ok, the issue is that RTB is required to initialize ammo for the first time.
//this forms the basis of tier+tactical's new ammo mod. just sayin'.
RTB_registerPref("Drop Pistol Ammo","Tier+Tactical Drops","$Pref::Server::TT1Drop","int 0 1","Script_GamePreferences",1,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Drop Rifle Ammo","Tier+Tactical Drops","$Pref::Server::TT2Drop","int 0 1","Script_GamePreferences",1,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Drop Shotgun Ammo","Tier+Tactical Drops","$Pref::Server::TT3Drop","int 0 1","Script_GamePreferences",1,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Drop Sniper Ammo","Tier+Tactical Drops","$Pref::Server::TT4Drop","int 0 1","Script_GamePreferences",1,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Drop Magnum Ammo","Tier+Tactical Drops","$Pref::Server::TT5Drop","int 0 1","Script_GamePreferences",1,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Drop Grenade Ammo","Tier+Tactical Drops","$Pref::Server::TT6Drop","int 0 1","Script_GamePreferences",1,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Drop Rocket Ammo","Tier+Tactical Drops","$Pref::Server::TT7Drop","int 0 1","Script_GamePreferences",1,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Drop Big Rifle Ammo","Tier+Tactical Drops","$Pref::Server::TT8Drop","int 0 1","Script_GamePreferences",1,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Drop Bolt Ammo","Tier+Tactical Drops","$Pref::Server::TT9Drop","int 0 1","Script_GamePreferences",1,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Starting Pistol Ammo","Tier+Tactical Ammo","$Pref::Server::TT1Ammo","int 0 280","Script_GamePreferences",35*4,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Starting Rifle Ammo","Tier+Tactical Ammo","$Pref::Server::TT2Ammo","int 0 180","Script_GamePreferences",15*6,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Starting Shotgun Ammo","Tier+Tactical Ammo","$Pref::Server::TT3Ammo","int 0 48","Script_GamePreferences",6*4,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Starting Sniper Ammo","Tier+Tactical Ammo","$Pref::Server::TT4Ammo","int 0 32","Script_GamePreferences",4*4,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Starting Magnum Ammo","Tier+Tactical Ammo","$Pref::Server::TT5Ammo","int 0 36","Script_GamePreferences",6*3,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Starting Grenade Ammo","Tier+Tactical Ammo","$Pref::Server::TT6Ammo","int 0 12","Script_GamePreferences",1*3,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Starting Rocket Ammo","Tier+Tactical Ammo","$Pref::Server::TT7Ammo","int 0 12","Script_GamePreferences",1*2,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Starting Big Rifle Ammo","Tier+Tactical Ammo","$Pref::Server::TT8Ammo","int 0 144","Script_GamePreferences",24*3,0,1);
RTB_registerPref("Starting Bolt Ammo","Tier+Tactical Ammo","$Pref::Server::TT9Ammo","int 0 24","Script_GamePreferences",1*12,0,1);
WELL THEN THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING.