Ammo - How much is enough?

[Weekender]

With the current frenzy over obtaining ammo, the question I often hear is "how much ammo should I buy?".

Has anyone seen a good source of thoughtful information on this topic?

Thanks

Weekender

[whyhatchu]

As much as you can afford.

[Hallx7]

As much as you can reload

[Darryl Licht]

As much as you need for the next month! <-- Let everyone else get some too!

[rsrocket1]

Just like John Rockerfeller said when asked how much money is enough,
or BHO seems to think how much taxation is enough:

"Just a little more"

[RugerNo1]

I reject the false premise of "enough ammo."

[csburtch]

I don't think there is such a thing. Start with 1k per firearm and go up from there. But enough? Doesn't exist.

[Rimjim]

"You can never have enough" type thinking is why we're having a hard time finding ammo right now. Sure, we all want to have "enough" but you can only carry so much on you (if you're saving up for a SHTF scenario) and if you're holding up inside a structure, they will surely burn you out before you can put up much of a fight. So having 20,000 rounds of each caliber does nothing more than hurt the folks just looking to go hunting or shoot paper targets.
I liked it better in the old days when I could go to the LGS and buy whatever ammo I needed just to go out and shoot for fun. If everyone settled down and stopped their panic buying things would be back to normal and we would all have "enough" ammo to shoot.

PS - I can't even find ammo for my 30-30, what's up with that?

[csburtch]

SHTF? That's a whole new topic. Then it would be how much can you carry? I just look at the shelf and say "there's more room" I don't buy loaded ammo anyway, just keep reloading.

[klewan]

The guys with SHTF shelter in place scenarios have soo much stacked, it's bending the crust under their compound. IF you had 1k rounds per caliber, you can wait out the current insanity. No more just "blasting" like you could last year.

[decepticon6551]

I reject the false premise of "enough ammo."

this

[Tripper]

I recently learned that around 3000 of each caliber I have is NOT enough
1 person Front Sight 4 days = 600
2 person Front Sight 2 days = 400
So far 1000 rounds
1 person Front Sight 2 days skill builder = 500
Now at 1500

Family of 6 all going to Front Sight for 4 days
6 person Front Sight 4 days = 3600 rounds 1800 per caliber

So recap
1 person 1 caliber
600+200+500+600 = 1900
3 of the family are using that caliber for the 4 day family trip so that adds another 1200 rounds
1900+1200=3100
I'm down 100 rounds
1 mire is using that caliber on the 2 day for another 200 rounds so now I'm down 300

So, it entirely depends in how many people you are responsible for supplying and what kind of training you do and how often

I will admit I'm converting down to 9mm instead of using 40, which evened out the caliber usage, but then added another trip to the range so Now to adjust, I'll be switching to 45, leaving extra 9 or 40 for wife and kids
My daughter already knows to keep an eye out for ammo and grabs hers herself for when she just wants to go to the local range for the day trip, she knows to replenish the stash if she grabs from it

[GeoffLinder]

There is no such thing as too much ammo (or reloading components). Never has been any such thing, never will be

[warthog1984]

It depends on what you're planning for.

Range shooting only: 1-2 months supply.

Range/HD/"What is Sacramento going to do next?!?": greater of 3-4k or 4-6 months supply.

SHTF: Whatever you can effectively stash while being able to carry everything from one site. 1-2 years' worth.

The urgency/$ for each of these varies quite a bit as well: A new shooter starting out should build up at least a small supply immediately even if it's somewhat expensive, while if you already have your "seed" ammo you can and should space out purchases and be more aware of price.

[luchador768]

If you have a good base ("good" for you might be panic mode for another) where you can shoot as much as you want, and avoid panic prices. Then you have the luxury of buying or reloading what you want when you want. It could be a brick of .22 that is your comfort zone, or 100,000 rounds of various calibers.