How much ammo is enough?

How much ammo is enough? I have heard of 10,000
rounds being about right! Really?
Who has that much money anyway?
How many rounds do you think one would need for a AR15,
say for a SHTF scenario?
Or 12 guage for home protection?
I don't shoot alot other than for practice.
How much IS enough? Thanks for your input!

It depends on if you have a lousy shot or not

Aside from that, the more ammo you have certainly wouldn't hurt. If scenario-x were to occur you could bargain for food and such if needed.

With all this gun and ammo legislation it looks like people should stock up accordingly.

[edit on 21-3-2009 by lastmanstanding]

Go out and try and find ammo right now and then try and decide. Online places are taking up to 7 weeks to ship your order. I went to 5 places today and unless your looking for shotguns shells they were probably out. Finally I found a small outdoors store that had .45 ammo but not the best prices in the world either.

Personally my guns are for protection but for long term survival I think you should look into a nice bow.

True!
I better keep practicing!
Thanks for the reply! I agree about stocking up!
The hard part is knowing how much of each
item you need and to prioritize from there.
I have heard of people buying pallets of booze, etc.
That would definately be good for bartering with!
So what do you think? At least a few thousand rounds of each?

reply to post by whoshotJR

Good tip! Ya, I found that out also!
I guess I should be asking- IF we could still buy it, how much does one need!

I think the majority of us are stocked up pretty well, but you always wonder if you have enough of everything.
Excellent tip about the bow! I have been thinking about that.
Any ideas for a good starter setup?
Then I have to ask, how many arrows does one need?
Obviously no I'm not in practice but I have shot compound bows before.

The only time you have too much ammo is when you're trying to swim. Or you're on fire.

reply to post by jerico65

Man, I can't argue with that logic! Thank you!
I hope that aligns with how much money I have,
if I can pack it and if I can still find any!

Just wondering if I need to even try to look anymore.
I would like to get into reloading also, but will that
equipment be outlawed next?

Lots. And Lots. And then a little bit more then that.

Ammunition is something that you don't want to run out of in the event of SitX. If everything goes to hell, I'd rather have the bargaining chips then be looking for them.

One thing you could do - but it really depends on whether or not you're a serious shooter... invest in a reloader, and buy a ton of lead.

Of course, it doesn't just stop with molding your own led, there's lubing your own bullets which HAS to be done before they can be casted, and reloaded into casings.
So basically theres:
- Molding Press (I don't know exactly what it's called) to melt the lead and shape it into the desired calibre
- Lubing Contraption (again, I doubt that's what its called) to lube the bullets, this is that little red or blue ribbon around the bottom of the lead (before it is casted into a shell)
- Reloading press (to add the gun powder, add the bullet, crimp the bullet into the casing, and then the primer)

Oh yes, you'd need primers too for this, and the wax for the lubing. So it's a pretty big investment... But you have to weigh the pros and cons for you personally.

Depending on the calibre you're looking for, will determine if this is feasible for you.

And, practice

Aim to do damage with every shot you fire. Every round counts. Whether its for hunting, or defense.


- Carrot

[edit on 3/21/2009 by CA_Orot]

The big thing I have learned so far is to do what you can afford and not allow it to take over your life. At some point you still need to live your life rather then spend all your time worried and preparing.

For the bow I would just get a used compound bow off craigslist or go to a sporting store and ask them for help. It's hard to know what you will end up liking or how big of a bow you can use.

More important then weapons is learning survival tactics from books or online or even friends if your lucky enough. All the bullets in the world do you little good if you starve or die of bacteria from unhealthy water. Don't let it consume you though as its easy to get wrapped up in it.

Thank you for the replies! It is hard to know how much food,
Jack Daniels, porn tapes, etc, to have for sitX!

I would like to get into reloading but really dont have a clue
of what I need. It sounds like alot more stuff to acquire,
but I will definately look into it, if its not too late!
At least when you put it all out there like that, it
makes the steps understandable. Thanks!

whoshotjr, thanks also for the input.
It is easy to get freaked out for sure! Good call!
Hopefully we can have a fair balance of supplies.
A shovel, seeds and rake may be even more important than ammo
in the long run, you know after most everyone kills each other..?

You are so right! Without our health, the rest won't matter anyway!!!
I try to think of things I can help my neighbor out with also!
Lets not forget to have compassion!
ATS kicks! Thanks everyone!


[edit on 21-3-2009 by dodadoom]

Originally posted by dodadoom
I would like to get into reloading but really dont have a clue
of what I need. It sounds like alot more stuff to acquire,
but I will definately look into it, if its not too late!
At least when you put it all out there like that, it
makes the steps understandable. Thanks!

Is there a "Fish and Game Association" or a "Gun Club" in your home town? It might pay off, to attend some of their meetings, and meet with their "Firearms Safety Instructors."

If your town is anything like mine, The firearms instructors are the ones who know the most about firearms, where to get them, and the best supply stores. Honestly, that is where I would start.

Most of the time, these guys are retired from the Army, and have inherited more collectables then you or I could ever dream of. Most of the time, these guys collect their own brass and do their own reloading as well....

- Carrot

Enough to last you for a week I'd say, after that you can find weapons and ammo on the ground if need be.

reply to post by CA_Orot

Good idea! Yes there is a gun club here.
I guess I should check it out. Not really into
hunting and fishing like most everyone here is but,
definately a good place to start!
I have had firearm safety and training so that helps.
There is a reloading store uptown and I've been
meaning to stop in, but I would like to know a little bit
first so I dont find out the hard/expensive way.
Possibly from a money hungry dealer that would take advantage!
Thanks for the ideas and posts!
I think I have seen a reloading magazine too.

reply to post by projectvxn

Good point! While I would hate to count on it, I am sure you are right.
A week is do-able. Even against the armed zombies!

[edit on 21-3-2009 by dodadoom]

Originally posted by dodadoom
reply to post by CA_Orot

 

Yes there is a gun club here.
I guess I should check it out. Not really into
hunting and fishing like most everyone here is but,
definately a good place to start!

Me neither. I don't hunt or fish, I shoot stationary targets, but I know almost all of the members of our Gun Club - and some of them just shoot targets too.

Seriously, the senior members, the old guys who shoot every morning and meet on Sundays for lunch - those are the guys you want to talk to

I have had firearm safety and training so that helps.

It helps, but with SitX - the rules rarely apply. Although having propper training and knowing safety concerns is a must. Familiarize yourself with your weapons, and know how to clean them, field strip them, all of that. Also, might help to invest in some spare parts for each one...

There is a reloading store uptown and I've been
meaning to stop in, but I would like to know a little bit
first so I dont find out the hard/expensive way.

Excellent Idea. I would check out the Dillion Precision website - that's where most of my stuff comes from... Higher end - but excellent quality.


- Carrot

Originally posted by projectvxn
Enough to last you for a week I'd say, after that you can find weapons and ammo on the ground if need be.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this topic, and perhaps this is just my firearms training coming into play here, but anything found on the ground, is assumed to be mal-functional.

Afterall, it'd suck to pick up a completely normal looking round, shove it in the chamber and find that it didn't discharge the first time in someone elses' gun for a reason. And then perhaps suffer a mis-fire of your own, thus costing you the weapon you've just placed it in, and perhaps your hand as well....

Never, would I ever, be at the mercy of a round found on the ground. The risk is too high. I'd rather be over-prepared and have pocketfuls of ammunition.

I might a have a bit more to carry - but I'd feel safer, and more confident that way.


- Carrot

reply to post by dodadoom


If you had 1000 rounds of each, rifle, shotgun and pistol, you should be fine, if you can't kill something and pickup their stuff by then your toast anyways.

Stock up on 22 Long Rifle. If you can find any. It's cheap, and if your a good shot, it can get the job done.

reply to post by CA_Orot

Cool! Thanks! sounds like I'm in familier company!
Great idea! I do not have enough parts! (I'm writing that down)
True, there will be many unknown variables to SITX!
Just have to try to imagine every possible angle and be
ready for the unknown all the time especially!
Thanks for posting the website to check out!

Originally posted by dodadoom
Cool! Thanks! sounds like I'm in familier company!

Yup I'll try to help as best as I can lol.

Great idea! I do not have enough parts! (I'm writing that down)

Yup, you'll want to be prepared in case. Have you ever cleaned a hand gun, and mis-placed one of the screws that holds the grips on? Or you know, had it fall on the floor? Out in the middle of nowhere, or even just outside in your backyard - it's going to be an even bigger pain in the ass trying to find it.

True, there will be many unknown variables to SITX!

Just have to try to imagine every possible angle and be
ready for the unknown all the time especially!

Be prepared for everything and anything. Truth is, none of us knows what's going to happen.

- Carrot

reply to post by j2000

Hi j2000! Love your avatar btw!
Thanks for some hard numbers to shoot for.
That's(at least)about what I would like to have actually!
I bet I'm real close to that now, but I'm not 100% sure.
I always hear people talk of needing gobs more.
What about medical items, toiletries, fuel, power, etc!
There is just so much to think of and prepare for!

Edit to add:
I just checked. I need more!!
But dang the rifle ammos gettin hard to get!


[edit on 22-3-2009 by dodadoom]