What's the minimum amount of ammunition a person should have?

[erudne]

Why couldn't you buy a Savage 30-30 and have it re barreled ?
Almost cheaper than a 3rd world surplus.

#1 X39 is rimless/30-30 is rimmed, cheaper to buy 100 rnds of 30-30 and call it good.

My acceptable min. # of rnds has now elevated ( the French .Guv is going to confiscate 'weapons') Just like all Socialist .Guvs

 

[Capn Jack]

Far as I know it was illegal for the good guys to have any weapons in the first place.
Nothin from nothin = NOTHIN I'm sure all of the good little jihadist's will be lining up
to turn in their AK's.

 

[Brutus57]

I have two 9MM Taurus pistol mags (I think thats what they are), came in a leather shoulder rig I got, had 10 rds each in them....I've been saving them.....hoping to figure out which 9 I need to buy...is that or what? Anybody have any guesses???? They are double stacks.

Brutus Out

 

[Brutus57]

Well crap, my needs for five fitty 6 just doubled...Dad blast it...

Brutus Out
FYI
Few things are as painful as realizing someone or some scum may have stolen a pristine milsurp rifle and a can of mixed ammo when one moves and cleans out ones storage units. Still pizzed after 2 years.

 

[Cherpybird]

You'll know the gouging when it comes. Typically I gauge my values on Bimart prices if it's apples to apples. I have found that Bimart typically has the best prices as far as stores locally are concerned. Cabelas is usually over priced on most everything unless it's a good sale.

For 9mm I happen to like the Blazer brass. Bimart had it for 9 something a box not too long ago if I recall. There regular price is around 10-11? I personally wouldn't pay 15.99 for regular 9mm at this point, but that's just me.

Keep an eye on the ammo section here, and on the various Facebook groups and armslist. People often are off loading 3 or 4 boxes for a good deal.

American Eagle 556 is cheaper at Cabelas than it is at Fishermans Marine. 9mm has been too.

Bi mart seem to be the only ones who didn't put their prices up and they still get 22 in at good prices.

 

[Ralph Brickley]

But be sure that any ammo you stockpile is stored appropriately for maximum shelf-life preservation.

Can you expand on this? I keep a lot of ammo laying around but haven't really looked into shelf life. Also, what is the appropriate storage conditions? I have some ammo cans in my closet, most of my 223 and 556 is in the garage however. I've also heard from one shooter that you should shoot through your ammo every 6 months and buy...

 

[Sgt Nambu]

Can you expand on this? I keep a lot of ammo laying around but haven't really looked into shelf life. Also, what is the appropriate storage conditions? I have some ammo cans in my closet, most of my 223 and 556 is in the garage however. I've also heard from one shooter that you should shoot through your ammo every 6 months and buy...

Bull! Ammo stored cool and dry will last many years! I have some purchased 25yrs ago that is still perfect! Others on this site have even older ammo!

 

[Velzey]

I have ammo from World War 1 that I still shoot and I can produce 1" groups with it at 100 yards...

Store it right and it will last!

I have pull down bulk powder from WW2 that I still reload with...

Same goes for powder!

 

[PaulB47]

How much ammo to buy? Enough so that you don't run out before you are killed.

Also it depends on how much practice ammo you need post-SHTF. For shooters, not much; but if you are arming newbies, then a lot more.

BTW some of this talk about gouging is economically faulty. "Gougers" perform a service - providing ammo for those who have not stocked up, or newbies, and who really really need some. If the ammo price was held down, it would be bought up by preppers and those others would find none to buy. Anyway that's how free markets work, and we are supposed to support free markets, right? People can attempt to sell for any price they please.

 

[jbett98]

You'll know you're there when you start tripping over it.

 

[tfbit]

You and my dad. He has WW2 ammo and canisters of WW2 era powder.

I have ammo from World War 1 that I still shoot and I can produce 1" groups with it at 100 yards...

Store it right and it will last!

I have pull down bulk powder from WW2 that I still reload with...

Same goes for powder!

 

[No_Regerts]

As far as the "ammo shelf life", if you're talking ammo that is carried daily, exposed to the elements and being chambered repeatedly, I would suggest replacing it every so often. I replace my duty ammo every 6 months. I also make sure to not chamber and rechamber the same round over and over again to prevent setback.

As far as shelf life of properly stored ammo, I have surplus cans of 30 carbine that has to be pretty old and it still looks and shoots great.

 

[Capn Jack]

Found I had to use nickel cases if I left the wheel
gun loaded as brass cases tended to corrode.

 

[The Heretic]

The absolute minimum would be the maximum amount that you could carry on your person with a full load out.

 

[cookie]

You will need at least 1 round for yourself and who knows how many for the others.

 

[Capn Jack]

When the last empty shell casing hits the floor, we light the
fuse to the propane tanks.

 

[tkdguy]

If times turn violent I'd think you'd need a huge supply for all of the primary firearms: handgun (s), rifle (s) and shotgun(s). I'd think that no retail ammo will be available because the factories will close.

 

[David Bowman]

On you? Depends.

EDC: At least one extra. Have a couple more in the truck.
Truck: 2 extra and 4 to go with the Truck Gun (many thread here to discuss that)
SHTF/Disaster/Civil Unrest: Depends on the weapon system-- Battle Rifle 6-8 depending on caliber, pistol 3-6, shotgun 25 is best (unless you have a Saiga, then follow the battle rifle rule) bolt action major caliber 50-100 (if it is magazine fed, same number).

You will always be limited by the physical; as in the physical amount of space you have on your body to put bullets and the physical ability to carry it all. Try to strike a balance depending on what you are doing (EDC, walking versus driving, fighting off zombies etc.).

In Storage? As much as you can physically store. Order/purchase some every payday (fits a nice pattern). Shelf life isn't an issue with bullets when properly stored. Bullets like dry and cold.

But if/when the shooting starts; no matter the number, you will feel like you don't have enough.

 

[jbett98]

"Bulging" that's what you want.
As in, "My ammo pile is bulging out of my storeroom."

 

[IronMonster]

All of it.