How Much Ammo?

[The Big Boo]

Building the inventory for a variety of scenarios: Hunting/Defense/Practise. I also have lots of calibers in use. Eventually, I will consolidate a little but for now, putting all the firearms that use the following calibers in good repair, ready to go status. These include semi auto pistol, revolver, rimfire bolt, CF bolt, lever action, and semi auto rifle (AK) and shotgun.

I have read that a basic stockpile should be 10,000 rounds or your primary and secondary calibers. I have groupings of similar calibers for different uses and use an inventory spreadsheet I created to keep track (photo below).

My current goals and uses are: 20 ca. pellet (practise and backup small game) - 500 rds
22 LR (practise, small game, ultimate backup) - 5000 rds
22 Hornet (small/medium game/backup) - 2000 rds
9mm/38 sp/357 mag (defense, backup hunting)- 3000 rds
(used in pistol & lever action modes 1000 rds ea)
243/270/308/30.06 CF (hunting, defense) - 1750 rds
32 Win Spl, 8 mm CF (hunting, defense) - 500 rds
7.62x39 russian (Ak-47) (defense) - 2000 rds
12 ga shotgum (hunting, defense) - 500 rds
50 Ca. Blackpowder (hunting, backup) - 250 rds
Total - 15,500 rds

To date I am at 34% of goal. Aside from my own use, I also believe the weapons and ammo would be useful in trading values. The 7.69 is my "barometer" caliber. If things continue to deteriorate, I would up that total. For the others I think I am about right.

Comments? Discussion on calibers and uses?

The Big Boo

[Chase The hero]

7.69x39 russian (Ak-47) (defense) - 2000 rds
The 7.69 is my "barometer" caliber.

you do mean 7.62x39 right? i only ask because i have never heard of a 7.69mm round.

also in relation to ammo supply: i wish i could keep that much stockpiled, but if i have 600 rounds g2g for in 5.56 and 7.62x39 i count myself happy. But in college, i usually have other (though not necessarily better) things to spend money on than lotz of bulletz.

[The Big Boo]

yes, thanks..typing too fast...I fixed that...

College was lean years and I couldn't really get back to hunting till my 30's and only now (at 59) having the time a place to really enjoy the guns. But you have some and a weapon which is the most important thing!!!! Those without will suffer.

The Big Boo

[Kutter_0311]

I think you're 7.62x39 levels should go up, but so should mine I'm having trouble finding my ammo in stock lately. Election season buying is in the upswing. Also, increase your AK count, and maybe diversify it. I've got 2 SGL21's and want to add SGL31's in 5.45 to get better range. Those two rounds do anything I need out to where I need optics to ID/hit targets. Past that, .270/.308/30-06 are the common utility rounds, but I don't worry much about that.

[phil_in_cs]

How much ammo? As much as you can afford and safely store.

[UndeadInfidel]

As you stated in the OP, I'd prefer to consolidate my ammo types by being selective in my firearms purchases. I personally stock 22lr(5000~), 45acp(600), .223/5.56(3500), and 12ga(350).

I also own a 30-30 and 357mag, but those aren't priority on my list for stock.

Yes, I want as much ammo as I can get. Does everyone really think prices are going to go up around election time? Even if Obama does get reelected I have my doubts to if gun/ammo law will change.

[AKFTW]

[MadMonkey]

Ammo prices are already on the upswing... slowly but surely. Another couple of months and people will start remembering the 2008 rush, and will panic and start buying everything up again so that they won't be paying $80 for a box of .380. And, of course, that's when the prices really skyrocket and people start bringing out their $600 ARs to sell for the low, low price of $1500.... then it'll die down again in January (depending on who wins. If it's Obama, guns will be FLYING off the shelves).

Just guessing.

[UndeadInfidel]

Ammo prices are already on the upswing... slowly but surely. Another couple of months and people will start remembering the 2008 rush, and will panic and start buying everything up again so that they won't be paying $80 for a box of .380. And, of course, that's when the prices really skyrocket and people start bringing out their $600 ARs to sell for the low, low price of $1500.... then it'll die down again in January (depending on who wins. If it's Obama, guns will be FLYING off the shelves).

Just guessing.

Just goes to show that you can always bet on the illogical masses.

I guess I'll beat them to the punch and place an order. I've been meaning to for a while now anyway.

(I guess this makes me a sheep, damnit!)

[engineer1371]

That is a pretty good goal. I am set on ammo all except for my stock pile of 7.62x25. Just waiting for the wife's ok before I buy 2 800 round tins . But if you need a reference on what to store this is what I try to maintain until funding is better.

9mm 500-1000 rounds mixed between ball and JHP
.22 cal. around 5000-6000 rounds
12ga. around 300-500 rounds mixed between slugs, buckshot, #4 steel shot loads, #7 bird shot loads.
7.62x39 around 1000-2000 rounds for the two Wasr 10/63's that me and my wife have.
.380 around 500-1000 rounds mixed between ball and JHP

[The Big Boo]

I think you're 7.62x39 levels should go up, but so should mine I'm having trouble finding my ammo in stock lately. Election season buying is in the upswing. Also, increase your AK count, and maybe diversify it. I've got 2 SGL21's and want to add SGL31's in 5.45 to get better range. Those two rounds do anything I need out to where I need optics to ID/hit targets. Past that, .270/.308/30-06 are the common utility rounds, but I don't worry much about that.

Agreed on the ammo and weapon run..it's crazy out there and I am part of that "crazy"

I am just getting my first Ak...I don't really have much use for it but as a suppression weapon. Pic of my Cabin and field below...It's a 175 yards clear line of fire to the tree lines...I also have the 357 mag and 32 Win special in lever actions for fast back up (within the field). I have the wife shooting the CZ compact 9mm and my Ruger 357 revolver. She proabably will get a 38 Special for concealed. But with all the lever actions and the AK I have everything short range covered, and have the scoped deer rifles for long range. I can only see going to the .223 platform in an urban, suburban enveironment where it excels, but you are right about the reach. I ran ballistics on the 7.62, 32 Win Spec., 8mm Mauser...they all come in almost exactly the same. At a 175 yd zero,-- 2.5 to 3.0 high at 100 yds.,-- minus 2 to minus 2.5 low at 200 yds. with terminal engergy of 817 to 991 ft.pds (at 200 yards). Basically each is the same as a 30-30.

But the 5.56 is as flat as a 270. At a 175 yd zero, --.9 high at 100 yds, --and minus .9 at 200 yds. The difference is in the terminal energy at 200 yds. - 795 ft.lbs for the 5.56 versus 1888 ft.lbs!!!! for the 270.

the 5.56 has the reach but no more energy than an AK that you would not use past 200 yds. What do you think of the the newer calibers, ones that will punch out more energy long distance if that's what you want your new rifle to do?

The Big Boo

[The Big Boo]

As you stated in the OP, I'd prefer to consolidate my ammo types by being selective in my firearms purchases. I personally stock 22lr(5000~), 45acp(600), .223/5.56(3500), and 12ga(350).

I also own a 30-30 and 357mag, but those aren't priority on my list for stock.

Yes, I want as much ammo as I can get. Does everyone really think prices are going to go up around election time? Even if Obama does get reelected I have my doubts to if gun/ammo law will change.

I have worked inside the beltway for over 30 years,,,at all levels (except being elected, though I have run campaigns for others). I started with Reagan, been here since. Am very good at reading tea leaves....we are sooooooo in deep chit.....I have never seen this (even hiding under my 2nd grade desk in the cold war Atomic Bomb drills).

It's only going to take one little match,,,,and there are humongous piles of mesquite dry brush piles in every coulee (Greece, Iran, N.Korea, the debt bomb, mortgage bomb (still exploding), tax bomb, homeland security rips, rouges with suitcases). Something bad is going to happen, just a matter of when. Buy everything you can now is my advice to reach your goal.

Those that don't have a goal, ain't thinking straight.

I hope I am wrong. (But if I'm not, I will be prepared).

The Big Boo.

[The Big Boo]

That is a pretty good goal. I am set on ammo all except for my stock pile of 7.62x25. Just waiting for the wife's ok before I buy 2 800 round tins . But if you need a reference on what to store this is what I try to maintain until funding is better.

9mm 500-1000 rounds mixed between ball and JHP
.22 cal. around 5000-6000 rounds
12ga. around 300-500 rounds mixed between slugs, buckshot, #4 steel shot loads, #7 bird shot loads.
7.62x39 around 1000-2000 rounds for the two Wasr 10/63's that me and my wife have.
.380 around 500-1000 rounds mixed between ball and JHP

We look pretty much like we are on the same page...I definitely split my inventory between practise and keeper rounds...and then rebuying as I shoot. The spreadsheet helps keep me straight as to where I need to buy next.

I keep telling the wife, the guns and ammo are not worth one dang bit to us, unless we are absolutely proficient with each...I am in the process of setting up a tactical range (50 - 100 yds) for action practice. I just put out steelies at 175 yds for the first time last week. Boy did I like that!!!!!! What a beautiful sound

the Big Boo

[UndeadInfidel]

I have worked inside the beltway for over 30 years,,,at all levels (except being elected, though I have run campaigns for others). I started with Reagan, been here since. Am very good at reading tea leaves....we are sooooooo in deep chit.....I have never seen this (even hiding under my 2nd grade desk in the cold war Atomic Bomb drills).

It's only going to take one little match,,,,and there are humongous piles of mesquite dry brush piles in every coulee (Greece, Iran, N.Korea, the debt bomb, mortgage bomb (still exploding), tax bomb, homeland security rips, rouges with suitcases). Something bad is going to happen, just a matter of when. Buy everything you can now is my advice to reach your goal.

Those that don't have a goal, ain't thinking straight.

I hope I am wrong. (But if I'm not, I will be prepared).

The Big Boo.

Oh I agree there. If it weren't for that I wouldn't be on a prepper site. (all zombie fun aside) I just don't entirely understand the illogical rush for ammo in the case of an Obama reelection, but what else can we do but be one step ahead of the masses?

Ammo stores are great, but I think guns and ammo are somewhat of a false sense of security. Most of us would probably be better off spending more time building food and provisional stores for long term survivability.

I wish I had that cabin you've got there... looks amazing.

[Kommander]

The Big Boo are you talking about things going to hell in a handcart or specifically an incident that would result in increased gun regulation in the US. If the latter I think you are being unduly paranoid. I do not wish to repeat the 08/09 phantom chase.

[UndeadInfidel]

The Big Boo are you talking about things going to hell in a handcart or specifically an incident that would result in increased gun regulation in the US. If the latter I think you are being unduly paranoid. I do not wish to repeat the 08/09 phantom chase.

I'd be more concerned with currency values and the fallout from a collapse of our monetary system, not the Presidential election. Firearms crackdowns could be close behind if it comes to violence.

Take a look at the situation in Greece right now. What's playing out there will set the precedence for the rest of the world on many levels. March 20th will be telling.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

I would love to reach those levels, but I don't see that happening unless I win the lottery or something. I keep a stockpile of .22LR, 12 gauge shells, and 5.45x39. Simply because those are inexpensive and/or potentially very useful in an emergency. Most of my go-to firearms are in more typical calibers like 9mm, .223, 7.62x39 and .308. And while I try to keep as much of that on-hand as possible, I also use it frequently for shooting. But since I can get .22LR and 5.45 in quantity while on a budget, I have set those up as my EOTWAWKI calibers. I would love to get 5.56/.223 stashed away as well, but there is no way that I could afford to squirrel away several thousand rounds of it. So for now I keep a reserve and shooting quantities on hand, but that is about it. And enough reloading supplies to keep me going for a while too.

-Mb

[The Big Boo]

The Big Boo are you talking about things going to hell in a handcart or specifically an incident that would result in increased gun regulation in the US. If the latter I think you are being unduly paranoid. I do not wish to repeat the 08/09 phantom chase.

no, not gun regulation/registration/confiscation...that's a non-starter, no matter what happens there are too many gun owners that have a "line" that no one better cross.

It is really more of a trigger from a domestic or foreign "event" that will set off a panic or worse. Even the projected rise in gas costs could trigger something. This on top of the handcart having already basically gone off the cliff...While we are not as bad off as Greece (which itself could be a key triggering event), we no longer have the depth of economic "resiliancy" to overcome certain adversities. Our industries, factories, work force, and skills are being hallowed out. I am not talking about the spirit, I am talking about the ways and means....

I think I am going to try to cheer myself up by shooting some tommorrow!!!!!:)

The Big Boo

[phil_in_cs]

As a serious metric: many professional training classes will expect you to shoot on the order of 500-750 rounds per day. You should have enough on hand to do a 4 day class. That is 2000-3000 rounds of training level ammo. For 9mm runs around $600, and 556 runs under $1000.

Keep that on hand; replace as used. As to stocking to those levels, Dave_M had the plan of if you shoot 5 boxes, buy 10 to replace it, until you get to the level you need. Build it up over time - your guns and gear cost more than this and if you don't practice and train there's no point in having the guns and gear in the first place.

[The Big Boo]

UndeadInfidel
"Ammo stores are great, but I think guns and ammo are somewhat of a false sense of security. Most of us would probably be better off spending more time building food and provisional stores for long term survivability."

I agree. If all one can do is pick up enough ammo for near term needs, and have working weapons and practise, that is 90% of the task.

The cabin has been a 5 year+ project. For two years now I have the gardens producing most of our food (700-800 lbs annually or every kind of vegetable you can think of), plus honey from the bees (wife does the bees, herbs and all the canning/preserving), and average of 2 deer a year for meat, and trout (when my sons who love to fish visit) from the stream in back. Some more pics below. Have to get the orchard in this spring, (yes I shoulda have done that first) and then build the pens for the goats, sheep and chickens....(retirement in three years!!!!).

The Big Boo

[The Big Boo]

As a serious metric: many professional training classes will expect you to shoot on the order of 500-750 rounds per day. You should have enough on hand to do a 4 day class. That is 2000-3000 rounds of training level ammo. For 9mm runs around $600, and 556 runs under $1000.

Keep that on hand; replace as used. As to stocking to those levels, Dave_M had the plan of if you shoot 5 boxes, buy 10 to replace it, until you get to the level you need. Build it up over time - your guns and gear cost more than this and if you don't practice and train there's no point in having the guns and gear in the first place.

Very good information, thank you - very useful...

There are some excellent training venues in close proximity and I really do need to get that on the calender for both myself and wife perhaps in mid summer, after the gardens are in.....

While always a hunter (I raised my boys on venison and they learned the one shot blackpowder, on the ground stalk and ambush Indian style), I never really knew much of calibers, handguns, leverguns, much less black rifles, etc. (ill)Current events have built to such a level I had to do something. so this is my "winter/spring" to completely flesh out the weaponry and ammo inventory. Practise is so key.

Thanks for the guidance.

The Big Boo

[JFlagg]

I see you mentioned .20 pellet for practice... Do you mean for an air rifle? I ask, because I am familiar with .22 and .177, but have never heard of .20.

[The Big Boo]

I see you mentioned .20 pellet for practice... Do you mean for an air rifle? I ask, because I am familiar with .22 and .177, but have never heard of .20.

Yes for air gun practice and plinking. The .20 pellet is not used in as many rifles/pistols as the others but it has some advantages...especially in my backyard where it provides a little more range than the 22 for squirels (though I usually use the 22 rimfire). Here is a little writeup:


http://www.airgundepot.com/air-rifle-caliber-selection.html

The Big Boo

[ultra magnus]

With what you have on hand I think you are pretty good, but I'd work on getting more 7.62 and maybe 22 before anything else on the list while still ensuring you replace what you shoot.

I think you just made the whole site jealous BTW. That's a great looking cabin and land. I hope I can afford something like that someday.