Guys and girls Merry Xmas to all! Could someone break down the costs of what I'll need to reload 223, how much for the machine, brass, projectile ect... I shoot 100 rds of 223 a week so far and that's holding back, is it worth the investment?!!!
Who reloads 223
- Thread starter Czarface
- Start date
If you're loading bulk cheapie projectiles (say 55g FMJ) perhaps not.
If you're loading a better projectile it's worth it, both in terms of pricing and availability.
I like the Hornady 75g HPBTM projectile in .223 REM, hard to find that or similar
as factory ammunition or at "good" prices.
If you're loading a better projectile it's worth it, both in terms of pricing and availability.
I like the Hornady 75g HPBTM projectile in .223 REM, hard to find that or similar
as factory ammunition or at "good" prices.
100 rounds a week, no problem doing it on a single stage press
see my thread here.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/970774-my-bulk-223-reloading-video
right now I'm using bulk Hornady 55gr bullets from SFRC, was about $155 shipped to my door after taxes and such for 1000.
brass? pick that sh!t up, .223 brass is like gotsh!t its everyehere. don't pay for it.
primers ~$35/1000
powder..... get what you can, I use Win748 or Hodgdon H335 for bulk loading ~$35/pound (~250-300 .223 loads per pound)
see my thread here.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/970774-my-bulk-223-reloading-video
right now I'm using bulk Hornady 55gr bullets from SFRC, was about $155 shipped to my door after taxes and such for 1000.
brass? pick that sh!t up, .223 brass is like gotsh!t its everyehere. don't pay for it.
primers ~$35/1000
powder..... get what you can, I use Win748 or Hodgdon H335 for bulk loading ~$35/pound (~250-300 .223 loads per pound)
Aprilia Man
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Canadian "WET" Coast (Raincouver)
About 50 rounds a week for me ..... I have a little girl that keeps me busy, if not it'll be more.
Not worth it if you are looking at saving money.
according to budget shooting supply
165 1000 55 grain bullets
39 1000 primers
112 3.5 lbs of powder
125 1000 once fired brass
441 not including shipping and hazmat fees. The same dealer offers loaded rounds at 350 per thousand you can find them for less. I do load 223 but only for target shooting with premium components. Plinking ammo I buy in bulk as it is a wast of money to use my components for that.
according to budget shooting supply
165 1000 55 grain bullets
39 1000 primers
112 3.5 lbs of powder
125 1000 once fired brass
441 not including shipping and hazmat fees. The same dealer offers loaded rounds at 350 per thousand you can find them for less. I do load 223 but only for target shooting with premium components. Plinking ammo I buy in bulk as it is a wast of money to use my components for that.
Keep all the brass from the 100 rounds a week you shoot (unless your shooting junk Norinco or MFS)
Bullets are about $20-25 per 100 for Hornady or Nosler. A little cheaper for FMJ basic stuff and even cheaper if you buy bulk.
Powder is about $30-$35 per pound and .223 is pretty easy on powder so it loads quite a few rounds per pound. I'd have to look at my load data and do some calculations to figure out how many rounds you'd make.
Primers are around $35 per 1000.
A press will be anywhere from $100 to $1000 depending what you want but all will do the job.
A scale will be $100 and up. You want a good scale for safety and consistency.
Volumetric powder measure is relatively cheap.
Dies are $35 and up depending on brand and once again they all get the job done.
If you just want to pound out rounds then you don't need to spend a fortune on your gear but the more you spend the more accurate your loads will be and the faster you will be able to make them.
For rifle rounds I use a Redding single stage press, an RCBS chargemaster scale/dispenser, an RCBS case prep center, a lyman case trimmer, and either RCBS or LEE dies.
For pistol I use a LEE 1000 progressive but I hand prime and hand weigh every load.
Be sure to buy at least one new and up to date reloading manual and also check sites like Hodgedon for recepies and always start at the lower end of the powder range for a load and work your way up slowly towards the max watching for signs of pressure as you go.
Remember that higher velocity rarely translates into increased accuracy. Usually the most accurate load is somewhere in the middle. Higher velocity (hotter loads) are also harder on your rifle as well so don't get caught up looking for max velocity.
Good luck and be safe
Bullets are about $20-25 per 100 for Hornady or Nosler. A little cheaper for FMJ basic stuff and even cheaper if you buy bulk.
Powder is about $30-$35 per pound and .223 is pretty easy on powder so it loads quite a few rounds per pound. I'd have to look at my load data and do some calculations to figure out how many rounds you'd make.
Primers are around $35 per 1000.
A press will be anywhere from $100 to $1000 depending what you want but all will do the job.
A scale will be $100 and up. You want a good scale for safety and consistency.
Volumetric powder measure is relatively cheap.
Dies are $35 and up depending on brand and once again they all get the job done.
If you just want to pound out rounds then you don't need to spend a fortune on your gear but the more you spend the more accurate your loads will be and the faster you will be able to make them.
For rifle rounds I use a Redding single stage press, an RCBS chargemaster scale/dispenser, an RCBS case prep center, a lyman case trimmer, and either RCBS or LEE dies.
For pistol I use a LEE 1000 progressive but I hand prime and hand weigh every load.
Be sure to buy at least one new and up to date reloading manual and also check sites like Hodgedon for recepies and always start at the lower end of the powder range for a load and work your way up slowly towards the max watching for signs of pressure as you go.
Remember that higher velocity rarely translates into increased accuracy. Usually the most accurate load is somewhere in the middle. Higher velocity (hotter loads) are also harder on your rifle as well so don't get caught up looking for max velocity.
Good luck and be safe
Getting into reloading 223 now is not the right thing. Components are scarce and when u can find them they are expensive.
I bought 500 bag of 55gr fmj for 44.50 1.5 years ago. bought 3 bags but haven't been able to find it for that cheap. That's 9c a pill. 2.8c for primer. Brass is free, and 9c for powder = 22c a round. In that case yes it's good to reload but it barely beats out norinco for cost, Not including the reloading machinery. Since then I haven't found bullets for less than 15c.
I bought 500 bag of 55gr fmj for 44.50 1.5 years ago. bought 3 bags but haven't been able to find it for that cheap. That's 9c a pill. 2.8c for primer. Brass is free, and 9c for powder = 22c a round. In that case yes it's good to reload but it barely beats out norinco for cost, Not including the reloading machinery. Since then I haven't found bullets for less than 15c.
boss351cleveland
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Down by the river
Not worth reloading for 55gr fmj plinking ammo only worth while if you want to make heavier bullet match grade stuff for precision shooting or hunting ..
Agree with others here. Only worth it if you are building rounds for precision rifle. The cost of materials per round is just under the cost of cheap bulk ammo (assuming you use range brass), and of course you have to include the cost of the press, dies, etc. and your time.
If you are loading for accuracy, it is very worthwhile to reload. Customized loads can shrink your groups and you can get heavier bullets that are ll but impossible to find in commercial ammo.
If you are loading for accuracy, it is very worthwhile to reload. Customized loads can shrink your groups and you can get heavier bullets that are ll but impossible to find in commercial ammo.
Wowww you people are great thank you for the great responses!? JBD it's really interesting with what your saying, right now I just want rounds to have fun with at the range! I don't shoot corrosive, all brass casing. I just have to really do the math cause at the end I want it to make sense! Still will appreciate more comments and types of equipment to get!
I reload .223 for my target bolt guns only. I use my XCR-L to make brass out of Norc bulk ammo. I would never waste hand loads on semi-auto plinking. The labour is more costly than the components. I have a price on my free time and it ain't cheap!!
If you are reloading to save money, it's hard to beat the Lee equipment. The Classic cast turret press provides good value at under $150 and will allow you to load almost all calibers. The Classic cast kit is ok to get you going but you will also want the Lee Perfect powder measure (under $30, looks like a toy but performs very well with stick powders, and much better than the powder measure that comes in the kit), dies (under $40 - all you'll need for semi-auto, but I'd also add a neck sizing die if you're loading for a bolt action).
Not counting reloading components, you can be up and running for under $500 and start adding equipment (gauges, better scale, etc.) as you gain experience.
What type(s) of guns do you intend to reload for?
Not counting reloading components, you can be up and running for under $500 and start adding equipment (gauges, better scale, etc.) as you gain experience.
What type(s) of guns do you intend to reload for?
For plinking not so much. I'm working on a hunting load. I have brass from the win bulk packs that Walmart used to sell for $12. Those were the days.
It is worth keeping/accumulating stuff now. Prices have increased quite a bit and will continue to do so.
It is worth keeping/accumulating stuff now. Prices have increased quite a bit and will continue to do so.
If you buy everything in bulk, you should be able to reload for around $0.25 a pop with FMJ bullets.
It is probably not worth the investment in reloading equipment, to reload just for that caliber and achieve minimal saving.
It is probably not worth the investment in reloading equipment, to reload just for that caliber and achieve minimal saving.
in comparison with Norinco ammo, saving$ is not a big factor, but everybody is saying that the Norinco availiability will be gone very soon. cost comparison with other U.S. ammo brand, almost 50% in cost difference.
We have a member here and also a co club member of mine that sells Frontier 55gr projectiles for less than $100/1k. the projectiles shoots very good to my 2 ARs, and these projectiles are rated at 3300FPS according from the manufacturer. I am also using now the Frontier 355( 9mm) projectile for my 9Major load with 1380
fps.
We have a member here and also a co club member of mine that sells Frontier 55gr projectiles for less than $100/1k. the projectiles shoots very good to my 2 ARs, and these projectiles are rated at 3300FPS according from the manufacturer. I am also using now the Frontier 355( 9mm) projectile for my 9Major load with 1380
fps.
