Ammo as currency

I have been thinking a lot lately about which shtf scenario is more likely. A lot of people seem to think it may be the collapse of the dollar and I have heard several "experts" lately say you should have some of your investments in something that can be bartered, like gold. I am thinking in a shtf situation very few thing would be worth more than ammunition. I know we are just getting over a run on ammo, but I think most people were buying for themselves. What does everyone think of ammo as an investment?

Glenn

I have been told Gold, ammo and silver. are good bartering items if the dollar ever drops down to no value.

I'd look into silver right now, with the way gold is rising it might be harder to come by( plus silver is around $17 an ounce) so it is a little easier to obtain for most of us. And a lot easier to barter with for smaller things. And with all the silver being used in Manufacturing right now I have heard that the price (value) of silver has the potiental to rise just as gold did.

For those looking to "sell" your gold, I'd advise on not doing so. Keep it if you can and wait. Gold is close to a grand an ounce right now( remember when it was a lot less). It has the potiental to double in value if (when) the dollar plummets.

I just ordered some silver, Hope to have it home sometime this week.

Ammo is a good investment, but i wouldn't go overboard. Buy what you might need and maybe double it for the investment. If not, if the government decides to outlaw ammo for us citizens, then it will come in handy to know you have a supply for sale or barter. Because a gun is just a paperweight if there is no ammo for it.

I'd imagine if the SHTF and it went on for anytime at all a can of spam, bennie wennies or a bottle of water at the right time would be worth more than all the gold, silver and ammo one could hold.

For long term preservation of wealth gold may prove to be a good investment. But in the event of a SHTF situation the gold is not going to be worth much for buying your daily survival needs. You need something that others need at the time, like food, ammunition. Hard to predict.
My opinion only.
oldogy

I remember food now is a good investment. but hard to keep food unless you get a large quantity of military issue MREs or anything that dosen't have an expiration date.

You can always use ammo to hunt for food if SHTF. Or trade the ammo you don't need for food/fuel/ etc...

Still a little bit of precious metals is advisable. Just in case cause nobody knows what will happen tomorrow. I have been told better to cover all your bases. JMHO

Really, in a situation like that, most anything can be currency. As things start to get scarce they will increase in value, all depends who you're talking to and what they need, or want. You might trade $100,000 for a bottle of water, or you might trade a twinky for 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and a rifle to shoot it out of. When you're talking barter it comes down to what someone wants, and what they are willing to give up to get it.

the late great Jeff Cooper called it ballistic wampum.

it is a viable option, but I would be cautious of who I traded it with.

"I'd imagine if the SHTF and it went on for anytime at all a can of spam, bennie wennies or a bottle of water at the right time would be worth more than all the gold, silver and ammo one could hold."

Plus 1 to that.

Also, it might be a good idea to simply have some CURRENCY laid by. Maybe a thousand dollars of greenbacks. Why? Well, one of the first things in a SHTF situation is a run on the banks. And currency will not immediately be without value, in fact, just the opposite.

Diversify, diversify, diversify.

Also, prepare, but don't be anxious. Economic problems have come and gone in America many times in the past. There will always be ups and downs. And whatever happens, remember that your spiritual wealth is more important than gold.

Originally Posted by mousegunner

Also, prepare, but don't be anxious. Economic problems have come and gone in America many times in the past. There will always be ups and downs. And whatever happens, remember that your spiritual wealth is more important than gold.

This.

We're screwed, economically, but natural disaster is a far more likely SHTF scenario for us here in the US than an economic crash that causes the need for 'beans and bullets'...

I have invested in precious metals myself. You know, copper, lead and brass. I have a load of MREs as well. It is off season in the northern hemisphere, but a (victory) garden is the best investment you can make and for this you need NON HYBRID seeds.