Just curious how much defensive ammo you guys keep on the ready?

[Rolex_John]

I'm hardly what anyone would call a "prepper" but I do try to keep some emergency supplies like ammo.

Right now I've got about 1000 rounds of ammo in various calibers. I've got 8 PMags worth of defensive .223 loaded up (including one in the gun). Figure I've always got 1000 or two more range and class ammo too if needed.

I figure I'm likely we'll below what many keep on hand, so I'd like to hear how much others keep and what the rationale is for that quantity. Is there a specific end goal or just "can't ever have too much ammo..."

[Kfgk14]

I have 160 rounds of defensive ammo loaded, 1,000 rounds of defensive ammo stored, and thousands more of M193 and M855 range ammo stored. The rationale is that I can never have too much ammo, but it doesn't all need to be defensive ammo.

[platoonDaddy]

Very minimal what one would call defensive ammo, I have many K's rounds of 115gr that I use on the range and won't hesitate to use as a defensive round. Besides putting holes in paper, it will certainly **** someone up.

[TheBelly]

What really is your definition of 'defense ammo'?

I keep about 5k of 5.56 around the house. Most of it is milsurp green tip stuff.

I keep around 2k of 115/124 gr fmj.

Like has already been posted, 115 gr flying through the air at 1200 fps will definitely give the recipient a bad day.

[duece71]

IMO, ALL ammo could be called "defensive", just depends on how discerning a shooter you are.
I would have to estimate close to 7k and counting for 223. 762x39 is around 5k. .308 is only several hundred, half of which is match. Handgun ammo, no idea, I suppose I should do an inventory. I have 150 PMAGS and counting for the AR system. I am one of those that likes to load mags at home before going to the range so I don't have to use up time loading mags AT the range.

[Hmac]

I have a box of 25 rounds of 9mm Silvertips and some old .40 cal Black Talons around here somewhere, but it's a small percentage of the 5000 rounds of 9mm and .40 FMJ I keep. As for AR15 ammo, about 4000 rounds of PMC .223 FMJ, nothing defensive.

[Rolex_John]

What really is your definition of 'defense ammo'?

A good question, particularly as it applies to .223/5.56.

I only have about 80 rounds of what truly is classified as "defensive" .223 rounds - Hornady Double Tap and Winchester PDX1. This stuff is in the magazine that stays in my AR-15, and in a couple of reserve magazines. The balance of my supply that's loaded in magazines is American Eagle.

For me, the difference is that my "defensive supply" is static, while my range/training class supply is dynamic. I don't dip in to my defensive supply to go to the range, etc. So in an end of the world scenario, I'd at least have my defensive supply, plus whatever is in my range stock at the time. It would be very convenient if the end of the world come come right after a re-order of range ammo.

[Todd00000]

When I live in non-communist states I keep about 20 mags loaded, basically mags that already have a place in a pouch.

But remember you can never have enough ammo or liquor.

[Javelin]

I keep my basic go-to battle rattle w/ 8 Pmags (Hornady 5.56 75gr TAP) ready at all times.

I also keep ~ 5 mags loaded for my G23. But I don't go overboard with having every mag I own loaded with ammo like some.

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

Wow what a silly question on this forum... I try to keep 9k rounds on hand as my peak amount. When I'm down to 3k I will spend a month reloading back up to 9k. Been like that for a couple years since the great ammo scare of 2008-2009! I learned my lesson when I ran down to about 500 rounds total before primers and powder started trickling in.

I count all my .223 ammo to be "defensive" and I keep about 500 rounds of JHP 9mm in stock at all time.