Is it worth reloading .223?

[DavyG]

I cant get .30 115gr Berger bullets what shoots best in my 300blk.

A bit off topic…?

 

[KRW]

Is it worth reloading .223 for target shooting about 50 rounds a month?

Simply put, Yes
If not just for the cost saving but also from the point of self satisfaction that you are personally tuning the rounds to suit your rifle,
as one member has mentioned already, we have two sports/hobbies in one here

 

[Eagleeye]

Simply put, Yes
If not just for the cost saving but also from the point of self satisfaction that you are personally tuning the rounds to suit your rifle,
as one member has mentioned already, we have two sports/hobbies in one here

 

[NP435]

I would like to achieve accuracy.

So better than factory? It can be done. The time effort and expense must be disregarded then. Do you handload now?

 

[Eagleeye]

So better than factory? It can be done. The time effort and expense must be disregarded then. Do you handload now?

No I am doing my research before applying for variation.

 

[User00044]

No I am doing my research before applying for variation.

Since a variation isn't required for homeloading , I'm assuming you're new to the sport , applying for your FAC and simply doing some groundwork . Nothing wrong with that at all .
If you're part of a target shooting club , you'll find there will be a lot of competent handloaders . It may be worth reaching out on the club FB page or WhatsApp group . All the reloaders I've come across would gladly help a newbie out . You've already had an offer on this thread for the loan of equipment .
Should you decide reloading is for you , buy a decent reloading manual . The Lee one is very good , ignore the constant product placement . Don't forget to collect up your brass . All helps to keep the cost down , as does buying quality second hand equipment.
If memory serves me, @KRW is relatively new to reloading , he did a thread sharing his experiences developing some 223 loads , he may be able to post a link or do a search , it's worth the read for a little inspiration .

Cost wise,
Second hand reloading gear approx £300
1kg propellant approx £110
400 bullets approx £140
400 primers approx £40
Range brass free

Your first 400 rounds would cost in the region of £590 , the last time I looked at factory 223 ammo locally Hornady was £35 for 20 rounds . £700 for the equivalent 400 rounds . Of course I haven't factored in time , load development , fuel costs, etc , but you could break even around the 300 round mark . My pricing may be a little out , you get the idea if you want to delve deeper.

I'm afraid only you can decide whether it's worth reloading 223 .

 

[zambezi]

another advantage though, long term is if you keep a supply of the "makings" in hand, is that you can potentially ride those (all too frequent these days) times when factory ammo is in short supply

Yes.

The other advantage to .223 reloading is the ability to make up some rounds variously with very friable varmint projectiles for one application, and wind-slipping boat tails for target shooting.

 

[nun_hunter]

Cost wise,
Second hand reloading gear approx £300
1kg propellant approx £110
400 bullets approx £140
400 primers approx £40
Range brass free

Your first 400 rounds would cost in the region of £590 , the last time I looked at factory 223 ammo locally Hornady was £35 for 20 rounds . £700 for the equivalent 400 rounds .

You can buy a box of 50 Hornady 55 grain FMJ rounds for £28 so 400 rounds would cost you £224 which is cheaper than the components you list above and you get the brass included. Obviously this depends on what components you buy but this also depends what exactly you're shooting at and how far as to what you need. You mention "range brass" so I assume you're talking about target shooting.

Hunting ammo seems to always be more expensive, whether this is necessary due to the components or the fact the manufacturers know people buy less and equate one round with more return/reward Vs decent target ammo which results in a hole in paper or steel knocked over so has to be cheaper for the reward achieved.

 

[Eagleeye]

Since a variation isn't required for homeloading , I'm assuming you're new to the sport , applying for your FAC and simply doing some groundwork . Nothing wrong with that at all .
If you're part of a target shooting club , you'll find there will be a lot of competent handloaders . It may be worth reaching out on the club FB page or WhatsApp group . All the reloaders I've come across would gladly help a newbie out . You've already had an offer on this thread for the loan of equipment .
Should you decide reloading is for you , buy a decent reloading manual . The Lee one is very good , ignore the constant product placement . Don't forget to collect up your brass . All helps to keep the cost down , as does buying quality second hand equipment.
If memory serves me, @KRW is relatively new to reloading , he did a thread sharing his experiences developing some 223 loads , he may be able to post a link or do a search , it's worth the read for a little inspiration .

Cost wise,
Second hand reloading gear approx £300
1kg propellant approx £110
400 bullets approx £140
400 primers approx £40
Range brass free

Your first 400 rounds would cost in the region of £590 , the last time I looked at factory 223 ammo locally Hornady was £35 for 20 rounds . £700 for the equivalent 400 rounds . Of course I haven't factored in time , load development , fuel costs, etc , but you could break even around the 300 round mark . My pricing may be a little out , you get the idea if you want to delve deeper.

I'm afraid only you can decide whether it's worth reloading 223.

I am new to centrefire but have been shooting rimfire for some time.
To be honest you have explained everything very well.
I went to visit club today and to be honest every single shooter reload their ammo reloading give more flexibility especially when my local RFD is 30 mile away.

 

[Eagleeye]

You can buy a box of 50 Hornady 55 grain FMJ rounds for £28 so 400 rounds would cost you £224 which is cheaper than the components you list above and you get the brass included. Obviously this depends on what components you buy but this also depends what exactly you're shooting at and how far as to what you need. You mention "range brass" so I assume you're talking about target shooting.

Hunting ammo seems to always be more expensive, whether this is necessary due to the components or the fact the manufacturers know people buy less and equate one round with more return/reward Vs decent target ammo which results in a hole in paper or steel knocked over so has to be cheaper for the reward achieved.

 

[Will the chippy]

I am new to centrefire but have been shooting rimfire for some time.
To be honest you have explained everything very well.
I went to visit club today and to be honest every single shooter reload their ammo reloading give more flexibility especially when my local RFD is 30 mile away.

This is the main reason I reload. I can buy bullets and powder when its available or when I can afford it or when passing the gunshop.

 

[Eagleeye]

This is the main reason I reload. I can buy bullets and powder when its available or when I can afford it or when passing the gunshop.

 

[User00044]

You can buy a box of 50 Hornady 55 grain FMJ rounds for £28 so 400 rounds would cost you £224 which is cheaper than the components you list above and you get the brass included. Obviously this depends on what components you buy but this also depends what exactly you're shooting at and how far as to what you need. You mention "range brass" so I assume you're talking about target shooting.

Hunting ammo seems to always be more expensive, whether this is necessary due to the components or the fact the manufacturers know people buy less and equate one round with more return/reward Vs decent target ammo which results in a hole in paper or steel knocked over so has to be cheaper for the reward achieved.

My post wasn't meant as a definitive answer , more to give the OP a means of comparison for start up costs .
I used the term range brass simply to describe the OPs once fired cases from previous bought ammo . I should have perhaps written that .
Even if the OP were to collect up his own brass and beg from others using factory ammo then reloading he could be 1000 rounds in before he breaks even , compared to using Hornady FMJ @£28 /50rounds that is .
I very much doubt anyone who reloads does it as a cost saving exercise , unless theyve been doing it a very very long time and have recouped the costs of their initial investment .
All depends on what level of precision you want to achieve and how much time and money you're prepared to invest .

 

[75]

Not for me.

I reload for other calibres but both Hornady and Sako shoot better than me out of my Tikka. It’s a foxing gun so I’m not burning through much ammo a year, so may be different if you’re target shooting.

 

[KRW]

Here's a couple of links to recent threads with regards to my experiences of getting back into reloading after a quarter of a century break and my .223 hand load development.

Lots of input, advice and also personal assistance from the members on here.

Starting out .223 Reloading .... is now as good a time as any ?

I used to reload years ago and up until the pistol ban and then sold all of my gear off as was never going to have a use for it ever again ....... Fast forward 25 years and here we are, having recently purchased my first .223 for pest control I am considering starting backup with reloading, I...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

First .223 reloading results

Morning all, Just getting back into reloading having not had the need to do so for years and since the pistol ban. A bit of fine tuning needed to get the home loads as good as the 53gn Hornady Superformance, first target from left, 4 x shots rested on bipod and bonnet @ 100yd, well impressed...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Eagleeye]

Here's a couple of links to recent threads with regards to my experiences of getting back into reloading after a quarter of a century break and my .223 hand load development.

Lots of input, advice and also personal assistance from the members on here.

Starting out .223 Reloading .... is now as good a time as any ?

I used to reload years ago and up until the pistol ban and then sold all of my gear off as was never going to have a use for it ever again ....... Fast forward 25 years and here we are, having recently purchased my first .223 for pest control I am considering starting backup with reloading, I...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

First .223 reloading results

Morning all, Just getting back into reloading having not had the need to do so for years and since the pistol ban. A bit of fine tuning needed to get the home loads as good as the 53gn Hornady Superformance, first target from left, 4 x shots rested on bipod and bonnet @ 100yd, well impressed...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Thanks for info will take me a bit to read it though.

 

[nun_hunter]

My post wasn't meant as a definitive answer , more to give the OP a means of comparison for start up costs .
I used the term range brass simply to describe the OPs once fired cases from previous bought ammo . I should have perhaps written that .
Even if the OP were to collect up his own brass and beg from others using factory ammo then reloading he could be 1000 rounds in before he breaks even , compared to using Hornady FMJ @£28 /50rounds that is .
I very much doubt anyone who reloads does it as a cost saving exercise , unless theyve been doing it a very very long time and have recouped the costs of their initial investment .
All depends on what level of precision you want to achieve and how much time and money you're prepared to invest .

Reloading for quality hunting ammo is worth it as supply is usually sketchy or just what you want isn't available. Generally for hunting and even varminting the costs are negligible and quality ammo is usually very accurate. I can't beat the Sako Blade ammo for accuracy, it is pricey but for deer and the amount I shoot it's not an issue at over £2 a round. I've started to reload my 223 due to the amount I can end up shooting and supply issues for target ammo locally. Cost wise it's on par (for the consumerables) but the supply is easier to control.

I got a good deal on some Sako Racehead 144g Creedmoor rounds a while ago, £40/50 so stocked up and they don't sell/import them any more so I was forced to reload some 140 Sierra HPBT using the Sako brass but even then I doubt the cost will be much of a saving but again the supply will be consistent at least.

 

[Eddie P]

By using the OCW method you can normally get your load sorted in 2 sessions without burning through loads of consumables.

 

[Bowland blades]

Never seen serious target shooting Competitor shooting factory . There is the cost difference and the ability to get the best very accuracy that rifle can give .
So the choice depends on how serious are you and also your thoughts on cost . Its a poor reloader who cannot beat the accuracy of factory at longer ranges or super precision short range events .
BUT if you shoot a box of twenty inexpensive factory ammo every fortnight and have little spare time and interest in the reloading in its own right ?
223 can be loaded super cheap making big savings , shooting targets at 100 yards for fun on a Sunday loading home cast lead you will get a lot of shooting out of a pound of powder and some primers
A lot depends on a lot sometimes

 

[Eagleeye]

Thanks for info will take me a bit to read it though.

Reloading for quality hunting ammo is worth it as supply is usually sketchy or just what you want isn't available. Generally for hunting and even varminting the costs are negligible and quality ammo is usually very accurate. I can't beat the Sako Blade ammo for accuracy, it is pricey but for deer and the amount I shoot it's not an issue at over £2 a round. I've started to reload my 223 due to the amount I can end up shooting and supply issues for target ammo locally. Cost wise it's on par (for the consumerables) but the supply is easier to control.

I got a good deal on some Sako Racehead 144g Creedmoor rounds a while ago, £40/50 so stocked up and they don't sell/import them any more so I was forced to reload some 140 Sierra HPBT using the Sako brass but even then I doubt the cost will be much of a saving but again the supply will be consistent at

Never seen serious target shooting Competitor shooting factory . There is the cost difference and the ability to get the best very accuracy that rifle can give .
So the choice depends on how serious are you and also your thoughts on cost . Its a poor reloader who cannot beat the accuracy of factory at longer ranges or super precision short range events .
BUT if you shoot a box of twenty inexpensive factory ammo every fortnight and have little spare time and interest in the reloading in its own right ?
223 can be loaded super cheap making big savings , shooting targets at 100 yards for fun on a Sunday loading home cast lead you will get a lot of shooting out of a pound of powder and some primers
A lot depends on a lot sometimes