Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 36
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    546
    Rep Power
    0

    Default How much ammo do you stockpile?

    As I work to build a decent ammo stockpile (cash is tight), I'm curious what everybody else keeps on hand. For the semi-auto rifles like AKs and ARs, how much ammo does everybody like to keep on hand? It seems like 1000 rounds is a good starting point. How about handgun calibers, shotguns, and bolt action rifles? Everybody has different opinions on how much is "too much", but what amount of ammo is ideal and realistic for SHTF or major ammo taxes down the road?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
    Age
    53
    Posts
    7,320
    Rep Power
    37697

    Default Re: How much ammo do you stockpile?

    for any gun i train with regularly, i start to get anxious when my stash dips below 1,500 rounds.

    training courses usually require anywhere from 300 rounds to 750 or more rounds. so, a single course can easily eat up half that stash.

    my practice sessions typically eat up 150 to 300 rounds. i like to try to get out once a week or at least once every other week.

    so 1,500 rounds doesn't last all that long.

    i try to keep a base stash of 1,500 rounds and then buy more ammo as i shoot it so as to not drop below that level. that way, if i have problems finding ammo or am short of cash before taking a course, i can take the course and still have at least a few practice sessions worth of ammo left.

    fortunately, i have been able to get back into this pattern this summer. last summer really sucked because ammo was so scarce...so i didn't get to shoot that much (and my shooting definitely deteriorated as a result). from that standpoint, i don't think a stash could be too big. if i had the money, i would have 20,000 rounds in a closet.

    (for SHTF, i don't think you need that big of a stash...unless you are still going to be able to practice after the SHTF. in SHTF, the goal will be to avoid conflict. in reality, you will not likely send 1,000 rounds downrange in gunfights without getting killed at some point. how many gun battles do you think you can realistically win before you lose one?)
    Last edited by LittleRedToyota; June 30th, 2010 at 12:00 PM.
    F*S=k

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Butler, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
    Posts
    784
    Rep Power
    574763

    Default Re: How much ammo do you stockpile?

    Quote Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota View Post
    (for SHTF, i don't think you need that big of a stash...unless you are still going to be able to practice after the SHTF. in SHTF, the goal will be to avoid conflict. in reality, you will not likely send 1,000 rounds downrange in gunfights without getting killed at some point. how many gun battles do you think you can realistically win before you lose one?)

    This is a ridiculous statement, and only accurate if there is no zombie apocalypse.




    In reality though, if SHTF, you likely won't go through more than a mag's worth out of any gun, even a hunting rifle, unless you are way out in the sticks or are a horrible shot.
    Sec. 21. The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.

    Sec. 25. To guard against transgressions of the high powers which we have delegated, we declare that everything in this article is excepted out of the general powers of government and shall forever remain inviolate.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Etters, Pennsylvania
    (York County)
    Posts
    118
    Rep Power
    48

    Default Re: How much ammo do you stockpile?

    Quote Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota View Post

    (for SHTF, i don't think you need that big of a stash...unless you are still going to be able to practice after the SHTF. in SHTF, the goal will be to avoid conflict. in reality, you will not likely send 1,000 rounds downrange in gunfights without getting killed at some point. how many gun battles do you think you can realistically win before you lose one?)
    I agree with this point, however don't forget the potential need for ammo to hunt with, if the SHTF involves the need for getting your own food.

    Speaking of my stash is getting low. I only keep 2-300 rounds of each caliber, only because of cost. I'm slacking.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Butler, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
    Posts
    784
    Rep Power
    574763

    Default Re: How much ammo do you stockpile?

    Quote Originally Posted by jtsgsxr6 View Post
    I agree with this point, however don't forget the potential need for ammo to hunt with, if the SHTF involves the need for getting your own food.

    Speaking of my stash is getting low. I only keep 2-300 rounds of each caliber, only because of cost. I'm slacking.


    You won't need much ammo for hunting. If it comes to that, everyone else will also be hunting, and the wildlife population would be decimated in short order.
    Sec. 21. The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.

    Sec. 25. To guard against transgressions of the high powers which we have delegated, we declare that everything in this article is excepted out of the general powers of government and shall forever remain inviolate.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    (Allegheny County)
    Age
    53
    Posts
    7,320
    Rep Power
    37697

    Default Re: How much ammo do you stockpile?

    as far as harvesting animals for food in SHTF, imho, trapping, not hunting is the way to go. much less effort and time need to be expended per calorie harvested.

    and plan on trapping cats, dogs, rats, mice, etc. as mentioned above, all the deer, etc. will be gone in no time.

    another thing to consider...if you have to bug out--especially on foot--ammo is heavy. you won't be able to carry all that much of it with you.
    F*S=k

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    (Philadelphia County)
    Posts
    1,337
    Rep Power
    16766

    Default Re: How much ammo do you stockpile?

    Quote Originally Posted by Justin View Post
    You won't need much ammo for hunting. If it comes to that, everyone else will also be hunting, and the wildlife population would be decimated in short order.
    Either that, or almost everyone else will already be dead. Then you can just scavenge some ammo.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    546
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: How much ammo do you stockpile?

    Many of you have made some great points so far on this thread. I've reached 500 rounds for my AK, and I feel like that number is a good start. I will purchase target ammo as I go and rotate out my inventory.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Ambler, Pennsylvania
    (Montgomery County)
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,505
    Rep Power
    2320645

    Default Re: How much ammo do you stockpile?

    It never seems to exceed the boundaries of "None" and "Not Enough" ... At least by the official GL001 Standard.
    Keep perspective, recognize the good in your enemies and the bad in your friends.
    "--you can't conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him." - Robert A. Heinlein, Revolt in 2100

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
    (Cumberland County)
    Posts
    2,133
    Rep Power
    21474855

    Default Re: How much ammo do you stockpile?

    I generally keep at least 1k for each manual gun (bolt, pump, revolver, etc.). Semi-auto guns get 1500 minimum stashed for each gun.

    Will I ever use that much? God willing, I will never need to use any of it.

    As for the $$ side of it -- try to pick up a box of something here and there when you place an internet order or pick up something at the local shop. You would be surprised how many rounds I have added to my stash over the last few years by doing this. Brand doesn't matter to me. This is ammo I hope to never need. I get whatever brand is the lowest price in the caliber I am looking to buy at the time. Should I ever need to use it, I really don't care what the head stamp says. Saving my ass trumps saving my brass.
    Soap Box - Worn out : Ballot Box - Broken : Jury Box - Pending : Ammunition Box - Unknown

Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Lets see your ammo stockpile!
    By cadence2arms in forum Ammunition & Reloading
    Replies: 146
    Last Post: June 12th, 2010, 11:28 PM
  2. Show us your stockpile..
    By XD45 in forum General
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: October 14th, 2007, 10:09 AM
  3. How much Ammo do you stockpile?
    By WHEELGUN357 in forum General
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: June 20th, 2007, 08:12 PM
  4. Do you stockpile ammo?
    By God's Country in forum General
    Replies: 59
    Last Post: April 26th, 2007, 12:20 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •