Is it time to start loading 223?

Troy · Feb 28, 2012

I just can't decide if I want to start loading 223. I have press, dies, bullets, brass, primers, and I was thinking about picking up a couple pounds of H335 on my next trip to get some supplies. I like the idea, but am I really saving that much money if I can buy the cheap steel cases for 4 of 5 dollars? I know I like the idea of stocking up on the reloading supplies for when the stuff takes another jump in price. Does anyone else think about this besides me, any thougths?

brandt9913 · Feb 28, 2012

I've considered reloading 223 for the long range stages only. I can't come up with a way to reload any cheaper than the steel monarch for $0.25/round. Even with picking up brass, it's hard to find anything that cheap.

dennishoddy · Feb 28, 2012

I've got several thousands of rounds of .223 of range pick up stuff. Been running it all through the tumbler, and have it ready to load. I bought my powder/bullets/primers before the price increase.
If the current president gets re=elected, its going to get expensive. I'd buy now, and hold on to it.

argyle64 · Feb 28, 2012

I just bought 500 rounds of Federal from Sooner State Pawn for $159. That's pretty cheap for American .223.

Ksmirk · Feb 28, 2012

I know when we go shoot p-dogs we reload everything but that cause cows ain't cheap! we load bullets that come apart when they hit anything, now for this 3-gun stuff I am really thinking that for the LR portion of loading 223 but have been thinking about just buying cheap ammo to blaze thru on the short stuff. I love reloading but damn the time to prep brass, load, then hose cardboard I find myself rethinking. Later,

Kirk

Lance Jensen · Feb 29, 2012

I'm currently reloading my very first batch of .223.... I think I would rather buy it

Yeah its way cheaper, but it definitely doesn't off set my time

Troy · Feb 29, 2012

Yeah, I'm thinking I'm just going to stock up on supplies and prep my brass for when the time is right.

dennishoddy · Feb 29, 2012

TroyDB said:
Yeah, I'm thinking I'm just going to stock up on supplies and prep my brass for when the time is right.

That's pretty much what I do. Run the tumbler one day, deprime another and so on. Right now everything is ready for the final steps.

Browtine · Feb 29, 2012

With my current supplies, I can reload for about .17 cents per round. That's using 25.5 H335 and Hornady 55 FMJBT. However, I was out on Powder Valley's site and it looks like the 55s have jumped in price a bit. Now about .10 cents a piece.

dennishoddy · Feb 29, 2012

I was at our local gun shop awhile back. And managed to pick up 10, 100 round boxes of hornady 55 grain .223 soft points at $10 a box. They were in there on consignment. Probably never get them that cheap again.

technetium-99m · Feb 29, 2012

MG's are still around $80/K to your door. Hornady's can be had for around $76/K if you buy the 6,000 round box. Loading the cases a few times can get the cost down to around $150-170/K. Just have to put the time in.

Corey · Feb 29, 2012

technetium-99m said:
Hornady's can be had for around $76/K if you buy the 6,000 round box. Loading the cases a few times can get the cost down to around $150-170/K. Just have to put the time in.

My estimate is $155-165 that is with range pickup, primers at $24 per K and Varget with 55 gr hornady
I just bought the 6000 rd box, wow that is a lot of bullets. I have been wondering if it would just be easier to buy the steel case stuff for hosing. Do to crimps I hand prime everything and have a growing swage pile. I have about 1200 primed cases now I just need to get powder I have the hornady lnl progresive with a case feeder.
My tip is get boat tailed bullets flat bases will work but take an extra second.
I was considering a military surplus powder to cut the cost, but Varget is working for me why change.
I have considered wolf primers will Check with Rusty to see how they are working for him.
I sure do love that shiny Brass :dancing:
Bottom line is do you have the extra time.

brandt9913 · Feb 29, 2012

Corey said:
My estimate is $155-165 that is with range pickup, primers at $24 per K and Varget with 55 gr hornady
I just bought the 6000 rd box, wow that is a lot of bullets. I have been wondering if it would just be easier to buy the steel case stuff for hosing. Do to crimps I hand prime everything and have a growing swage pile. I have about 1200 primed cases now I just need to get powder I have the hornady lnl progresive with a case feeder.
My tip is get boat tailed bullets flat bases will work but take an extra second.
I was considering a military surplus powder to cut the cost, but Varget is working for me why change.
I have considered wolf primers will Check with Rusty to see how they are working for him.
I sure do love that shiny Brass :dancing:
Bottom line is do you have the extra time.

What's your load with Varget and a 55 gr bullet? I've considered playing with loading for the long range stages and I've got plenty of Varget sitting around since I don't shoot much/any long range matches any more.

Dux-R-Us · Mar 1, 2012

dennishoddy said:
If the current president gets re=elected, its going to get expensive. I'd buy now, and hold on to it.

Strike if and replace with when. Ammo and components will become scarce only because of the fear-charged mass hoarding people will do as in 2008-09. The wars (started by the Bush administration) were consuming lots of components at that time as well.