| Posted: Tue Dec 5th, 2006 07:51 PM |
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vdospec
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I have already been interested in reloading and just bought a new AR-15 and was wondering if it is worth it to reload teh 223 cartridge?, and if so how much price difference between bought and reloaded would be and what equipment should I buy with minimal invstment to start off with?
Thank You
mike
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Michael Walker
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| Posted: Tue Dec 5th, 2006 08:36 PM |
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dakotasin
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you won't save much reloading for 223, but you will save a little. you will be able to get a more accurate load. basically, for the price of garbage 223 factory loads, you get better than black hills accuracy.
equipment... field is wide open. i like rcbs gear myself. not the cheapest, but absolutely bomb-proof.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 5th, 2006 11:37 PM |
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72coupe
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I reload lots of 223. Buy none. The reason is, I can't buy loads that are taylored to my rifle perfectly.
Experimenting with the loads and all the combinations is a hobby unto itself.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 01:01 AM |
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RatherBHuntin
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I have run several types of surplus and cheap crap through mine, as well as Lake City and Fed, Win and Rem stuff. The only ammo thats functions reliably is Lake City, Federal Bulk 55gr HP Varmint loads (I don't think they are making them anymore, came in 200 round boxes) and my handloads. I can get the velocity and accuracy I want plus the proper pressure to operate the gun.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 01:59 AM |
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hoashooter
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For plinking/blasting ammo you might be able to purchase mil-surp and save a few bucks---for them little groups use commercial brass and roll your own
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| Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 02:23 AM |
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Poacher
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It costs me the same amount to buy it or reload it. Well it cost the same before there was a major shortage for mil spec calibers. I was rolling them for .11 a round and it cost right at .10 or .11 a round. But my reloads are for my rifle and I know they will out shoot any factory load, plus I'm willing to bet that right now I'm reloading for alot less than what they are selling factory stuff at.
Take care Be safe Poacher.
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| Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 02:51 AM |
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bea175
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One word can answer your question, YES
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| Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 01:22 PM |
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vdospec
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thanks for all of the help, right now my factory loads cost about .25 a round for remington at walmart, alittle less if i buy more quanity, so it sounds like I can save about half.
I still need to know what kit to buy at RCBS i am looking at the Reloader Special-5™ Press or Rock Chucker® Supreme Press or should you get a 5 stage press?
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Michael Walker
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| Posted: Wed Dec 6th, 2006 07:13 PM |
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dakotasin
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the rcbs rockchucker is a simple, single stage system, and is only slightly weaker than an anvil. if you are shooting 223 from a bolt gun, it is the way to go. however, the 223 is a flexible cartridge, and works well w/ many powders - meaning that finding one that flows well and is consistent, and can generate the appropriate impulse to run an ar-15 is easy... for bulk loading, look to the hornady lock-n-load or dillon.
for starters, though, you will not go wrong w/ an rcbs rockchucker. if you are running an ar-15, use rcbs small base dies. for bolt guns, use redding fl and/or neck dies.
for powders, use h-322 for light bullets, or varget for heavy bullets.
use federal small rifle primers.
light bullets: 40 grain hornady v-max. heavies: 69 sierra (don't go heavier than 77 until you know your rifle well because you'll run the risk of having to single-load an ar-15).
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dakotasin
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lee products give me hives. some guys like 'em though.
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vdospec
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Ok, now where do i buy 223 Brass and bullets and Primers and Powder and what kind or brand and where do i order it from?
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Michael Walker
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dakotasin
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http://www.cabelas.com - look for hornady v-max, .224... brass for 223 is easy to come by, but if you need to buy new, winchester brass is pretty good. for powders, hodgdon's h-322, h-335, or varget, and alliant's rl-15 and rl-10x are all good choices. all that stuff is available thru cabela's.
also look to http://www.midwayusa.com, http://www.grafs.com, http://www.lockstock.com, and http://www.sinclairintl.com if you don't want to go thru cabelas.
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vdospec
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May i ask how you are roling them for .11 a round?, it seems just to buy the brass costs that much.. can you explain to me how you are doing it? I was looking at 223 brass and i can seem to only get brass for 1000 for $73 and that is once fired.
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Poacher
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Vdospec
I have friends that don't reload so I get some brass from them also a few years back Sportsmans guide and Cheaper than dirt had some boxer primed stuff for a real good price so I picked 2000 rnds up. My main cost was the 8Lb keg of blc2. The start up for reloading is probably the most expensive part of the whole thing. Once you get a little stuff on hand your costs average out and then drop dramatically.
Take care Be safe Poacher.
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vdospec
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I need to know what to buy for brass and Primers and Poweder at minimal cost to start up, can anyone tell me what to order for those 3?? just want the basic stuff.
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Force_Recon_Marine
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If at all possible, you should try to buy your powder and primers locally. If you order them you will have to pay Hazmat in additon to the normal shipping charges. You should check out online auctions for brass. The last lot I purchased was 1750+ rounds, once fired military brass, shipped to my door. It had already been tumbled. If I were just starting out, I would find a store or someone near you to sell you whatever you would like to start with. Start with about 100 rounds or so. That will provide you with a lot of learning experience. H322, Varget, AA2460, Benchmark are all good powders for .223. I use Federal primers, 205m. Everyone has their own favorite combinations. Let me know if I can help.
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billt
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Yes, it's worth it to reload, and here is why. First the AR-15 will go thru a lot of ammo. It's a semi auto and the "fun factor" of these guns is enormous. Another thing is the fact ammo prices have risen sharply in the last year because the cost of raw materials, (Copper, Brass, Lead), has spiked up sharply. China is buying a very large amount of these type of metals to support their large, growing industrial base causing what basicly amounts to a shortage. For example, last year I bought Federal XM-193 Mil-Spec Ball Ammo in 5.56 MM for $3.29 @ box of 20. Federal American Eagle in .223 for $2.99 @ box of 20. Now the price has all but doubled. As the components themselves become more valuable, the more you will save by reloading them. I have a total of 3 AR-15's as well as a bolt gun in .223 so for me it's reloading for sure. How much you spend on a press is about the only factor to consider. Dillon makes their 550 which is a progressive and is simple to operate and works well. If you reload military brass it will require you to remove the crimp in the primer pocket in a seperate operation, but you will only have to perform that operation once. Single stage reloading is fine, but time consuming. If you want to go all out Dillon makes their 1050 which is expensive but has many features and will automaticly swage out the primer pocket automaticly. It will make more rounds per hour than you will probably shoot. It's up to you and how much you want to spend, but you will save money after you make the initial investment in tools and components. Bill T.
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vdospec
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thanks Bill, i decided on the LEE Pro 1000 Press actually it is due to arrive today. now all i need i hope is Brass, Power and bullets, but then again i am a newbie at this. Wow that sure was cheap for that ammo last year, almost not worth teh effort to reload.
I wanted to make my own since it will be another hobby. and i would most liley enjoy this. I bought my AR-15 to remined me of my days as a military Secuiryt Policeman in the Air force, it's the same rifle i carried expect without the auto of course.
I just need some tips on where to buy my stuff and what to get now for teh power and the bullets and brass.
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Michael Walker
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billt
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Midway is a good place for reloading supplies http://www.midwayusa.com so is Natchez Shooters Supplies http://www.natchezss.com .223 is still cheap enough to buy factory ammo initially, then save the brass for reloading. If you price buying all of the components, factor in powder and primers along with your time, factory ammo in .223 is still worth it the first time around. Powder and primers are usually cheaper if you can buy them in bulk locally because you won't have to factor in the $20.00 Haz-Mat fee into the purchase. Midway usually has deals on bulk FMJ bullets without any shipping once and a while. You'll see just how much you need of what after you start reloading. Bill T.
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