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How Much Ammo Should You Own? A Guide For Stockpiling Ammo
We’ve seen an enormous rise in the cost of ammo over the past couple of years. With government distrust and crime at an all-time high, having enough ammo to keep yourself and your family safe has never been more critical.
I’ve been stockpiling ammo for a few years and am sure glad I have. Not only will you be more prepared, but you can save a significant of money as well. And don’t worry; you don’t have to make one large bulk order. It can be done over time and as you find deals.
Let’s talk about how much ammo you should own, how you should buy it, and how you should store it.
If you think you have enough, buy another case to be sure. Source: youtube
How Much Ammo Should You Own?
Let me first say there is no predetermined amount of ammo that each person should own. While I like to keep around 2,000 rounds per rifle caliber and 1,000 rounds per pistol caliber, everyone’s needs will differ.
Here’s a” few” rounds that should last a while! Source: combatweaponstorag
You’ve heard the saying, “It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it,” right? Well, that’s true with ammo, as well. You never know what situations you may face.
So, think about what you would be doing in a SHTF situation. Most of the time, the smartest thing to do is to stay hunkered down in your home so you aren’t putting yourself or your family in dangerous situations. Even then, someone can find out you have a stockpile of food and ammo (which is why this information should never be given out), and now they’re trying to take that from you.
In times like that, money is nothing more than a means to start a fire. What people genuinely need is ammo, food, and water. Necessities. Having an abundance of ammo can mean the difference between life and death in more than one way.
You can trade this ammo for whatever you need without giving away more than you can.
As I said, it all depends on how much you can spend on ammo and how much you can store. Even one case of ammo is better than none.
How To Properly Store Ammo
Storing your ammo correctly is critical to ensure you’re always ready when it’s time to use it, whether going to the range or defending your home.
First, let’s clear up a couple of common misconceptions.
Misconception #1: Storing ammo in magazines will cause the magazines to malfunction.
This first misconception is one I hear all the time. Modern-day magazines have no problem being stored loaded, as the springs only tend to show wear after repeated, and I mean repeated, loading and unloading. Even then, you’re probably not going to shoot and reload them enough ever to notice.
Go ahead and keep those mags loaded!
I even remember seeing a YouTuber with a magazine filled with 5.56×45 that his father gave him 30 years prior. For 30 years, the ammo was in the magazine. When he finally fired the ammo, it all ran flawlessly. So, with high-quality newer magazines, you should be just fine.
Storing ammo in a magazine is perfectly fine.
Misconception #2: Keeping a round in the chamber will cause issues.
Simply keeping a round in the chamber is no issue. Rechambering the same round repeatedly is when you can start to see some seating issues. It shouldn’t be done more than three or four times.
But other than that, keeping one in the chamber poses no issue.
Now that we got that out of the way, your ammo should be stored in a cool, dry place. Humidity and moisture are the enemies. Suppose you don’t have a temperature/humidity-controlled area to store it. In that case, you can always run a portable dehumidifier and throw some Silica gel packets in your ammo cans to help reduce the moisture.
The Hornady ammo cabinet is a great option to store some of your ammo. Source: gunsafes
If you have the space and means, getting a safe or secure cabinet for your ammo is also wise. You want to make sure that your ammo is only accessible to you and those who you trust, like your spouse.
How To Find The Best Price
I’ve seen many people go into big box stores and buy a case of ammo, thinking they were getting the best price.
While I’m not saying that you can’t find a good deal at a big box store, you’ll often find better ones online. In addition to finding the best price, you need to ensure you’re buying the right ammo for your firearm.
Find The Right Ammo At The Right Price
Before you go out and stockpile, you need to ensure you’re buying the right type of ammo in the first place. This means more than just buying the right caliber. Consider aspects such as the casing type, bullet type, and bullet grain, to name a few.
As an example, let’s say you’re looking for ammo for your AR-15. Take into account your barrel length, the twist rate of your barrel, and the type of shooting you’ll be doing.
Typically, lighter grain weights from brands that mass produce ammo are the cheapest, like Winchester or Federal. When you dive into specialty brands like Black Hills or Hornady Black with heavier grain weights, things get more expensive.
If you’re a stickler and want superior accuracy, you must dive deep and find what’s best for your build and shooting style. The possibilities are essentially endless.
To keep it simple, M855s are an excellent option for SHTF, and cheaper 55-grain FMJs are suitable for target practice and training.
Shopping online for your ammo is the best way to ensure you get the ammo you want as cheaply as possible. Best of all, you can get it delivered right to your doorstep!
Like a stock on the S&P500, ammo prices fluctuate A LOT. Source: reddit
Take advantage of free shipping when possible, and always search for coupon codes. You never know what kind of deals you may find unless you look!
Conclusion
Stockpiling ammo is like stockpiling gold. You want a lot of it and for it to be kept safe, secure, and in great condition. Buy as much ammo as your heart desires…and you can afford.
Remember, you don’t have to always purchase expensive premium ammo unless it caters to your shooting style. Do your due diligence and find out what ammo is best for your firearm.
Ensure you have some for self-defense and some for plain ol’ range fun. Lastly, don’t forget to have fun with the process!
Be good and take care.
