thinking about reloading 223 not sure if economical or not :/

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EvaCorp

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hi hi, i am thinking about reloading 223 but after a short research, i am not sure if its any cheaper to do it, if someone experienced could check my math it would be great, thanks

Store bought = 1600 norinco 223 = 450 $ = 0.2815 per round


reloading

not factoring into the cost of the equipment, brass or time spent.

223 projectile = 120 $ /1000 = 0.12 per round
powder = 30$ / pound = 7000 grains = 0.0043/ grain x23 grains per round = 0.0986 per round
primer = 40 $ / 1000 = 0.04 per round

0.12+0.0986+0.04 = 0.2586 per round

difference is 0.0229$ per round or 22.9 $ per 1000 rounds

thanks again
 
To me its are you just looking to shoot for fun beaming off targets with buddies or are you looking to shoot into the same hole everytime. I'd rather save my hours and spend the extra few dollars and go straight to the range. But if you are looking to do percision shooting the extra time spend reloading might help. If you can buy factory ammo that shoots amazing through your gun why not spend the extra couple and save hours? That's how I see it.
 
I've started reloading .223 a few years back when the price per 1000 round case of Winchester went >$300 during the ammo crisis before our present situation.

Your math tells me your paying too much for your components.

I use Hornady 55gr FMJ (bought in 6000 pc. bulk packs)
Win. 748 bought in 8lb jugs.
Primers "where" $24/k for the longest time but are now $30/k
Brass... Cost varies. Sometimes it's free... Other times it costs, but I wouldn't pay mor than ten cents a piece.

Buy in bulk when you can. You're per round cost will be lower and you'll be able to ride out these dry spells by going shooting while everyone else stats home because they can't find any ammo.
 
If you want to handload ammunition comparable to the Norinco product, it may not be worth your while.
If you want precision ammunition, then handloading makes a lot of sense.
 
Fully agree with tiriaq.

Handloading is a hobby therefor factoring in time to your calculations is pretty well moot.

This hobby is for better control of bullet weight, powder charge, and makes precision ammunition. The fact that it does all of this cheaper than factory is a added benefit.
 
loki_81 said:
Fully agree with tiriaq.

Handloading is a hobby therefor factoring in time to your calculations is pretty well moot.

This hobby is for better control of bullet weight, powder charge, and makes precision ammunition. The fact that it does all of this cheaper than factory is a added benefit.
Click to expand...

Not to mention it's addictive, satisfying and allows some "me" time. I don't factor cost in, it's a hobby.
 
EvaCorp said:
hi hi, i am thinking about reloading 223 but after a short research, i am not sure if its any cheaper to do it, if someone experienced could check my math it would be great, thanks

Store bought = 1600 norinco 223 = 450 $ = 0.2815 per round


reloading

not factoring into the cost of the equipment, brass or time spent.

223 projectile = 120 $ /1000 = 0.12 per round
powder = 30$ / pound = 7000 grains = 0.0043/ grain x23 grains per round = 0.0986 per round
primer = 40 $ / 1000 = 0.04 per round

0.12+0.0986+0.04 = 0.2586 per round

difference is 0.0229$ per round or 22.9 $ per 1000 rounds

thanks again
Click to expand...

Now sell your 1000 Norinco brass for 23 bux. You haven't saved a dime.

Awfully hard (impossible) to go toe to toe with mass producers of relatively (cheap to begin with) ammo by buying components in small quantities and squeezing them together yourself. I advocate reloading. There are great reasons for doing it though for 9mm, .223, 45ACP, cost saving just isn't one of them. Don't forget that beyond the cost of a press (kit) there will be tools, bullet pullers, calipers, a bench, storage / trays, a timmer, (Primer pocket reamer/swager for 5.56 x 45) etc. etc.. A $400 kit can grow into a $1000 investment faster than most of us will readily admit. You have asked the right question. Scrutinize the answers you get very thoroughly.
 
EvaCorp said:
hi hi, i am thinking about reloading 223 but after a short research, i am not sure if its any cheaper to do it, if someone experienced could check my math it would be great, thanks

Store bought = 1600 norinco 223 = 450 $ = 0.2815 per round


reloading

not factoring into the cost of the equipment, brass or time spent.

223 projectile = 120 $ /1000 = 0.12 per round
powder = 30$ / pound = 7000 grains = 0.0043/ grain x23 grains per round = 0.0986 per round
primer = 40 $ / 1000 = 0.04 per round

0.12+0.0986+0.04 = 0.2586 per round

difference is 0.0229$ per round or 22.9 $ per 1000 rounds

thanks again
Click to expand...

After reading that twice I'd have to say no, it's not worth reloading. But you never did mention what kind of shooting you'll be doing. I was at the range yesterday and there was over 100 pieces of 223 brass in the brass can and at the 100 yard line there was a target on the backer with about the same amount of holes in it in one big group that was bigger than a basketball. If this is how you want to shoot, I'd just buy the cheapest 223 rounds you can and blast away.
 
The norinco bulk ammo was shooting a 8" group for me out of a rifle that would shoot a 3/4" group with federal bulk ammo at the same distance. I bought the bulk stuff for the reloadable cases, and for my cousins to shoot. They can't hit the side of a barn from the inside....
 
tiriaq said:
If you want to handload ammunition comparable to the Norinco product, it may not be worth your while.
If you want precision ammunition, then handloading makes a lot of sense.
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree. If you want ammo that is 'custom' for your chamber, ammo that has specific bullets at a speed you want, and ammo tweeked for best accuracy: reload.
 
As I'm often explaining to a buddy of mine, reloading is more about precision than cost. My .223 reloads group well under an inch at 100m with bulk Federal running about three inches. Now, for tin cans at the range, the bulk stuff would be fine while still hitting all around a gopher at 200m.
 
I reload it for my AR15, it's a bit cheaper and I enjoy reloading, my "bulk" plinking ammo is about $0.25 a round as you've already figured out
those $0.25/round reloads are the most accurate load I've shot in my AR15
 
I would agree with tiriaq. If you're making a product comparable to the Norinco offering, it's not worth the effort and equipment investment.

If you're building a loading with a high-quality projectile, that's another matter entirely. Price good hunting or match-grade .223 Rem ammunition, it's a whole different unit cost tier.
 
If you are shooting a bolt gun, and intend to hunt with that rifle, reloading is recommended. Most of the bulk stuff is FMJ and not suitable for hunting. If you are shooting a semi-auto, onto paper, any of the bulk stuff will do. I've used every combination of the bulk stuff out of a few HB bolt rifles, that ammo does not group.....it patterns lol.
 
ehntr said:
If you are shooting a bolt gun, and intend to hunt with that rifle, reloading is recommended. Most of the bulk stuff is FMJ and not suitable for hunting. If you are shooting a semi-auto, onto paper, any of the bulk stuff will do. I've used every combination of the bulk stuff out of a few HB bolt rifles, that ammo does not group.....it patterns lol.
Click to expand...

agreed if you intend to shoot for group, gathering cheap components and expecting a MOA load is just not going to happen, my bolt action loads are $0.10-$0.15 more then the bulk ammo I crank out for my AR15, in the end I guess it really depends what you are trying to achieve
 
I'm just starting out as well. I'm not sure what my cost are yet and I'm using someone else's tools.... Which is probably the best thing you can do since your starting out... Find a mentor! They will become a good friend and offer you experience that youtube can't give. Go meet at the range , talk and have fun. Supply your own components (brass, primers, powder, projectiles) and do as your told. Ask lots of questions.

I've met two mentors off here and that's what I've done. I have been invited to both their houses, met their loving families and got more from them than I planned. I can only hope that I can return the favor to them and to someone else one day.

Good luck and be safe!
 
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