Just thinking about these cycles of ammo shortages that have crept into our existence. My dad taught me as a pup that ammo never goes down so grab some on sale and stock up. Never come into a season surprised. Have what you need for next year, this year, just in case something changes.
I’d never seen anything like it is now, but his wisdom still applies.
So, I’m curious to know what you good people think a guy should have on hand “at all times.” How much ammo do you like to have on hand, minimum, on any given day/year.
I’ll be the first to stick my ridiculous neck out.
After the Sandy Hook shortages, I raised my numbers to this:
Shotgun – 250rds per gauge, per shot size desired.
Rimfire – 1,000rds per chambering.
Centerfire – 200rds per chambering.
Handgun Target – 1,000rds per chambering (per gun if multiples exist).
Handgun Defense – 200rds per chambering (per gun if multiples exist).
If I were a loader, these are still the numbers I’d build and maintain because by these numbers, it’s the equivalent of having 1 box per application, per year, per decade. So far, the droughts have not lasted a full decade and I can get through them without sacrificing either need or extra money from price gouging.
It took me 3-3.5 years to build this up and the maintenance has been easy because I only have to replace what I shoot. As I approach retirement, I will begin letting the stash thin at 70 and stop replacing what I shoot. With any luck, I’ll die before I run out. If bad news comes early, fire sale!
For regular times I’d say enough for a season or two of hunting, and for B it depends on your skills with a samurai sword or crossbow as backup (Walking Dead reference)… 
