Do you keep an ammo inventory?

[Martinjmpr]

As an adjunct to the "ammo price" threads that seem to pop up here from time to time, I'm curious; How many of you keep an inventory of your ammo?

I don't, at least as of now. Maybe 10 years ago I spent an afternoon making a list of all the ammo I had, but it was on paper and of course I didn't update it when I went shooting or bought ammo so even if I still had it (which I'm sure I don't) it would be meaningless.

But all the talk about ammo supply issues has made me think that maybe some weekend I'll sit down and do another inventory, only this time put it on a spreadsheet I can update. Just from a seat-of-the-pants guess, I'd imagine I probably have more ammo than I can shoot in the next 2 years even if I went shooting once a month (which I don't.)

Not only would having an inventory at my fingertips keep me from feeling the need to "panic buy" but it would also help me identify what calibers I have that I no longer need (like .40 S&W - I sold my last .40 in 2015 or so) and which ones I need to concentrate on "plussing up."

So who keeps an inventory of their ammo?

[Martinjmpr]

Bonus question: does anyone feel like sharing their spreadsheet form to show us what you keep track of (like do you just track caliber or do you also track bullet type and weight, brand, when purchased, etc?)

EDIT: In case it's not clear, I'm not asking anyone to share their actual spread sheet that's filled out, just the forms that show what categories you're using to track ammo.

[ChadAmberg]

Shot Works tracks ammo...

But anyway, that's a good point. With everything going on I haven't updated things in quite a while. I should go count things now so I can figure out what I'm shortest on.

[gnihcraes]

Shoot 200, make 500. Stay ahead.

Keeping track seemed to be a burden to me. Pain in the butt.

Limited retail ammo or components, I just don't go shooting much. Hoard what I already have.



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[CS1983]

I have in the past, and probably should again so I can track what I paid per round, etc.

The other day I was shifting how it's stored and found some stuff I totally forgot about.

----

On an ancillary note, I have a plan to track anything in boxes with a spreadsheet so I am not wasting space with boxes that are only half filled. I plan to label the boxes (1, 2, 3, etc.). Ideally, I will put as much like items together (camping, hunting, etc.). I will make a spreadsheet that tracks each item, which box it's in, its category, quantity, and possibly price.

Will take a bit, but will make storing non-daily use items much more efficient and will help with any potential insurance claims.

[Irving]

When I first started reloading I would keep track of what I made and how many cases I had, but it was more about feeling good about myself like getting likes on Instagram than anything else. When prices go up, and I don't have any ammo, I either make my own, or do something that isn't shooting.

[Doc45]

Not really. I have a number that I don't drop below depending on caliber. If I shoot any up on a range session I replace it, typically no more than 100 rounds at a time. I know where the ammo is, know how much I have so I don't keep any kind of tally.

[ray1970]

No official tracking but I always have a pretty general idea of about how much I have. I store most of my stuff in lots of 500 so if I really needed an exact count I could get one pretty quick.

Also, I only hoard and shoot a few calibers in quantity so that helps as well. I know I have some small quantities of calibers that I don?t shoot anymore but that?s just my emergency currency for the apocalypse.

[.455_Hunter]

The inventory would take a long time.

[izzy]

I counted at one point a few years ago just because I was curious. I pretty much keep a gut feeling about how long what I have will last and how the quantity. I was very lucky and just before the pandemic I decided to re-supply with what I estimated to be a 5+ year supply. I don't buy factory ammo for the last year or two either, only keep loading supplies on hand. Even though I have plenty if I find a good "normal" price on reloading components I buy them, It's pure shortage induced purchase.

[BushMasterBoy]

I have about a 100 pounds. + or - 20 lbs.

[Sawin]

Not a chance I’d waste my time on that. I know “close enough” for how many rounds I have on hand as well as how many more I can load up with the components on my shelf. That’s good enough for my needs and consumption rate.

[Grant H.]

Short answer is no, I don't have an accurate inventory.

I pay attention at the 1k level, meaning if I finish off a box of 1k primers, ammo, whatever, I usually try to replace it. During panic buying times like this, I don't bother unless it is a big box store that has had marginal increases in pricing. I refuse to buy at panic prices, and having been through this a few times, I just sit on a lot of inventory.

Trying to keep an accurate count on ammo/components would be a waste of time given my loading habits since upgrading from 650's to 1050's.

[TEAMRICO]

I have a certain number of rounds of each caliber that I keep on hand. Anything after that is gravy.
That number would be..,,..,nobody’s business

[Great-Kazoo]

Use to. The serious inventory i did was before moving. So i knew what i could sell off, yet still have "enough" on hand.

I know what i have factory ammo wise, as well as reloaded. I'm only shooting reloads, as i see no reason to break open a case of SA battle packs, or some "rarer" items from com-bloc countries. However, outside of some people willing to pay a premium for such ammo. It will all do the same damage as the newer stuff will.


On a side note. I realized ammo was too condensed in an area or two. Taking a new inventory, we decided that X per caliber should be dispersed throughout areas where both guns were stored. As well as immediate access to IF an emergency were to come up.

I'm not running to X storage area for X ammo & mags. When i could have X of loaded mags within reach Throw in, IF a fire, tornado, or other disaster were to hit. Having X in 1 area could mean said ammo was wiped out.

[Irving]

If I knew exactly how much ammo I had, I'd have no problem telling people. I don't think I've ever even possessed the minimum round count per caliber people on here talk about all the time. Especially not before I started reloading.

[sroz]

Maintain a minimum number of rounds for each caliber I own. Same minimum for all calibers except one. Keep index cards inside each ammo can. Only capture # of fmj and # JHP. Only buy on sale during non-panic times. Have significantly more than minimum for a couple more common calibers and a lot more for .22lr. Have managed to ride out every panic up to now.

[def90]

I look at what I have and calculate in my head if I need to add to it. Maintaining a minimum for each caliber is a waste of time to me, for instance I have rifles tbat take 30-06, 762 nato, 762x39, 5.56, 5.45, and .22. I keep my 762 nato and 5.45 stack deep, the others I'm more casual with. I think I have 8k rounds of 5.45 and 5k rounds of 762 nato right now but maybe 250 5.56 and 1k of 762x39 and 500ish 30-06, no .22.. I'm not running out the door with 5 different rifles if shtf, I'm grabbing either my FAL or my AK74 and whatever I can carry mag wise.

[Little Dutch]

No, nothing formal like that.
I know what I need, and what I’m running low on and will need though. Exact counts of what I have are a mystery, but I have “enough” of most cartridges to last a good while.

[Martinjmpr]

Well, I have time to kill and it's going to be a crappy cold weekend anyway so I'm going to inventory mine, just for fun (I know probably not most people's idea of fun but I'm kind of a data geek.)

One thing I definitely think an inventory will help with is finding a specific caliber. I keep most of my ammo in .50 USGI ammo cans. The problem is, I have several and Murphy's Law says that whenever I want a specific caliber like .30-06, I have to open several cans to find the rounds I want. So part of my inventory process will be assigning a number to each box and then including in the spreadsheet the location, so if I want a specific round, I'll know which box to go to.

[CS1983]

Well, I have time to kill and it's going to be a crappy cold weekend anyway so I'm going to inventory mine, just for fun (I know probably not most people's idea of fun but I'm kind of a data geek.)

One thing I definitely think an inventory will help with is finding a specific caliber. I keep most of my ammo in .50 USGI ammo cans. The problem is, I have several and Murphy's Law says that whenever I want a specific caliber like .30-06, I have to open several cans to find the rounds I want. So part of my inventory process will be assigning a number to each box and then including in the spreadsheet the location, so if I want a specific round, I'll know which box to go to.

Ooh! Ooh! Do pivot tables!

[BushMasterBoy]

I have two marbles left for my slingshot.

[3beansalad]

No formal inventory, but like rounds often get unboxed and placed in ammo cans with labels. Caliber and qty on the lid. Used to stencil cans but have slacked off for now.

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[Mercula]

I do. I have been keeping a close tab on my components a lot more lately though also.
Its nice to have so I can see where I need to accumulate and where I dont.

[def90]

Well, I have time to kill and it's going to be a crappy cold weekend anyway so I'm going to inventory mine, just for fun (I know probably not most people's idea of fun but I'm kind of a data geek.)

One thing I definitely think an inventory will help with is finding a specific caliber. I keep most of my ammo in .50 USGI ammo cans. The problem is, I have several and Murphy's Law says that whenever I want a specific caliber like .30-06, I have to open several cans to find the rounds I want. So part of my inventory process will be assigning a number to each box and then including in the spreadsheet the location, so if I want a specific round, I'll know which box to go to.


You could always just write the caliber on the outside of the can with a grease pencil.

[Erni]

I tried, I really tried.

Ammo goes into an ammo box. Label printer prints caliber and gets stuck to can, each can gets a somewhat arbitrary number. Try to keep calibers separated but there is a few mixed boxes.
I tried to write down caliber, make and quantity in a log book. But quickly lost track of withdrawals, additions and transfers.
For opsec I decided to keep it non electronic. (You. Stop rolling your eyes, yeah you.). But it probably needs to be in a spreadsheet.
I couldn?t figure out a good book keeping system. Add the quick range trips and it?s a mess.

[Erni]

I have about a 100 pounds. + or - 20 lbs.

Only? [emoji23]

[tactical_2012]

I just put a piece of Duct tape on the outside each Ammo can and write whats inside

[Jer]

*Notes everyone's responses and launches dark web deep dive for... educational purposes*

[Mtneer]

I use a program called AmmoBaseX on my Mac. It syncs to an app called AmmoBase on my iPhone. Very easy and convenient to use. You can enter how many rounds went through a particular gun at the range and it will adjust the inventory and also track round counts on each gun. Also lets me know how much I paid in the good old days...doubt I'll ever see $0.25/rd for 855 again.

[copfish]

I just put a piece of Duct tape on the outside each Ammo can and write whats inside
I use painters tape, leaves no residue. Caliber, make/weight, count. One thing I learned, a 20mm can of .22LR is too heavy for one guy to easily move around.

[BladesNBarrels]

One magazine, 15 rounds, easy to track.
Followin' the intent of all the state's legislators.

[Coffee]

[wctriumph]

Nope, but I kind of know what is where. .22 on the left, then pistol, then AR, then large rifle, then the grab and go if we need to get out quickly and then all of the excess in big 50 cans (really heavy!). Could not give an accurate count but I know when I get low.

[earplug]

no

[Great-Kazoo]

I use painters tape, leaves no residue. Caliber, make/weight, count. One thing I learned, a 20mm can of .22LR is too heavy for one guy to easily move around.

Likewise for painters tape As for the 22 i solved thay problem, by keeping it in multiple 50 cal cans. Hypothetically

[bczandm]

I use 50 cal cans, attach info with a flat magnet (biz card magnet) to the can and keep it all in an excel file that gets updated with any changes. My excel file has cost per round so I can see the amount spent.

[ChadAmberg]

I have about a 100 pounds. + or - 20 lbs.

Hah! When I wrote Shot Works years ago, that was one of the requests. "Don't make me f'n count bullets, I want to put '250lbs' for quantity!"

[SAnd]

I use 50 cal cans, attach info with a flat magnet (biz card magnet) to the can and keep it all in an excel file that gets updated with any changes. My excel file has cost per round so I can see the amount spent.

Those flat magnets aren't anywhere near strong enough. They have to be much, much stronger to get the magnetic field induced increase in velocity.

Oh and about an inventory. I'll just keep buying until the foundation cracks. I don't need an accounting until after that.
[ROFL1]

[Glock Shooter]

This is a great topic as I've always been asking myself "how much ammo is too much?" I wish we still had access to the group buys from 10+ years ago. I know the last one went way south but shit happens. I've spent some money on some dumb things over the years and took heat from my wife, but anytime I buy ammo she never blinks an eye. We see it as a commodity that can save your life. I keep a running total on my phone of all the calibers I shoot and mark each ammo box with caliber, brand, quantity, and price I paid. Then they go into storage. When I go to the range I try to shoot older ammo first. In regards to how many rounds I have, probably less than some and more than others.

[ray1970]

I've spent some money on some dumb things over the years and took head from my wife

Not sure how someone?s sexual escapades factor into ammunition inventory but okay.

[Glock Shooter]

Not sure how someone?s sexual escapades factor into ammunition inventory but okay.

typo....edited [ROFL1]

[Martinjmpr]

This is a great topic as I've always been asking myself "how much ammo is too much?"

One reason for an inventory, IMO, is that it will help me "cross level" some of my ammo. For example, I'm sure I have way more 7.62x39 than I need (especially with only one gun in that caliber.) So it might make sense for me to sell off some of my excess 7.62x39 to someone who could use it and to use that $$ to boost up my supplies of ammo in calibers where I'm short.

EDITED TO ADD: Ideally, of course, I'd find somebody who has what I need and needs what I have and we can work some kind of trade.

[VolksDragon]

I keep a white board in the gun room with an accurate count of all my ammo, rounded down to the nearest 50. I don't track exact manufacturer or bullet weight, but I do differentiate between caliber and types. (FMJ, JHP, Frangible, Buck, Slugs, etc)

For my reloads, I store & track exact cartridge loads, and only mix the same loads in ammo cans.

I do this for a few reasons, but most are insurance related. My gun insurance covers my ammo hoard, and although they don't want a list before insuring me, they are definitely going to want a list if I make a claim. I take photos occasionally and keep a serial number spreadsheet for guns and optics, but most of my ammo can't be inspected in the cans, so I keep an accurate count.

Edit: I also do this with stripped and built AR lowers, LPKs, BCGs and various rifle and pistol magazines, just so I know exactly what is on hand since I can't see all of it at a glance.

I CAN see all my powder, primers and projectiles at a glance in the reloading cabinet, and I write the approx. projectile count on the outside of the boxes if they're not sealed.

[VolksDragon]

I wish we still had access to the group buys from 10+ years ago. I know the last one went way south but shit happens.

The last one DID go way south, I had over $12k in flux for many, many months until the ammo finally showed up. I'm sure the parties involved couldn't predict the supply chain disruption, and they made good at the end there...eventually.

I just wish I had bought another 20 cases of 9mm when it was $155 shipped.

[OctopusHighball]

Ooh! Ooh! Do pivot tables!

Google docs with pivot tables is what I do. It's pretty straight forward and free, other than the cost of having google all up in your bidness.

Sample column headings. I color code rows just for my own benefit, like if I have traded, sold or shot stuff:

84148

And the choices I make for my pivot table:

84149

[VolksDragon]

Google docs with pivot tables is what I do. It's pretty straight forward and free, other than the cost of having google all up in your bidness.

Sample column headings. I color code rows just for my own benefit, like if I have traded, sold or shot stuff:

I thought I was doing a good job at inventory with my legacy whiteboard and ham-fisted dry-erase marker. I stand corrected, this is awesome!

[DenverGP]

not as fancy as some, but lets me know how much I've got, and if I should jump on the ammo deals that pop up (back in the pre-covid panic days)

https://i.imgur.com/uPRSTfQ.jpg

Got another sheet that serves as a reloading log, and inventory of my reloads.
https://i.imgur.com/LlBvpWp.jpg

[eddiememphis]

I tried a few months ago to update my Goog sheet but since I moved, I keep finding stray rounds everywhere. I toss them into a drawer and will count them... probably never.

And now I need to figure out what a pivot table is. I thought is was like the one in the back of my sweet van.

84153

[Martinjmpr]

not as fancy as some, but lets me know how much I've got, and if I should jump on the ammo deals that pop up (back in the pre-covid panic days)

https://i.imgur.com/uPRSTfQ.jpg

That's pretty much what I did although yours looks a little more detailed than mine.

Took most of the day today but it's done. I do need to buy a couple more ammo cans though. One of mine is an old side-hinged M2 .50 can from early WWII. I like the design but they're not as easy to find as the modern detachable lid .50 cans. Will probably hit the surplus store tomorrow to get some more.

[hatidua]

Ammo, no. Fly rods & reels, yes.