newb: Reloading Costs vs. Bulk

[shdwfx]

I've never reloaded and always bought factory ammunition.
However, with the price increases the last year, I am seriously considering reloading at least for 5.56/.223.

However, one of my local gun dealers told me that raw materials costs were up so much that it wasn't really worth it. Is this true?

For a 1000 rd bulk shipment of good ammo that might cost as much as $400 for 5.56, how much could I really save in money? How much time does it take to make that many?

 

[DSOTM]

Powder $0.06/rd or so
Bullet $0.07
Primer $0.025
Brass free
Should cost under 160 bucks for 1000 rounds of plinking ammo

 

[Hiaboo]

I second what DSOTM said. Truly.

Also you can set up loads with your particular rifle/rifles that would be 100% more accurate than factory loads.

 

[K3]

Powder $0.06/rd or so
Bullet $0.07
Primer $0.025
Brass free
Should cost under 160 bucks for 1000 rounds of plinking ammo

Assuming one already has the brass. He didn't say whether he did or not. I started saving brass years ago because my friend told me it was a good idea. Never thought I'd shoot anything but factory ammo, but I kept my cases anyway.

If one buys a new gun in a chambering he does not already have, one must either buy a load of brass or a load of ammo to get the brass.

This will happen to many after they get into reloading. They say 'Wow, my ammo is accurate and cheap!' Maybe I could get a .599 Schutzenmag and load for it. Then I'll need something in .....

Another symptom of this dreaded disease AKA reloading.

Of course, you could always scrounge the ranges if the place will let you.

Hopefully the OP kept a bunch of his once-fired brass.

 

[Denis S]

The costs of reloading components are way higher than a couple of years back (lead has doubled, primers are up about a third) but reloading still beats buying factory ammo. By a lot. I fully expect the price of ammo to continue skyrocketing, so now is as good a time as any to get into reloading.

 

[amlevin]

My reloading cost for .223 is $0.162 ea., using once fired brass from Jeff Bartlett. If I load brass I have previously shot or picked up at the range the cost per round goes down to $0.132 per round.

Components:

AA-2230 @ $104.95 per 8# "keg"
Winchester Bulk 55gr. FMJ-BT bullets @ $60/thousand
Winchester Primers @$23/thousand

These prices are from local dealers. Mail order may look cheaper but be sure and add freight and Hazmat fees.

Any way you look at it, the cost of reloading .223 is far less than any "Bulk" price. That is unless you happen to encounter a case of M-193 or M-855 ammo that just "fell off the truck" near your local army base.

 

[shdwfx]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice.

I don't have 5.56 brass, and I only recently started saving my .40 S&W brass. In your estimation, would it be better to buy factory ammo to save and re-load the brass or just buy empty brass that is intended for re-loading?

 

[K3]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice.

I don't have 5.56 brass, and I only recently started saving my .40 S&W brass. In your estimation, would it be better to buy factory ammo to save and re-load the brass or just buy empty brass that is intended for re-loading?

I'd go ahead and buy new brass rather than ammo. You get to do the first prep on the cases AND it has one less firing on it.

JMHO.

 

[shdwfx]

Will do. Thanks.

I have access to a friend's setup who used to reload a number of years back before the ammo prices went nuts. He quit shooting to focus on other hobbies, so that makes my initial startup costs a lot less.

 

[K3]

Will do. Thanks.

I have access to a friend's setup who used to reload a number of years back before the ammo prices went nuts. He quit shooting to focus on other hobbies, so that makes my initial startup costs a lot less.

Even better.

Not sure how much you've loaded, but IMO case prep is very important for accurate ammo. Read, read, read. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy.

.223 is a fun cartridge to load for and experiment with. Many powders work well. You can load bulk FMJ ammo that's still pretty accurate, tack driving varmint ammo, or atom driving (did I make that up?) match ammo.

 

[slogfilet]

When trying to come up with brass, it can be economical to sometimes buy factory ammo in boxer primed brass, rather than just buying empty cases.

For example, AIM has 7.62x39 for as low as $5.95 a box. For only 6 bucks, you get 20 factory loaded rounds, plus you get to keep the brass... I justify it like this:

value of brass after shooting the whole box = $.15 * 20 = $3


So saving $3 on a box of $5.95 ammo is like paying $2.95 for it. Not a bad deal!


If you have a source of free brass, this doesn't really apply to you. On the flip side, if your ONLY source of brass is either factory loaded ammo or brand new cases, you save much more.

 

[K3]

When trying to come up with brass, it can be economical to sometimes buy factory ammo in boxer primed brass, rather than just buying empty cases.

For example, AIM has 7.62x39 for as low as $5.95 a box. For only 6 bucks, you get 20 factory loaded rounds, plus you get to keep the brass... I justify it like this:

value of brass after shooting the whole box = $.15 * 20 = $3


So saving $3 on a box of $5.95 ammo is like paying $2.95 for it. Not a bad deal!


If you have a source of free brass, this doesn't really apply to you. On the flip side, if your ONLY source of brass is either factory loaded ammo or brand new cases, you save much more.

I can see the wisdom here, depending on the specific cartridge. Some, like the 7.62X39 lend themselves well to your method. The .223 seems to as well. I think 100 pieces of new brass for .223 runs right under $20 right now. Now when you get to things like .30-06, then things change a little.

Also, you have to consider whether you want to put a bunch of rounds down the barrel in order to get brass. That's my sticking point. I prefer to 'save' my barrel a little longer if you will and shoot only my handloads.

 

[RustyFN]

With todays prices using some good bullets I can load 1,000 rounds of 223 for around $150. I load the cheap plinking 223 for around $110 per 1,000.
Rusty

 

[shdwfx]

Any particular brands of .223 I should avoid or are more desirable if I'm shooting to collect brass?

 

[slogfilet]

K3, that's a good point. It will definitely depend on the caliber and usage... I shoot both factory loaded rounds and handloads, so it's just a "bonus" when factory ammo comes with usable brass.

 

[Tarvis]

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