7.62 x 39 Surplus vs Reloaded 223 Costs

Sniffer

Sniffer

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To cut a long story I`m thinking of changing my 7.62 x 39 AR to a 223 XCR-L and wondered how the cost of ammo for each would stack up

I have started to buy the gear to reload and will be doing 6.5 Creed and 9mm for sure so adding the gear for 223 shouldn't be much extra outlay, my question is how does reloaded 223 compare cost wise to surplus 7.62 x 39?
 
.223 55gn campro is about 60$/500 = $0.12/round
20gn of D4198 from canada ammo/round = ~350/lb * 5lb jug = 125$ = 1750 rounds = $0.075/round
primers @ $0.05 ea
assuming you already have, or can pickup your own brass = free
Total works out to $0.245 per round plus tax and shipping.
 
Sniffer said:
To cut a long story I`m thinking of changing my 7.62 x 39 AR to a 223 XCR-L and wondered how the cost of ammo for each would stack up

I have started to buy the gear to reload and will be doing 6.5 Creed and 9mm for sure so adding the gear for 223 shouldn't be much extra outlay, my question is how does reloaded 223 compare cost wise to surplus 7.62 x 39?
Click to expand...

Using this simple calculator -- http://www.handloads.com/calc/loadingCosts.asp -- I calculated for the following:

* 23 gr charge of Varget
* 55 gr Hornady #2266 soft point with cannelure
* CCI 400 small rifle primers

I used Cabela's prices for the powder and primers and X-Reload's price for the bullets. I assumed zero cost for brass.

Came to $0.423 per round, tax in.

A quick google shows Chinese surplus 7.62 × 39 going for about $0.245 per round, tax in.

You'll probably do better on the 223 costs with some careful shopping. But the above is a quick guideline to get you started.
 
Mine are about 35 cents a round by buying stuff from P&D. 762 will be cheaper but 223 gives you tons of option for reloading and you can make your round more accurate than 762. However 223 is a pain to reload with a single stage press and most of the commercial brass use a crimp on the primer so it's an extra step to do.
 
I am curious about peoples cost of 223 reloads. My plan is campro projectiles, dominion primers, mixed headstamp processed brass and whatever the cheapest ball powder i can get good results with.

If you are going to reload single stage, it may get pretty old fast. I put together 300 rounds total of a mix of 308, 223, and 243 and it is a real time investment. This is done over a couple evenings. Couldn't imagine doing 5-600 for a semi that i will blast through in a day or 2.

To the OP, If you ever want to come by and play with a square deal and 550b my offer always stands.
 
laker415 said:
I am curious about peoples cost of 223 reloads. My plan is campro projectiles, dominion primers, mixed headstamp processed brass and whatever the cheapest ball powder i can get good results with.

If you are going to reload single stage, it may get pretty old fast. I put together 300 rounds total of a mix of 308, 223, and 243 and it is a real time investment. This is done over a couple evenings. Couldn't imagine doing 5-600 for a semi that i will blast through in a day or 2.

To the OP, If you ever want to come by and play with a square deal and 550b my offer always stands.
Click to expand...

Thanks Laker, my schedule with work has been kinda crazy which meant I`m sometimes only home for 2 days at a time

I`ve just sprung for a Dillon 650 so I will keep you in mind if I need someones brains to pick while I get it all figured out
 
wifigary said:
.223 55gn campro is about 60$/500 = $0.12/round
20gn of D4198 from canada ammo/round = ~350/lb * 5lb jug = 125$ = 1750 rounds = $0.075/round
primers @ $0.05 ea
assuming you already have, or can pickup your own brass = free
Total works out to $0.245 per round plus tax and shipping.
Click to expand...

I was hoping D4198 would reliably cycle my Tavor, but I couldn't get it to run reliably. I ended up having to transition to CFE223.
 
Sniffer said:
Thanks Laker, my schedule with work has been kinda crazy which meant I`m sometimes only home for 2 days at a time

I`ve just sprung for a Dillon 650 so I will keep you in mind if I need someones brains to pick while I get it all figured out
Click to expand...

I know how it goes, work is crazy for me too.

Nice choice on the 650. Casefeeder too?
 
Dad003 said:
Just get a 7.62x39 xcr-l. Shoot twice and the xcr is easy to clean
Click to expand...


I like the XCR-L, sounds like it would still be cheaper to run in 7.62x39 than 223

Handled an X95 yesterday (couldn't believe how compact it was - something I like in a gun) and a HK SL8 (supposed to be stupid accurate for a semi auto) so I`m gonna mull it over for a bit
 
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