223 brass

[wvshooter]

Just laid away my first .223, a Ruger Mini 14. Now I need to start loading some ammo. Where is the best place to buy 223 brass, hopefully once fired, that is suitable for reloading? I'm looking for something cheaper than Midway, Able Ammo, etc.

 

[Doug b]

I wouldn't load up a bunch of ammo before I have the rifle in my hands to check chambering and mag length etc.
I always start with new brass,that way I'm sure of what I have, so I can't help you there.

 

[tydephan]

The Trading Post on this site is where I started. There is a sub forum specifically for buying and selling reloading components and equipment.

I've purchased all my brass off THR, and have had nothing but luck with it.

You need to know the difference between military crimped brass and non-crimped. If you're not set up to knock the crimp out of the primer pockets of military brass, then you either need to equip yourself or make sure you purchase non-crimped brass.

Also, longdayjake (RMR Bullets) is a good source for projectiles, especially if you're just looking for 223 plinking rounds.

Aside from that, I would heed Doug's advice. Best not to load up a lot of ammo at this point.

 

[EddieNFL]

http://www.gibrass.com/brass.html

 

[Beelzy]

How much do you want??

I have a hundred or two sitting around.

 

[Alabama2010]

I'd recommend oncefiredbrass.com too. I just got a thousand .30-06 LC 54 from Mr Bartlett, and paid the 20 bucks for processing (which was well worth it). They arrived the third day after I placed my order. He was also kind enough to spend about 15 minutes talking with me about the original Ball M1 and M2 rounds and about Garands. I'll definitely do business with him again. As for .223, I personally collect hundreds laying on the ground at the range. Everyone shoots them and they're everywhere. But that's me. I specifically do that for my Ranch Rifle and AR, especially since the former likes to hammer big dents into the brass and hurl them into orbit. I think you'd be wasting money buying new brass to load up for a Mini-14 if you're going to be plinking or shooting targets at 100yds or less. But that's just my opinion.

 

[NuJudge]

I like this stuff:
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8436&dir=278|282|909|948

It has crimped primer pockets, but that just gives me something to do on long winter days. I've been using it in High Power matches through an AR for some years, and it shoots beautifully. If you want new brass, they have new LC brass too

 

[BruceB]

www.scharch.com

500 rounds of once-fired miitary 5.56mm brass, polished, trimmed, primer pockets reamed, $64.00

I use their stuff and it is excellent.

 

[medalguy]

You need to check out several different forums. I regularly see once fired LC braqss for 5.5 cents per round. I never pay more than that for it. As said, military brass (all of it) will have crimped primers and you will need to remove the crimp. I recommend a Dillon Super Swager as the fastest way. There are others that cost less but if you have very much to do the Dillon gets real cheap after about 500 rounds. Buy everything online in bulk if you possibly can. Powder and primers are lots cheaper from places like Powder Valley and Graf's and Widener's. Take your time and watch the forums because lots of guys are asking the same questions and you will find a lot of good suggested sources.

Hope you have as much luck finding your own brass. My mini 14 throws it halfway into the next county.

 

[Idano]

I just bought a 1,000 LC from http://store.brassmanbrass.com for $91 delivered. IF you don't mind mixed head stamp they're running a special for $50 per thousand.

 

[Alabama2010]

yeah, brassman is good too....i has a so-so experience with http://precisionbrass.net/index.html . My only problem with them was that I ordered 1000 223, exclusively LC brass. They didn't bother to tell me they didn't have enough in stock even though the website stated it was in-stock. So, the guy I spoke with said he would throw in a couple hundred extra and it would be a mixed headstamp lot. I was fine with that. I received my order and got exactly 1019 cases, and 23 had to be discarded because they were too badly damaged. I emailed- politely, mind you- but never heard from him again. Not a big deal for me because there's dozens of folks like at gibrass.com who know how to run a business and make it a pleasure to purchase from. However, that was the last time I bought 223 brass. I go to a range at a wildlife mgmt area and it seems like these days everyone is bringing out their flat-top AR and popping off a hundred rounds and going home. With only minimal effort, I've collected around a thousand cases in an accumulated time of under and hour (fair estimation). That doesn't include all the 9mm, 40S&W, and 45ACP....and the odd 357 and 45LC that someone must have inadvertently left behind. My point? Head out to a range and see what you can scrounge up. Like I said before, the mini-14, as much as I love mine, treats brass like Ike treated Tina. I don't sweat it if I don't re-claim any I shot since the cases were free to begin with. OTOH, if you plan on working up some taget type loads then you may want to buy new brass as previously suggested. Though, one might ask why bother doing that in a Mini/Ranch. Good luck and have fun.

 

[medalguy]

wvshooter, check the ads on this forum. I just saw an ad for 223 at 5.5 cents per. Unlikely you will beat that price anywhere.

 

[RUDY850]

I got some from this place.$110.00 shipped for 2000 most of it is Lc brass



http://newfrontierarmory.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=88_89&products_id=300

 

[Ala Dan]

Scharch Mfg is the way too go~!

 

[Vettewine]

Don't buy new brass...!

Just laid away my first .223, a Ruger Mini 14. Now I need to start loading some ammo. Where is the best place to buy 223 brass, hopefully once fired, that is suitable for reloading? I'm looking for something cheaper than Midway, Able Ammo, etc.

I would find a good deal on brand new .223 (5.56mm) ammo (with reloadable brass casings, of course) and shoot the hell out of that Mini-14. Then you have a bunch of once-fired brass that you can reload. I've had a Mini-14 since 1976 (200th year of Liberty commemorative) and would never even think of buying new brass for it... Geez, that takes all the fun out of it, for sure...!