How much ammo do you keep?

C

ChaseReynolds

New member
I don't have a huge stockpile, mostly because I shoot too much and can't afford to replace 2 for 1. I plan on calming down some though and would like to start stockpiling more. What do y'all keep on hand per caliber and what are your guidelines?
 
I don't mean to sound snippity, . . . but I keep basically all I can afford.

I'll stockpile for a couple months, . . . then go on a shooting binge, . . . stockpile, . . . shoot.

Probably, though, . . . I've got something like 500 rounds for just about everything in the house except my blackpowder rifle, . . . maybe 75 or so for it.

I'd love to have a "bunch", . . . but my budget and my trigger finger keep the total low.

May God bless,
Dwight
 
No real guidelines for me. I just try to keep enough for 3-4 months of shooting if I were suddenly unable to get more ammo. Although right now I am low on finished cartridges as I recently started reloading, so I've got components a plenty, but not as many finished cartridges as I tend to just make what I need for the week.
 
I have components for several thousand rounds of .380, 9mm, and .45 on hand since I began reloading. I have probably 500 rounds of .380 and .45 loaded, and 1000 of 9mm

Before that I always tried to keep 500-1000 rounds of each caliber on hand when I was buying factory stuff, and I still keep anywhere from 5k to 10k of .22LR on hand
 
I keep enough for about 6 months of average shooting with a 22LR. Everything else I keep much less on hand, but I don't run though as many rounds monthly with these either.

So my answer is to keep about a 6 month supply on hand based on your average shooting, or as much as you can afford, or care to buy. There are no guidelines.
 
200-300-ish .22
500-ish 9mm
200-ish .380

That isn't a hard and fast rule, just what I have-ish. If I happen to see a box or two in the store and have extra $$ in my pocket I'll buy some.


Dfsixstring
SR9c
LCP
RST4S
 
Do y'all store it in any special way or just stack it in a closet? I have a small locker that I use but not sure if I need to take other safeguards beyond locking it up.
 
I average about 1,000 rounds of .223 Rem and .40 S&W. When I get down to around 500, I start looking for another 1,000 (or the components to make that many). One thousand is enough for several months of shooting for me.

I don't shoot other calibers as much and have less on hand. But the principle is the same - enough for several months and look to buy that much when I drop to 50% on hand.
 
My standard answer is: 1000 rounds for each rifle, handgun, shotgun, regardles of duplication, with 10K rounds of 22LR.

That being said - about 60,000 rounds.
 
After seeing what happened during the last panic induced shortage, I think it makes sense to store what amounts to a year's supply, based on your normal usage rate.
 
I have maybe enough for a year for each.

And then I have a little more set aside, which I keep in the role of "precious metals."

I wouldn't say I "have a lot" of ammo, but it was sobering a couple of years ago when I could no longer lift either of the chests that serve as primary storage.

In fact, it's possible that two people would be unable to lift one. Stuff weighs more than you think when you pick it up a box at a time.

Count it? I've taken inventory once or twice. The last time was three years ago, and the inventory sheet is still in the chest. Life and "stuff" has kept me from actually burning any of it at the range, which sucketh mightily.

In terms of "theory" numbers, I try to keep 1,000 on hand for each of the devices chambered that caliber. I don't always succeed. However, in the .22 LR realm, I keep considerably more than that. Happens that .22 LR is what I use most for practice, and it's the caliber I keep in the truck to go with my emergency rifle. A 500-round box of the stuff doesn't cost much, weigh much, or take up much space, and it's comforting to have a few extra bricks.

 
sadly, I haven't gone to the shooting range yet even though i've been itching to try out my .22. right now I only have 1 box of .270 win ammo and approximately 200 rounds of .22LR ammo sitting in an ammo box.
 
I like to keep apx 1000 rnds of factory ammo for each handgun caliber, 1000+ for each "assault rifle" caliber, and a few boxes of hunting ammo. Also a few thousand rnds of 22 just because. I use only my reloads for range and hunting and keep the factory stuff as a stockpile.I store it all in 50 cal army surplus ammo cans that are labeled in my closet.
Some of my friends think I am a nut but that's ok. I will never run out of ammo in this lifetime.
 
Funny you ask, becuase I just did an inventory the other day.:)

.22LR ~ 4500 (many mixed brands and bullet types)
5.56NATO ~ 2300 (mixed brands of FMJ and HP; a few boxes of Hornady ballistic tip)
7.62NATO ~ 1700 (all FMJ surplus)
6.5mm SE ~ 200 (various FMJ and hunting)
.30-06 ~ 700 (all FMJ surplus)

.40 S+W ~ 500 (various brands and loads, mostly 165gr FMJ)
.357 Mag ~ 200 (various brands and types)

12 gauge ~ 300 (everything from light target to 3" goose and turkey loads to 00 buckshot.)

Most is stored/locked in an old Stack-on gun locker.
 
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