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Ammo Storage | episode 286
When it comes to prepping, ammo is often at the top of the list for those concerned about self-defense or hunting in an emergency. While having a well-stocked ammo supply is important, it’s essential to take a balanced approach and ensure that your preparedness plan covers all areas—not just ammunition.
Don’t Overlook Other Preps
It’s easy to focus heavily on ammo and firearms, but true preparedness is about meeting all your survival needs. Food, water, shelter, medical supplies, and communication tools should take equal priority. A mountain of ammo won’t help if you don’t have clean water to drink or enough food to keep your energy up. Evaluate your overall readiness and ensure you’re covering all the basics, along with personal and family needs.
How Much Ammo is Enough?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how much ammo you should have. It depends on your specific goals—whether it’s self-defense, hunting, or barter—and your storage capacity. A good starting point is ensuring you have enough for immediate self-defense needs (think magazines and ready-to-go boxes) and a supply for sustained use. Diversify calibers if you own multiple firearms to avoid bottlenecks in your preparation.
Storing Loaded Magazines
Many people debate whether magazines should be stored loaded or empty. Modern magazines are designed to handle being loaded for extended periods without compromising functionality. Having preloaded magazines ensures you’re ready to respond quickly in a high-stress situation. However, regularly rotate your magazines and inspect them for wear to prevent failures.
Ammo is an important part of prepping, but it shouldn’t dominate your planning. A well-rounded approach to readiness will leave you better equipped for any scenario, giving you the confidence to handle whatever comes your way.