Handgun Ammo
Stockpiling ammo is a must before SHTF. You never know when you’ll need it. Here are 5 types of handgun ammo you should have on hand:
9mm
The 9mm is a good all-around caliber that is reasonably powerful and easy to find ammo for. If you are looking for a caliber that you can use for plinking, self-defense, and competition shooting, the 9mm is a great choice. For self-defense, the 9mm is usually loaded with hollow point bullets which expand upon impact and create a larger wound cavity. This makes the 9mm an excellent choice for close quarters combat where over-penetration is a concern.
The 9mm can also be loaded with full metal jacket or “FMJ” rounds for range training. These rounds will not expand upon impact and are therefore not recommended for self-defense purposes. However, they are much cheaper to shoot and will help you train more efficiently.
.38 special
The .38 special is a very popular round for both target and self-defense shooting. It’s been around for over a hundred years, and it’s one of the most widely used handgun cartridges in the world.
The .38 special is a great choice for those who want a powerful round that is still relatively easy to control. It has good stopping power and is accurate enough for most self-defense situations.
One of the advantages of the .38 special is that it can be used in both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. This makes it a very versatile choice for those who want to be able to use their gun for both target shooting and self-defense.
While the .38 special is a great choice for many people, it is not the perfect choice for everyone. Some people find the recoil to be too much for them, and others find that the round doesn’t have enough stopping power for their needs.
If you are considering a .38 special for your gun, be sure to try it out at the range first to see if it’s the right choice for you.
.357 magnum
The .357 magnum is a popular cartridge for handguns, and is often used for self-defense. It was originally developed for use in revolvers, but is now also used in semi-automatic pistols. The .357 magnum has a relatively high muzzle velocity and can be effective at long range. It is also capable of penetrating light armor, making it a good choice for self-defense against heavily armed opponents.
Rifle Ammo
Rifles are one of the most versatile weapons available to the average person and can be used for hunting, plinking, target practice, and self-defense. They come in a wide variety of calibers, which can be confusing for a first-time buyer. In this article, we’re going to discuss the five types of rifle ammunition you should stockpile before SHTF.
.223/5.56
.223/5.56 is one of the most popular types of ammo used by survivalists and preppers alike. It is relatively cheap and easy to find, making it a great choice for stocking up on before SHTF. It is also a versatile round that can be used for both hunting and self-defense.
.308/7.62
.308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO
The .308 Winchester was introduced in 1952, two years prior to the NATO adoption of the 7.62x51mm cartridge. It is a rimless, bottlenecked rifle cartridge and is very similar to the .30-06 Springfield, though it has a shorter overall length and case length. The .308 Winchester has become one of the most popular hunting calibers in North America. It is also commonly used as a sniper rifle cartridge.
Common uses: Hunting, long range shooting, military and law enforcement sniping
Ballistics:
-Bullet weight: 150-180 grains
-Muzzle velocity: 2,700-3,100 ft/s
-Muzzle energy: 2,460-2,796 ft·lbf
.30-06
One of the most versatile cartridges ever designed, the .30-06 can pretty much do it all. It’s been used for big game, varmints, and targets since 1906. The .30-06 has plenty of power to take down anything in North America out to long ranges, yet is still manageable in a lighter rifle. It’s also inexpensive and easy to find.
Shotgun Ammo
Before SHTF, it is important to stockpile certain types of ammo. Shotgun ammo is one type that you should definitely have on hand. Shotguns are versatile weapons that can be used for home defense, hunting, and survival situations. They can be used to shoot both small and large game.
12 gauge
The 12 gauge is by far the most popular shotgun in the world, and for good reason. It has the perfect balance of power, recoil, and shot capacity. Not to mention, it is this author’s personal favorite gauge.
There are a few different types of 12 gauge ammo that you should stockpile before SHTF:
- Birdshot: This is the go-to type of shotgun ammo for small game hunting as well as home defense. It is relatively cheap and has low recoil. The downside is that it has a relatively short range and can be useless against larger targets.
- Buckshot: This is the next step up from birdshot in terms of power. It is typically used for deer hunting and self-defense situations where you might need to take down a large target. The downside is that it has more recoil than birdshot and is more expensive.
- Slug: This is the most powerful type of shotgun ammo and should only be used in very specific situations. It is typically used for hunting large game or for self-defense situations where you absolutely need to stop an attacker with one shot. The downside is that it has a lot of recoil and is very expensive.
- Non-lethal: This type of shotgun ammo includes rubber bullets and bean bag rounds. It can be useful in certain self-defense situations where you need to subdue an attacker without killing them. The downside is that it is less effective than traditional ammunition at stopping an attacker and can be more expensive.
20 gauge
One of the most versatile shotgun calibers available, the 20 gauge is large enough to take down most small and medium game, but not so large that it’s unwieldy or too much gun for smaller-framed shooters. Heavier loads are available for hunting larger game, while lighter loads can be used for target shooting or plinking. The wide variety of ammunition types available in 20 gauge make it a good choice for self-defense as well.
410 gauge
The 410 gauge is a type of shotgun ammunition that is often used for hunting and target practice. It is available in both lead and steel shot, and can be used in both smoothbore and rifled barrels. The410 gauge is less powerful than the 12 gauge, but has less recoil and is easier to handle.
Rimfire Ammo
Rimfire ammunition is one of the most popular types of ammo and for good reason. Rimfire is a great choice for plinking and small game hunting. The most common rimfire calibers are .22LR and .17HMR.
22LR
22LR is the most popular and one of the cheapest types of rimfire ammo on the market. It’s often used for plinking, small game hunting, and varmint control. Because it’s so affordable, it’s a good idea to stockpile a good supply of 22LR before SHTF.
17HMR
17HMR is another popular type of rimfire ammunition. It’s slightly more expensive than 22LR but still relatively affordable. It’s often used for varmint control and small game hunting. Like 22LR, it’s a good idea to stockpile a good supply of 17HMR before SHTF.
22WMR
22WMR is more expensive than both 22LR and 17HMR, but it’s still a popular choice for rimfire shooters. It’s often used for varmint control and small game hunting. While you don’t need to stockpile as much 22WMR as you would 22LR or 17HMR, it’s still a good idea to have a good supply on hand before SHTF.
5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum
5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum is one of the more expensive rimfire ammo options on the market. It’s often used for long range shooting and varmint control. While you don’t need to stockpile as much 5mm Remington Rimfire Magnum as you would 22LR or 17HMR, it’s still a good idea to have a good supply on hand before SHTF.
17 Winchester Super Magnum
17 Winchester Super Magnum is the most expensive type of rimfire ammunition on the market. It’s often used for long range shooting and varmint control. While you don’t need to stockpile as much 17 Winchester Super Magnum as you would 22LR or 17HMR, it’s still a good idea to have a good supply on hand before SHTF.
17 HMR
The .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, commonly known as the .17 HMR, is a rimfire rifle cartridge originally developed by Littleman in 2002. It supplanted the .22 WMR as the preferred varmint round, due to its flat trajectory and impressive long-range performance. The .17 HMR typically indebted for 100-yard exterior ballistics similar to what the .22 WMR can manage at 150 yards.
While there are several loadings for the .17 HMR, most factory ammunition uses a 17 grain bullet launched at 2550 fps. This provides about 250 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle, and 200 ft-lbs at 100 yards. The trajectory of this load closely mirrors that of the .22LR High Velocity 40 grain loading when zeroed at 100 yards; both have a muzzle rise of about 2.2″, drop of 9″ at 100 yards, and drift of 1.6″ in a 10 mph crosswind.
22 WMR
The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, more commonly known as the .22 WMR, was designed in 1959 by firearms companies Winchester and Smith & Wesson. It is a rimfire rifle cartridge that is based on the older .22 WRF cartridge. The .22 WMR uses a larger case and heavier bullets than the WRF, which results in increased velocity and energy.
The .22 WMR has a maximum effective range of 125 yards (114 m). The cartridge is suitable for varmint and small game hunting. It can also be used for self-defense, although its small bullet size means that it is less effective than some other cartridges in this role.
The .22 WMR is available in a variety of bullet types and weights, which allows it to be used for different purposes. The most common bullet weights are 40 grains (2.6 g) and 50 grains (3.2 g). The 40 grain bullet is typically used for varmint hunting, while the 50 grain bullet is better suited for small game hunting.
The .22 WMR can also be loaded with hollow point or soft point bullets, which are designed to expand upon impact and cause more damage to the target. These types of bullets are typically used for self-defense or hunting larger animals such as deer.
Other Ammo
While you may have a favorite type of ammo, it’s important to have a variety of ammo on hand for different situations. You never know what you’ll encounter during a disaster, so it’s best to be prepared. Here are 5 types of ammo you should stockpile before SHTF.
.22LR
Ammunition is one of the most important things you can stockpile for a SHTF scenario. While there are many types and calibers of ammunition to choose from, there are five that stand out as being particularly useful.
.22LR: This is a versatile round that can be used for hunting, plinking, and self-defense. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to find. It also has low recoil, making it a good choice for beginners or those with smaller stature.
9mm: This is a good all-around round that can be used for self-defense, hunting, and target shooting. It is slightly more powerful than the .22LR but still has low recoil. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
.223/5.56: This is a good choice for self-defense and hunting. It is more powerful than the 9mm but still has low recoil. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
7.62×39: This is a good choice for self-defense and hunting. It is more powerful than the .223/5.56 but still has low recoil. It is also relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
12 gauge: This is a versatile round that can be used for hunting, plinking, and self-defense. It is relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
.17 HMR
.17 HMR is a great choice for small game and varmint hunting. It’s also a good choice for plinking and target shooting. The lightweight bullets offer low recoil, and the ballistics are very flat, making it easy to hit targets at long range. .17 HMR is also very accurate, so it’s a good choice for competitive shooters.
.22 WMR
The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, or .22 WMR, is a popular caliber for varmint hunters and small game hunters. Its light bullet makes it ideal for taking down small game and pests, while its relatively low recoil ensures that follow-up shots are easy to make. In terms of downrange energy, the .22 WMR falls somewhere between the .22 LR and the .223 Remington, making it a good choice for both plinking and hunting.