Thread: 223 reloading

What's the average cost per rnd for a 223 ? I'm tossing up wether it's going to be worth while .
Not going to be bunny busting so I'm not talking 1000s

Probably(if you haven't already got reloading kit) not worth it cost wise but if there is a specific projectile(s) you want to run then yea

It depends exactly what you want, but using the 53gr Vmax I would reckon on about $1.30 first time round and $0.65 for subsequent firings.

The upside to reloading is cost saving. The downside to reloading is buying in bulk to achieve the cost saving.

eg: Sierra SP projectiles, $37/100. Primers $65/1000. Powder @$65 for 300 reloads. Finally reloading gear, say $200 for the Lee Anniversary kit. Plus dies (say $80) and bits and pieces (trimmer, case gauge to make sure it's the right size, calipers, bullet puller, scales - the list is endless)

So once you've purchased this stuff, it's a one off cost, and you're roughly looking at 60c a round = $30/50, vs $50/50 Hornady 55gr ammo.

If you're planning to reload just to save money, it's really cheaper to buy factory stuff.

If you're planning to reload to customise ammo for your particular rifle, tweak rounds and remove the ammo variability for superb accuracy, you may as well do it.

My 2c worth, I've been reloading 223 and 9mm for about 2 years now. And I def shoot more now that I have more ammo on hand. Reloading is fun to do, a nice little break away from the madness at work and eventually I'll be saving some money. But personally I wouldn't go into reloading 223 with the expectation of saving money. Just loaded up another 100 rounds this arvo in time for bunny bashing in Alexandra this weekend

I'll do it for ya if you want, What sort of loads we talking? heavy bullets or.....

you could come and spend an hour on my reloading press and do a few hundy

I load 62gn ADI FMJs for my AR15 49c each
65gn Gamekings and 69 Matchkings for the AR and Sako 75 .223 at 79c each.

Cheers for that guys , will probably give the reloading a crack as I'm planning on using the 223 a bit more , and probably be more fun than watching tv . What dies should I get ? . Got someone who's got top of the line press etc to help me get started

Originally Posted by Munsey

Cheers for that guys , will probably give the reloading a crack as I'm planning on using the 223 a bit more , and probably be more fun than watching tv . What dies should I get ? . Got someone who's got top of the line press etc to help me get started

Lee, about $85 for the Ultimate set. You didnt say if bolt or semi.

It is what I am about to buy shortly. I have various makes but the Lee dies do a very good job for peanuts, excellent dies. Some of their other stuff is a bit crappy / too cheap though. It is annoying, few just a few cents more spent making some kit a wee bit better would have made them good buys instead of avoid.

But the dies are just great, I dont think you can buy better at 3 times the price myself. ie I have Redding comp dies and just use the Lee, no noticeable difference in accuracy I can see and $65 a complete set v $180 just for one.

Lee Ultimate Rifle 4 Die Set 223 Remington 90694 - Rifle Dies - Reloading - Reloaders Supplies Ltd

Forgot to mention, I can load 55gn Hornady Soft points for around 58c each

Dies.
For my semi I use:

RCBS decapping die
Redding full size die
Forster ultra seater micrometer die

Bolt action rifle, I use:

RCBS decapping die
Lee collet neck die, every 5 firings, I use the Redding Body die first to bump the shoulder, then the collet for the neck.
Forster ultra seater micrometer die

I've got a Lee collett Neck sizing die I could sell you if you want it

What I use :
- a forster Bush n Bump Neck Sizing die which also bumps the shoulder (and decaps)
- a redding micrometer seating die
- A Lyman Gen6 Powder thrower
- A "Worlds Finest" case trimmer from little crow gunworks
A single stage press

Find yourself a local mentor to take you thru your first reload.

Welcome to your new addiction.

Tim

Adddiicttioon???? I have loaded all of my brass...need to fire some so I can relloooaadddd...

I ran a few numbers back for bulk 223 for comps.

http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...factory-15602/

Raining here so Ive just run through reloading all my empty 223 brass, 221! i'll need to buy more bits for the pointy end now.

Hehe... I've still got around 2500 .223 cases (sold around 1000), around half is ex milsurp. FNH, LC, WCC, IVI, ADI, the rest Hornady, RP, FC.
So lots of primer crimps to remove for ther milsurp stuff.

Spanners must have .223 cases in the 10,000s.

How long does the brass last when running it through an AR15? I assume full re-sizing?