What does it cost you to reload .223?
- Thread starter BioPace
- Start date
Because you can buy cheap 223 by the case in bulk, reloading for plinking ammo doesn't save you the same sort of money that reloading for other calibers can.
Pistols can be cheap to reload because of the tiny amount of powder used, and the ability to use cast lead bullets which cost very little compared to jacketed projectiles.
Rifles can be cheap to reload because you can make high-quality ammo for the same price as buying cheap ammo from the store.
The big advantage to reloading 223 is that you get a much better quality product, compared to the bulk ammo. If you are only shooting at 50 yards or less, this might not really matter though. On the other hand if you shoot at stuff thats more like 100-200+ yards, then higher quality ammo is a good thing to have.
The other thing to consider is reloading rifle ammo with a single stage press is pretty easy to get into, but if you are the kind of person who blows through 500 rounds in a single day, then you'll be wanting something faster and prices go up fast when you wanna get reloading done quickly AND accurately.
Pistols can be cheap to reload because of the tiny amount of powder used, and the ability to use cast lead bullets which cost very little compared to jacketed projectiles.
Rifles can be cheap to reload because you can make high-quality ammo for the same price as buying cheap ammo from the store.
The big advantage to reloading 223 is that you get a much better quality product, compared to the bulk ammo. If you are only shooting at 50 yards or less, this might not really matter though. On the other hand if you shoot at stuff thats more like 100-200+ yards, then higher quality ammo is a good thing to have.
The other thing to consider is reloading rifle ammo with a single stage press is pretty easy to get into, but if you are the kind of person who blows through 500 rounds in a single day, then you'll be wanting something faster and prices go up fast when you wanna get reloading done quickly AND accurately.
I just bought some supplies for 223. Lots of people will chim in that they got there stuff cheaper, but unless you have a time machine or living beside a discount reloading supply store this is what you should expect to pay.
1000 once fired casings 80
4 lbs powder 160
1000 primers 40
1000 bullets 140
so 420 per 1000 You can buy steel cased 223 ammo from tulammo for 378 delivered.
1000 once fired casings 80
4 lbs powder 160
1000 primers 40
1000 bullets 140
so 420 per 1000 You can buy steel cased 223 ammo from tulammo for 378 delivered.
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Well...I get a little over 300 rounds for a pound of powder....that's say $40. $2.50 for 100 Dominion primers...so $7.50 for 300. Bullets, I pay about $20/100...so $60 for 300. That makes $108 for 300 rounds, extrapolating takes me to about $325+- for 1000 rounds. I have lots of brass, so I don't count that as a cost.
Surplus powder WC735 from Higginsons $184/8# or $23/#
23gr each so 304per #
0.076 for powder
0.025 for primer
$115/1000 for Campro 55gr
0.115 for bullet
Brass is free for range pickup
So my reloads are about 22 cents each 30 cents each if you need to buy 1Fxbrass but for plinking, my norinco brass seems to do well
23gr each so 304per #
0.076 for powder
0.025 for primer
$115/1000 for Campro 55gr
0.115 for bullet
Brass is free for range pickup
So my reloads are about 22 cents each 30 cents each if you need to buy 1Fxbrass but for plinking, my norinco brass seems to do well
herpinator45
Regular
- Location
- Southern Ontario - Just off 401
I am no expert marksman, but from what I have seen "cheap" 223 usually sees around 3 - 4 MOA. The bulk stuff that I was making at 900 per hour on my 1050 was getting 1.25 - 1.5 MOA consistently out of a 14" ar-15 off a rest, and 1 MOA out of a heavy barrelled bolt gun.
With a mild load of CFE-223, winchester primers, Hornady 55 gr fmj, and prepped R-P brass. My cost ended up being about 25 cents a round for what I would consider better than what you would buy off of the shelf.
Even if you are not saving money, odds are you are assembling loads that are of significantly higher quality than you would purchase at the same price point.
That again is just my experience.
With a mild load of CFE-223, winchester primers, Hornady 55 gr fmj, and prepped R-P brass. My cost ended up being about 25 cents a round for what I would consider better than what you would buy off of the shelf.
Even if you are not saving money, odds are you are assembling loads that are of significantly higher quality than you would purchase at the same price point.
That again is just my experience.
However depending on the quality of and how you treat the brass once you have it then you can reload it many times so the cost goes down dramatically. Like Suther said if you are a spray and pray type then its probably better to look for the cheap stuff.
using free once fired range brass, CFE 223 @ 25.5gr, hornady 55gr FMJ i'm at $330 per 1k of ammo. i use a brass catcher so i don't have to search for it and don't get necks messed up from hitting the floor. so $0.33 per shot.
i will be getting a mold for 223 for my ar15 i just haven't decided which mold yet. they will be powder coated to avoid messing up the gas system. going with $1 per pound of lead (the most i've ever paid for lead, i usually get it free) plus some powder coating material it drops significantly. $0.17 per round or $170 for 1k.
Both scenario's are with 8lb jugs, free brass and dominion priced primers (i picked up some S&B primers for $30/1k).
i will be getting a mold for 223 for my ar15 i just haven't decided which mold yet. they will be powder coated to avoid messing up the gas system. going with $1 per pound of lead (the most i've ever paid for lead, i usually get it free) plus some powder coating material it drops significantly. $0.17 per round or $170 for 1k.
Both scenario's are with 8lb jugs, free brass and dominion priced primers (i picked up some S&B primers for $30/1k).
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Loading hunting rounds it is about half price as buying factory for me.
IMR 8208 XBR $208/8LB. 24gr per round. $0.09
Hornady 55gr FMJ with cannelure $600.00/6,000 $0.10 per round.
Sellier & Bellot SRP $30.00/1,000 $0.03 per round
Total cost per round $0.22 per round.
This cost can be further reduced by buying WC735 surplus powder that is currently selling for $184.00/8LB.
THis shoots much better than any surplus ammo.
Hornady 55gr FMJ with cannelure $600.00/6,000 $0.10 per round.
Sellier & Bellot SRP $30.00/1,000 $0.03 per round
Total cost per round $0.22 per round.
This cost can be further reduced by buying WC735 surplus powder that is currently selling for $184.00/8LB.
THis shoots much better than any surplus ammo.
Phat Eagle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Fraser Valley, BC
Suther hit the nail on the head... not much cheaper, but much better quality!
Lots of folks are quoting higinsons powder wc 735. at 184 for 8 lbs. Unless you live across the street from the store you are looking at paying about 50 or more to ship it. 30 just in hazmat fee + at least 20 bucks shipping. + taxes.
So if I bought some here in New Brunswick I am going to have to pay about 270 to get 8 lbs to my door. It is relatively cheap but it is not 184. It is 184 + haz mat + shipping (waived if you buy 20 lbs). Folks are saying that their brass is free. Well if you are a newbie and you do not have any then you are probably going to have to pay for it.
I can make very good ammo for the price of cheap bulk 223.
So if I bought some here in New Brunswick I am going to have to pay about 270 to get 8 lbs to my door. It is relatively cheap but it is not 184. It is 184 + haz mat + shipping (waived if you buy 20 lbs). Folks are saying that their brass is free. Well if you are a newbie and you do not have any then you are probably going to have to pay for it.
I can make very good ammo for the price of cheap bulk 223.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Yup. If you're not afraid to get your hands dirty, brass can be had for free. Always a ton of 223, 40SW and 9mm cases on the range floor and in sometimes small heaps. Go early on a Sunday morning and fill yer boots if your range allows you to.
Until all my cheap ammo runs out, I won't bother reloading any 223 plinking rounds. The time it takes to clean, size, trim etc to just break even with my plinking ammo ain't worth it for sub-50yrd shooting. Ever sit down and trim 500 odd cases in one go? That said, reloaded plinking ammo is still a heck better/accurate than surplus.
- 55gr bullet, $150/1000 0.15
- Hodgdon H335 $37/lb 0.11
- Salvaged brass prep $3/2500 0.00
- Primer $225/5000 0.05
Consumable product cost $0.31 ea
Bulk ammunition $530/1000 $0.53
Equipment cost $375
Ammunition reloaded to recover capital investment = $375/($0.53-$0.31)= 1705
Total expenditure to realize return (break even) = (1705)($0.31)+$375= $904
These costs include taxes and shipping.
Equipment cost is based on a Lee Loadmaster and mscl equipment quote with tax and shipping from early 2015.
- Hodgdon H335 $37/lb 0.11
- Salvaged brass prep $3/2500 0.00
- Primer $225/5000 0.05
Consumable product cost $0.31 ea
Bulk ammunition $530/1000 $0.53
Equipment cost $375
Ammunition reloaded to recover capital investment = $375/($0.53-$0.31)= 1705
Total expenditure to realize return (break even) = (1705)($0.31)+$375= $904
These costs include taxes and shipping.
Equipment cost is based on a Lee Loadmaster and mscl equipment quote with tax and shipping from early 2015.
I bought last year when the dollar was favorable.
The old saying buy it cheap and stack it deep comes to mind.
SFRC had Campro 55gr FMJ for $52.98/500
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Buying in volume is key if you have to ship it.
You said it yourself 20lbs and shipping is free.
Get a few people together to make the 20lb minimum.
Add primers to the shipmemt and save some more.
As far as .223 brass goes there are literally thousands of rounds left all over the range floor at most ranges.
Not to mention the cost of the press ... and time/frustration searching all over for deals on components.
There is however another side to loading, that is the pride in building your own and the curiosity of experimenting with new loads and components which can be satisfying.
As others have said ... unless you have a need to work up precision loads it's not worth it from an economic standpoint.
There is however another side to loading, that is the pride in building your own and the curiosity of experimenting with new loads and components which can be satisfying.
As others have said ... unless you have a need to work up precision loads it's not worth it from an economic standpoint.
