[Resolute Conservative]

Guns? Ammo? What are those?

[ctdonath2]

Enough to wear out every barrel you own.

[Gamecock]

I am not a prepper, but my question is where are you keeping it all? I mean what happens if you are away from home and can’t make it back. Seems foolish to keep it all in one place.

I’m sure this is discussed elsewhere, so just wondering aloud.

[muir_redwoods]

it ain’t over until it’s over
and it ain’t over until I’m out of ammo.

[Envisioning]

The only time you can have too much is if you are drowning or on fire.....

[Blueflag]

Better have spares for your firearm, like firing pin, the ‘jesus’ pin (for ARs) batteries for your illuminated sights and tac lights.

Best to have multiples in the same caliber.

AND the cleaning kits/ armorers tools to keep it all operational after real-world abuse/use.

[taxcontrol]

I would postulate either:

1) Lots of ammo

or

2) ammo + lots of brass, primers, powder and reloading equipment.

[Drew68]

In a true SHTF situation, guns and ammo will be lying all over the streets.

[TexasCajun]

I hate these survival threads!

Makes me realize I don't have enough of anything.

I know, my fault.

[Don Corleone]

One more round than the other guy has.

[Truth29]

Depending on who or what will be your primary opponent, you might need more and different weaponry than what is discussed in this article.

[Vermont Lt]

Learn how to make your own.

Buy powder and lead.

When you run out of ammo, you will still have the ability to barter your labor.

Brass can be reused several times.

[theBuckwheat]

You are stuck at a truck stop. Out of cash but need to buy gasoline so you can reach your bugout spot. You approach a truck driver who is filling his tanks.

You have two valuables to offer in exchange for fuel. In one hand you have a gold coin easily worth more than the price of the fuel. In the other hand you have a brick of 22 LR. Which of the two is more likely to be accepted at that moment?

Your question again on how much ammo is enough?

[demshateGod]

Although I do think there's about a 50% chance things will go terribly wrong, I'm not ready to commit to prepping. It seems the expense, time, and mindset is such that it will consume my life. In that case it's a direct violation of “take no thought for tomorrow...” and “when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet” etc. Buy ammo when you can reasonably afford it and get a few things that’ll help you get by.

[CodeToad]

The more our side has the better. There is never too much. In every war logistics becomes an issue.

[Kartographer]

Prepper’s PING!

Average American solider on patrol carries 240rds. I have a reserve (separate from range time ammo which runs any where from equal down to a 1/3 of that amount) of just over 8 times that strictly for my battle rifle during shtf.

IMHO anyone who engages in more than 8 fire fights and/or anyone who believes that they could come threw unscathed 8 fire fights during shtf is mental, doing something wrong or both.

[going hot]

Enough so that you don’t have to wonder.

[smokingfrog]

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Whatever amount lets you sleep at night...Just fill the bunker!

[marktwain]

IMHO, the primary purpose of having lots of ammunition is to give the would be tyrants nightmares. That is called deterrence, and it far preferable to having to use your prep in actual emergencies.

The secondary purpose is to supply your local militia if things go really bad.

We should not be thinking of individuals or families holding out against rampaging mobs of zombies.

We should be thinking about how we are going to maintain order and restore civilization and the Constitution. Americans spontaneously organize into local militias when needed.

So... the answer is that short of millions of rounds, you cannot have enough. Limit your storage to what you can easily handle in your situation.

Anything less than a couple of hundred rounds per firearm is probably too little.