How much is enough?

[onelastshot]

I know I'm treading into a "touchy" subject when it comes to ammo, especially after what we've gone through over the past year. Each firearm is different and, as such, we use different amounts of ammunition to practice with and hunt.

Over the past year I've begun purchasing dies for each of my calibers, with the exception of course the rim fires. The plan? to have several hundred rounds for each caliber except for the rimfire. My favorite varmint rifle is another exception; I intend to have 1200-1500 pieces of brass for this as well as 400-500 rounds loaded.

Over the past several months I've made it a point when shopping Cabelas to pick up one or two boxes of whatever, depending on sales and the condition of my storage shelf. I've refused to grab cart fulls at a time; others deserve a chance to grab a box or two and want to shoot as much as I do. Sadly, I've also watched one or two people clean off an entire shelf at the local walmart.

Today, Cabela's had the 500 round boxes of 22lr so I grabbed a box, just one. When I got home I decided to do an inventory. Let's just say I made a resolution to stop purchasing for awhile, especially 22lr, 17hmr and the 223-5.56.

Is 4-5 boxes for each handgun and rifle sufficient or, should we be putting a few extra boxes away?

I've made a management decision; the house in New England is sold and, 20 acres with a 3 bedroom ranch and a full walkout basement is waiting for me in Virginia on the North Carolina border. For the first time in my life I'll have a firing range in my backyard. I hope shoot on a regular basis. I don't think I'm going to miss Connecticut.

 

[NateHaler]

It's very much an individual, "it depends", question. I have a buddy who has way more than one hundred rifles. In fact, he had to reinforce the floor of his house because of the number of guns safes stored inside.

I had another friend, may he RIP, whose estate included more than three hundred firearms, most of which were never fired (i.e. probably 90% of them). He also had five air compressors, a hundred extension cords (most never taken out of the wrapper), and other stuff.

Ammo inventory assessment isn't much different than deciding how much firewood to keep, long-term food storage, or whatever. Forget the morality angle; don't get dragged into the muck coating that slippery slope.

It isn't our job to judge you. Get out there and enjoy your new house and acreage, and were I you I'd buy stuff after I moved instead of before and having to move it along with everything else.

 

[gaboon]

I keep about a year supply of components. If a good deal comes along might buy some. I do it so when the shortages come about I hope I can last till the supply comes back.

 

[bheadboy]

just my thoughts

on calibers/guns i shoot seldom, I keep 400 pieces of brass, powder for 1000 rounds and bullets to equal, including for those that shoot cast I have the mold, etc. and 100lb wheel weight lead. loaded enough for 2-3 days at the range

on calibers I hunt with 100-150 pieces of brass, 500 bullets, primers powder to match the rifle. enough for a lifetime of deer etc.

on pd stuff, lots bullets, primers powder for 3-4 trips minimum

on target - not much as I have stopped competition, too old and stiff for the action 79 years.

on my plinking pistol 2000 brass, bullets factory or cast, plus powder/primer to match - tend to loose some of the brass from auto

22lr enough to let my 10 grandkids plink and learn to shoot all they want.

Bob

 

[onelastshot]

I'm developing a different perspective and appreciation. I'm not going to concern myself with numbers. The focus is and will be use. I'm retiring and slowing down work wise giving me more time to shoot. I don't want to be at the store hoping they have a box. I'm going to put enough reloading materials for each piece to last a year or two. The 22lrs will be forever; the kids still love to shoot and God willing the grandchildren will as well. I can start putting some away for them now.

Enough will be knowing I have a year or more with reloading materials to back them.

As far as the rimfire, I'll keep putting a box or two away and the grandchildren can worry what to do with it when I'm gone.

 

[PMB]

As far as the rimfire, I'll keep putting a box or two away and the grandchildren can worry what to do with it when I'm gone.

That's been my rimfire plan too.
Also, I've encouraged my children to begin putting a little bit away each month in the calibers they use until they feel they have enough...
Never be in the position to need to run down to the store to go shooting. Knowing you have plenty in safe storage is a nice feeling.

 

[swede69]

just a little bit more.im just consolidating cals.to keep it simple,that what i keep telling myself.

 

[alintx]

I'm a few years short of social security, and I'm still shooting 205s I have $34 a thou for. That being said, I never pass a good deal on reloading stuff, and if I live to be a hundred, my grandkids will prolly never use up all my stash. I'm not paying a hundred for primers, ever, thanks to my ratholing over the years, it has paid off!

 

[cmysix]

1000 for every caliber you have

 

[joshb]

Anything under these numbers and I start to itch:
308-1000
223-5000
44 Magnum-1000
45 ACP-2000
40 S&W- 2000
9mm-3000
22 LR-2000
I treat my target gun ammo like bread. I make it fresh the day before. I like a couple hundred cases prepped for each.

 

[Mark W]

Congratulations on the move! Next time I move, will be to somewhere that I can shoot at home or I ain’t going.

 

[3Ackleys]

Congratulations on the move! Next time I move, will be to somewhere that I can shoot at home or I ain’t going.

The OP moved 10 years ago...

 

[DRK]

Anything under these numbers and I start to itch:
308-1000
223-5000
44 Magnum-1000
45 ACP-2000
40 S&W- 2000
9mm-3000
22 LR-2000
I treat my target gun ammo like bread. I make it fresh the day before. I like a couple hundred cases prepped for each.

That sounds like a good start to a Sat morning.

 

[Larryh128]

I know I'm treading into a "touchy" subject when it comes to ammo, especially after what we've gone through over the past year. Each firearm is different and, as such, we use different amounts of ammunition to practice with and hunt.

Over the past year I've begun purchasing dies for each of my calibers, with the exception of course the rim fires. The plan? to have several hundred rounds for each caliber except for the rimfire. My favorite varmint rifle is another exception; I intend to have 1200-1500 pieces of brass for this as well as 400-500 rounds loaded.

Over the past several months I've made it a point when shopping Cabelas to pick up one or two boxes of whatever, depending on sales and the condition of my storage shelf. I've refused to grab cart fulls at a time; others deserve a chance to grab a box or two and want to shoot as much as I do. Sadly, I've also watched one or two people clean off an entire shelf at the local walmart.

Today, Cabela's had the 500 round boxes of 22lr so I grabbed a box, just one. When I got home I decided to do an inventory. Let's just say I made a resolution to stop purchasing for awhile, especially 22lr, 17hmr and the 223-5.56.

Is 4-5 boxes for each handgun and rifle sufficient or, should we be putting a few extra boxes away?

I've made a management decision; the house in New England is sold and, 20 acres with a 3 bedroom ranch and a full walkout basement is waiting for me in Virginia on the North Carolina border. For the first time in my life I'll have a firing range in my backyard. I hope shoot on a regular basis. I don't think I'm going to miss Connecticut.

@ things in my opinion that you can never have too much of is ammo and toilet paper. Both are very valuable commodities.

 

[Jacks Grampa]

I've seen shortages come and go since the Clinton administration in 1994. I keep about three years of ammo and reloading components on hand at all times and that works well for me. Since we moved from Texas to Montana though I find myself shooting less but hunting more. 8,000 birds a year of sporting clays in Texas sure has helped me hit pheasant in Montana. Keep on hand what you feel comfortable with and can safely store.