223 - Buy or Reload?

[ESquared]

In other threads there has been back-and-forth about various 223s (LR, SS, etc.) and the virtues of the round (versatility, reach, fun factor), including its affordability vs. reloading.

I've done some pretty extensive searching, and, for brass-cased, 55 gr 223 in almost any brand, including shipping, I can't find much of anything under $.29/round, and I know I can reload for quite a bit less than that, especially after I amortize a set of dies over a couple thousand rounds.

If anyone knows of a source for 223, delivered, in the $.25 range, please chime in.

Just part of the due diligence! Thanks in advance!

[Mistered]

Kind of depends on what you are using your .233 rifle for.
Varmint hunting, target etc. where maximum accuracy is desired and not high round count is needed well then reloading would be the most practical.
High round count shooting, maybe some sort of competition/speed shooting buying might be more practical.
I only have a SS .223 so that explains my round count when shooting it!

[ESquared]

Thanks, Ed. Yeah, I'm mulling a SS, so not exactly a high-volume proposition. I can reload target/plinking rounds for <$.25, all in, I think. What powder are you using??

[North Country Gal]

We buy, locally, so shipping is not an issue and when we buy in bulk, our LGS will usually give us a discount. That's another advantage of the 223. Any place that sells ammo will have it.

The whole question of whether it makes sense, economically, to load your own or buy factory really boils down to the subjective factor of what value you place on your time buying components and siting down at the bench to reload. If you have the time and enjoy the hobby, you are certainly justified in writing off the time spent as a non-expense. On the other hand, if you don't have the time (and it's important to have the time to do reloading, safely), then you are equally justified in placing a value on the time you take from other activities for the sake of reloading. That's us. We quit reloading because it was actually cutting into our shooting time and my shooting time is precious to me. I would much rather be out shooting than stuck inside at a loading bench. To reload or not to reload, then, is a personal decision all shooters need to make. There's more to it than just a dollars and cents equation.

[John E Davies]

Buy in bulk for a while, as long as the case prices are so low. Once you have a bunch, enjoy your rifle and replace stock as needed. When the next ammo drought cones you will have plenty of once fired brass and you can get dies, bullets and powder. Unless you just love reloading ... or want to work up target loads. Here is one good deal - $0.25 each after rebate - but I do not know the shipping cost. ... https://gun.deals/product/federal-ameri ... rnds-34995 ... but for today only you can use their $5 flat rate coupon.

https://www.natchezss.com/conditions/te ... n=48247-NA

John Davies

[Mags]

I can buy .223 for about 38 cents a round. Inexpensive enough for me to buy.

[BigAl52]

Target sports is another one Evan. They have a prime ammo club you can join that knocks it down the price even more. Heck Evan if all you want is some brass I probably have a bunch of extra brass that I would just give you to get started

[Rifletom]

Evan, If you get one, Ramshot TAC is a superb powder for handloading. With the .223, there are so many good bullet choices and powder choices. But, TAC is good.

[ESquared]

We buy, locally, so shipping is not an issue and when we buy in bulk, our LGS will usually give us a discount. That's another advantage of the 223. Any place that sells ammo will have it.

The whole question of whether it makes sense, economically, to load your own or buy factory really boils down to the subjective factor of what value you place on your time buying components and siting down at the bench to reload. If you have the time and enjoy the hobby, you are certainly justified in writing off the time spent as a non-expense. On the other hand, if you don't have the time (and it's important to have the time to do reloading, safely), then you are equally justified in placing a value on the time you take from other activities for the sake of reloading. That's us. We quit reloading because it was actually cutting into our shooting time and my shooting time is precious to me. I would much rather be out shooting than stuck inside at a loading bench. To reload or not to reload, then, is a personal decision all shooters need to make. There's more to it than just a dollars and cents equation.

I'm not sure how I'll feel in the future (of course), but my perspective today is that reloading and shooting go hand-in-hand for me, and I'd rather reload than not, as it helps me better understand and appreciate my shooting, it adds value overall to my enjoyment of the hobby. I don't spend any less time shooting now that I'm reloading, and I've managed to carve out time to reload without sacrificing anything else productive in my life. In fact, in my semi-retired state, reloading has probably added a productive activity to my schedule. I've also learned how to segment the parts of the process so that I don't have to consider carving out 4-5 hours at a time, just a couple here and there a few times per week. I like it, I'm learning something and it gives me something to share, here and with other shooting friends.

In other words, you're absolutely right, reloading is MUCH more than dollars and sense, which, for me, means I don't have to save much at all to be able to justify doing it.

[North Country Gal]

Good points, Evan. Reloading is definitely the way to go for you. Love your reasons.

Here's tip. If the ranges in your area are anything like ours, you can usually find plenty of 223 brass that people have shot and not bothered pick up.

[ESquared]

As it happens, PT7 and I are meeting up at an outdoor range tomorrow, so I'll be sure and scout around, ask the RSO, etc., for 223 brass. I'll bet you're correct, thanks for the tip!

[Mistered]

Ramshot TAC is a superb powder for handloading.

This is what I am using as well for .223 - along with 'full house' 30-30 rounds which it performs equally as well.
A few years ago I decided to try the Ramshot powder and picked one that would work for both .223 and 30-30.
It turned out to be a very good powder, everything loaded with it is accurate and it burns very clean.
I would have probably used more of it but when certain 'events' of a few years ago rendered the shelves nearly bare of all components I had to consolidate and find what I could and make due with 'alternatives' and planning for what could have been an extended shortage but fortunately the wind blew the 'right' direction and the shelves eventually filled up again to normal levels.
I'll stick with TAC however for my .223 loads and may try it with .243 - but it might be a touch on the 'fast' side for good .243 loads.

[220]

Even here in Aus very few high volume shooters reload 223. If you factor in the time to reload which most professional have to then it is cheaper to buy.
If you sell your once fired brass then you should be able to match or better reloading cost.

[ESquared]

What I'll likely do is buy a few hundred rounds to start with, so it can be "captive brass" that I know is mine while I figure out dies, powders, bullet weights, primers, etc.
Maybe, just maybe, I should definitely decide to buy the rifle first...

[PT7]

As it happens, PT7 and I are meeting up at an outdoor range tomorrow, so I'll be sure and scout around, ask the RSO, etc., for 223 brass. I'll bet you're correct, thanks for the tip!

As part of the range procedures at our MDC outdoor ranges, each person picks up all spent brass in their booths when done shooting. People take theirs if they reload, or more often, they dump spent brass into cans sitting alongside the range benches. It would be challenging to dig through all the different calibers in those cans and pick out .223 brass, or any specific caliber.

Here's what I do when I "scout" the MDC ranges for 9MM brass for my son-in-law to reload. I usually can tell who is shooting 9MM, so at a "cease-fire" I ask them whether or not they keep their brass. If not, I offer to take it off their hands and usually help clean it up, too. Doing it this way, I've brought quite a large amount of brass home over the months.

I've seen a lot of .223 spent brass there.....just have to get to it before its "recycled" into the brass bins!

PT7

[ESquared]

Well, then, never mind.

[Mistered]

you can usually find plenty of 223 brass that people have shot and not bothered pick up.

Yep - I am at the point where I am passing on .223 brass I find laying in the woods - but I may get a 5 gal bucket and start picking it up for scrap - heck a full bucket of scrap brass might fill a tank and buy lunch !

[ESquared]

you can usually find plenty of 223 brass that people have shot and not bothered pick up.

Yep - I am at the point where I am passing on .223 brass I find laying in the woods - but I may get a 5 gal bucket and start picking it up for scrap - heck a full bucket of scrap brass might fill a tank and buy lunch !

I'm not too proud to scrounge! Would gladly pay shipping and a finder's fee to a good guy like you!

[Ojaileveraction]

When I bought my ADL 223 I bought a stock pile of inexpensive 223 ammo. And made some mistakes.
The Tula Steel ball ammo for one and 200 Lake City ammo ment for ARs.
Berdon primers and 20% failure to fire in my rifle.
I broke two decapping pins trying to deprime them. Then realised I'd need to ream out the primer pocket.

[ESquared]

When I bought my ADL 223 I bought a stock pile of inexpensive 223 ammo. And made some mistakes.
The Tula Steel ball ammo for one and 200 Lake City ammo ment for ARs.
Berlin primers and 20% failure to fire in my rifle.
I broke two decapping pins trying to deprime them. Then realised I'd need to ream out the primer pocket.

Ouch! PITA to work through a pile of that stuff, huh? I've never been a steel fan, and I'm guessing the Lake City was 5.56? I know I've got few boxes of "where did this come from" in my safe, mostly bargain 9mm...Oh, well!