How much ammo?

[Hidalgo]

I'm constantly trying to be "prepared" for the "worst". That being said, if the balloon goes up I want the 3 people in my family to have an available sidearm, and for my son and I to have an AR available. But that brings into play the problem of hauling around (if it comes to that) an adequate supply of ammunition. While handgun ammo is fairly light, it does add to the weight of a pack. And .223 ammo is pretty weighty when you start talking about 100 rounds or so.

What are you guys doing about this situation? How much do you think is "adequate" to throw in a backpack and leave the home with it?

[JeffL]

210 rounds each for the rifle.

[Guest 2HOW]

I can only say that I will not be on the move in a situation like this. 1st you have to predict (or try to) who your enemy will be. I would like to think there will be plenty of battle field pickups (guns and ammo) to rely on. If your under siege by any large force , wont matter, you wont last long anyway. The number of rounds you keep may or may not be of any consequence. More than needed cant hurt.

You may need to barter or help out a friend . I would think 500 rounds would do on a road trip,.

[Guest KarlS]

I never thought about walking away with my guns and ammo supply. That's tough though. I try to maintain 2k rounds of 223 and 7.69 and 9mm. I'd hate to leave it behind for anything.

What is the situation? Is this for protection against goons or survival for food supply? I take it walking is absolute last resort? Everyone carrying packs? If two AR's are going why not keep 5 loaded 30 rounders for each AR. One in the mag well and 4 in the pack. What cal handguns? Tough question that definately takes some thought.

Nuclear forget the ammo....Civil unrest....more than you can carry....Flood/tornado carry for looters and food supply.

[Guest 70below]

210 rounds each for the rifle.

I'd agree with this, and add ~100rds each for pistol.

All ammo in magazines ready to go. No fumbling to reload mags. Needs to be ready when you're ready.

Edit: This is my recommendation for a B.O.B. or similar.

Edited October 15, 2009 by 70below

[Guest mc30707]

I have about 2500 rds 223 for the AR.

bout 1K rds 40 cal for my sig p229.

and about 1500 rds 9mm for my G19.

Personally, I don't really see anything happening that were gonna be running around with ar15's, more likely concealed pistols. So I guess I need more handgun ammo. Never hurts to be prepared. food and drinking water might be bigger issues if we have that kind of breakdown.

[Metalhead]

Bare minimum one bullet for every person in your town/city/county. That way, when everyone turns into a zombie, your covered for your immediate area.

[Guest clsutton21]

Bare minimum one bullet for every person in your town/city/county. That way, when everyone turns into a zombie, your covered for your immediate area.

+1

[Guest mikedwood]

7.62 x 39 is much more weighty, but much more reliable if you are in a situation where maintence is difficult for a period of time or conditions are dirty.

It seems to lighten it in a good carrier vest with the mag pouches. I'd agree with the 210 each but would prefer 300 each.

But I stuffed a AR7 on my bag and with 550 rounds of ammo weighs less than a few pounds. The way I figure it if the SHTF or something like it. It would be best to evade as much as possible and a .22 is pretty quiet for hunting. I think the AR7 would be adequate in the hills of Tennessee. Plus it's made to be fairly water proof which may or maynot matter.

[Guest canynracer]

Bare minimum one bullet for every person in your town/city/county. That way, when everyone turns into a zombie, your covered for your immediate area.

+1

+2

[Capbyrd]

Bare minimum one bullet for every person in your town/city/county. That way, when everyone turns into a zombie, your covered for your immediate area.

I agree but... You haven't seen Zombieland have you?

Rule #4: DoubleTap

Following the rules of Zombieland, you will need at least two rounds for every person!

[bubbadavis]

Bare minimum one bullet for every person in your town/city/county. That way, when everyone turns into a zombie, your covered for your immediate area.

Dang it, I live in Nashville! Any price breaks on 1 million rounds of 223?

[molonlabetn]

I've got enough to cover my neck of the woods pretty well... but realistically, if it's bad enough to need more than a couple hundred rounds, no amount would be enough.

[Climber]

I've got enough to cover my neck of the woods pretty well... but realistically, if it's bad enough to need more than a couple hundred rounds, no amount would be enough.

+1. It is easy for use to get sucked into the "I need more ammo and preps" but if it truly ever gets REALLY bad, we are all screwed and only a few will make it. I'm planning on being one of the few so buy it cheap and stack it deep.

[Chief07]

Well............

1000 rounds for each caliber you have should do it.

Kept in a "fire proof" cabinet away from the main deweling.

Just a thought ;-)

[Guest 7mmMag]

well if you have enough ammo you can take someone elses food and water LOL

[JW3Percent]

I'd agree with this, and add ~100rds each for pistol.

All ammo in magazines ready to go. No fumbling to reload mags. Needs to be ready when you're ready.

Edit: This is my recommendation for a B.O.B. or similar.

This for the b.o.b.

Much more in the vehicle if space permits

[1gewehr]

It depends.

Remember, your BOB should be able to be light enough for you to maneuver under fire, and wear on a 20-mile hike. You cannot afford to be weighed down like infantry who will drop their packs under fire and then assault an objective. Under fire, your objective is to get away WITH your pack. Also, if you are bugging-out, then getting pinned in a firefight is what you need to avoid at all costs. You need to have enough ammo to break contact, assault an ambush, and discourage trackers. For someone with trigger control 100rds will be enough.

That said, more ammo is better. But don't weigh yourself down to where you can't run when needed.

[Il Duce]

enough to get you past the first person and then pick up their goods and keep doing that

[mikegideon]

Bare minimum one bullet for every person in your town/city/county. That way, when everyone turns into a zombie, your covered for your immediate area.

You can't kill a zombie with one shot. That's what makes them so much fun

[Guest mikedwood]

Get 300 rounds of wolf 7.62x.39 and 10 30 round mags, load them up and carry them around for awhile. Then sell them or get an ak or sks. After all that it will make the ar and ammo seem very light..If on the move my by foot my choice would be a 22 ar7 with 500 rounds at about 7 pounds for the whole package. Probably not great for sd but great for hunting in tennessee.

[Guest 2HOW]

Dont sweat it, there will be more guns and ammo to be picked up on the street than you have . Keep about 500 rds for each gun .

[Guest clsutton21]

Dont sweat it, there will be more guns and ammo to be picked up on the street than you have . Keep about 500 rds for each gun .

Yeah, just like in the videogames...each enemy drops at least a crate of ammo.

[Raoul]

enough to get you past the first person and then pick up their goods and keep doing that

Cold. Correct however.

[Il Duce]

by first person, i meant in SD