Is it cheaper to ...

[longwinters]

Reload for .223 or buy factory? I am not really thinking FMJ but more varmint grade ammo. For every other caliber I have reloading is definitely the way to go, but I'm wondering about .223.

Long

 

[Mortis]

if I was doing FMJ....naaa.... lots of great deals out there....

But varmint grade...... no....I'd load to the rifle.....

 

[Hegland]

I've found that using BTs I can get within a few cents per round of the surplus stuff. That's close enough for me to justify, and the load is dynamite in both my rifles.

 

[longwinters]

Anyone willing to share a consistent load for a 1-9 twist?

Long

 

[JD338]

Long,

I would load.

JD338

 

[meatmachineman]

I haven't started on the endeavor yet, but I am going to be loading 1000-1500 AR plinker rounds soon. I scored all the components on the cheap including the bulk box of 1k Nosler pills from SPS. All said and done, I'm going to be looking at under $3 per box of 20. I'm going to see if I can pull this one off on my progressive. If not, I might not get to it on my single stage for quite some time.

For varmint stuff, absolutely roll your own.

 

[DrMike]

I would load as it would permit tweaking as necessary for accuracy.

 

[BK]

What is this "cheaper" you talk about?

Probably shoot more if you load your own varmint stuff, but I've never been able to save any money loading my own...

 

[jmad_81]

Kind of funny how that works. Loading your own is fun when you are the guy getting to shoot them.

 

[Wondermutt]

Cheaper, a little bit, but not much. I reload the .223 for the AR's as it gives me something to do in the winter besides watching TV. I reload about 1500 rounds, with a single stage, but have the assy line system down pat working up about 200 rounds at a time. It takes me about 1 1/2 hours a day for a week and a half to reload all 1500. So I reload my .223 for reasons other than cost savings.

 

[AzDak42]

I don't think the .223 equation comes down to cost, but rather how you want to spend your time.

Let me preface this by saying.. I shoot a LOT of .223. With just a single stage press at this point, I don't think I'd want to spend time reloading to cover my ammo consumption.

I do reload my .223 hunting ammo and match, I don't reload the bulk stuff I play with at the range. Intead, I'm just hording brass until I can justify getting a progressive press to make it A) more fun and B) take a lot less time.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I buy loaded FMJ stuff.....shoot it.....reload with either varmit or hunting bullets.....

 

[velvetant]

Anyone willing to share a consistent load for a 1-9 twist?

Long

I run a 50gr V-Max with 24gr H322/CCI 400, not the fastest load out there but it has been accurate in all my rifles

 

[tjen]

As the Doc said reload to tune a load to your rifle and as some thing to do as a hobby.


I have keep the bullet weight down to 52grs for varmits and have not tried to load heavier do to my ifle 1:12 twist rate. 25grs of Benchmark will work with the 52gr bullets. If you want 60 pluse grain bullets some one else will have to help out. Other powders to try are TAC, H322.

HMS ammo is the cheapest I have seen for ammo using bullets like the Bitzking, Berger HPV. And now there is Varmageden ammo too.

 

[BK]

I don't think the .223 equation comes down to cost, but rather how you want to spend your time.

Let me preface this by saying.. I shoot a LOT of .223. With just a single stage press at this point, I don't think I'd want to spend time reloading to cover my ammo consumption.

I do reload my .223 hunting ammo and match, I don't reload the bulk stuff I play with at the range. Intead, I'm just hording brass until I can justify getting a progressive press to make it A) more fun and B) take a lot less time.

I don't find loading on a progressive fun, I find it just a bit stressful. There's a lot of things you need to pay attention to, all at once. Primer seating depth, primer and powder supply levels, checking that primers are not seating upside down, keeping your movements smooth so you get an accurate throw on the powder measure...

The upside is, you can crank out a buttload (highly technical engineering term) of ammo quickly. And it can be pretty danged accurate. Just not very much fun.

 

[AzDak42]

I work in a virtual world, with my hands on just a keyboard and phone for long stretches. Getting to tinker, play, setup, adjust and actually work with something tangible is a joy.

Then again, I can absolutely see your point. Sure does look like juggling a few things at once.

 

[longwinters]

On our way home today I stopped by a sports store that actually carries reloading supplies unlike Lafayette IN. Total damages between Lafayette and Gaylord Mi. looks like......
1 can Benchmark, 1 brick primers, 1 bag brass, .223 reloading dies, 1 #10 shell holder, 2 boxes 55gn bullets and 1 rifle case. $250.00
Rem SPS Tactical Rifle out the door at $678.00
Minox 3-15x42 scope $399.00
Leupy base and rings $52.00
2 boxes cartridges $60.00
Did I say in a previous post "inexpensive"????? $1438.00 aprox

I really hope this thing shoots. Can't wait til my wife sees this bill...she's really understanding but I went a little bit above my self imposed limit. And I still want an electronic predator call hmmm.

Long

 

[DrMike]

On our way home today I stopped by a sports store that actually carries reloading supplies unlike Lafayette IN. Total damages between Lafayette and Gaylord Mi. looks like......
1 can Benchmark, 1 brick primers, 1 bag brass, .223 reloading dies, 1 #10 shell holder, 2 boxes 55gn bullets and 1 rifle case. $250.00
Rem SPS Tactical Rifle out the door at $678.00
Minox 3-15x42 scope $399.00
Leupy base and rings $52.00
2 boxes cartridges $60.00
Did I say in a previous post "inexpensive"????? $1438.00 aprox

I really hope this thing shoots. Can't wait til my wife sees this bill...she's really understanding but I went a little bit above my self imposed limit. And I still want an electronic predator call hmmm.

Long

Very courageous, or foolhardy. It all depends on whether you survive or not. :shock:

 

[Hegland]

Anyone willing to share a consistent load for a 1-9 twist?

Both of mine are 12" but you're on the right track with Benchmark. If you want to tinker, IMR 8208 is a good one as well. Enjoy!

 

[longwinters]

Anyone ever try Tac? John Barsness says its great, but doesn't give grains.