How much Ammo is “Enough”?

[ACE (in CT)]

Very interesting thread called ‘How many Guns are Too Many?’ Some also took the opportunity to discuss/ comment there about ‘How many guns are enough?’ That got me wondering, How much ammo is enough?

Some ammo is easy to find, or usually is. Years ago, I’d just replace what I had shot after a hunting trip or range session and call it good. Oh sure I might pick up a little extra here and there, or buy something new but since supply was almost. Always available, I was never worried. That changed drastically and I suspect many or most of us started buying and storing more, when we could find it.

For example: I ended up with my Grandfather’s deer rifle in .35 REM, I had just 1, not quite full, box of 200gr Corelocks. That became a quest, and several years later I think I’m set for another generation or 3.

So, what’s your thinking on how much ammo is enough? I’m looking forward to the (expected) very varied Comments.

 

[USMA84DAB]

You can't have too much unless you're swimmin'. Between Y2K, the scamdemic, and ban scares every few years, it seems prudent to never stop stacking ammo.

I have 600 cases of .495 A-Square

I am up to about 800 cases for .375 Ruger since Hornady won't make cases available.

If the ammo manufacturers think I will EVER go for another "new/greatest thing since sliced bread/better/modern/improved cartridge again, they are about as sane as a male slicing off his gear to become a female. I waited 10 years to try to insure the .375 Ruger was gonna have legs before I took the plunge. Now Hornady plans on making cases available every 4-5 years!?!? Sure - $85/20 rounds for loaded ammo is out there. Lesson learned on my end.

I bought a 375H&H just to always have access to this bore - will probably rent a reamer and open it up to Ackley Improved - better ballistics, no impact on ammo availability.

I still keep salting away: .308WIN, 358WIN, ..30-06, 35 WAI. Hopefully, multiple Central American countries will vie for my widow's attention trying to buy up my ammo stores after I hit the pearly gates.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

This to me is another "no such thing" topic.

One recent example. Most of my ammo I put together myself; it's fun, and I like the extra layer of involvement. However, I have just a few rifles that seem to shoot specific factory loads best, so that's what I use. One is my go-to, my Marlin MXLR in .338 Marlin Express. Well, ammo for it has been both drying up and rising in cost. Boxes commonly command over a hundred bucks on GunBroker. Well, last summer I stumbled on a wealth of ammo in a store in Palmer, Alaska. When I inquired about the price, the guy pulled it up on computer and said "22 bucks a box". I walked out with all 25 boxes. Merry Christmas to me. I firmly believe those dusty boxes had sat there for a decade, completely forgotten. I am happy they were. Combined with what I had on hand, I now have something like 35 boxes. My point? It's not enough.

 

[dogcat1]

I keep 200 rds or more for each rifle in the load that rifle likes.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

My advice is to always buy whatever you find, because you never know when you will get it next. Or when it will suddenly be discontinued. Or when the quality of the ammunition will suddenly deteriorate.

For example, I have always been very partial to Sellier & Bellot 175Gr Nosler Partition factory loads for the 7x57mm Mauser. I had an option to buy 100 rounds in 2017, but I didn’t avail this opportunity. When the Chinese Virus started in 2019, Sellier & Bellot was still listing this loading on their website but in reality… no shop ever seemed to have it on stock. In 2024, Sellier & Bellot declared that they have discontinued this loading.

Same with Nosler’s 300Gr Partition factory load for the .375 Holland & Holland Magnum. Nosler still continues to list it on their website, but they haven’t had any in stock since 2019.

Same with Woodleigh FMJ solid bullets. After the fire at Woodleigh, these simply haven’t been manufactured anymore. The owners of Woodleigh most recently declared that they have no plans to make FMJ solids anymore… at least for this year. So those who intelligently stockpiled in previous years… are the fortunate ones now.

I can think of a dozen more examples since I first began hunting in 1961. But you get the idea…

With the European Union confirming that lead cored rifle ammunition & lead shotgun shells will be completely banned for hunting in all member states (as well as several non-member states) by 2027… it’s extremely likely that most European ammunition firms will discontinue (or at the very least severely cut down on) the production of lead cored rifle ammunition & lead shotgun shells unless demand for export from non EU countries is high enough to ensure that the number of sales of certain products is still profitable (which isn’t very likely). So I highly recommend that those of you who have a favorite make of European lead cored rifle ammunition or lead shotgun shells… better get to stockpiling whatever you can whenever you can.

The old adage is ever so relevant today:
“It is always better to have & not need than to need & not have”.

This is my collection of discontinued .375 Holland & Holland Magnum ammunition. Barring the 300Gr Federal Power Shoks, none of these are produced anymore. But I’m certainly glad that I stock up very regularly.

 

[Boyd Brooks]

I have to make all my own ammunition now, because no one makes any factory rounds for my rifles, except 44 win mag. I reload those also because, I can. Even my 16 gauge shotgun is hard to find ammo for.
So I would say that there is no such thing as too much ammunition or reloading components!

 

[Tundra Tiger]

All that money you saved by not buying ammo? It isn't going to be very useful in a zombie apocalypse. Nobody facing the undead ever said "Gee, I have too much ammo."

 

[franzfmdavis]

This is an interesting topic as well!

I aspire to have a minimum of a thousand rounds for each caliber, other than certain defensive ammo where I would like to have at least ten thousand .556, 9mm and .45ACP.

Realistically, however I distinguish between calibers I reload and calibers I don’t. I try to keep about 100 cases, 500 projectiles, 500 primers, and at least 4lbs (ideally 8lbs) of powder for calibers I reload.

 

[wesheltonj]

For “hunting rifles” and have about a four life times supply. For shotguns a couple of seasons worth. For AR’s not nearly enough, but I would think a reasonable amount would be at least ten thousand per AR.

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

The last couple decades have shown me that you can never have too much and should always “buy cheap, stack deep” when you see a good deal.

Modern ammunition is so shelf stable and the market has been so volatile in both cost and availability that there’s very little downside to buying in bulk and at discount whenever possible.

 

[BJH65]

For defensive weapons: 5.56mm/223 (10,000 rds), 300 AAC (2500 rds), 7.62x51mm/308 (5000 rds), 9mm (15,000 rds), 357 Sig, 40, 10mm, 45 ACP (6000 rds combined), 38/357 (1500 rds), 12 gauge (500 rds OO buck, 250 rds slugs, 20,000 rds 22 LR. Most all in metal 50 Cal containers and various battle backs.

I started acquiring much of the above when Obama was president. Having moved several times since then, including a couple out of state moves, I can’t tell you how much a pain in the ass transporting this ammo and guns have been, it’s one helluva workout. Moving taxidermy was also a major pain too but only a dozen mounts and a bear rug. Hands down the hardest part about our moves and the most labor involved was moving my guns and especially my ammo and an overloaded 26 ft. moving truck and several loaded up vehicles. This also includes much of the below listed ammo, the rest I acquired the past two years at home here.

In my various hunting rifles using factory soft point, various premium bullet factory ammo including some less common cartridges: 270, 280, 280 AI, 308, 30-06 (300-500 rds for each), 7mm Rem Mag (300 rds), 300 RCM (140 rds), 300 Win Mag (300 rds), 375 H&H (140 rds), 375 RUM (400 rds), 416 Rem Mag (200 rds), 416 Rigby (240 rds), 458 Lott (140 rds).

Recently sold 30 guns and lots of ammo that went with them which helped to finance my last African hunt and covers my upcoming 2026 African hunt or I’d have even more!

I do have some reloading dies and components too although I don’t reload anymore but I may start up again.

 

[WyoBull]

Interesting topic and I think a lot of it depends on your age and where you are at in life as well. As an avid reloader for many years, I have a lot of ammo loaded but also have a lot of components. Unless I start shooting, a lot, I will never shoot what I have if you combine all of the calibers I load for. So for me, I have enough to last me a lifetime.

 

[JimP]

My question is, how much do you shoot?

Just off hand I have 5000 22Lr, 10,000 40S&W, 500 44 mag, 500 45 Lc, 1,000 357 mag, 500 41 mag, and at least 200 rifle rounds for each of my long guns. That along with around 500 rounds for each of my 6 shotguns ranging from a 410 up to a 10 ga.

Then all the components for 3 or 4 years worth of muzzle loaders from a 36 caliber up to a 54 caliber.

 

[meigsbucks]

I reload, but whenever I purchase a firearm in a new chambering, I also purchase at least 300 pieces of brass… to start. 400-500 if it’s for a round I don’t think will have popularity. Once , I’ve determined loads, I stockpile 100’s to as many as thousands of bullets. I’m always accumulating primers and the appropriate powders.
For defensive rounds, I primarily shoot factory loads and it is a continuous process of gradual accumulation. Example: I probably have >6k rds 9mm, >4k rds .40 and >3k .45’s. I also have a fair amount of reloading components for these rounds as well. 12ga slugs and 00 buck: ~2k rds.
Nobody should have less than 10k .22LR.

 

[Bandera]

How much is enough? I don't know I am not there yet.

Is the OP really a hunter or is he an undercover agent for FBI, CIA, ATF or...
All I know is that I didn't do it and I wasn't there. If you have video I was coerced.

 

[Flbt]

Very interesting thread called ‘How many Guns are Too Many?’ Some also took the opportunity to discuss/ comment there about ‘How many guns are enough?’ That got me wondering, How much ammo is enough?

Some ammo is easy to find, or usually is. Years ago, I’d just replace what I had shot after a hunting trip or range session and call it good. Oh sure I might pick up a little extra here and there, or buy something new but since supply was almost. Always available, I was never worried. That changed drastically and I suspect many or most of us started buying and storing more, when we could find it.

For example: I ended up with my Grandfather’s deer rifle in .35 REM, I had just 1, not quite full, box of 200gr Corelocks. That became a quest, and several years later I think I’m set for another generation or 3.

So, what’s your thinking on how much ammo is enough? I’m looking forward to the (expected) very varied Comments.

For rifles I try to buy 1-2 cases when I get a new cartridge that’s a bit harder todo now

Handgun and social rifles Humm 5k?

When the fire department cam out to a house fire years ago
They heard pop corn.
The oic ask how much was in there 3 lbs of black at least 5k of 9mm and at least that muc- ok stop we are just going to make sure it doesn’t spread the house is a total loss now.

Now I am not saying that’s enough just saying that’s whats on hand

 

[Flewis]

That’s an easy one, two truck loads. Only if you truck is pulling a 53ft trailer and says Peterbilt on the hood.

 

[Rare Breed]

Very interesting thread called ‘How many Guns are Too Many?’ Some also took the opportunity to discuss/ comment there about ‘How many guns are enough?’ That got me wondering, How much ammo is enough?

Some ammo is easy to find, or usually is. Years ago, I’d just replace what I had shot after a hunting trip or range session and call it good. Oh sure I might pick up a little extra here and there, or buy something new but since supply was almost. Always available, I was never worried. That changed drastically and I suspect many or most of us started buying and storing more, when we could find it.

For example: I ended up with my Grandfather’s deer rifle in .35 REM, I had just 1, not quite full, box of 200gr Corelocks. That became a quest, and several years later I think I’m set for another generation or 3.

So, what’s your thinking on how much ammo is enough? I’m looking forward to the (expected) very varied Comments.

I always take two guns to Africa with me. One large bore one small. I take 60-80 rounds for a 10-14 day hunt. I am a reloader. I have at least 100 pieces of brass per caliber, 200 bullets, I have primers for all. I keep at least 8 pounds of powder for 4 different ones. Just me H4831SC, IMR4350, RL15.5 and one more…lol I forgot which one. Just me

 

[JimP]

For rifles I try to buy 1-2 cases when I get a new cartridge that’s a bit harder todo now

Handgun and social rifles Humm 5k?

When the fire department cam out to a house fire years ago
They heard pop corn.
The oic ask how much was in there 3 lbs of black at least 5k of 9mm and at least that muc- ok stop we are just going to make sure it doesn’t spread the house is a total loss now.

Now I am not saying that’s enough just saying that’s whats on hand

A good friend is the fire chief of our town, he asked me to load some rifle rounds for him and came over to watch. As we walked into my basement loading room he said that he would have to flag my house for firefighters to stay away from the center north wall.

He may of been joking, I'll have to ask him the next time that I see him.

 

[mdwest]

depends on what rifle we're talking about..

my primary NA hunting rifles are a bolt action 308 and an AR10 (308). My wife also shoots a bolt action 308 and an AR10 (308). These are also the rifles we most often use when we take firearms with us on international hunts...

On average between confirming zero once a year at the beginning of hunting season, getting in a practice session or two just to keep familiar with the rifles, and then the handful of rounds we fire on actual hunts, we shoot about 50 rounds a year...

Ive got about 1200 rounds on hand of my "hunting load" for 308.. so about 24 years worth..

Shotgun ammo takes up a lot of space so we don't go quite as crazy there.. I'd estimate we have maybe 10 flats of various stuff on hand (everything from trap/skeet loads to ducks to turkey, etc).. so 2500 rounds.. but that's probably only 4 or 5 years worth truthfully..

Dont get me started on .22LR.. I haven't counted in a long time.. but the last count I recall I was probably sitting on 15K rounds..

556 to feed the AR's isn't enough to get me through a zombie apocalypse.. but Ive got enough to at least last through the first several engagements.. maybe 5K rounds? similar amounts of 9mm are on hand as well..

with everything else (other hunting calibers, other handgun calibers, etc).. as a rule I keep at least 200 rounds on hand.. for several there's a lot more available (I think Ive got about 300 rounds of 300 PRC and at least 300 rounds of 416 Taylor for example).. and I try to keep reloading components on hand to make at least another 100 rounds for all of the other "stuff"... for the higher use calibers like 308 there's a good bit more than that on hand..