General Tso
member
I reload 10mm, 9mm, and 44mag. I'm going to get an AR in the next few months. My question is this: Is it worth the trouble to reload 223? I do 9mm and in my opinion, it's barley worth it.
223 reloading - Worth it?
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ny32182
Member
I load for .20, a round that would cost about .35 for the factory equivalent. That is plinking stuff.
If you are going match grade, you can do it for about 50% or less of the cost of the factory equivalent.
If you are going match grade, you can do it for about 50% or less of the cost of the factory equivalent.
Roccobro
Member
Depends on what your time is worth. 9mm isn't really that cost effective as compared to other pistol rounds. Rifle rounds are a whole other story with the higher savings (and custom tailoring!) involved.
Justin
Justin
mongoose33
Member
As noted, it depends on how you value your time. If you find reloading relaxing and rewarding, as I do, that compensates your time.
Reloading also compensates me monetarily. I reload .223 for about half price of what I can buy it locally. Using a 55gr FMJBT at 8 cents, powder at about 7 cents, primers at about 3 cents, it's costing me 18 cents per round. Can't get it locally for less than 42 cents per round. And mine is better than what I can buy--I've done shooting comparisons.
And while 9mm is probably one of the least remunerative rounds to reload, it still pays me. WWB in 9mm costs over 24 cents per round at Wally World. My 9mm load includes a Missouri 125gr bullet at 5.1 cents, a primer at 2.7 cents, and powder at about 1.5 cents. That's a total of 9.3 cents per round. Reloading 9mm saves me, thus, about 15 cents per round.
I can load 9mm on my LnLAP, conservatively, at 300 rounds per hour. Saving 15 cents per round means I "Pay" myself in reloading savings at a rate of $45 per hour.
Not bad for a "part-time job" whose results I get to shoot, and which process frees me from ammo shortages, provides for SHTF protection, allows me to make better ammo than I can buy, is relaxing and creates a sense of accomplishment.
Reloading also compensates me monetarily. I reload .223 for about half price of what I can buy it locally. Using a 55gr FMJBT at 8 cents, powder at about 7 cents, primers at about 3 cents, it's costing me 18 cents per round. Can't get it locally for less than 42 cents per round. And mine is better than what I can buy--I've done shooting comparisons.
And while 9mm is probably one of the least remunerative rounds to reload, it still pays me. WWB in 9mm costs over 24 cents per round at Wally World. My 9mm load includes a Missouri 125gr bullet at 5.1 cents, a primer at 2.7 cents, and powder at about 1.5 cents. That's a total of 9.3 cents per round. Reloading 9mm saves me, thus, about 15 cents per round.
I can load 9mm on my LnLAP, conservatively, at 300 rounds per hour. Saving 15 cents per round means I "Pay" myself in reloading savings at a rate of $45 per hour.
Not bad for a "part-time job" whose results I get to shoot, and which process frees me from ammo shortages, provides for SHTF protection, allows me to make better ammo than I can buy, is relaxing and creates a sense of accomplishment.
qajaq59
Member
It also depends on how much rifle ammo you intend to shoot. And.... how many years you intend to shoot it.
I've been using 90% of my equipment for better then 40 years now and it's probably paid for itself a thousand times over. Good loading gear rarely wears out if you keep it clean and lube it occasionally.
I've been using 90% of my equipment for better then 40 years now and it's probably paid for itself a thousand times over. Good loading gear rarely wears out if you keep it clean and lube it occasionally.
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It is absolutely worth it if you like accuracy. If you don't care, then it is not worth your time.
cougar1717
Member
In your case, the breakeven point of 10mm and 44mag occur much quicker than 9mm due to the cost of factory ammo. A lot of it depends on how much you like reloading. Remember that with 223 rem, you will have to lube every case, trim about 10%, and chamfer all of them the first time. This is more work than the straightwall and slightly tapered cases that you've been dealing with. If you are an occasional shooter, or want to just go blast some rounds, loading 223 Rem with FMJ bullets may not be for you. It will get tedious if the whole time you're thinking " I can get 200 rounds from walmart for $90." OTOH, if you use better bullets than FMJ and take the time to tune your load, it can be very rewarding.
sta500rdr
Member
I reload 40S&W, 45 ACP, .223/5.56, 22-250, and 30-06. I wouldn't say that it saves me any money because I spend about the same on reloading materials. However, for the same amount of money, I can shoot a whole heck of a lot more.
If you are into it for saving money, it probably wont, but you will get to shoot a lot more for your money. Plus your accuracy will improve greatly in 223 once you figure out the best load for your AR. I am currently trying to put together a 1000 yd load for my AR.
If you are into it for saving money, it probably wont, but you will get to shoot a lot more for your money. Plus your accuracy will improve greatly in 223 once you figure out the best load for your AR. I am currently trying to put together a 1000 yd load for my AR.
jhansman
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I know a few people who shoot milsurp in their ARs, and would never reload for it. I, on the other hand, reload all my .223, for both bolt and semi-auto, and would never buy factory ammo. Kinda depends on your $$ resources and how much you enjoy reloading.
cheygriz
member
A lot also depends on how you buy components.
I belong to a gun club with an FFL. Our club puts together "bulk" orders from large wholesalers, for 20-30 members (or more) per order. I buy powder in 8 lb jugs, primers in sleeves of 5000, and my 9MM, .308 and .223 bullets in bulk pack cases of 1000 or 2000.
I usually save 50 percent or more per round, depending on caliber. I load 115 FMJ +P 9MM for about $0.11 per round. Even buying the loaded ammo wholesale, by the case, I can't get 9MM +P for less than $220 per thousand.
So, $110/thousand vs $220/thousand. That's a saving of $110 per case About 2 1/2 hours to load 1000 on my 550 Dillon.
5.56X45 about the same percentage. Yeah, it's worth it to me!
I belong to a gun club with an FFL. Our club puts together "bulk" orders from large wholesalers, for 20-30 members (or more) per order. I buy powder in 8 lb jugs, primers in sleeves of 5000, and my 9MM, .308 and .223 bullets in bulk pack cases of 1000 or 2000.
I usually save 50 percent or more per round, depending on caliber. I load 115 FMJ +P 9MM for about $0.11 per round. Even buying the loaded ammo wholesale, by the case, I can't get 9MM +P for less than $220 per thousand.
So, $110/thousand vs $220/thousand. That's a saving of $110 per case About 2 1/2 hours to load 1000 on my 550 Dillon.
5.56X45 about the same percentage. Yeah, it's worth it to me!
aerod1
Member
Rifle calibers? You bet, 223 included!!!
LeonCarr
Member
One-third the cost and twice the accuracy? Yeah reloading .223 is worth it.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
magnumman44
Member
Reloading is definitely worth it with the 223!!!
General Tso
member
This is my issue. I don't mind the straight walls, but this is more hassle.
Damon555
Member
Since you already own the equipment I say yes. Scrounge up some range brass and you save even more....But you can't look at it as a money saving proposition....you need to enjoy doing it.
amlevin
Member
.223 is very practical to reload, especially for an AR-15. Costs less than half.
As for the "what is your time worth" argument, everyone has time, not everyone has money. I purchased a Dillon XL650 with auto case feeder and knock out "better than factory grade" ammo in very little time for both my AR's and my 9mm's.
My .223 costs are just under $0.20 and my 9mm costs are right at $0.10 per round. Compared to Factory ammo @$0.38 (.223) and $0.16 (9mm) per round, and the fact that I shoot many thousand of these rounds every year, reloading savings more than makes up for the time I spend in the process.
If you are looking for ammo that is more accurate than factory then there's no question that reloading is worth it.
As for the "what is your time worth" argument, everyone has time, not everyone has money. I purchased a Dillon XL650 with auto case feeder and knock out "better than factory grade" ammo in very little time for both my AR's and my 9mm's.
My .223 costs are just under $0.20 and my 9mm costs are right at $0.10 per round. Compared to Factory ammo @$0.38 (.223) and $0.16 (9mm) per round, and the fact that I shoot many thousand of these rounds every year, reloading savings more than makes up for the time I spend in the process.
If you are looking for ammo that is more accurate than factory then there's no question that reloading is worth it.
Redneck with a 40
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Its absolutely worth it, my loads are costing me about 20 cents/round for 55 grain FMJ's. Factory fodder runs at least 40 cents/round and isn't as accurate or consistent as my handload's. You'll find that 223 is very easy to load and fun.
Jaybird78
Member
It's another hobby. Do you have the time to reload? As others have mentioned you can reload a box of .223 55gr FMJ for about $4.00. On sale around here you are talking $9.00 for the cheap factory stuff.
dc.fireman
Member
http://10xshooters.com/calculators/index.htm
Calculate it out for yourself, and then you'll know for certain whether it's worth it to YOU.
Calculate it out for yourself, and then you'll know for certain whether it's worth it to YOU.
qajaq59
Member
One thing about reloading is that you will suddenly get picky about how accurate your ammo is. If you use store bought, most anything will do. But when you load your own you want it to be better. And after a little effort it generally is.
BeerSleeper
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Is that figure with current component prices? Where do you get your 115 FMJs, and for how much?cheygriz said:
UKWildcats
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Reloading
I reload for 223 -- which I use mainly for Prairie Dog Shoots -- Factory ammo if I can find it would be $0.50 to $0.60 per round -- I can make for less than $0.20/round.
The accuracy improvement is drastic -- friend was setting up a Colt National Match AR for an upcoming hunt and I was spotting for him. He was using factory ammo that was showing it inaccuracy -- I gave him 5 of my home made rounds and his spread went from 2-3 moa to less than 1 without any issues -- my stuff I make on a dillon without all the accuracy improvements of doing on a single stage press and weighing/measuring everything to enhance accuracy.
-- My powder drop is based on a Dillon Powder Measure -- +/- 0.1 grains
-- I do not seperate brass by brand/lot/etc
-- I trim but I am sure there is a spread due to my case trimmer
-- My Hornady 55 grain SP with cannelure are cheap and moderatley accurate, definitely not the most accurate thing available -- definitely Minute of Prairie Dog though
And these blow away anything I have found from the factory.
I do not load for 9mm yet -- but would if I competed since I could could power down the loads to reduce recoil and speed up my time.
I do reload for 45acp -- hugh savings and sine I can not find ammo my only real choice.
UK
I reload for 223 -- which I use mainly for Prairie Dog Shoots -- Factory ammo if I can find it would be $0.50 to $0.60 per round -- I can make for less than $0.20/round.
The accuracy improvement is drastic -- friend was setting up a Colt National Match AR for an upcoming hunt and I was spotting for him. He was using factory ammo that was showing it inaccuracy -- I gave him 5 of my home made rounds and his spread went from 2-3 moa to less than 1 without any issues -- my stuff I make on a dillon without all the accuracy improvements of doing on a single stage press and weighing/measuring everything to enhance accuracy.
-- My powder drop is based on a Dillon Powder Measure -- +/- 0.1 grains
-- I do not seperate brass by brand/lot/etc
-- I trim but I am sure there is a spread due to my case trimmer
-- My Hornady 55 grain SP with cannelure are cheap and moderatley accurate, definitely not the most accurate thing available -- definitely Minute of Prairie Dog though
And these blow away anything I have found from the factory.
I do not load for 9mm yet -- but would if I competed since I could could power down the loads to reduce recoil and speed up my time.
I do reload for 45acp -- hugh savings and sine I can not find ammo my only real choice.
UK
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