How much "Serious" ammo to keep on hand?...

Here on the river we use a shotgun more than most people in other types of terrain would. During the summer the vegetation is as thick here as some jungles I've been to including Brazil and PI, so the shotguns limited range is not a big disadvantage after all. Ammo stored in the hot, humid SE climate seems to last longer than you'd think too. Fairly recently we fired off some 45 ACP that a friends father had stored in a barn back in 1945 when he returned from WWII. It all worked perfectly. It had been kept in a waterproof, air tight container, but with no temperature control in the summer or winter.
 
I went to Home Depot and got one of those big green steel construction site tool boxes. Filled the first one up with ammo, and had to get a second. Ammo is cheapest when bought by the case (whether buying factory ammo or reloading components), so that's how I usually buy.

I do have trouble keeping more than a couple hundred rounds of .45 in stock, as I keep shooting it all. But I do have the makings for several thousand rounds of .45 reloads, so I just reload more. I have close to 1000 rounds in my important rifle calibers (.223, .308, 7.62x39). Probably only 1000 rounds of .22lr -- 'spose I should pick up some more. Smaller amounts in lesser used rifle calibers (7.62x54R, .303 Brit, 6.5x55).

Got at least 500 rounds of 9mm and .38Spcl loaded at any one time. Don't reload .40S&W and haven't been shooting it as much, so I've probably got 1000 rounds of it. And just dribs and drabs in .44, .357, .380, and .32. I don't use shotguns that much, so only have a couple hundred rounds of 00 buck and 50 or so slugs at any one time.

Here in MA, I figure that I never know what restrictions are coming next, so I might as well stock up now while I can.

M1911
 
Several years ago a guy on another board ran a very informal survey on how much ammo people were keeping on hand. His results were that most people were close to 7-10,000. However, the big boys were 10 times that amount! I am planning on retiring in the next couple of years and my income will go down. I am now spending about $20.00 per week on components or .22's. I probably have 1000 rounds loaded per caliber that I shoot and a bunch of 22's. By the time I do retire, I hope to be set for sometime.
 
I don't know any magic answers . I buy reloads in 1000 round lots for plinking. I have a few hundred rounds of 40 and 9 and 45. I keep a bunch of .22 . I have no fear that something will come along that a couple thousand rounds wont outlast. If the do-gooders come for our ammo then it is time to buy and conserve. The shotgun has a unique place in my gun safe being suitable for hunting or defense of several size creatures. I guess I would like to always have 500 shells mixed with slugs / 00 buck / and some #4's . I can shoot anything with those loads if needed.
 
well dave.. i always have at least a case or two of trap loads (dove loads) some 3 inch magnum #4's for turkey... several boxes of #6 for pheasent, 25 or so slugs, some buckshot too. Oh and some special duplex loads of certs and tic-tacs. ;)

Seriously, I don't consider the shotgun a long range weapon so i don't worry about keeping too much long distance ammo. At close range ALL shot gun ammo is potentially lethal. When i keep a shotgun "around" in a ready condition its loaded with #4 turkey loads or 1oz max slugs. I don't have near the amount of SG ammo that I have other ammo.. mainly since its heavy and bulky.

In fact.. I don't really have a great way to carry a great deal of ammo.. save an old Red-Head shooter's vest that holds about 40 rounds, which isn't much compared to other high capacity arms. (handguns, carbines etc)
 
I've been "hoarding" ammo for several years now. You just never know. There may come a time when currency will be measured in things like ammo and gasoline.
 
Holy thread necromancy, batman! If this thread were a kid, it'd be learning long division and multiplication tables right about now...
 
But, but, but all my ammo is serious and the only reason I don't have more is I have limited room and resources. :D
 
I've got all I can afford and then a little more.It's not really,IMHO,anybody elses business how much ammo I,or any other shooter,have on hand.No need to advertise.
 
I keep a lot of serious ammo on hand...over a thousand rounds of 00 buck alone...but then I got to thinking...how am I going to carry all this ammo if I really need it? Seem like a 223 is a much better choice. JMHO.
 
IBTL

My older daughter was the size of a literal peanut when this thread started.:p I don't stockpile ammo, don't have the money or the space, if IHTF, we'll continue to depend on HIM.
 
I see nothing wrong with 11K or more of ammo. For the most part it won't ever go bad, and hey, the guys who bought 50K rounds of .308 ammo back when it was .15 a round are laughing at everyone else.

I've not got a HUGE amount, a few thousand per semi-auto, three four hundred for bolt actions. However I do plan on stocking up on Wolf 7.62X39, and cheapo brass-cased for .223,etc. It won't ever go down(As low as it was), and if imports are cut off, prices WILL rise.
 
I guess I look at it differently. If I'm a better shot I've got your ammo... and weapons! Thanks for the supplies!:D

BTW anyone stocking a RPGL?
 
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