Is reloading .223 really worth it?

I'm paying:

powder 7.5c each
primer 3.3c each
case 3.3c each ($33 for a bag of 100, 10 firings per case)
bullet 13c each (Speer 52gr HP bought in bulk)

Total - 27.1c per cartridge

At about 50% of the price of Win white box ammo, it's worth it to me.
 
cost per round

Idcurrie said:
powder 12c each
primer 4c each
case 33c each
bullet 30c each

That's 79c each.

Now, I can buy those nice 40 round boxes of winchester 45gr jhps for $20 which makes 50c each. They shoot accurate as heck!

So, no, I would say it's not worth Handloading them. RE-loading them, though, comes out at 46c each which is cheaper than buying. Then you also get your choice of powder and charge for optimum accuracy, and you get to use a nice ballistic tip varmint bullet too! You also get to control your own consistency and QA.

From a strictly financial standpoint it might not be worth it. If loading is your hobby as much as shooting, well, it's every bit worth it.
Click to expand...

Remember the cases can be reused several times so the overall cost would be lower. Cheers
 
Copied this from another thread

Back when I had more time than money I bought my 650.

Now that I have more money than time (ie 2 kids) I have been trying to streamline my reloading process. Alot of this came about during the surplus ammo drought 5-6 yrs ago after buying some horrible Indian 7.62 OFV surplus.

I only do this for bottle neck 5.56 and 7.62.

1) Tumble the brass.
2) Lubricate buy putting them in a pail and spraying then with lube. I have used Hornedy and RCBS with good results.
3) Decap,Size,Trim. I have a dedicated 650 tool head setup for this.
Station 1 is a Dillon Carbide die setup to almost FL size and decap. This is so that the case will not spin during the next step.
Station 2 Empty
Station 3 Dillon 1200 trimmer set up to FL size and trim which is confirmed with a case gauge.
Station 4 Empty
Station 5 My old RCBS sizing die with the body backed out so that only the sizing ball resizes the neck. I have replaced the sizing ball with a Redding carbide so it runs smoother. It also swages the burr on the inside of the neck left behind buy the 1200.

This works like a charm. With the case feeder I bet I do 100 cases in 5 min.

4) Wash. Brass goes into a strainer and washed in the laundry sink. This removes the lube.
5) Dry for couple days over a furnace vent.
6) Reload. I have a second tool head setup like you normally would but with station 1 empty. The 650 runs really smooth with sizing and decapping already done. I can do 100 rnds in 8 min easy.

Every 3rd or so reload I clean the primer pockets between step 5 and 6.

I like the 1200 because you can use it with the case feeder on the 650

I do at least 1K per run.

GC
 
A power trimmer, Giraud or Dillion sure would be nice, I hate the lee trim tools, ok for small lots bout not for bulk. I am currently using a RCBS trim die and a good quality file for case prep, just find it easier..

I reload about 30 different calibers my average cost per round is 44 cents, is it cheaper to buy factory? In 223 yes, but it evens out with the other stuff..
 
Hotwheels81 said:
There are better ways....

you can get a small bench top drill press and chuck the lee cutter with the pin into the chuck and use the steel drill press bed for the stopper thus eliminating the lock stud and time it takes to lock the brass into it... Wear gloves :D
Click to expand...

This is the way i do it, but its also a good idea to use the depth stop
to ensure you dont apply too much preasure to the pin as it contacts
the table.
If not it will eventually dimple the table a few thousands
resulting in short cases.
 
It depends!

2 or 3 years ago it was almost impossible to find bulk ammo, period! When you found some, it was around +-500$ / 1000.

Now, with the end of the war in Iraq, i am under the impression that american ammo makers have time to produce for the civillian market. Supply is present and prices have gone down. But who knows for how long!

Still, if you already have your brass, you still have a better deal with reloads.


memnoch
 
Even if they were no saving, a rifle like my MR-1 really shine with my reloads, it would be a regular 1.5-2 inch group but reloading permit to get this beauty submoa... JP.
 
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