Reloading .223 vs .308?

[IM_Lugger]

From reloading standpoint which caliber should I go with in a bolt action rifle?

1) I assume .223 will be cheaper to reload? but by how much?
2) Are reloading components more common/easier to get for one caliber?

Also is there such thing as a light .308 load? anything else I should consider?

btw the gun will be for range use only for now, maybe some zombie hunting later... I'm leaning towards .308 but haven't made up my mind...

 

[Scott_N]

It will be a little less to reload 223 as you will be using less powder / round and the bullets are a little less expensive. I don't think you would notice much of a difference unless you were loading a lot of rounds though. Components will be easy to get for either.

If you plan on using the rifle primarily for the range, I think the 223 would be the better choice because of the lower (almost non-existent) recoil. That’s just my opinion though.

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

Definitely the .223 for lots of shooting. The difference for "fun" range shooting will be very noticable between the 2 calibers ( recoil and shoulder ache). If you intend it to be a gun for hunting big game....the .308 is the way to go.

I shoot a .223 savage and go thru 200-300 carts every range day. I reload and savings on the smaller ammo is quite a bit. Buying large quantities of bullets when they are a good deal can be economical too. 4000-5000 at a time may seem a lot but if you enjoy the shooting, they "disappear" quickly.

which ever you decide on purchasing, Have fun and be safe.....

 

[fuzzzbert]

From reloading standpoint which caliber should I go with in a bolt action rifle?

1) I assume .223 will be cheaper to reload? but by how much?
2) Are reloading components more common/easier to get for one caliber?

Also is there such thing as a light .308 load? anything else I should consider?

btw the gun will be for range use only for now, maybe some zombie hunting later... I'm leaning towards .308 but haven't made up my mind...

.223 is IMHO the way to go for range duty .As for reloading not sure it saves me any cash , I just seem to try more loads and shoot more .

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

How true fuzzzbert...shoot more? ...yes we seem to...but the numbers I created are....Store bought...quantity...250...about $250. 4x a month is $1000. reload....Casings...$0....range pickup or first time buy...$68. powder....$30....primers...$4....55gr fmj...$25.


Store bought....$250 x 4 = $1000.
(first time reload..$127....about 1/2)
reload after first firing....$59 x 4 =$236.


how close was I?.....

 

[M77]

Toymaker has it pretty close to a 75% saving. My figures (different bullets, higher cost) are around a 70% saving. For target/varmints the 223 is cheap to shoot. Of course, as others have stated, we just tend to shoot a lot more of our handloads vs store bought factory ammunition.

 

[IM_Lugger]

btw I've been reloading a couple pistol calibers for some time now...

I was wondering how much cheaper it is to reload say 100 round of .223 vs .308?

So is there such thing as a light .308 load?

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

You can "light load" any caliber but will it do what you want or need it to in the end? I talk about using a target range load .I could and have loaded lighter but accuracy suffered greatly. developing the right load for your gun will tell you the "cost" per cart. My Savage .223 likes 24.5 IMR3031 and 55 gr FMJs....My sons .223 Savage likes just about anything you throw into it. Both 1 in 9 twist . 26" barrels, Just have different appetites.

 

[2bad4u2]

btw I've been reloading a couple pistol calibers for some time now...

I was wondering how much cheaper it is to relaod say 100 round of .223 vs .308?

So is there such thing as a slight .308 load?

Do the math, Sparky. You'll get approximately 280 rds. of .223 Rem. or approximately 155 rds. of .308 Win. per 1lb. of powder.

Look at most conventional match grade .224 cal. bullets and your roughly $21 per 100 vs roughly $36 per 100 of .308 cal. bullets.

Primers are the same cost for small rifle or large rifle so there's no difference there.

There's a very significant cost difference between loading .223 Rem. and .308 Win. Anyone who suggests otherwise has likely never loaded for either.

Yes, you can shoot reduced velocity .308 Win. rounds. Cast lead bullets offer the most economical alternative. Jacketed bullets such as the Speer 100 gr. half jackets are great bullets for this. If you're so inclined, you could shoot (.32 cal) .308 diameter 85gr.-100gr.pistol bullets that will get you decent accuracy for a modest price. 110 gr. FMJ .30 Carbine or 150-170 gr. .30-.30 bullets are another great option.

Frequently, these reduced velocity rounds use typical shotgun/pistol powders to achieve modest performance. Trail Boss, Unique, Red Dot, Green Dot, and IMR shotshell powders (forget number) are commonly used powders in this application.

I wouldn't waste my time for downloading .223 Rem. unless I had an overwhelming reason to do so. If you need a lower velocity .22 cal. cartridge firearm you might as well be shooting rimfire.

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

I looked up the approx. cost in the SIR catalogue. Supplies can be bought cheaper depending on location and dealers . I went to the cost for 250 carts as a pound of powder can load about 250 .223..I do not load .308 so cannot garner how many a pound can be loaded.

As said before. First load (buying brass) .223/250...approx.$127.
.308/250...Approx.$262.

Guestimation....only. Powder...$28...primers...$4....bullets...$70. Brass...$160.

 

[Mystic Precision]

223 is roughly half the shooting cost of a 308. This spread is likely to get bigger as raw material and freight gets more expensive.

For putting rds downrange, the 223 is way better as you can shoot twice as much before overheating a barrel.

You will be bumped with about 1/3 the recoil which makes shooting much more pleasant.

Unless you need the extra horsepower downrange, with new bullets like the 75 and 80gr Amax/Bergers, there is nothing a 308 (sane loadings!) can do that the 223 can't match.

Jerry