I just did a search for this subject. Didn't find any discussion of the subject in the manner I am thinking.
How much ammunition does one really need? Or perhaps one should determine how many primers and how much powder does one really need?
Now, before anyone responds with "Ten thousand rounds", consider these thoughts:
1. How many arms does one shoot? How much does one shoot?
2. What sort of ammunition is to be 'stockpiled'?
3. (Possibly the least considered) Where does one have to store it all?
I have a 'pile' of firearms. Pardon me for being vague, but I am a little bashful about such things. Most of my arms are collector type devices. I add I collect WWI battle rifles and .32 ACP/7.65mm Browning pistols designed prior to WWII. Most of those are not shot much. They are all safe to shoot and can be shot (okay, there is a 1886 Lebel about which I'm a a bit leery). But other than for initial testing and sighting in, they don't get shot at all.
I do collect period correct ammunition for display. Cartridges of the era, unfired and such. I don't shoot it. One example of this is about 10 or 15 rounds of .32 ACP ammunition made by Eley and possessing cupro-nickel jackets. Not the sort of thing one shoots casually. Not the sort of ammunition I would shoot at all.
But I have a number of rounds from PPU (last couple of years) I use for comparing velocities and accuracy of various pistols. Seems to be the same "standard" load used forever. I buy it (or I did in the old days) in 1000 round lumps all from the same lot number.
Same idea for the rifles. Some ammo for test firing and comparison, some collector stuff for display.
I have several home and personal defense firearms; both rifle (actually carbine) and handguns. I have two types of ammunition for these. "Duty" ammo that I actually load and carry for the purpose of defense and practice ammo of lesser cost. Some ammo is my own handloads.
The practice ammo shoots the same weight bullet at about the same velocity (within limits of variation) and impacts in the same location at the same distance.
I don't use the duty ammunition much. Most of it needed to be replaced is due to exposure and or loading and reloading the arm over time. From a rather delightful event, I have enough proper defense ammunition for my primary arm to last the rest of my life. (400 rounds or so.)
I do shoot more of the practice stuff for practice and informal competition. However, since the requirement is quite close to 'standard' loadings I have little problem reloading it. For instance, my defense .45 ACP loads shoot the same as G. I. hardball. Not hard to duplicate.
I have a couple hunting rifles. A couple of them are of the large, dangerous game type and they are not plinkers. Forty rounds (each caliber) will no doubt be more than enough.
Same for North American game, mostly deer, the possibility of an elk or moose. After the initial function check and sight in, one desires a certain amount of ammunition for practice and sight verification. So I opine I need around twenty rounds for the initial shooting and perhaps twenty rounds a year for practice and verification.
The reader's needs and thinking may be considerably different than mine. What is your thinking?
