10,000-round limit: how do you allocate pistol vs rifle ammo?

[Adam_MA]

I don't know what all you gun nuts are so scared for to think you need to own all of this ammunition. I keep 1 round for my one gun that I own, and I keep it in my pocket at all times for safe keeping.

To answer the OP, I think that it all depends on what you are storing it for, and how often and how much you shoot rifle as opposed to pistol.

 

[vellnueve]

This is bad news for apartment dwellers.

Before one buys ammunition you have to survey all the other units to see what your cap will be.

Because fire chiefs worry about fire, units above and below are just like multiple stashes in a single dwelling home.

Each apartment is a separate address 90% of the time.

Yep. No issue.

I do not believe this is correct. The ammo limit laws are driven by the fire codes. Reloader's need to worry about primer and powder limits and complete cartridges. Unloaded brass and bullets don't count.

MGLs classify bullets and empty cases as ammo, but the CMR setting limits on the amount you may store does not.

 

[namedpipes]

. . . the limit for storage of center-fire ammo without a permit is 10,000 rounds. I had mistakenly thought it was 10,000 rounds each of pistol and rifle centerfire ammo . . . So if you want a good ammo stash, but you don't want so much that you need a storage permit, how would you allocate your 10,000 centerfire rounds between pistol and rifle cartridges?

IIRC it is 10k rimfire and 10k centerfire, 20k total. wrt centerfire you're asking how others would divide the centerfire between handguns and rifles.

. . . If its for the end of the world I would say 8000 rounds of rifle and 2000 rounds of pistol being that your rife would be your main weapon for survival. You don't want to come withing a 100yrds of a zombie.

If it's for every day shooting at the range, I would say an even split if you shoot a good mix and it is not a car shoot or pumpkin shoot week.

For me I would max out based on what I own and shoot. If its a safe queen, I might have 100 rounds for it just to have on hand. If all I do with the rifle is hunt then maybe 500 rounds and all the rest pistol . . .

If your intent is to stay legal and have a good balance:

I'd suggest getting 10k rounds of .22lr, because it is universal currency like gold or porn. (I forget who originally said that)

Apart from that, imo, 80% of your inventory should be in the one or two calibers (whether handgun or rifle) you shoot the most of and the remaining 20% distributed over the other calibers, with at least 100 rounds or so each for the safe queens.

OTOH, TEOTWAWKI is a private matter not subject to permits. Keep 100,000 rounds per gun in your north woods stash!

I don't know what all you gun nuts are so scared for to think you need to own all of this ammunition. I keep 1 round for my one gun that I own, and I keep it in my pocket at all times for safe keeping.

To answer the OP, I think that it all depends on what you are storing it for, and how often and how much you shoot rifle as opposed to pistol.

OK Barney!

 

[Bob P]

OK Barney!

Don't be dissin' the Fife!

 

[namedpipes]

Don't be dissin' the Fife!

I meant it in the nicest way

 

[TomH]

Who really cares seriously unless you're a sheep or a criminal.

 

[ateamrob]

Who really cares seriously unless you're a sheep or a criminal.

+ 1

 

[jcr]

Each apartment is a separate address 90% of the time.

So if I put a sign on my bulkhead "23 Rear" it has a separate address and if I keep some down there and some upstairs, my limits are doubled.

 

[bfm]

Depending on how many rifles and handguns; the minimums I've most often seen recommended are;
1,000 rounds per rifle
500 rounds per handgun.

This sounds close to where I am at. At least percent wise.

 

[RG617]

So if I put a sign on my bulkhead "23 Rear" it has a separate address and if I keep some down there and some upstairs, my limits are doubled.

I'm talking about places like apartment buildings, where each is a separate residence.

You can try that approach if you like, but don't be too surprised that if found out by your friendly neighborhood LEO's they reply to your explanation with a hearty .

 

[sig2009]

1000 primers at one time. Geez I think I have 25,000 in the basemant! Funny regs. Here in NJ the limit on powder is 32 lbs. No reg on primers or loaded ammo. I thought this state was bad!

 

[csharpdev]

(1) Exemption: License, Registration, or Permit: In accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 148 § 13, the Board hereby prescribes the following quantities of explosive materials that shall be exempt from License, Registration, and Permit and may be kept, or stored in a building or other structure:


IANAL but I would interpret the limits to be what you can store in a building or other structure. The CMR makes no reference of a residence, or a location, or an address.

Why can't you store 10,000 rounds per building or other structure on your property? I know laws are not written so the common man can read and understand them so perhaps I'm not reading between the right (or left) lines?

 

[MarkM]

Another reason to thank God I don't live in MA.

I would be breaking that law just with the .223 and .308 I have within 10 feet of me at the moment.

 

[TonyDedo]

I don't see what all the fuss is about - just get a permit. THEN is you want to talk about how to split up 100k rounds between calibers, we'll talk.

Personally, I have no problem having a permit on file with the local FD. I think it makes sense. If I'm a firefighter going into a burning house, I'd want to know if there's 100k round of ammo, 30lbs of gunpowder and 50k primers floating around in the basement.

Besides, you don't want to give the CLEO ANY excise to revoke your license, even something as silly as having 1,001 primers in the house without a permit.

 

[maee]

Depending on how many rifles and handguns; the minimums I've most often seen recommended are;
1,000 rounds per rifle
500 rounds per handgun.

Um, if its the end of the world, how are you going to carry, transport and store 10,000 rounds of ammo?! I would think you would only want a few hundreds rounds total. As for hunting, your going to have to learn how to trap anyway.

 

[IPSC_DRL]

Ammo? What ammo?

 

[drgrant]

Um, if its the end of the world, how are you going to carry, transport and store 10,000 rounds of ammo?! I would think you would only want a few hundreds rounds total. As for hunting, your going to have to learn how to trap anyway.

I think the idea is that more is better. Depending on circumstances you might not have to carry that ammo, it could also be sold off if needed, etc.

There are also other unforeseen circumstances which can limit ammo which have nothing to do with a full out SHTF situation. Just ask anyone not so long ago that was trying to find 7.62 x 39. The market was nearly completely dried up, and the only stuff one could find at gun stores limited in selection and super high in price. Having extra around helps insulate you from that sort of thing.

-Mike

 

[Chris]

Of course, the limits are "kept, or stored in a building or other structure"

"Officer, that isn't a structure, that is a shipping container."

 

[M1911]

I just went ahead and got the powder permit.

 

[M1911]

Personally, I have no problem having a permit on file with the local FD.

Since we have FIDs and/or LTCs, we're already "on the list." I don't particularly worry about being on yet another list. They already know where I live and that I have a bunch of guns.

 

[cockpitbob]

Um, if its the end of the world, how are you going to carry, transport and store 10,000 rounds of ammo?! I would think you would only want a few hundreds rounds total. As for hunting, your going to have to learn how to trap anyway.

In a nasty SHTF situation, paper & coin money will have little value. Food, gas and ammo will be new currency.

I have 2 young boys, so 2K would be rimfire, 4K rifle, 4K pistol and max 12ga.

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

Maybe this is the wrong thread for this ( sorry ) but, How long does ammo "store" for? do you rotate your " inventory" ?

 

[Len-2A Training]

Maybe this is the wrong thread for this ( sorry ) but, How long does ammo "store" for? do you rotate your " inventory" ?

There is no easy way to answer this question.

I shoot some C&R ammo that is 50 yrs old, all of it goes "bang"!

I reloaded some ammo 30 yrs ago, I guarantee you that all of it will still go "bang".

HOW you store it has a lot to do with the answer to this question.

- If stored in cardboard boxes out in your shed for 5 years, I'd say it was "iffy".

- If stored in sealed ammo cans for 50 yrs in a reasonably controlled environment (basement, closet of a home, etc.), it'll go "bang".

Bottom line is avoid hot, humid conditions, keep it in a reasonably controlled environment and you should be fine.

Rotating stock is a good idea.

 

[calsdad]

Maybe this is the wrong thread for this ( sorry ) but, How long does ammo "store" for? do you rotate your " inventory" ?

Just to supplement what LenS said. Ammo will store for a LONG time if it is properly kept. Keeping it in an ammo can or other sealed container that keeps moisture out is the first most important thing to do. Secondly keep it in a cool dry environment and avoid large temperature swings.

I have heard of ammo being kept for MANY decades when it was stored properly.

I keep all my ammo in military ammo cans with the rubber seals. When I pack the cans I throw in a few dessicant bags to suck up any moisture that might be present. I keep them all in my basement which is a close as I can get to a cool dry place with no temp swings.

You can buy dessicant bags online or you can make your own - there is a lot of information on this if you do a google search.

 

[WILDCATT]

storage

try MGL c 148 (sec 13 ?)

 

[Tim111]

I just went ahead and got the powder permit.

Me too. My local Chief looked at it as a friendly heads up to the FD and not an application process.

 

[GSG]

There is no easy way to answer this question.

I shoot some C&R ammo that is 50 yrs old, all of it goes "bang"!

I reloaded some ammo 30 yrs ago, I guarantee you that all of it will still go "bang".

HOW you store it has a lot to do with the answer to this question.

- If stored in cardboard boxes out in your shed for 5 years, I'd say it was "iffy".

- If stored in sealed ammo cans for 50 yrs in a reasonably controlled environment (basement, closet of a home, etc.), it'll go "bang".

Bottom line is avoid hot, humid conditions, keep it in a reasonably controlled environment and you should be fine.

Rotating stock is a good idea.

I went to a gunshop I frequent and they gave me a speed strip with six .38 rounds in it (frequent flyer miles I guess). This was really old ammo, they were wadcutters (?) loaded backwards, so it almost looked like hollowpoint ammo, but the projectile was leevel with the shell. It had obviously been carried for years, all the brass was discolored, the ammo had dust all in the cup of the improvised hollowpoint.

I took it to the range and shot it, no issues at all.

 

[upcountry]

permit

To get back to the storage/permit question, when I got my permit the chief checked out where I was storing it and we talked guns and reloading. It's not an intimidating process.
It's also a courtesy to the firefighters should you ever have a fire, so they are alerted.
Also, think homeowners insurance--they'd just love to find a technicality to not pay.