Thread: How much Ammo in a Firefight?
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Old 07-10-2010, 12:15   #6
The Reaper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flynlead View Post
How much ammo is typically used in a single firefight? Years ago, it was SOP to carry 210 rounds (5.56). I'm sure that today most SF, contractors and others carry at least this much and probably more. In an actual firefight with small numbers of irregular soldiers (Taliban, drug goons, VC, etc.), how many rounds are used by a single operator before it is over?

In a SHTF situation (think LA riots(s)), if forced to bug out of hostile urban territory on foot for 2 or 3 miles, how many 30 round AR magazines would be needed? I have zero body armor, and zero combat experience. I am fairly well trained with a semiauto AR, but can not shoot and move like the Sundance Kid. Instead of a heavy bug out bag and 10 mags, I think it would be better to carry only water and maybe 4 mags. I think in a prolonged firefight I would be long dead before I got to my 5th mag.

Any thoughts on this?
Inauspicious beginning here, Doc.

Either one more round than it takes to defeat your opponents, or as much as it takes for one side to win or the other to quit and/or die.

Your inability to hump the load that you know you may need is a PT problem, not an ammunition management issue. The need for more ammo may be a marksmanship issue. How many zombies do you expect to engage? How long are you going to be alone without resupply in Indian country?

Read the threads indicated. Use the Search button. Do some mission analysis. If you are going to the store in a nice neighborhood to get a gallon of milk, four is probably plenty. If you are trying to fight your way through a combat zone to get somewhere else, seven is probably not enough.

Mission analyis.

Configure basic load for carry. Might be an ammo can with loaded mags in the car, or a vest for foot movement.

Hump it or PT till you can do so and fight, move, and communicate while carrying it all.

Don't assume away necessities unless you are willing to accept the consequences.

And don't start new threads without reading and searching, much less before posting an intro.

TR
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