Case Lots of 223 AMMO...
- Thread starter jennis
- Start date
Excuse my ignorance, but I am wondering why you folks don't reload for your .223? In theory, you guys should have lots of brass, right? The glory days of "cheap and bulk" ($270 / 1000 - SWEET!!) seem to be closing, and current pricing of factory fresh is close to par with reloads - if not more expensive because reloaders have already paid the GST / PST and HazMat shipping on the components.
I ask because cause I don't know.
Many volume reloaders just can't be bothered with rifle ammo because of the extra steps. A guy who loads many k of pistol ammo can quickly become discouraged with having to lube then reclean his rifle brass. Having to swag out the primer pockets to remove the primer crimp is a pain in the butt. Trimming the cases after the first firing is a pain.
I made a side income for two years processing once fired .223 rem brass and selling SS-109 bullets. Once my supply of Winchester brass evaporated, and the war ate up my supply of new SS-109 bullets, I was out of business.
About 5 years ago or so, I decided to reload 1,000 rds of 5.56mm during the christmas holidays. I spent 6 days cleaning, measuring, trimming , chamfering, priming , loading, seating, crimping them, mag checking each individual round as I was using this ammunition in competition. After I was finished a friend asked why I didn't just buy a 1,000 Norinco at Wholesale Sports in Calgary. I checked the catalog and at that time Norinco was $315.00/1000. I checked my price for reloads and I had spent #383.00/1000.
What is 6 days of your time worth to you??
What is 6 days of your time worth to you??
Ah, seen.
All I know is the varmint thing. All costs aside, you are right about the time thing - it has taken three dedicated days of fussing & fretting to prepare 400 complete rounds. It's something I rather enjoy so I don't consider it an inconvenience. I guess the biggest thing is that 1000 rounds will last me most of the spring. Sounds like some of you guys can go through that in a couple weekends.
Yeah...I would go bulk too!
All I know is the varmint thing. All costs aside, you are right about the time thing - it has taken three dedicated days of fussing & fretting to prepare 400 complete rounds. It's something I rather enjoy so I don't consider it an inconvenience. I guess the biggest thing is that 1000 rounds will last me most of the spring. Sounds like some of you guys can go through that in a couple weekends.
Yeah...I would go bulk too!
