How much is a LOT of stockpiled ammo? - Page 2

rhgunguy · March 7, 2008, 09:53 AM

I don't buy the argument that you would be better off putting money in a savings account than stockpiling ammo when it is cheap.

When I started shooting in late 2004, WWB 9mm went for $11 for 100 rounds. Now it is over $16.

When I bought my AR-15 in late 2006, Blackhills 55gr .223 was $14.99 for 50. If I can find it it is $24.99.

I should have cashed in my net worth and bought all the Blackhills I could find and sit on it for two years. Then sell it for $23 a box. With the war going on, I haven't even seen the stuff in several months. I could have cleaned up!

4sarge · March 7, 2008, 10:17 AM

I'm going to concur with the others on the value of the dollar. In 2004 I was buying Vespa parts from Italy to restore a scooter at the time the EURO was worth $1.04 US. Now I'm working on a military jeep and watching most parts skyrocket on ebay and sell to Europe where their euro is now $1.52 US.
The dollar is falling like a rock. 4% interest is doing nothing to keep pace. Real inflation isn't reported in this country since "volatile" items are taken out of the equation.

WEAK and WEAKening dollar= rush to commodities (Oil, Gold, Lead, Copper, Corn, Soybeans) Do you see any moves to strengthen the dollar? Economic stimulas package=more cheap dollars.

And nothing like a presidential election to spur ammo sales.

CraigC · March 7, 2008, 10:51 AM

According to the news, any more than a pocketful.

farnorthdan · March 7, 2008, 02:14 PM

What Ammo????

Rant Casey · March 7, 2008, 05:17 PM

Well, take a look at my name and ask if I have a lot of ammo....

I'm a firm believer in 1k rounds per caliber, pistols are a different story. I'm not sure what I'd do with 1k 9mm etc rounds because if it comes time for me to have to fall back on a handgun, chances are I'm not going to have time to reload that many times.

Honestly though, I don't consider it "stockpiling", I'm not waiting for the end of the world, I just shoot quite a bit and in the case that I do eventually need a rifle for survival of myself or my family, I'd hate to have to say "boy I wish I didn't fire those last 200 rounds at the range today".

BigDog454 · March 7, 2008, 10:21 PM

I don't have any ammo. HONEST I don't, nor powder or primers, or lead. None of that stuff here.

Seminole · March 7, 2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

How much is a LOT of stockpiled ammo?

For how many guns?

Mach II Sailor · March 8, 2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

How much is a LOT of stockpiled ammo?

more than your average 1 ton pickup truck can carry

Hammer1 · March 8, 2008, 11:17 AM

Do you count ammo for the 470 Nitro Express as "stockpiled" ?

.

Kreyzhorse · March 8, 2008, 08:36 PM

I've got 12 calibers at home split between handguns, rifles and shotguns. I try to keep at least 50 rounds for each rifle, 50 rounds for my shotgun and at least 100 rounds for my handguns. I have, I'd guess, between 1,000 and 1,500 rounds total at the house. I consider it "a lot" but its nothing compared to what a lot of guys have on this board.

jrfoxx · March 9, 2008, 05:48 AM

I currently have about 8000rds, but I reload, buy in bulk for the discounts, and have 21 different calbers (soon to be 22

), so, its really not that much.There are several calibers I'm pretty light on at the moment.Waitin' for my "free" gubmint "stimulus" check, so I can do my part to help the economy....

DMK · March 10, 2008, 03:48 PM

Yea, I got some ammo stockpiled. has nothing to do with armageddon. It's about cost. a few years ago I was buying cased of Portugese 7.62x51 for $140 and 500 round boxes of XM193 5.56 for $80. I've got 9mm that I paid just a little over $100 for 1k, 45ACP that cost $10 /50. I'm glad I stocked up. I can't afford to buy ammo at todays prices, especially when it costs me $50 to fill up my car's gas tank and each trip to the supermarket for little more than milk and bread seems to cost $100+.

LouPran · March 10, 2008, 06:05 PM

Is there such a thing as having too much ammo ? I don't think so.

As an investor , it's currently one of my top commodity picks.

mountainclmbr · March 10, 2008, 09:42 PM

For my Civil War era Sharps Carbine in 50-70 I only have 2 rounds. Everything else I have more.

SamHouston · March 10, 2008, 10:15 PM

Stocks are down, ammo prices are up. Reading this thread I realized I could do so much better in my investments so I went to Walmart this evening and added to my 401gun account.

predator86 · March 12, 2008, 05:20 AM

i honestly dont know how much ammo i have any more, any time that i walk into the gun store or fleet farm or shceels i will walk out with 20 bucks in ammo, all i know is that i got ammo and guns stored in every one of me vehicles so in case the shtf any vehicle im in is armed with a bug out bag and some kind of weapon.....and there is no end in sight to when im stopping the ammo purchases....

winchester243 · March 12, 2008, 10:03 AM

I don't keep a ton of loaded ammo on hand (.22's excepting). I do however keep tons of reloading supplies on hand.

Brass:

2000+ 45acp
5000+ 38special
1000+ 357mag
1000+ 44mag
1000+ .270win
750+ .243
500+ 30/30
500+ 45/70
5000+ 12ga hulls

Lead/Bullets

1000#+ lead
300# Shot
1000+ 44mag bullets
2000+ .38/.357 bullets
2000+ .270 bullets
500+ .243 bullets
1000+ 45acp bullets
400+ 30/30 bullets
Just got the 45/70 so no bullets made yet.

Powder/Primers

approx 40# in various powders
approx 20,000 various primers

surg_res · March 12, 2008, 07:58 PM

Can't shoot components, time to start loading

Wow, I'm way behind.

I just bought a 460rnd case of 308 and felt that hurt the wallet. I've definately made the mistake of buying more guns than ammo in the past 5 years. I have too many calibers and not enough reloading experience. Might as well have a rock in hand if I run out.

As an admirer of the Swiss model of national defense, I'm curious to know how much ammo each civilian soldier stocks with his rifle.

On a political front, I think the control of ammo is the Achilles heel of the 2nd ammendment. We have the right to bear arms but once the supply of ammo is dry, we have nothing!

My #1 hurdle in life is the bride. She just doens't think about the many things we discuss here. Perhaps I need to work on my ability to compromise.

Nevertheless, my appetite for guns and ammo is insatiable--and so increases my concerns for the future.

stevelyn · March 13, 2008, 12:07 PM

I hoard ammo and components.

One of the downsides to living in the bush is that you never know when your next trip out will be. Add in that shipping is a pain due to freight and hazmat fees. So everytime I go out I buy as much ammo and components as I can afford and bring it back with me.

I probably have close to 10,000 rounds in .22 lr alone.

When I finally get to leave this blowhole, shipping all that ammo is going to be a challenge.

Don P · March 13, 2008, 05:21 PM

I duno, I got 15,000+ rds on hand and 8,500 rds waiting to be reloaded

Do I has too much. I don't think so, not anywhere close to having enough and a bunch away from having alot.

surg_res · March 15, 2008, 05:22 PM

Interestingly, the power of a firearm is maintained by having just one full mag. That is, near complete law and order are kept with so few shots fired. 1000 guns with 10 shots each is more powerful a force than 1 gun with 10,000 shots. I think that is why the 2nd ammendment makes reference to an organized militia. We are not to act as an individual should the SHTF, but as an army of individuals. Nevertheless, should the SHTF, maybe you will find yourself supplying the entire militia (whatever size that may be) with ammo. In either scenario, more ammo is probably better. As for me, I think that 5000 to 10000 rounds of pure stock ammo is a fair quantity for any one person in about 3-4 different calibers/firearms. As for politics, I think presidential hopefuls ought not test the power of the 2nd ammenment and its followers, for a show of force might be needed to correct their twisted ideals.

Csspecs · March 15, 2008, 05:34 PM

So a dozen mossin nagants and a case of 440 each is reasonable? Good I thought I was crazy for a bit

**44 AMP** · March 15, 2008, 07:31 PM

My last detailed inventory was nearly a decade ago, and I lost track after 25,000rnds. I reload for between 25-30 cartridges (and I don't want to count them right now), and I try to have at least 100 rnds for each caliber. For many of these I exceed that minimum by a few hundred percent.

As far as I'm concerned, everybody can have their own opinion on how much they should have, me, I like to have enough so that if I am not able to get any more, it will last for a while.

And as far as a shtf situation, when people say "why bother with more than you can carry" or something like that, I just think of two different possibilities. One, since not everyone prepares properly, you may have to outfit (or just supply ammo) for trusted individuals, to aid in group protection.

And, second, if things really, really, go bad, remember that even gold and precious metals only have value when people are willing to pay for them. Ammo doesn't spoil. It lasts for decades, possibly centuries, and when nobody is making more, it gets real valuable. Consider which is worth more to a farmer living off his land, which one of these might induce him to be willing to part with some food (which he can replace), a few shiny gold coins, or jewels that he can't do anything with except look at, or a half dozen shells that fit his old Winchester?

surg_res · March 15, 2008, 09:21 PM

44 amp, good points. For survival, probably nothing beats a few bricks of 22LR, especially for hunting on the farm. One of my hunting books claims that rabbits are still the #1 consumed game in the country. As for ammo lasting for centuries, I wonder if vacuum packing is the way to go?

SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI · March 16, 2008, 12:09 AM

I have a few rounds lying about.

6500 rounds .30-'06
2500 rounds .223
1500 rounds .22 long rifle
250 rounds .45 ACP
150 rounds .32 ACP
150 shells 12 gauge - mixture of slugs, 00 buck, #9 birdshot

Do I have enough?

March 8, 2008, 08:36 PM	#35
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,464	I've got 12 calibers at home split between handguns, rifles and shotguns. I try to keep at least 50 rounds for each rifle, 50 rounds for my shotgun and at least 100 rounds for my handguns. I have, I'd guess, between 1,000 and 1,500 rounds total at the house. I consider it "a lot" but its nothing compared to what a lot of guys have on this board. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

March 10, 2008, 03:48 PM	#37
DMK Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2001 Location: Over the hills and far, far away Posts: 3,211	Yea, I got some ammo stockpiled. has nothing to do with armageddon. It's about cost. a few years ago I was buying cased of Portugese 7.62x51 for $140 and 500 round boxes of XM193 5.56 for $80. I've got 9mm that I paid just a little over $100 for 1k, 45ACP that cost $10 /50. I'm glad I stocked up. I can't afford to buy ammo at todays prices, especially when it costs me $50 to fill up my car's gas tank and each trip to the supermarket for little more than milk and bread seems to cost $100+. __________________ - Homeland Security begins at home: Support your Second Amendment - www.gunowners.org - www.saf.org - act.nraila.org - www.grnc.org

March 13, 2008, 05:21 PM	#45
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,213	A lot of ammo I duno, I got 15,000+ rds on hand and 8,500 rds waiting to be reloaded Do I has too much. I don't think so, not anywhere close to having enough and a bunch away from having alot. __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

March 15, 2008, 07:31 PM	#48
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,433	I honestly don't know exactly how much I have... My last detailed inventory was nearly a decade ago, and I lost track after 25,000rnds. I reload for between 25-30 cartridges (and I don't want to count them right now), and I try to have at least 100 rnds for each caliber. For many of these I exceed that minimum by a few hundred percent. As far as I'm concerned, everybody can have their own opinion on how much they should have, me, I like to have enough so that if I am not able to get any more, it will last for a while. And as far as a shtf situation, when people say "why bother with more than you can carry" or something like that, I just think of two different possibilities. One, since not everyone prepares properly, you may have to outfit (or just supply ammo) for trusted individuals, to aid in group protection. And, second, if things really, really, go bad, remember that even gold and precious metals only have value when people are willing to pay for them. Ammo doesn't spoil. It lasts for decades, possibly centuries, and when nobody is making more, it gets real valuable. Consider which is worth more to a farmer living off his land, which one of these might induce him to be willing to part with some food (which he can replace), a few shiny gold coins, or jewels that he can't do anything with except look at, or a half dozen shells that fit his old Winchester? __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

March 16, 2008, 12:09 AM	#50
SIC TRANSIT GLORIA MUNDI Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2001 Location: The People's Republic of Calif Posts: 268	I have a few rounds lying about. 6500 rounds .30-'06 2500 rounds .223 1500 rounds .22 long rifle 250 rounds .45 ACP 150 rounds .32 ACP 150 shells 12 gauge - mixture of slugs, 00 buck, #9 birdshot Do I have enough? __________________ NRA Benefactor Life Member CRPA Member Inland Empire Gun Owners Member

March 7, 2008, 09:53 AM	#26
rhgunguy Junior member Join Date: March 7, 2006 Posts: 1,057	I don't buy the argument that you would be better off putting money in a savings account than stockpiling ammo when it is cheap. When I started shooting in late 2004, WWB 9mm went for $11 for 100 rounds. Now it is over $16. When I bought my AR-15 in late 2006, Blackhills 55gr .223 was $14.99 for 50. If I can find it it is $24.99. I should have cashed in my net worth and bought all the Blackhills I could find and sit on it for two years. Then sell it for $23 a box. With the war going on, I haven't even seen the stuff in several months. I could have cleaned up!

March 7, 2008, 10:17 AM	#27
4sarge Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Location: south of Chicago's shadow! Posts: 204	I'm going to concur with the others on the value of the dollar. In 2004 I was buying Vespa parts from Italy to restore a scooter at the time the EURO was worth $1.04 US. Now I'm working on a military jeep and watching most parts skyrocket on ebay and sell to Europe where their euro is now $1.52 US. The dollar is falling like a rock. 4% interest is doing nothing to keep pace. Real inflation isn't reported in this country since "volatile" items are taken out of the equation. WEAK and WEAKening dollar= rush to commodities (Oil, Gold, Lead, Copper, Corn, Soybeans) Do you see any moves to strengthen the dollar? Economic stimulas package=more cheap dollars. And nothing like a presidential election to spur ammo sales.

March 7, 2008, 10:51 AM	#28
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	According to the news, any more than a pocketful.

March 7, 2008, 02:14 PM	#29
farnorthdan Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2007 Posts: 371	What Ammo????

March 7, 2008, 05:17 PM	#30
Rant Casey Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 441	Well, take a look at my name and ask if I have a lot of ammo.... I'm a firm believer in 1k rounds per caliber, pistols are a different story. I'm not sure what I'd do with 1k 9mm etc rounds because if it comes time for me to have to fall back on a handgun, chances are I'm not going to have time to reload that many times. Honestly though, I don't consider it "stockpiling", I'm not waiting for the end of the world, I just shoot quite a bit and in the case that I do eventually need a rifle for survival of myself or my family, I'd hate to have to say "boy I wish I didn't fire those last 200 rounds at the range today".

March 7, 2008, 10:21 PM	#31
BigDog454 Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2007 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 100	I don't have any ammo. HONEST I don't, nor powder or primers, or lead. None of that stuff here.

March 8, 2008, 11:17 AM	#34
Hammer1 Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2004 Posts: 214	Do you count ammo for the 470 Nitro Express as "stockpiled" ? .

March 9, 2008, 05:48 AM	#36
jrfoxx Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2004 Location: Evanston,WY Posts: 898	I currently have about 8000rds, but I reload, buy in bulk for the discounts, and have 21 different calbers (soon to be 22 ), so, its really not that much.There are several calibers I'm pretty light on at the moment.Waitin' for my "free" gubmint "stimulus" check, so I can do my part to help the economy....

March 10, 2008, 06:05 PM	#38
LouPran Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2008 Location: Buried under record fall of "climate change" Posts: 346	Is there such a thing as having too much ammo ? I don't think so. As an investor , it's currently one of my top commodity picks.

March 10, 2008, 09:42 PM	#39
mountainclmbr Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: On a mountain in the Colorado Rockies Posts: 966	For my Civil War era Sharps Carbine in 50-70 I only have 2 rounds. Everything else I have more.

March 10, 2008, 10:15 PM	#40
SamHouston Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2007 Location: DFW Posts: 247	Stocks are down, ammo prices are up. Reading this thread I realized I could do so much better in my investments so I went to Walmart this evening and added to my 401gun account.

March 12, 2008, 05:20 AM	#41
predator86 Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: wisconsin Posts: 549	i honestly dont know how much ammo i have any more, any time that i walk into the gun store or fleet farm or shceels i will walk out with 20 bucks in ammo, all i know is that i got ammo and guns stored in every one of me vehicles so in case the shtf any vehicle im in is armed with a bug out bag and some kind of weapon.....and there is no end in sight to when im stopping the ammo purchases....

March 12, 2008, 10:03 AM	#42
winchester243 Member Join Date: January 10, 2008 Location: MT Posts: 69	I don't keep a ton of loaded ammo on hand (.22's excepting). I do however keep tons of reloading supplies on hand. Brass: 2000+ 45acp 5000+ 38special 1000+ 357mag 1000+ 44mag 1000+ .270win 750+ .243 500+ 30/30 500+ 45/70 5000+ 12ga hulls Lead/Bullets 1000#+ lead 300# Shot 1000+ 44mag bullets 2000+ .38/.357 bullets 2000+ .270 bullets 500+ .243 bullets 1000+ 45acp bullets 400+ 30/30 bullets Just got the 45/70 so no bullets made yet. Powder/Primers approx 40# in various powders approx 20,000 various primers

March 12, 2008, 07:58 PM	#43
surg_res Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2005 Location: Texas, 5th GEN! Posts: 621	Can't shoot components, time to start loading Wow, I'm way behind. I just bought a 460rnd case of 308 and felt that hurt the wallet. I've definately made the mistake of buying more guns than ammo in the past 5 years. I have too many calibers and not enough reloading experience. Might as well have a rock in hand if I run out. As an admirer of the Swiss model of national defense, I'm curious to know how much ammo each civilian soldier stocks with his rifle. On a political front, I think the control of ammo is the Achilles heel of the 2nd ammendment. We have the right to bear arms but once the supply of ammo is dry, we have nothing! My #1 hurdle in life is the bride. She just doens't think about the many things we discuss here. Perhaps I need to work on my ability to compromise. Nevertheless, my appetite for guns and ammo is insatiable--and so increases my concerns for the future.

March 13, 2008, 12:07 PM	#44
stevelyn Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Fairbanksan in exile to Aleutian Hell Posts: 2,655	I hoard ammo and components. One of the downsides to living in the bush is that you never know when your next trip out will be. Add in that shipping is a pain due to freight and hazmat fees. So everytime I go out I buy as much ammo and components as I can afford and bring it back with me. I probably have close to 10,000 rounds in .22 lr alone. When I finally get to leave this blowhole, shipping all that ammo is going to be a challenge.

March 15, 2008, 05:22 PM	#46
surg_res Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2005 Location: Texas, 5th GEN! Posts: 621	Interestingly, the power of a firearm is maintained by having just one full mag. That is, near complete law and order are kept with so few shots fired. 1000 guns with 10 shots each is more powerful a force than 1 gun with 10,000 shots. I think that is why the 2nd ammendment makes reference to an organized militia. We are not to act as an individual should the SHTF, but as an army of individuals. Nevertheless, should the SHTF, maybe you will find yourself supplying the entire militia (whatever size that may be) with ammo. In either scenario, more ammo is probably better. As for me, I think that 5000 to 10000 rounds of pure stock ammo is a fair quantity for any one person in about 3-4 different calibers/firearms. As for politics, I think presidential hopefuls ought not test the power of the 2nd ammenment and its followers, for a show of force might be needed to correct their twisted ideals.

March 15, 2008, 05:34 PM	#47
Csspecs Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Posts: 1,111	So a dozen mossin nagants and a case of 440 each is reasonable? Good I thought I was crazy for a bit

March 15, 2008, 09:21 PM	#49
surg_res Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2005 Location: Texas, 5th GEN! Posts: 621	44 amp, good points. For survival, probably nothing beats a few bricks of 22LR, especially for hunting on the farm. One of my hunting books claims that rabbits are still the #1 consumed game in the country. As for ammo lasting for centuries, I wonder if vacuum packing is the way to go?