The US has about 120 firearms per 100 citizens. That means that the nation’s in luck if there’s a major disaster and they need to defend themselves. Of course, if you don’t have enough ammo to last you more than a few days, your chances of survival are pretty low.
Luckily for you, it’s easy to make sure you have sufficient bullets to last through the most horrible of situations. However, mistakes in stockpiling ammo are easy to make. Here are a few tips to help your stockpile last as long as possible so you’ll be ready to defend your home when the time comes.
1. Buying the Wrong Types of Ammo
All guns have different calibers and require different rounds. For example, NATO firearms require 5.56mm NATO ammo. A .22LR bullet wouldn’t be effective in this type of firearm.
The same goes for handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Make sure you know what gun a round is designed for before buying it.
2. Wrong Temperature for Ammo Storage
It’s important to keep your ammunition in a place that’s neither too hot nor too cold. If you live in a tropical climate, keep your ammo in an air-conditioned room or shed where it’ll be protected from extreme heat. Similarly, if you live in cold weather, store your ammo somewhere dry and safe from moisture or rain damage.
3. Not Being Able to Reach Your Stockpile
If you store your ammunition in a hard-to-reach place, it won’t be of much use to you if an emergency arises. Make sure that you can see and reach all your ammunition with ease so that it’s accessible when a disaster happens.
Most importantly, store your bullets away from children and other family members.
4. Poor Organization
You should also set up a system to rotate your stockpile so that you’re always using the oldest ammunition first. This will help prevent any of your ammunition from becoming unusable due to age.
When you buy new bullets, place them at the back of your stockpile.
It also makes sense to organize your bullets by caliber.
5. Keeping Expired Ammo
Old bullets may not be potent enough to fire from a gun. Remove any expired ammunition from your stockpile and replace it with new cartridges.
The shelf life of most ammunition varies from ten to twenty years. Some types of bullets can last longer than others. For example, a .22LR will degrade slower than shotgun shells.
If you’re unsure about the expiration date on your stockpile items, check with your local gun shop.
Steer Clear of Mistakes in Stockpiling Ammo
We hope this article has helped you avoid these common mistakes in stockpiling ammo. Stay abreast of your ammo expiration date and stock up on the right cartridges for your firearms. These are the keys to being prepared for whatever life throws at you.
For more tips that could come in handy during an emergency, explore our life hacks section.
