One of my reloading buddies giving up reloading 223.

[FROGO207]

I was stopped at a local convenience store for lunch today. One of my reloading buddies happened by and asked if I wanted to buy about 1K 223 bullets and 2 boxes of SPP. After asking him what was up he allowed that after about a year trying and trying again to reload for his bolt 223 he could not find an accurate load for it. However almost all the factory stuff from WWB to Hornaday match all shot well in his rifle. I offered to load up a few for him to try but he declined. I also offered to work with him and sort it out, also declined. He said he wanted out of the 223 reloading business period. He would stick with his '06 and handguns when he reloaded. ????? I did not think that 223/5.56 was THAT hard to reload for. I have had great results with 40 to 68 grain bullets in any of my rifles. I just don't get it. Am I missing something??

 

[crracer_712]

you might be missing a good deal if the price is right...

 

[T Bran]

I really dont get it either my .223 REM 700 SPS is really easy to load for it likes most bullets under 60 grains and work up was a breeze.
Could be that he was using to long of a bullet for his twist rate that is about all I can think of. Hopefully someone else has some ideas.
I would not use someone elses reloads even if they were free. If the price is rite and you want to put in the effort they could be pulled down for components.
T

 

[rcmodel]

1K 223 bullets

If they are FMJ-BT type bullets?
That right there is HIS problem and your windfall for cheap plinking bullets.

They are not going to be really accurate in anything.
But if the price is right, buy them.

rc.

 

[FROGO207]

He shot up all that he loaded so all I will get are components. All the bullets are HP or Hornaday soft point. So I still am at a loss. I was thinking it was the rifle until he said the factory loads were shooting fine. He might be using a propellant that is not playing well with the 223 round.

 

[edfardos]

223 cost benefit ratio is really high compared to other cartriges... 40% less typically.. Compared to, say 75% less on 44mag. I enjoy the process, even if the savings are minimal.

re accuracy, check bullet weight against twist rate, use a common powder like h335, and take all the advice here in this thread

edfardos

 

[bbuddtec]

sounds like he should have asked sooner, now doesn't want to play, get the bullets and do it up!

the hp's should dial right in

 

[SlowFuse]

223 is cheap. I reload it, but more for accuracy not cost savings. It helps that I thoroughly enjoy the process. If I couldn't see ANY difference I'd probably do the same as your friend and buy factory. I'd definitely try more powder/bullet combinations first.

 

[Hogpauls]

Well it's also refreshing to know that someone else has poor taste in eating establishments.

 

[joed]

I don't think .223 is hard to load, but I understand where he's coming from. I probably have 15 cartridges that I reload for. The worst one in 35 years has been the .22-250 I purchased last year. It will only shoot 1 bullet accurately, the Sierra 52 gr. Every other bullet I've tried shoots 2" groups yet that 52 gr will do 1/2"

 

[homatok]

Do him a favor and take the components off his hands AND while you'r at it make part of the deal getting all that once fired brass he is going to have just lying around!!

 

[BigN]

I'm not sure he's been really trying the right combinations of bullet and powder. I think the 223 is one of the easiest and most productive calibers to reload for and shoot. Well, if he's going to give it up, grab the bullets at a great price if you can.

 

[dbarnhart]

By waiting for deals and buying in bulk I can reload .223 for about $118 per thousand. Now granted, these are plinking rounds but I can go out and blast through a hundred rounds every weekend and not be concerned with the cost. My adult son and I went out a few weeks go and went through about 600 rounds. The whole time I was savoring the quality time I was spending with my son instead of thinking about how much it was costing.

 

[Bushpilot]

I don't understand it either. While 223 wasnt the first rifle caliber I loaded it for it WAS the first that I ever did much extensive development with (in an old freakishly accurate Rem 700V) and it went smooth and easy for me. I'd be curious to know what brand and type of powder and bullets he used and what the overal length of his loads were.