Many posters in this thread are completely correct. TEOTWAWKI will consume a significant amount of ammunition. You are going to need a lot. Get it now because there isn't going to be a blue light special after the lights go out. I whole-heartedly agree that ammo is going to be very important.
I would like to point out that I am an advocate of the ammo fort. I have a nice one. What I do not advocate is for anyone person to buy buy buy ammo but not have other preps on-hand. The rule of threes is a guide that helps prioritize well-balanced preparations, instead of spending disposable income on guns/ammo and then saying to yourself, "Someday. I hope I can afford a wheat grinder." Use the rule of threes to avoid falling into the trap of all ammo/no food or all food/no ammo.
Let's apply the rule backwards -- I do not buy more food until I have ammo for three seconds/minutes/weeks/months/etc. If I don't have ammo to last three months, I have no use for a three month food supply because I can't protect it.
Balance. Rule of threes helps achieve this.
Let's apply the rule backwards -- I do not buy more food until I have ammo for three seconds/minutes/weeks/months/etc. If I don't have ammo to last three months, I have no use for a three month food supply because I can't protect it.
...raw materials to make ammunition. Don't stock cartridges, stock thousands of bullets, casings, powder, and reloading equipment to allow yourself to survive an indefinite period. .
The concept of balance is a good one. However I have to take exception with the above quoted comments about relying on reloading.
When is having components better than loaded ammo? NEVER! They are a means to an end, not the end itself. Powder and primers are more susceptible when not assembled. If you choose to reload because its cheaper or you like your pet load, then buy the components and load it all up, while you have time/things are peaceful/the lights are on. When TSHTF is not to time to begin reloading.
As others have said, reloaded ammo is best left for use as practice ammo, the need for which the OP did not mention. One must train to maintain competence...without skills you may not survive to need more than one magazine in a "hostile encounter". So plan to invest the necessary time/money/ammo in professional gunfighting training.
To quote Jeff Cooper, “Owning a handgun doesn’t make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician.” Same applies to your ammo stash, no more how large or small.