Every prepper knows it’s a great idea to stockpile ammunition when preparing for a major disaster. You can use it for hunting, self-defense, or barter. But which types of ammo should you stockpile? If you plan on bartering, then you don’t want a bunch of calibers that nobody wants. And that’s just one consideration.
In this video, Reality Survival & Prepping talks about what he thinks are the 5 best types of ammunition to stockpile for a collapse.
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Here are his picks:
- .22 LR – Very common, good for hunting small game, very light and small.
- 9mm Luger – Great for self-defense, fits in a wide variety of handguns.
- 5.56×45mm or .223 Remington – Also very common, cheap and effective.
- .308 Winchester – Widely used, works in AR10 and bolt-action platforms.
- 12 Gauge – You can do a lot with it — hunt, defend yourself, etc.
In the video below he makes a much more detailed case for each caliber. What do you think of this list?
While I agree that autos rule the day in a SHTF situation, there are a lot of folks out there with revolvers, whether they use them for self defense or hunting, .38/.357, .44 special/magnum, .45 Colt all have both pistols and rifles chambered in them so you carry 1 type of ammo for both pistol and rifle. Ideal? No. But if it’s what you have and are comfortable with, go for it. Also .30-30 might not be a bad choice to have a case of, for barter if nothing else.
Your recommended ammo list is essentially a Recommended Weapons list. I disagree with some of your choices.
I carried a 9 mm Beretta in the Army for my last several years’ service, and I shot very accurately with it. But I do NOT prefer the 9 mm.
Based on my military experience, if you want to stop someone in their tracks, the caliber does NOT begin with the number 3. It should start with the number 4. My preference is either the .45 ACP or .45 Colt, aka “Long Colt”. After 23 years in the Army, moving from Private E-1 to Major O-4, I carry a Taurus Judge revolver which accommodates either .45 Colt or .410 gauge shotgun shells. My other preferred carry pistol is a .45 ACP M1911A1.
I’d prefer the AK vice the AR platform. Bit more power and more reliable under difficult conditions.
Agree with the 12 gauge shotgun recommendation, although I prefer a side by side double barrel to a semi-automatic. I grew up hunting in Nebraska, and I love a 12 gauge double barrel. And if worse comes t worst, nothing I know will survive both barrels from a .12 gauge.
“No such thing as stopping power” My 1oz 12gauge slugs might argue with that statement.
Always good to have ammo types you may need. Also you can Macgyver the type of weapons you may need. In doing so you can go beyond the need for knowing / having ammo types and use almost anything in, near or around you to serve that purpose. Study history as to what the prisoners of war developed and what the prisoners in the Nazi death camps created as well. You can learn a lot from those who came before. History always repeats itself.
The ammo to stockpile is the caliber/gauge for the firearms you own. The presentation though, is aimed at someone who’s just getting started. With that in mind, his choices are solid advice.
I’ve stockpiled a lot more calibers than he mentions, but these are for firearms I’ve owned for years. For that reason, my list is different but that reflects what I’ve bought and used for 40+ years.
He does give good advice about purchasing ammo that you may not have a firearm for, solely for the purpose of barter/trade. That’s sound and solid advice. I don’t own an AK or SKS variant rifle, but I do have close to 500 rounds of 7.62 x 39 stored just for that purpose (I keep 30-06, .308, 7mm Mag, and .45 ACP in varying amounts just for that reason alone, my goal is 500 rounds of each).
One thing that a beginning prepper should look into, is reloading. Having a press and components on hand to reload the ammunition you use, may be a life and death decision depending upon which disaster one finds themselves in. If we’re looking at a “TEOTWAWKI” situation, being able to reload for your guns will be a must, because in that case ammo will not be replaced anytime soon. The ability to reload, also makes one a valuable member of any group in a societal collapse. Reloadings an investment in your future. A sturdy press, dies in the calibers of guns you own, Powder measure, primers, powder, bullets and a manual are all you need to get started. Fancy presses are a convenience and not a necessity. So a basic setup is all you really need.
This is a good video for someone new to prepping or just starting out. The emphasis on military calibers when buying your first gun(s) is sound advice, for a couple of very valid reasons. One being cost. Surplus military ammo is usually cheaper than the box of 20 or 50 rounds of hunting grade ammo (in some cases, buying surplus can save you 50% if you watch for sales). Avoid the Combloc ammo if you can, as most is not reloadable. Two, after the collapsd, military ammo may be the easiest to scavange, as it may be lying around the country side.
The presenter mentions .22LR and I agree with him that every prepper needs a .22LR pistol and/or rifle in their arsenal. If you can only have one and not both, choose a rifle over a pistol. Pistol hunting small game is possible, but it requires a skillset that takes years to develop. Using a rifle, the learning curve is much lower, and takes less time to become proficent.
Alan,
As usual your list and the video got it right. Even if you don’t have firearms in those caliber listed, barter is going to be the method of commerce after shtf.
I would also recommend being able to reload spent ammo. The first thing that comes to mind is, the tried and true Lee Loader. Especially for it’s small size, the included instructions, and ease of use. You’re not going to get match grade quality, but it will give you hunting and self defense quality ammo if you use proper care. Or trade the reloads and keep the factory ammo. Obviously the above implies bullets, primers, powder be kept on hand also.
Keep the good stuff coming.
I would add to the list .45 acp for more stopping power than a 9mms. and for those with sks and ak 47″s 7.62×39
No such thing as stopping power.