At 5200 rounds I feel like a piker in this group.
HAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!

I have a few stored, and as a good deal comes along, I grab a little.
I will share my thoughts on this, and the subsequent side-track that is directly tied to the concerns about ammunition availability.
#1. Be practical on ammo stored. Don't bulk up on junk or questionable ammo. "I have 10,000 rounds of Romanian surplus bla bla bla for the zombies......"

And is there a known failure rate on that ammo, or a date of manufacture? Is there a lot of steel in your stored ammo, is it waiting to rust and rot on you? (One plumbing leak next to your storage or a roof leak WILL make you consider this one seriously. My water heater took out 11 guns and 9K of assorted ammo.


)
#2. You are getting good ammo, bit by bit, but WHAT to get?? Here, again- be practical. A lot of 7-1/2 shot for a 12 or 20 ga. is VERY VALUABLE STUFF. Birds, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits all taste good, and fall to the stuff readily. Food will be more important than defense in case of natural disaster, civil unrest. In most instances, the average hungry scavenging human will retreat quickly and permanently when peppered with 7-1/2 shot if you are out looking for food and pushed. If they do not retreat, then drop a goose load on them. That will surely fix their errant attitude. Store a few boxes of Goose loads. T shot. Why screw around with duck loads? You want to whack a turkey, a goose, a duck, a big raccoon, marauding coyote at night, etc?? T shot WORKS. It also ENDS FIGHTS in close quarters. Having 40 pellets halfway between a .22 and a regular BB run through you at 10 feet is simply NEVER a good thing for you. .22LR is just plain 'ole important stuff to have! It is versatile, works on a wide variety of stuff, and is fairly quiet. Ammo will be a commodity. Interested governments, the new enforcement in town might not like you having 10,000 5.56 in the bedroom. But they tend to allow hunting food gathering ammo; ie shotgun ammo, and .22LR. (I am NOT saying capitulate and turn French. I am saying that when it comes down to your family and Police state gunners, you will need to negotiate WISELY, and QUICKLY. Be real here, we are not Delta Force. And, even if we were, we would know better than taking on 5 to 1 odds when faced with this scenario.) Ammo is a great trade commodity. Many people will have a shotgun, few will have enough ammo to gather food with. Trading some ammo or gathered animal food for water, clothing, shelter is the new currency when things go upside down.
#3. Pick and choose carefully the guns you buy, keep, and shoot. An oddball caliber is going to be a paperweight rather quickly when 'Buck's Shooting Supplies' is closed for the next 3 years. Why have a .258 Roberts, or a 270 WSSM when the venerable .243, 270, 30-06 ammo will be somewhat available? I understand you reload. I understand you have 200 pc of brass for the Spinster.363, or whatever that weirdo rifle you have is. Can you trade that ammo with anyone on your block? If your personal ammo gets wet and will not fire, can you work out a deal to get a couple precious rounds to kill a deer or elk to feed your family thru the winter? REALLY???!!
A Combat based rifle is just as critical. While I really like the 6.8SPC, and feel it will be the survivor of the new and ever evolving military ammunition....... can you get your hands on 1,000 pc of brass for it easily and cheaply? Let's surmise that you run across some unfriendly people. They all have extra holes in them, and they are laying down on the job permanently.

Are they more likely to have .308, 9mm luger, 5.56, 12 ga. on them... or will they have 28ga shotgun ammo, 22-250, .338 RUM, .223 Wylde???? Well, these people are the new Wal Mart, and you are the new shopper. Time to stock up.
Now, you can understand my position. You will find yourself in a position to trade food, goods and services with anyone who you meet up with. Let's say the US Marines finally roll into your neighborhood after a 6 month siege of some unGodly kind. They are hungry, and fatigued. You have some fish and dried meats to share. But you need a few rounds to keep some security for the family and to hunt with. Yep; there is your answer. The Marines will part with a few rounds for a hot meal and some Tinactin or Ben Gay, toothpaste and a brush, soap, etc. So what ammo do you think they will be carrying with them?? (Conversely; imagine after a hellish fight outside of town, some Marines come in looking for shelter and a place to regroup. Imagine that the men and women who are fighting for you are suddenly there at your door, and as soon as they leave your home, they are headed back out to fight. What do you think they would feel like if you handed them 2 unopened boxes of XM855 on strippers, and a fist full of magazines to re-supply them in their effort?
Hint: They will not have much use for 300 Weatherby magnum......... but they will be very grateful to be resupplied with the 5.56 they need so desperately.)
My FINAL answer: 12 ga., 20ga. Shotgun. 9mm Luger, .45 ACP Pistol. .308, 30-06 Rifle. .22LR small rifle/ pistol. 5.56 Combat. First choice in each category as shown.
I chose .308 reluctantly over 30-06 because it is a NATO round. I own the 30-06, but not a .308. My choice is strictly based on availability from military sourcing. Buy to what is practical for personal use. Then, buy to what is practical for trade and sustenance of some extended family or neighbors you will likely wind up in leadership of.
Sorry for the rant and sidetrack. Let's hope my theory never has to be put to the test, and ammo hoarding remains a beer drinker's second hobby!!!
