why "stock up/hoard ammo" ?

[CombatSoldier00]

Just wondering why people buy 1,000's of rounds or 5,000-10,000 + rounds of ammo for each gun they own?  If you are an active shooter I understand. If you are preparing for some up rising and have a 2nd safe house I understand for that can be a good place to stay save and be ok.  Many people keep hundreds of thousands of rounds in their own homes. I wonder why? If SHTF you won't be able to stay at home, the government will be looking for us (you) since they know you have guns, ammo etc. And what if you are in a position to fire upon police or government agencies? You differently won't be able to stay in your own home. I find if SHTF you will need to be on the move and or living in a different safe house constantly on the move so you're not found.  My main question is why have a HUGE stock pile of ammo? Wouldn't it be smarter to have a basic  combat load? ( one or two pistols main rifle and enough ammo to fight and then move easier back to the save house?)  . Even though the load payout will be different for what each person can carry and what firearm they carry if you are on the move or going into hiding? I find that most of the ammo will have to be left behind in the event  if it's in your house or basement. 

hopefully this made sense and I can get a better understanding on why people file their closets with ammo. I  am not a "prepper and I don't have a stock pile". but I have enough ammo to move out with and to defend myself on the move.

thanks guys.

[TF135Sierra2Xray]

I think my dog has buried thousands of rounds, and a firearm or two.  The little bastard.

[rockhouse66]

If they come to my house, I plan to go down with the ship.  But not without a fight.

[bigmatt17073]

I have it stockpiled so I can keep shooting on a regular basis when certain calibers are tough to find. The commonly mentioned number of 1000 rounds stashed per caliber makes sense to me. I have that much or more stashed away in my most used calibers. Guns that I don't shoot as often or have more expensive ammo or uncommon and tough to find ammo I may only have a 100-200 rounds. 

I have a limited budget so I can't spend huge amounts of money on ammo or guns. So, I try to buy a box or two when I can or save up and try to buy in bulk when it is a better deal.

[Radom]

The major reason would be future prices and availability.  It's primarily a form of speculation for most people. 

.41 Action Express may be a decent example.  You can still get the pistols and conversion barrels in used or LNIB condition all day long, really cheap, precisely because the ammunition and brass cases are so hard to come by. 

[jameslovesjammie]

The major reason would be future prices and availability.  It's primarily a form of speculation for most people. 

This is exactly why I keep a collection of components!  Every paycheck, I buy something; a few pounds of powder, a few boxes of primers, a few bricks of .22 shells...SOMETHING!

In the past 10 years, the price of a pound of powder has gone from ~$16 to $25.  A box of 1,000 Federal primers has gone from $16.99 to $35.  550 .22 shells have gone from $9.99 to $???

To me, components are much more versatile as they can be used in multiple calibers and configurations.  In a pinch, you could use a small rifle primer in any handgun cartridge uses a small pistol primer.  This means you could use the same primer in a from .25 ACP to .45 ACP, and of course .223 rifle rounds.  Many pistol powders are also very versatile.  You can use Unique in anything handgun or low noise rifle rounds.

I also cast all my own bullets and have bullet moulds and reloading die sets for every cartridge I shoot.  I also know how to make black powder.  Self sufficiency and less dependence on others is a good thing.