Realoding .223 for use in an AR

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p4ara0h

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Hi there guys, after some searching on the site for an answer to no avail, i have decided to ask the experts directly.

I am looking to re-load for my AR, is this worth doing? all the threads i have found are for reloading .223 in bolt guns... please let me know if this is worth it.

ALSO, will reloading be a cost saver for me (i shoot 1000's of rounds in my XCR and expect the same for my AR) NOTE: i already plan to buy a progressive press for reloading 45ACP so i would only need to buy a new kit.

thanks in advance
 
With the current cost of cheap 223 surplus ammo, it ain't worth your while to reload 223 for plinking with your AR. It works out to around 30 cents per round for Norc ammo and around 32 cents to reload my own, not including the amount of time and work involved ie. resizing, trimming, tumbling etc. Well, you can do the math to see if your time is worth the extra 2 cents more to reload your own.

That being said, once the surplus ammo starts drying up and the cost begins to increase, as it already has, it would make sense to reload. :)

You won't save money reloading 223. Larger calibers like 308 etc, sure. Reloading does not save you any money. You just end up shooting more for the same amount of money. lol
 
Just keep in mind the Norinco stuff is running out most everywhere and no more is coming for the foreseeable future (shipping company issues).
 
Trinimon said:
With the current cost of cheap 223 surplus ammo, it ain't worth your while to reload 223 for plinking with your AR. It works out to around 30 cents per round for Norc ammo and around 32 cents to reload my own, not including the amount of time and work involved ie. resizing, trimming, tumbling etc. Well, you can do the math to see if your time is worth the extra 2 cents more to reload your own.

That being said, once the surplus ammo starts drying up and the cost begins to increase, as it already has, it would make sense to reload. :)

You won't save money reloading 223. Larger calibers like 308 etc, sure. Reloading does not save you any money. You just end up shooting more for the same amount of money. lol
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Yeah, no, Norinco is done.

From now on you'll be looking about 35-37cents out the barrel for the next cheapest thing.

It's still so close it's up to you what you have more of, Time, or Money.
 
Those who say the cost differential makes reloading .223 not worth it.... Are paying too much for their supplies.
 
I agree with 667, assuming brass is free, you can get 1000 projectiles for 120$ 1000 primers for 40$ (and that's on the high side for primers) and all the powder you need for 50-60$

my math works out to around 200$ for 1000 rounds, the norinco stuff is cheap that's true, but not that cheap

even if you add a small $ value to the lube used when resizing cases and wear and tear on your tools your still well under what the cheapest 1000 round case costs
 
I'm reloading for 223 for my CQ-A, and though I haven't run the numbers, on the surface it's not terribly expensive, though I'm sure (at the moment) it costs more then bulk ammo. HOWEVER I wanted to start reloading for 223 now in case there does prove to be a crippling shortage... this way I have the practice and am not scrambling if/when that time comes. Otherwise... I really enjoy the (excuse the made up word) 'anality' of sorting, prepping and loading brass whatever the calibre (3 of us split the range brass after shooting at Borden). The first couple hundred 223 rounds I'm loading I'm prepping and caring for them like they were match loads, as I'm curious to see what kind of effect it will have out of the CQ-A just for ####s and giggles.
 
Not everyone pours craptastic ammo like Norinco though their ARs...
So, depending on what it is you want to accomplish and quality of ammunition you want to produce you can save half the cost or better compared to factory ammo with a bit of effort and the appropriate components combined with the right loading tools - even (and especially) with .223.
 
Not worth the time it takes to load bulk ammo. Only doing more accurate rounds. When the NorCal ammo dries up I am stocked on bulk projectiles.
 
floriosean1 said:
I agree with 667, assuming brass is free, you can get 1000 projectiles for 120$ 1000 primers for 40$ (and that's on the high side for primers) and all the powder you need for 50-60$

my math works out to around 200$ for 1000 rounds, the norinco stuff is cheap that's true, but not that cheap

even if you add a small $ value to the lube used when resizing cases and wear and tear on your tools your still well under what the cheapest 1000 round case costs
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You're math is off, because you'll need 4lbs of powder (or so) to do 1000 rounds (7000gr per pound @ 25gr per round rounded up/down = 280 rounds of .223 loaded per pound of powder, then x 3 or 4 pounds to equal 1000 rounds).

My calculation was around $300 for 1000 rounds using Hornady projectiles and an average powder (W748 or 8208 XBR) to feed my AR.

That is Norc price without the Norc garbage.
 
Yes reloaded ammo is higher quality than Norc, etc., but have you tried to find powder and primers in bulk lately? If you can find it, they are expensive.
 
saskcop said:
Yes reloaded ammo is higher quality than Norc, etc., but have you tried to find powder and primers in bulk lately? If you can find it, they are expensive.
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Absolutely. Now factor in shipping costs if you cannot find local.

I am in the same boat, as I have lots of Norc brass (cheap catcher on XCR is great).
 
saskcop said:
Yes reloaded ammo is higher quality than Norc, etc., but have you tried to find powder and primers in bulk lately? If you can find it, they are expensive.
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Another advantage of hand loading:
Most reloaders buy in bulk and stock up when product is available and cost effective - can be applied to ammunition as well as components, but I find it not only easier to purchase and store components, but It gives me options when times are lean or stuff is expensive and hard to come by.

I'm currently loading with components bought years ago.
 
I reload for mine just because I really enjoy it as a pass time and sometimes I just need an excuse. I will shoot AE if I can find it in the 100 box and will save the brass for when its scarce.
 
saskcop said:
Yes reloaded ammo is higher quality than Norc, etc., but have you tried to find powder and primers in bulk lately? If you can find it, they are expensive.
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Again... For some yes.
For the guys who know where to buy.... Not so much.
 
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