me though
500 for each pistol i load for
100 for each rifle i load for.
everything else is pretty scarce. box or two. not really up to me though
choochboost
Member
Roughly 1000 rounds for me.
I don't see the point in lots of handgun ammo. It's a last-resort defensive weapon, IMHO, unless it's a magnum you use for hunting, but I'd rather use a rifle.
.22lr; 1000 rounds.
9mm; 100-200 rounds.
12 ga; 200 rounds shot of various sizes, 100 rounds 00 buckshot, 100 slugs.
.30-30; 500 rounds. I would like to have at least 1000 rounds, but it ain't cheap.
Hopefully, soon I'll have an AR and I plan on having at least 1000 rounds of 5.56 and 8-10 mags.
.22lr; 1000 rounds.
9mm; 100-200 rounds.
12 ga; 200 rounds shot of various sizes, 100 rounds 00 buckshot, 100 slugs.
.30-30; 500 rounds. I would like to have at least 1000 rounds, but it ain't cheap.
Hopefully, soon I'll have an AR and I plan on having at least 1000 rounds of 5.56 and 8-10 mags.
Man, I envy you guys! We keept around 500-1000 rounds of 9mm, 5 or 6 boxes of assorted shotgun shells, a box or two for everything else, and generally one box for each deer rifle. One box of deer ammo lasts us 5 years usually. We tend to burn up more ammo sighting them in and checking zero than we do putting venison in the freezer.
I have been thinking lately that we are WAY understocked in the .223 dept. We have 2 Mini-14's that don't get shot much, but we won't ever get rid of, but I pick up my 10FP in .223 on Tuesday! Time to man up, and stock up! Thanks for the kick in the butt guys. I just got a hankerin' to buy some holiday dinners for my arms.
I have been thinking lately that we are WAY understocked in the .223 dept. We have 2 Mini-14's that don't get shot much, but we won't ever get rid of, but I pick up my 10FP in .223 on Tuesday! Time to man up, and stock up! Thanks for the kick in the butt guys. I just got a hankerin' to buy some holiday dinners for my arms.
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