I am seriously looking at reloading 5.56 for my CZ and AR. (they both take 5.56 and .223) With the price of Winchester 55 Gr. cartridges at $13 for 20 at Cabelas and elsewhere, is it really worth the investment and time ? Can you reload for much cheaper than .65 ?
Reloading 5.56 or .223 Rem Is it woth it ?
- Thread starter Brewster20
- Start date
If you want hunting ammo yes. I primarily use my 223’s for coyote so I want to use the same ammo I hunt with, in this case yes, hunting ammos not cheap for 223. But to try and compete with bulk FMJ for plinking I’d say the time spent would negate any cost gains.
Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
For the last bit, you could get factory Federal with rebate for closer to $0.35. You can reload for cheaper. Around $0.28-$0.30. But with resizing, dies, powder, etc, unless you already have the supplies and the time, the effort may not be worth it. It comes down to what your time is worth.
The only reason I would reload .223 now is developing a load for LR shooting or hunting. If you’re just plinking or shooting CQB then bulk 55gr is just fine.
I think it is worth it when you buy CAMPRO or Hornady projectiles in bulk along with bulk powder. I started out just reloading for .223 but moved onto 308, 300WM and 45-70 and this is where the big savings come into effect.
If you already have the reloading equipment - it may be cheaper in the long run depending on how many rounds you go through. If you do not reload - I would not discard any of the brass you shoot - have a bucket and move onto a pail when the bucket gets full.
I have lots upon lots of 223 brass some new some once fired. For you CZ find a hunting round you rifle shoots well - for my Tikka T3x I use the 55g Sako ammo. It's not worth trying to get 1/2 inch at 200 yards when a consistent 3/4 inch is adequate - I do not reload for my Tikka. For your AR bulk FMJ would be the way to go - again keep all your brass. If one day you want to get into precision target shooting - then you may want to fine tune a specific load that works well at the distances you are shooting.
cheers
I have lots upon lots of 223 brass some new some once fired. For you CZ find a hunting round you rifle shoots well - for my Tikka T3x I use the 55g Sako ammo. It's not worth trying to get 1/2 inch at 200 yards when a consistent 3/4 inch is adequate - I do not reload for my Tikka. For your AR bulk FMJ would be the way to go - again keep all your brass. If one day you want to get into precision target shooting - then you may want to fine tune a specific load that works well at the distances you are shooting.
cheers
Ive been reloading for the 223 for 6-7 Years now, when you look and see what a box of hornady 53 vmax are worth for 20 rounds, Brass is plentiful and cheap. I shoot somewhere around 800-1000 roubds in our favourite gopher patch a year it saves you$ and i was able to ageing my groups over factory ammo
Ave
Northern Amateur
CGN frequent flyer
As already stated, bang shooting at the range buy the cheap stuff. 223/5.56 comes up on sale often. Not much savings compared to reloading when you buy it in bulk and what your time is worth. If you want accuracy AND keep costs down, reload. I shoot the bulk stuff out of the AR and reload for my Model 12.
To a certain extent yet. But i made some powder puff loads, and lets just say that the rifle did not recoil AT ALL. Made it soooo much easier to shoot poorly and still hit what you were aiming at lol
Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
Isn’t that what a good muzzle brake is suppose to do? Smellypete’s rifle comes to mind!
To me the purpose of reloading is to make ammunition that is better than factory ammo. And by reloading you tune your loads for the best accuracy in your rifle.
I buy bulk once fired military 5.56 brass and then sort and prep the cases for my Savage .223 bolt action and AR15 rifles.
I buy bulk once fired military 5.56 brass and then sort and prep the cases for my Savage .223 bolt action and AR15 rifles.
A muzzle break plus powder puff loads is even better.
My big vented bastard brake does a good job, but mouse fart loads are even easier to keep on target. The dot doesn't even come off the A -zone with rapid doubles.
1.5lb 2nd stage trigger and mouse fart loads makes for some really really fast and accurate rapid fire
- Location
- Southern Ontario
i'm reloading for roughly $.30 a round, and that's on the high side
all my brass is salvaged from the ground
campro 55gr
I buy h4895 in 8# jugs (25-26gr per round..little hot for my pump but the ar loves them)
primers are usually s&b
i'll never buy factory again...
all my brass is salvaged from the ground
campro 55gr
I buy h4895 in 8# jugs (25-26gr per round..little hot for my pump but the ar loves them)
primers are usually s&b
i'll never buy factory again...
Even with the prices of reloading components steadily rising, it is still considerably less expensive to reload 5.56 than to buy it - even in bulk. The other issue is, "Do you really want to spend hours sitting at a reloading bench, or can you be happy paying almost $500 for a case of ammo?" Some people just can't spend the time - or they just don't care to spend the time. Your mileage may vary.
Reloading is not all about cost savings, as been mentioned numerous times here.
It's for quality rounds, if you are someone who likes the tinker and get the most of your gun.
If you want to compare prices alone, don't compare the cheapest "freedom bucket" style ammo with that
of a precision made and extremely consistent load.
In my opinion, reloading is a hobby unto itself. It should be approached as another time consuming skill
that takes time to learn, and years to perfect....if ever.
I find it somewhat therapeutic and enjoy a couple hours of escape now and then.
The only downside.......no longer being able to blame sh#tty shots on bad ammo, it's all YOU, lol!
It's for quality rounds, if you are someone who likes the tinker and get the most of your gun.
If you want to compare prices alone, don't compare the cheapest "freedom bucket" style ammo with that
of a precision made and extremely consistent load.
In my opinion, reloading is a hobby unto itself. It should be approached as another time consuming skill
that takes time to learn, and years to perfect....if ever.
I find it somewhat therapeutic and enjoy a couple hours of escape now and then.
The only downside.......no longer being able to blame sh#tty shots on bad ammo, it's all YOU, lol!
- Location
- sudbury, ontario
If you are on the fence about this .....why not ask one of your buddies who reloads and pay him a few bucks for powder primers etc etc try loading some rounds and see if you like it
You’ll see if you do like it it becomes a hobby and past time ......try a single stage and a progress press
But be prepared to spend money at first if you jump in it
Talk to people at your range and go from there or ask here there might be someone in your neck of the woods that will show you and talk to you about doing it and to trying it out
That’s what I did
And now a Dillon xl650 on the bench and a lee single stage
Davide
You’ll see if you do like it it becomes a hobby and past time ......try a single stage and a progress press
But be prepared to spend money at first if you jump in it
Talk to people at your range and go from there or ask here there might be someone in your neck of the woods that will show you and talk to you about doing it and to trying it out
That’s what I did
And now a Dillon xl650 on the bench and a lee single stage
Davide
