The ideal number of cartridges to carry while hunting

[K-man]

3+1 in the rifle, a belt slide that holds 7 and a couple solids in my pocket away from the rest. A full (ish) box in the truck. Or if I'm going for a stroll it's probably in my day pack. I've never even used a whole box.

An entire 4 animal safari including practice shots. I generally take 40 to 60 rounds on the plane but never on person in the field.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

I see what you did there

Gumpy

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I take 60 rounds of rifle ammunition total.
30 soft points for my 7x57mm Mauser
30 rounds (20 soft points & 10 solids) for my .375 Holland & Holland Magnum (unless if I’m hunting elephant, in which case this ratio gets switched).

And 60 rounds of 12 gauge shotgun shells (50 birdshot & 10 buckshot).

During a dangerous game hunt, I carry a full magazine (four rounds) in my Remington Model 700. Plus an extra 12 rounds on my person. When hunting in elephant country, five solids are added to this.

 

[Houston Bill]

For DG hunt I generally bring 20 rounds, if hunting elephant almost all solids if hunting buffalo all softs. In the field I have 2 in the double and 6 to 10 in my ammo belt.

For PG hunt generally bring 40 rounds. In the field 3 or 4 in the rifle and several in my ammo belt. Also generally have a full or partial box in the truck.

 

[BJH65]

I take 60 rounds of rifle ammunition total.
30 soft points for my 7x57mm Mauser
30 rounds (20 soft points & 10 solids) for my .375 Holland & Holland Magnum (unless if I’m hunting elephant, in which case this ratio gets switched).

And 60 rounds of 12 gauge shotgun shells (50 birdshot & 10 buckshot).

During a dangerous game hunt, I carry a full magazine (four rounds) in my Remington Model 700. Plus an extra 12 rounds on my person. When hunting in elephant country, five solids are added to this.
View attachment 725230

Ah,I am vindicated, we carry a similar number of rounds when elephant hunting too! I was beginning to feel like this character :

 

[matt85]

How much ammunition i take overseas depends on what im hunting and how many critters. Maybe 20-40 cartridges per gun.

What i carry on my person while hunting varies. But rarely more than 10 cartridges. No need to carry extra weight.

 

[HWL]

Curious, what DG rifle holds 7?

My CZ 550 in .375 Holland & Holland holds 6+1!


HWL

 

[Ridge Runner]

Good gawd, I'm going hunting, not to war. I carry a full rifle and maybe a bit more than that in my pocket or daypack. My Springfield holds six 30-06. A dozen rounds is more than enough for a day hunting. Really, if I can't kill an animal with five rounds, I need to give up and go home! Last year I shot at a buck four times before finally dropping him. Shooting through the grass was just stupid. I think that's the most shots I've put downrange at an animal in my life. Dumb and it won't happen again. Anyway, anyone who thinks he needs to carry twenty rounds into the field hunting must not have much confidence in himself. I prefer to not be around guys like that. Spray and pray doesn't cut it with me. Or sniping at animals in the next zipcode.

Yeah, that's was my thought once upon a time.

Then I went after my first, and only so far, black wildebeest. First 5 shots were Barnes TSX or TTSX. My only 2 remaining bullets were Hornady SSTs, accidentally in my shirt pocket. First shot the black wildebeest should have hit the ground DRT. Instead it turned and came towards us, my PH and I, the next 4 shots: 2 should have been DRT, 1 unknown, maybe a good kill shot, 1 most likely a miss; ricochet of a boulder, last Barnes was a spinal shot. Luckily I didn't need to use the SSTs.

Another scenario is during a cull hunt this year. Things happened fast with no chance of getting additional ammo from bakki. I used 5 of 8 rounds on 5 PG animals. Not good! 30-06 vs cape buffalo that was also in the area. Being the only one with a weapon I would have preferred a full magazine of 5 plus one in the chamber. And preferably with ammo other than SSTs.

I now carry 2 loaded 5 round mags, 1 in my rifle and one in a handy pocket plus 20 extra rounds in a leather ammo belt pouch for my 30-06. No matter where, how close to or far from a vehicle or home.

In my DG rifles I carry a full, non detachable, mag and 16 (375H&H) or 20 (458WM) rounds in an ammo belt pouch. 1/2 & 1/2 solids and softs. TIA!! Always be prepared for the best hunting, but just in case plan for the worst case scenario.

 

[Warbeast]

Non DG: 3 to 5 total
Boar over Dogs: 5 to 8

No experience in Africa, but doubt it would be more than 10.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Most common PG rifle: 5 in the magazine, 8 on a buttstock carrier. DG 6 in the magazine, 10 in a cartridge carrier on my belt.

 

[GOLK09]

Non-Dangerous Game ~40 Rounds

Dangerous Game 7 (rifle) + 6 (mag/stripper) + 15 (belt) = 28 Rounds

 

[gcbailey]

True, but there’s a difference between hunting with enough firepower, carrying for self-defense, and just hitting the range. Each calls for something different.

Yes, the amount of ammunition I carry will vary, but I always will have much more than I need, regardless of the activity.

 

[Muskox]

In Africa I haul an entire box in a lightweight backpack that holds my camera.

In North America and Europe I carry the same.

On Driven hunts in Europe I carry two boxes to the stand. Never know.

 

[Green Chile]

There are some interesting answers here. I have hunted PG many times with a single shot loaded and a belt slide of 5 and that's it. My binos tucked under my arm and let's go. I never felt unprepared and as it turns out, I never was. A tracker, PH and client can cover a lot of ground still hunting when prepared to move quickly and lightly. Have you ever noticed how long it takes some to get out of the truck when the kudu pops up and the tracker is jumping out of the back and the PH is standing there ready to go? Lots of wasted time.

I think a lot of hunters take too much "stuff" with them...backpacks that catch on all of the bushes and snap overhead branches that can be seen for long distances...full belts of GPS, water, knife and multi-tool, multiple ammo slides or culling belts of ammo...lots of squeaks and rattles coming off the gear. it's just a lot to manage and very difficult to walk quietly and be prepared to shoot quickly. I would say these are more practical problems to consider than running out of ammo.

 

[TOBY458]

Four in my rifle. Ten on my belt. Never needed more.

 

[Rimbaud]

I was taught that the only time you can have too much ammunition is when you are on fire, or drowning. When hunting, I keep a fully loaded mag, of course, and a pouch on my belt with at least seven rounds. In my pocket, I have a little piece of leather and elastic that holds five rounds. If I am off grid, and by that I mean unable to easily to return to camp, or in a situation that could dramatically turn sideways, I toss a pouch with 14 rounds in my pack.

 

[JD Noblin]

For DG, I go ultralight on everything except for ammo and water. I used to only carry a small amount of ammo (<10 rounds). However, after two buffalo hunts went south on me and I was left with only 2 rounds and 5+ miles back to the truck in DG territory I swore to myself I would never be caught short on ammo and water again. I now carry 2 in the double, 10 in the front slide and 20 in a specially made rear ammo box on my utility belt.

 

[bigborelover]

From what i have deduced from this thread 25 rounds in enough for DG hunting.

 

[bigborelover]

I don't hunt elephant. For buffalo I carry fully loaded 404 Jeffery (4+1) with five on the ammo slide and maybe a couple in my pocket. PH is usually loaded up with more ammo. If I waste all my ammo (which has never happened ever for any animal), my PH can finish the job with his gun ... after he pulls his boot out of my arse. If I was a dangerous game PH, I'm not sure I'd be entirely comfortable guiding some dude who steps off the truck wearing twenty rounds. "Is that what it takes for this guy to drop an animal? Hmmm."

Well there have been multiple examples of buffalo being shot in the vitals , but still taking 10+ rnds to drop. So i am going to stick to 25 rnds.

 

[steve white]

One more than you think you could possibly need, lol
NOT TOO FEW LIKE IN ALL THE MARK SULLIVAN VIDEOS WHERE THE HUNTER IS OUT OF BULLETS AND MARK HAS TO FINISH OFF THE BUFFALO!