How much ammo should you have?

[Kelster1574]

I have seen this question asked many times in many different ways. So I am going to ask it again but provide some if the info I think is usually left out in order to provide a reasonable response. How much ammo should one stockpile? I am not looking to stockpile for a Zombie attack. I would like to have plenty of ammo so that when another ammo scare happens I have plenty for myself and my family to go and enjoy ourselves, go hunting if we wish, and of course a magazine full for home / personal protection. I typically buy when I find it at my local walmart, LGS, or online at a decent price. My wife and two boys have just started shooting so I am going to need a little extra for that. As of right now I shoot handguns at an indoor range 12-15 times per year and longguns at an outdoor range 5-6 times per year. Realistically my wife will shoot 3-4 times per year and my two boys will be shooting about 10-12 times per year. I have multiple caliber firearms, some of which I have multiple firearms in the same calibers. I understand that rifles like my .308, .270, .22-250, and 30-30 will not get shot that much....if I am taking them to the range it is to make sure they are dialed in for a hunt or something along those lines. Others like my multiple .22lr, .223, 7.62x39's and my handguns will be used more often. I listed some of what I have below to give you an idea. I have never heard of a formula of how to figure how much to have on hand so I am just looking for opinions I guess. Thanks in advance

Current on hand -

22lr - 10,000 (multiple rifles and handguns)
.17hmr - 450 (one)
.380 - 425 (one - wifes)
9mm - 1000 (couple)
.357/38 - 550 (one)
.40 - 1100 (multiple)
.45 - 800 (multiple)
.22-250 - 225 (one)
30-30 - 100 (one)
.308 - 175 (one)
.270 - 175 (one)
.223/5.56 - 2400 (multiple)
7.62x39 - 1200 (multiple)
7.62x54r - 440 (one)
.243 - 100 (multiple)
12 gauge - 800 (multiple)
20 gauge - 775 (multiple)

[Maltese Falcon]

You have a lot of calibers to cover, based on your parameters you are doing fine IMO.
.

[Swagman00]

Welp...all I can say is that you're getting there...

And for all NSA, FBI, and media network types looking for dirt, the OP was an example of a possible number. Nothing here here to verify so move along...

[teg33]

I always maintained 45k rounds each month

[Akers]

Five, all I have it five....NSA, FBI, Local Popo, Fire dept, Kes....I just have FIVE.

[Eljay]

Historically I always said a years supply would get you past any kind of temporary shortages. But this one's going on for so long two years is looking a lot better.

How that translates to exact numbers of rounds depends on what your typical range session looks like, but it should be pretty easy to rough it out.

[Ron Swanson]

It looks like you have an excessive amount of .223/5.56. How about I take some of those off your hands.

[njineermike]

No matter how much you have, you should always have more.

[njineermike]

No matter how much you have, you should always have more.

[DannyInSoCal]

I benchmarked myself to 2k rounds minimum of any caliber shot often.

.45ACP/9mm/.357SIG/5.56/6.8SPC II/.308/12ga/44MAG/22LR

Less for the "other" calibers:

.50GI/.30carbine/.45LC/.410/.338/30-06/7.62x54/.223/.380

[bsumoba]

10,500....working towards 19,000

[M1NM]

Problem with saving for the lean times is that you don't want to shoot it for fear of not being able to replace it.

[Jester3]

Ammo

Problem with saving for the lean times is that you don't want to shoot it for fear of not being able to replace it.

My problem exactly. Have sufficient ammo, but anytime I fire them off, I'm always thinking of the replacement value, Availability sucks.

[CK_32]

SHTF fantasy fan boys - 5k+ of each caliber.


Reality weekend shooters - As much as you can shoot in a few trips. I never load more that 3 trips worth along with a box of each of my HD ammo for my main HD guns.


Any more is excess IMO unless you bought in bulk to save $$ which is understandable which I am also guilty of.

[bcrich]

No matter how much you have, you should always have more.

^^^^^