How much ammo do you feel like you need?

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CBB1

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Obviously the recent months have changed a lot of minds about ammo and its availability. I can honestly say that once I fully realized that I could no longer go buy what I wanted I had a lot of anxiety and have made some pretty bold moves to calm it. That said, I am now asking myself, how much is enough and what are we buying it for? Personally I consider myself a hunter that shoots enough to stay proficient but not really a recreational shooter. However, I have 2 young boys that enjoy shooting and hunting and that's what drove the anxiety. I currently have more hunting ammo then I will probably ever need for the rest of my life considering my current burn rate. However as a child/ young man I can remember many 200-500 round weekends mainly .22 and 20 gauge. So I ask myself how much do I need to ensure my boys have the same opportunities I did and do I really need to stock up now?

What are your thoughts, are you buying a lifetimes worth of ammo or a years worth? Are you afraid at some point it will no longer be available for good, or are you just trying to get ahead of the next shortage? Personally I'm not stocking up for war or the zombie apocalypse, but I want to be able to enjoy the sport with my kids as long as they continue to show interest. What is a realistic number that you would feel comfortable with for each caliber/gauge you own?
 
I likely have more than I'll ever use. That said I am buying more as I find it pre covid priced. Not easy but I have found some.
 
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On a serious note...I started a little while back picking up a box here and there. If I ran across a caliber that I have I would pick up a box. Still keeping the same practice. Alot of places won't let you get more than a box or two anyway now. Been doin pretty good cruisin through pawn shops and mom and pop stores.
 
We may not see another conservative administration in a decade. Don’t expect to see ammo stock to increase or prices to come down. But having said that its around a 100,000 or more for comfort level rounds and shotshells.
 
I understand the "all of it" mentality but that is not a realistic answer. Are you guys really concerned there will come a time you can no longer buy ammo? I'm not asking to be cynical, I'm just not there yet. I am afraid the days of limitless stock at pre covid prices may never return.
 
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CBB1 said:
What gave you the impression I don't care?
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Sounds like you can take it or leave it. I'm just saying you can save a lot of money by getting into another game.
CBB1 said:
I understand the "all of it" mentality but that is not a realistic answer. Are you guys really concerned there will come I time you can no longer buy ammo? I'm not asking to be cynical, I'm just not there yet. I am afraid the days of limitless stock at pre covid prices may never return.
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Hang around for a while and let us get to know you better.
 
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About 15 years ago I went to Europe with my wife. We rode around on trains and stopped in every town that seemed like a place where we could shop,explore, eat and learn. We happened across a small chocolate shop that was amazing. We tried a hazelnut cream chocolate that was so good I sent my wife back in to get more before we left town.
How much more? We'd never be in this place again so we bought all of it.

I think that's what's happening with ammo. Will there be more? When? Given the uncertainty most people will buy all they can in the moment.
 
Realistic quantities are always based upon the situation which you are presented. Just plinking on the weekends.... 100 rounds per weekend. Practicing for and shooting competitions.... 1-2K per week. To each their own, but I can spend one day at the range and burn 2K rounds easily. Real estimate for me to shoot like I would desire for one years would be 104K rounds..... so in todays prices about 70,000 dollars US. I can't afford that and if the Cuntgress gets its way, none of us will be able to afford practice rounds.
 
My suggestion is to not buy just any thing at any price. Now when you do see ammo at big box stores (Academy, Sportsman Warehouse, Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc) at pre-panic pricing buy your limit ... even if it’s just something you may not have a firearm but is a common caliber ammo buy it ... trade and barter could be a saving grace in the future. Buying a few boxes when possible adds up ...
 
Certainly not a matter of take it or leave it. I have legitimate concerns and that's why I came here to work through it with what I presume are like minded folks.
 
NCFubar said:
My suggestion is to not buy just any thing at any price. Now when you do see ammo at big box stores (Academy, Sportsman Warehouse, Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc) at pre-panic pricing buy your limit ... even if it’s just something you may not have a firearm but is a common caliber ammo buy it ... trade and barter could be a saving grace in the future. Buying a few boxes when possible adds up ...
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Thank you.
 
There is Hope. Not long ago [in my years] gas was $4+ a gallon. Last Fall it was $1.69 here. Today I filled up for $2.01. I think the $4 stuff is in our future. When I was a young man a brick of .22 was $5 today it's $50. I sincerely hope I'm wrong but I don't see centerfire ammo going down for a L O N G time. The .380 is a perfect example, the price will chase the availability. We'll see.
 
I was gradually building up. 250-500 rounds at a time based on what I could afford. I realize I should have instead been buying 1k-2k at a time...especially .38sp.

I would guess I'm in the bottom 10% of the rest of the board members.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
There is Hope. Not long ago [in my years] gas was $4+ a gallon. Last Fall it was $1.69 here. Today I filled up for $2.01. I think the $4 stuff is in our future. When I was a young man a brick of .22 was $5 today it's $50. I sincerely hope I'm wrong but I don't see centerfire ammo going down for a L O N G time. The .380 is a perfect example, the price will chase the availability. We'll see.
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I pulled a box of old Wildcat .22 that my Dad bought cases of in the 1970’s out of the locker today. He got it at Rose’s and it was marked .69 for a 50 round box. 1.3 cpr. I still have enough of this to shoot for a long time.
 
Perhaps I'm cynical @CBB1or perhaps recent events have made me suspicious. You seem the be asking very specific questions, and prodding for very specific answers, as to how much ammo other members have, or how much they feel is "enough".

I suggest you find YOUR comfort level for how much is "enough" and strive for that. For each of us the answer to that question will be different. I, for one, would prefer not to get into specifics with a cyber stranger.

That being said, welcome to the forum. If you're genuinely curious, ask some fellow gun enthusiasts in person. Perhaps they will share with you in a way that won't be posted in the interwebz.

Navigating ammo acquisition is tricky right now. Best of luck with it.
 
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How much? Sorta subjective...

For me, I will say that I don’t have an issue with dying, but I have a huge problem if it happens because I ran outta ammo.

Now that, I can’t abide.
 
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two fingers said:
Perhaps I'm cynical @CBB1or perhaps recent events have made me suspicious. You seem the be asking very specific questions, and prodding for very specific answers, as to how much ammo other members have, or how much they feel.is "enough".

I suggest you find YOUR comfort level for how much is "enough" and strive for that. For each of us the answer to that question will be different. I, for one, would prefer not to get into specifics with a cyber stranger.

That being said, welcome to the forum. If you're genuinely curious, ask some fellow gun enthusiasts in person. Perhaps they will share with you in a way that won't be posted in the interwebz.

Navigating ammo acquisition is tricky right now. Best of luck with it.
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good post
 
I think alot of it depends on the person,the firearms they have,what they do with the firearms....there could be many different variables as to what one feels is a comfortable amount of ammo. Example...lets say I have a .223 I don't shoot alot, but sometimes I take a notion and want to shoot a couple 30 rnd magazines at some bowling pis or steel plates or something. I may feel 1000 rnds will last me a long time. Some one else may feel 1000 rnds won't last them a week. Or, I have a .44 magnum that I never shoot. Even though I never shoot it doesn't mean I want to be without ammo for it. So I may fell comfortable With 100 rounds. I guess what I'm trying to say is its probably different for everybody and you have to do what makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
 
I 2nd Barlows comment. I have several amounts of each caliber, minus the .50cal muzzle loader I inherited and needs a full restore. Some more than others. But I am comfortable with my rate of shooting. I actually just did an inventory last weekend and realized I had far more than I thought in each.

Ammo is like money, you can have a lot of it, but can't take it with you when you die. Find your comfort level. And settle there. Do not spend money on ammo you normally would not. And never use money that can threaten your general monthly budget.
 
Sad.
I shoot competitive matches with my daughter (age 16) we started a few years ago. I buy ammo so we can enjoy our hobby. Consumption in 2020 was close to 10k rounds. We will not be able to keep doing hobby due to current conditions. I will be glad when peoples closets are overflowing and they stop hoarding for the apocalypse.
I fully support peoples right to hoard if that’s what they want to do
 
5yr worth of normal shooting, therefore if I cut back I can stretch that significantly and make it through a couple back to back scare markets.

Notice that this isn’t a fixed number because it’s different for everyone.
 
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I have actually been going through my ammo tonight, just now seeing this post. I thought I had a decent amount of all calibers that I have, but after counting, I'm way behind. I wish I'd gotten into ammo hoarding back when you could find it. I may have to donate a testicle or something..
 
Jeppo said:
Remember why the Winchester Widow continued construction on her mansion?

I buy ammo with the same hope. ;)
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Something about taxes, or ghosts. I cant remember which.
 
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