Introduction
There is a lot of debate in the preparedness community about what types of ammo to stockpile for SHTF. The three most commonly recommended types are .22LR, 9mm, and .308 Winchester. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each type and help you make a decision about what’s best for you.
.22LR is often lauded for its low cost and versatility. It can be used for small game hunting, plinking, and target practice. It’s also generally considered to be a “beginner” caliber because it has less recoil than larger calibers. The downside of .22LR is that it has relatively low stopping power, so it may not be the best choice for self-defense.
9mm is a popular choice for self-defense because it strikes a good balance between stopping power and recoil. It’s also relatively inexpensive and easy to find. The downside of 9mm is that it has less range than some other calibers, so it may not be the best choice for hunting or long-range target shooting.
.308 Winchester is often considered the “gold standard” of SHTF calibers because it offers excellent stopping power and range. The downside of .308 is that it can be expensive, difficult to find, and has more recoil than some other calibers.
The Three Types of Ammo You Should Stockpile
When it comes to stocking up on ammo, you can never have too much. But if you’re going to stockpile, you should focus on three types of ammo: home defense, self-defense, and hunting. Let’s take a closer look at each type.
Handgun Ammo
No matter what kind of handgun you own, you should always have a good supply of ammunition on hand. You never know when you might need it, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. Here are three types of handgun ammo that you should always have in your stockpile:
1. Full metal jacket (FMJ) rounds. These are the most basic type of handgun ammo, and they’re great for target practice or plinking. FMJ rounds are generally less expensive than other types of ammo, so they’re a good choice if you’re on a budget.
2. Hollow point (HP) rounds. These are designed for self-defense and are the type of ammo that most law enforcement officers carry. Hollow point rounds are more expensive than FMJ rounds, but they’re worth the extra cost if you ever need to use your gun for self-defense.
3. Defensive ammunition (DA). DA is a special type of ammo that’s designed to provide maximum stopping power in a self-defense situation. It’s more expensive than both FMJ and HP rounds, but it could literally be a life-saver if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation.
Rifle Ammo
Rifle ammunition is most commonly used in military applications, as well as hunting and DIY gunsmithing. There are three main types of rifle ammo:
-Full metal jacket (FMJ): A cartridge with a bullet that is completely encased in a harder metal. FMJ ammunition is often cheaper than other types and is great for target practice. However, it is not the best choice for self-defense as it can over-penetrate targets and does not expand on impact.
-Hollow point (HP): A cartridge with a bullet that has a cavity in the tip. This cavity allows the bullet to expand on impact, making it more effective for self-defense or hunting. HP ammo can be more expensive than FMJ ammo, but it is worth the price for its increased effectiveness.
-Soft point (SP): A cartridge with a bullet that has a soft lead tip. Like HP ammo, SP ammo expands on impact, making it a good choice for self-defense or hunting. However, SP ammo can sometimes over-penetrate targets, so it is important to choose the right ammunition for your needs.
Shotgun Ammo
Shotgun ammo is great for home defense and can be used in a variety of situations. The most popular shotgun ammo is 12 gauge and 20 gauge. There are also smaller gauges available, but they are not as common. The size of the shotgun shell is important to pay attention to because it will determine how much shot you can fit inside.
The three main types of shotgun ammo are birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. Birdshot is the smallest type of shot and is typically used for hunting birds. Buckshot is slightly larger and is generally used for deer hunting. Slugs are the largest type of shotgun ammunition and are usually used for self-defense or hunting large game animals.
How Much Ammo Should You Stockpile?
It’s not uncommon for people to ask how much ammo they should stockpile. The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors such as the type of gun you own, how often you shoot, and what you plan to use the ammo for. In this article, we’ll go over some things to consider when stockpiling ammo.
Handgun Ammo
Assuming you are talking about just common handgun calibers that are used for self-defense, the following might be a good starting point for those looking to stockpile ammunition. It is important to remember that everyone’s situation is different and you should tailor your stockpile to fit your specific needs.
-9mm: 1,000 rounds
-.357 Magnum: 500 rounds
-.38 Special: 500 rounds
-.44 Magnum: 250 rounds
-.45 ACP: 1,000 rounds
Rifle Ammo
How much ammo should you stockpile? It’s a question that every gun owner asks themselves at some point. The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the type of gun you own, how often you shoot, and what you shoot for.
Rifle Ammo
The most important factor in deciding how much rifle ammo to stockpile is the caliber of your rifle. Most gun owners have at least one .22 caliber rifle, which is a great caliber for plinking and small game hunting. If you only have a .22 caliber rifle, you can get by with stocking around 500 rounds of ammo.
If you have a larger caliber rifle, such as a .308 or .30-06, you’ll want to stock more ammo. These calibers are great for deer hunting and other large game hunting, so you’ll want to have around 1000 rounds on hand. Of course, if you do a lot of deer hunting, you may want to stock even more ammo to ensure that you always have enough on hand.
Shotgun Ammo
Shotguns are mostly used for hunting and home defense. Many people choose to have a shotgun as their main home-defense weapon because of the spread of the shot, which makes it more likely to hit your target. For hunting, you will want to buy the correct ammunition for the game you’re hunted, which we will discuss later.
As for home defense, you will want to buy a shotgun that can chamber both birdshot and buckshot. Birdshot is lighter and won’t penetrate walls as much as buckshot will. Buckshot is heavier and will Penetrate walls more. It is also more likely to kill or seriously injure your target. Buckshot is the better choice for home defense, but you should keep some birdshot on hand in case intruders are wearing body armor.
The most common gauge for shotguns is 12 gauge, but there are also 10 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge, and 28 gauge shotguns available. The larger the number, the smaller the diameter of the shotgun shell. Shotguns can also be single-shot or semi-automatic. Single-shot shotguns have to be manually reloaded after each shot, while semi-automatic shotguns will automatically eject the spent shell and load a new one into the chamber.
As for ammunition, you should buy whichever type of shotgun shells your gun is designed to shoot. The three most common types of shotgun shells are birdshot, buckshot, and slugs:
Birdshot is typically used for hunting birds and small game animals such as squirrels. It comes in sizes from BBs up to BBB (the largest).
Buckshot is typically used for hunting larger game animals such as deer or hogs. It also comes in sizes from 000 (the smallest) up to 4 (the largest).
Slugs are large bullets that are usually used for hunting medium to large game animals or for self-defense if someone is wearing body armor since they can penetrate it better than birdshot or buckshot can.
Conclusion
Based on the information above, it seems that the best course of action would be to stockpile a variety of different types of ammunition. This way, you will be prepared for any situation that might arise.