How much ammo

[stardate]

How much ammo do you stock up on for each caliber you have. Some ammo is cheap like 223 or 76239, but others can be costly.

[novus collectus]

I stock up with as much as I can. Never know when my area gets invaded by a foreign power again. :rolleyes:

But really, I buy whatever is on sale and as much as of it as I can afford. I have a place to keep it though and I don't let it get exposed to heat.

[Double Naught Spy]

Yep, I buy when on sale as well. So my 'reserves' are often lopsided based on what was most recently on sale.

My goal isn't about trying to maintain a proper amount for each caliber, but about not being inconvenienced with running out and then having to buy at full price. So, I am not a big planner for the great invasion either. My plans really only involve making sure I have enough ammo to shoot NEXT weekend.

[Rojoe67]

I like to have 100+ 22LR, 100+ of each handgun I own, hunting ammo is about 20-30 per rifle, and for some reason I have a small boat load of mixed shotgun loads.... I think it's because I enjoy shooting it a little less than the others? ;)

I try not to over stock at home..... I worry for the fire departments safety if God forbid my place ever goes up in smoke..... My next purchase will be a real good fire proof safe for ammo.......just can't seem to get that savings working very fast... :confused:

[USP45usp]

I just "re-stocked" on major calibers and have 2000 rnds 7.62x39 (just got my sporter out of the shop), 1500 rounds .223, 500rds .45 (not enough :( ), 500rnds .38/.357, 100rnds for the CZ-52/Luger .30/ and Star 9mm Largo (hey, it's expensive to fire these bad boys :) (or :( ).

Now, the funny thing is, I have about 50,000 rounds of .22. Everytime I go to Bi-Mart or any other Mart, they are having sales on .22 ammo and I have to pick up a couple of bricks (you know, "hey, it's on sale"). I didn't realize that I had so much until I stocked up and was putting the rounds (other than .22) into the ammo cans in the safe and found that I didn't have enough room due to all the .22 ammo. Got curious and started to add it up.

I do hope that the post on ".22 the most dangerous" is true cause I've got enough to outfit a small army :eek: .

Wayne

[Gung-Ho]

Right now I'm down to just over 3500 rounds ADI 7.62 (by51) and that is the bottom of my barrel....any less and I consider myself out. As for .22, I have about 20 bricks. I'm not sure about handgun ammo, but at least several hundred of each caliber I shoot.

[stephen426]

I also stock up when things go on sale. I bought a bunch of 9mm Winchester USA at $5 a box. I think I had about 6 cases of it at one time. I shoot my 9mm the most though so I'm at least half way though that (and I don't even get out to the range as much as I want to). As for .40 and .45, I have a full case of each (a case is usually 10 boxes of 50 rounds). I don't stock for the .32 or.357 though cause I really don't shoot them that much. I probably have a few boxes of defensive ammo lying around but I don't count that. As for shot shells, I've probably got about half a dozen boxes sitting around. The funny thing is I haven't fired that thing yet. I'll put that on my to do list. As for .22, I've probably got about 2 bricks worth. It is amazing how fast you can go through so many rounds.

I'm also just looking for a good price so I don't have to pay out the nose when my trigger finger gets itchy. I'm not a closet militia guy by any means, although you would think so with my stock pile! :eek:

[gb_in_ga]

Hmm, let's see what I have on hand:

.380 ACP: 200 rounds of FMJ and about 50 rounds of GDHP's on hand, I just ordered another 1000 rounds of FMJ.
Total: appx. 250 rounds on hand, 1000 on order.

.38 spl: 500 rounds of WC's, 700 rounds of SWC's, 50 rounds of WWB +P JHP's, about 50 rounds of +P GDHP's.
Total: appx. 1300 rounds.

.357 Mag: part box of JSP's, 20 rounds HydraShoks, 100 rounds GDHP's.
Total: appx. 140 rounds.

[tokarevman]

I have about 3 cases of shotgun shells, 4 bricks of .22lr, 500rounds of 9mm, about 20 7.62x54 :( gota order some more, slap out of 7.62x25 :mad: .

[sterno]

Damn, I feel understocked. I just have about 200 .22lr, 50 12ga shells, 5 crossbow bolts, and 500 BB's.

Guess I need to go and get some more ammo (Actually I need to go out and get some more guns!) :D

[JohnKSa]

Ideal (IMO) is having enough ammunition that a typical range trip won't change the first two digits of my inventory in any caliber.

Practically, I think 2000 rounds for an auto-pistol caliber and 1000 rounds for a rifle or revolver caliber is a good goal.

That's centerfire--you should always have enough rimfire on hand that you don't want to count it! :D

[fastforty]

I'm at bare minimum right now:
1,000+ rounds .40 S&W
1,000 rounds 9mm
apx 500 rounds .38/.357 mixed
1,500+ rounds .223
250 rounds mixed 20ga buckshot & slugs
250 rounds 20ga birdshot
apx 200+ rounds each: 30.06, 30-30, 243
apx 10,000 rounds .22LR (I know, can't pass up a sale, lol)
Most of it is in a padlocked footlocker, weighs at least 200, maybe 300 pounds :)

Edit: Oh yeah, & enough supplies to reload at least half of everything listed :P

[rlpinca]

I only have a 1911, so rounds are pretty expensive. I try to have 100-200 rounds for each trip to go shooting. So I generally by a box or 2 of 50 every week. I've been completely out of practice ammo and have had over a thousand on hand. It just depends on finances and free time.

Then the carry ammo (hydrashocks) I have 2 magazines loaded and another 50 rounds or so sitting around.

[Al Thompson]

Roejoe, I've had a couple of fire safety types tell me that an old refridgerator is a super ammo storage bin. Good insulation in case of a fire and with a bit of work, eaisily lockable. YMMV

[Garand Illusion]

I've got large amounts of reloaded practice ammo. Big ammo boxes full of it that I buy a thousand of at a time. And of course multiple "on sale" bricks of .22.

In terms of ammo that I would actually trust for carry or defense (even though I've never had any of my bulk purchased reloads FTF) I keep at least a box of 50 or so around for each firearm I would conceivably use for defense. I make sure I've got enough for at least 2 full loads and then I buy more.

If the Iraqi's suddenly rally and counterattack with an armored column into Colorado, I will have to rely on reloads to defend the cul de sac.

For a civilian defensive situation I've got plenty.

[univtxattorney]

I stock up when on sale. Like others, I like to have enough ammo at the house so that I don't have to stop on the way to the range... Plus, if a firefight were to break out in front of the house, I want enough ammo to at least be respectable.

[Rojoe67]

What a cool idea......... heck with a little modification one could make a little gun vault out of it too? That is one neat trick and I might just think about the next older style (vintage) fridge; 50's-60's time frame? It would also be an overflow for the other cabinet. If a person put it in the basement and put a humidifier / dehumidifier in it and added a few good looking and heavy duty locks it could be a real gem? Thanks Al.........great idea :D

Wow, Al did you think that up or see one someplace......... You are on to something and now I am thinking who, what, where and when to find one ;)

[Duxman]

I agree with most folks here, about 1000 rounds per pistol ammo, and 1000 rounds per rifle ammo. Buying in bulk and the stuff for sale is good times. Also saves an extra trip to the sporting goods store before the range.

[fwcofficer]

For my handguns (9mm and .45acp) I keep no less than 500 rounds on hand at any given time. For my shotgun (12 gauge) I keep about 100 rounds of 00 Buck and about 200 rounds of 7 1/2 shot. If I had a nice place to store ammunition, I would keep more, but I worry about safety in a fire. (One would need not forget the acetylene, oxygen and propane tanks in the garage though.)

[shaggy]

Roejoe, I've had a couple of fire safety types tell me that an old refridgerator is a super ammo storage bin. Good insulation in case of a fire and with a bit of work, eaisily lockable. YMMV

I went with a large Knaack jobsite box for my ammo. Not as airtight as a freezer or fridge, but more sturdy and lockable. I'll going to make a drywall liner and get a goldenrod in there soon to provide some fire and humidity protection.

As to how much ammo I keep on hand? I don't honestly know, but a 26 cu.ft. Knaack box doesn't hold it all.

[tokarevman]

You know the fridge idea could be a realy great one. I know shops that keep there welding rods in old fridges that still work, becaus they are very dry on the inside becaus of the dehumidifier built into them. How does cold effect ammo??? It could be something to look into.

[jonathon]

I got 75 bucks for my birthday.. what did I spend it on? Found a place where I could get a 500 round case of CAS .44 Mag rounds for 119.99, so yeah...

Depends really. For Christmas, I got 3000 .22 LR(since its the only gun I can shoot around the place any more.. long story :rolleyes: ). Usually try to keep at least 2 boxes of the Remmington Gold Hollowpoints, just got 3 more for this weekend so.

Only got 1 box of .38 Special right now, don't shoot it to often.

Same deal with the 12 gauge, 1 box of Federal 00 Magnum Buckshot, 6 2 3/4" shells(well, actually its 2 boxes, cept the gun is loaded at all times)

I have exactly 8 7.62x39mm shells. The guy only gave me 10 shots, so to try it out I loaded it up and fired off two. The SKS(and dad's p85) are the only other guns in the house that are kept loaded and ready, rest are in the safe in my closet.

When I get the extra money(restoring a truck is one big money pit..), I plan to stock up on 12 guage 2 3/4", 7.62x39mm, and .38 Spl

//EDIT
Oh yeah, the Blackpowder rifle is just for display.. built it out of a kit, and I dont think I would want to fire it :D

[Jkwas]

The ranges around here have started prohibiting outside ammo, so I'm afraid to stock up, only to be "stuck" with a large amount I won't be able to shoot easily. Really sucks, but there it is. :barf:

[jonathon]

Probably liability stuff? I am fortunate to have friends who have areas to shoot on their spreads. I can't shoot anything bigger than a .22 at my house since the yuppy neighbors get mad and call the state police(I can I guess, but dealing with the cops is something I DON'T LIKE TO DO, especially WA Troopers)

[abelew]

Probably more of a profit thing. They are most likely using cheap ammo, and selling it at a pretty good profit, and blaming it on lawyers. Hell, one range around here sells cheap reloads (actually darned reliable) that use the spent casings that are left at the range (I take mine home). They are going for $10 or so, which I think is a bit steep for reloads, but about the same price as WWB, without having to to go wally world beforehand. I don't really like traditional ranges with a range official, all the stupid no holster draw, no rapid fire, etc rules. Those may work for most, but when Im shooting pistol, I want to be practicing more than just slow fire, maximum accuracy shooting. I need to be able to practice shooting from the draw, in a quick 3 shot string, decock, reholster, repeat. Pure accuracy doesn't really help one become proficient with the whole pistol system, which the holster is a very large part of.

[stephen426]

abelew,

Where in FL are you? What range do you go to? I used to go to American Indoor off of Pembroke road in Hallandale. I used to go quite often so the guys there knew me. If the range was empty, they would let me go in and set up multiple target and draw from my holster. It is just too dangerous to let total strangers do that kind of practice without knowing their level of skill or even basic knowledge of gun safety. Don't forget that gun ranges are in business of making money and lawsuits are a great waste of money.

Get to know the guys at the range and find out when is their slowest time. They are much less likely to reject if there isn't much liability. Another thing is they won't have to explain to some newbie why you are allowed to do those kinds of drill and why he isn't.

[rapier144]

enough that if the house catchs on fire im not calling the fire department i'll be to busy running to another county.

[BlueTrain]

It occurs to me that I have as much ammo for guns I don't have as for guns that I do. I have more 5.45x39 than anything.

[dave_in_delaware]

I didn't read EVERY post, but I'll guess I have the least amount stock-piled.

for the 9mm: I keep about 50 rounds of JHP for personal protection. Other than that, I usually go buy my target ammo on the way to the range (Wal-Mart WWB). Any leftovers from that will add to my total. I think I've had maybe 250 rounds max at home. But it's not always like that.

for the 12 gauge: I recently bough a box of shells (25 rounds). Haven't used it yet.

That's it. Sad, huh? :(

[john in jax]

Haven't taken inventory lately but it's about:
RIFLE
1,000rnds 7.62x39 for Mini-30 and SKS
100rnds .308 for Ruger M77 MKII
100rnds .30-06 for Rem. 7400
50rnds 12ga OObuck and/or slugs
200rnds .45acp
100rnds .44mag

[IZinterrogator]

I try to keep about 100 rounds of SD ammo per gun and 1,000 rounds of FMJ stuff per caliber for range work. The FMJ keeps disappearing whenever I go out of town on the weekends for a few hours, though. Wonder where it keeps going... ;)

[Dre_sa]

u really are! here in south africa we cant have more than 200 rounds per caliber total!

edit: we can also have only 1 gun for SD; a pistol to carry or a shotgun for the house.
getting more than 1 is just this side of impossible.
stupid govt. = stupid laws

[stephen426]

here in south africa we cant have more than 200 rounds per caliber total!

Who cares? That just gives you more reasons to own more guns of different calibers!:D Look at my signature. I have one gun in each of those calibers. I guess that means I am allowed to own quite a stockpile of ammo.

[azredhawk44]

I keep as a minimum:
3-500 rounds of 9mm
200 rounds of .45acp
100 rounds of .400 corbon
200 rounds of .357mag
50 rounds of .44mag
50 rounds of .30-30
100 rounds of .308
500 rounds of .22LR

I usually do a bunch of reloading in the fall and end up having:
1000-1500 rounds of .45acp
500 rounds of .400 corbon
500 rounds of .357mag
500 rounds of .44mag
300 rounds of .30-30
300 rounds of .308

I don't load for 9mm or .22LR.

[us.armysniper]

i personally keep 500 for the ak, 300 168gr black hills match ammo for the m1a national match and the 700pss. 5 magazines for the xd which are loaded with hornaday xtp. Shotgun with 8 00 buck. That is in case ammo. not target ammo, i normally keep much more but the stated above is guaranteed on hand
You hear some people talk about having 10,000 rds for a dooms day event which is totally ridiculious I think. If you are figting a force that big that you need that much ammo you won't survive long enough to use it, because the people you are trying to take out are probally trainned to a higher level than you, and if not have the man power and numbers alone to take you out. Some might say well i have all my militia buddies to back me up well that is cool until they roll up on you with some react to contact and flanking movements that you have never seen. As a matter of fact you will probally be killed early on and they will take your weapon, and the ammo that you just had to have, and destroy the rest of your town while they rape and pilage everyone that you love and kill them with your 10,000 rds of ammo.

[Zaire]

I keep AT LEAST 3500 rounds of 5.45x39 on hand.

Right now the others are roughly:

.45ACP-2 guns
1000 FMJ
500 Rangers

9mm-3 guns
2500 FMJ
1000 Rangers

12 Gauge- 1 gun
50 Slugs
250 Low Recoil Ranger 00 Buck

.22LR-1 gun
3000 assorted

.308-1 gun
500 BTHP

[stephen426]

You hear some people talk about having 10,000 rds for a dooms day event which is totally ridiculious I think.

I agree for the most part but there are plausible scenarios where having a boat load of ammo is a good idea.

For one, lets see what happens if Hillary (God forbid) actually gets elected. There are already too many guns for them to confiscate. Heavily taxing ammo or even restricting it could be a serious possibility. What about if they finally work out those tracing tags like they have for tazers and require people to register when they buy ammo? Those who have a decent supply will be in much better shape. I see the same thing happening for reloading supplies as well.

Scenario two is also highly possible. I am from Miami and we just had ourselves a little visit from hurricane Wilma. It blew through as a catagory 3 and cut power to almost 6 million people. Fortunately we are a much more civilized town than New Orleans (debatable for sure), but we didn't have any of the madness they experienced afterwards. If looting started getting bad, I would organize a watch group with the neighbors and arm the watchmen. 10,000 rounds is over kill for sure but better safe than sorry. This is provided that we don't get flooded out and can't reach our ammo of course!

Scenaio three comes from a book called Alas Babylon. It is about people who survive a nuclear attack on the United States. I know Russia is pretty unlikely to do anything but what about China? They have more than enough nukes pointed at us to get the job done. Lets hope "made in China" quality carries over to their nukes as well and they all end up blowing up in their silos. Anyways, the book talked about a small town (not worth nuking) in Florida and their survival struggles afterwards. They had to deal with looters and the break down of society and order in general. They also used to weapons for hunting.

As for some elite fighting force coming after me, I highly doubt it. I am not a Branch Dividian or member of any other wacko cult. I will not fire upon U.S. soldiers or police officers. I don't think any paramilitary group could actually invade the U.S. and they sure as hell wouldn't care to invade my neighborhood.

I'm not a doomsday kind of guy, but I think it isn't a bad idea to keep a decent supply of ammo around.

[us.armysniper]

For one, lets see what happens if Hillary (God forbid) actually gets elected
Now that is something i agree with. having enough ammo to supply yourself in case the left wings decide to take out the ammo plants, we have all the guns we want but with no ammo we will be in a bad way. I was speaking of a person in a particular article who has or says he has that much put away just for use in a dooms day event he said nothing about stockpilling in case they take our ammo and the supply dries up. so it sounded to me like he was gonna take on ww3 all by himself. but maybe i misunderstud I will find it again hopfully and try to post it.

[VirgilCaine]

Rimfire-1500
30.06-100
.243-100
30-30-300
.45acp-200
9mm-300
22mag-200
7.62x39-800
6.5x55-100
7.62x54r-50
.17hm2-150
.38spc-200
.357mag-200
12.ga-500 (various)
20ga-500 (various)
.223-1000's
.308-200
.270-100
.410-50
16ga-50

Old school lockers come in handy!!!

[cmreinke]

.22LR - 150 rnds.
.40S&W - 1,000 rnds. (including 50 JHPs)
7.62x39 - 30 rnds.
.30-06 - none

I usually buy for each caliber in 1,000 rnd. increments when my supply gets down to about 100, so itz time to get more .22 and 7.62x39. I'm planning on selling the .30-06, hence the lack of ammo. But based on the arsenals some of you guys posted, it looks like I need a lot more guns (and corresponding ammo)!

-Charles

[FirearmFan]

After reading all of this all I have to say is........

1. I need to go shopping, I have lowly 200 rounds of .40 cal

2. I need a better paying job to beef up my collection! ;)

[JR47]

Ok, I'm one of those guys with literally tens of thousands of rounds. Why? Well, look at 7.62x39 in the late 80's. It suddenly quadrupled in price. It's getting a little scarce today, and prices are creeping up. I also shoot MilSurps. .30-06 was plentiful not too many years ago, and I was buying .30 cal cans for $30.00 per 250 round can of Dutch. Being a member of the Class 3 community, I had access to both a 1919 Browning, and a Model 1918A2 BAR. You can genuinely eat a lot of ammo in an afternoon with either.

In the early 1990's, my club bought a RAILROAD car full of Santa Barbara 7.62x51!! It was sold to the members for $75/1000 round case. Owning two M14 rifles meant buying a couple of cases per payday to keep a stock on hand.

After a while, I just started buying virtually all of my ammo by the 1000 round case. It was cheaper, and readily available if one had the cash available on the spot.

I have no illusions about engaging in any Rambo style antics. I'm too old to think that they'd work, and too experienced to allow myself to do so.

My family still shoots on a regular basis, and not having to worry about shortages, or adding the trip to the store prior to heading out is worth it to us.:)

[model 25]

:D Make a plan and buy stock for your plan. Rotate your stock in practice. Without a plan you will have too much waste.

25

[swmike]

I keep a couple of old surplus 20mm Ammo Boxes full of .22LR, 38spl, 9mm. some 12 Slug, 12 #4Shot, 30-06 and .223. Can throw both in my truck at a moment's notice. It all get's "rotated" regularly at the range. More 9mm and .223 than other.

[Drunk Fat Man]

I am from Cleveland, but go to school in Toledo. So every time i drive pass Camp Perry I buy some sirplus 30-06. I have about 4500 rounds of it. I have couple 9mm and .45cal just for target.

[Silent Trigger]

I have a lever press system to hand load the cartridges I need, but when I buy ammo I usually buy in bulk @ an Academy or Cabellas all at once. You know, walk in with $200.00 and walk out with none of it because it was saved up just for ammunition. When I do this it's so I don't have to buy anymore for awhile, and then I just collect the brass where/when I can for reloading, and buy bullets at gunshows in bulk. Heck most of my brass (for differing calibres) is from all of the brass ppl leave lying around at the shooting range. I guess they don't reload?

As for how much ammo? Well let's say I have enough to last me at least 3 years in any calibre (though not at the house), and as a rule of thumb 300 rounds for each respective calibre for "In the moment" need.