Building an Ammo Stash

Right now it is popular, even trendy, among sportsmen to maintain a stockpile of ammo. Everyones definition of "stockpile" is different. Some consider a couple hundred rounds, stockpiling. Others say it is only stockpiling if you have more than 10000 rounds per firearm. Whatever your definition of stockpiling ammo is, there is good reason to do this.

Some stockpile ammo as insurance for a SHTF event. They believe they will be able to trade it for anything and that they will need all the ammo they can get to protect themselves. Others do it as insurance against inflation. Ammo prices are just rising and rising. You can bet the ammo you buy today will be much more expensive in five years. Ammo that is properly stored will last a lifetime, so buying it now could make it cheaper to shoot in the future. Still others stockpile because they believe ant-gun laws will be made that outlaw, or severely restrict the sale of ammo. Buy it now because you might not be able to later.



Whatever the reason, stockpiling ammo is not just for the crazies. It has become mainstream, and may be a good idea. There is one problem though, stockpiling ammo is expensive.

I seriously need to organize my ammo

I am building a small stash of ammo. Not enough to fight a war, I do it more as a hedge against inflation. I can afford it now, I might not be able to later.  Here are my goals:

10000 air rifle pellets
5000 rounds for each rimfire
500 rounds for each centerfire rifle caliber
1000 rounds for each pistol caliber
1000 rounds for each shotgun gauge
500 muzzle loader bullets*

These are obtainable goals, however it is not cheap. For instance, the least expensive soft point .308 round I can find is $208 for 500 rounds. I found this at The Sportsman's Guide. However, I really don't want the cheapest. I want something I could hunt with. The least expensive hunting ammo I can find is $434 for 500. I should mention the .308 ammo is much less expensive than most centerfire rifles.

I figure it will take about $2000 to finish my stockpiling goals. You might be thinking that that is unreasonable. It certainly would be impossible for me to buy all of that up front. I have a plan though.

Every time I buy or order some sporting goods, I add a box of ammo to my purchase. I usually just buy what is on sale. This usually only adds $15 - $20 to my bill, and each time I get closer to my goal. For instance, this week I ordered a new backpack, some broad heads, and a new canteen I wanted to try. I added a box of Hornady 40 S&W before I checked out. It did not increase my shipping and only added a little to my total. The time before I added a box of muzzle loader bullets. Just in the last three months my stash has doubled.

My latest addition. Also one of my favorite brands.

At the rate I am going I should be at my goal in about three years. Unless I buy more guns. Now that I think of it, I'll probably be buying ammo forever.

I have found that Walmart is the best place in my area for rimfire and 12ga bird shot. A 550 round box of .22 LR is less than $20 and 100 rounds of 12ga 8's is around $22. The Sportsman's Guide consistently has the best price for almost everything else, although we are only talking about pennies here. Midway, Cheaper Than Dirt, and The Ammo Depot are also good choices. Bass pro, Cabelas, and Gander Mountain all seem to have overpriced ammo. I only shop there when I have no other choice.

*I'm collecting muzzle loader bullets because I have found one that shoots great in my gun. 1" groups at 100 yards. I'm afraid the company will stop making them or change them somehow, so I'm trying to get a lifetime supply.

Hey! If you haven't already, head over to the knife giveaway and enter a win a Buck pocket knife! It doesn't cost a thing and there are not many entries, so the odds are pretty good!