reloading .223 and .40

[Muzzy100]

Is reloading .223 worth it? I am considering buying some reloading equipment I wanted to ask reloaders from the green screen. My other question is should I start out and go the cheap route and get a single stage or should I save money and buy a progressive. Also I would want to reload .40 as well

Is it worth it?

I am worried that ammo is going to get hard to come by and really expensive and highly controlled

Thanks for your help

Concerned citizen

Muzzy100

[DRT]

It depends. If you are going to shoot a lot of ammo just to shoot bulk ammo is much cheaper. AR play day at the range spools through it quick. If you have a match grade rifle and will shoot matches, or want a particular bullet/load for hunting then by all means go for it.

[slingingarrows]

I reload for a 223 and I think it is worth it depending on what bullets you load. I load the Barnes 62 TSX for deer and hogs and I load the 55 gr vmax for plinking and everything else. I use a single stage because I like doing 1 bullet at a time so I know everything is right.

[lbbf]

I know that the cost for me to shoot .40 whith reloads is $0.17. That is alot better then I can do with any of the factory ammo and that is with me reloading hollow points. Keep your eye out on Ebay and garage sales. I got my complete set of reloading equip for $50.

[RemMan700]

Reloading is definitely worth it. I would not suggest a progressive press for a beginner. I do suggest a good turret press like the Redding T-7. It has the simplicity of a single stage but is faster due to the fact that you can get all your dies setup and not switch them out.

[r_u_sharp_2]

Can be worth it depending on what you use and where you get your supplies. For 40, I think i am in the 17 cent range.

Picked up brass
Cci primers
Titegroup
Montana gold 180 fmj- i dont shoot lead/moly

In the process of gearing up to load 223, before I started shooting a bow again. It is close to 32 cents for that depending on brass. I generally shoot stuff that runs 37 to 39. Hoser type 55 grain. I buy my longer range stuff until I start reloading.

I see no reason why to not start on a progressive. I started on a dillon 550, and have loaded 10k at least on it in the last 2-3 years, which is not that much.

[Muzzy100]

Yea I am really been wanting to get in to it. Do yall have any trouble finding supplies should you stock up on them or just buy what you need.

[tpepper70]

Definitely worth it. You can tinker with loads to find what works best in your gun and it's much cheaper. Craigslist always has reloading stuff at good prices. Get a good reloading manual and read, read, read.

[BigTex.308]

I have both single stage and progressive. I use the single stage when I'm experimenting with a new load. Once I have it figured out I use my progressive.

If you're going for volume progressive is the way to go. Just get you a couple manuals and read read read.



Ike

[BigTex.308]

I would buy you a used single stage. Get the hang of it and always be on the lookout for a progressive. Check craigslist and our classifieds. You can find some great deals.


Start ya a thread right now. I got my start off TBH classifieds.


Ike

[r_u_sharp_2]

Primers are the only thing that I have trouble finding sometimes. I always buy in bulk from online dealers or at gun shows(when you used to be able to get a deal).
Need is a relative term, i know some guys that have 50k primers as a stash and still buy 5k at a time to use each month. Depends on what you plans are. I buy when i start running low and buy 5000 at a time.

[BigTex.308]

Primers are the only thing that I have trouble finding sometimes. I always buy in bulk from online dealers or at gun shows(when you used to be able to get a deal).
Need is a relative term, i know some guys that have 50k primers as a stash and still buy 5k at a time to use each month. Depends on what you plans are. I buy when i start running low and buy 5000 at a time.

I buy all mine local when i find a good deal. The hazmat shipping charges kill me online



Ike

[txfireguy2003]

Here is my experience. I don't reload pistol bullets because i burn through them too fast. I can load for s couple of hours, and it's all gone in a few minutes. I do load .223, but only for hunting rounds and extreme accuracy, plinking rounds, like what I run through my AR, I just buy. You can still get .223 pretty cheap, not really cheaper than I can reload them, but when I figure in my time to reload, and how long it takes me to burn through the ammo I load with a semi-auto, it all seems pointless to me. Now, for a single shot, or bolt action rifle, where extreme accuracy is the game, it's absolutely worth it. Also, the bigger and more obscure the caliber, the more it becomes worth it. I can load rounds for a .270 WSM that will beat the snot out of the $50+ a box stuff, for about $12 a box. For that matter, I can build loads for a .223 with premium bullets, that shoot in the 1/4" - 1/2" range for about the price I can buy the cheapo stuff, but if I'm just burning ammo, why would I waste a couple hours reloading for 5-10 minutes worth of shooting. It all boils down to, "What is my time worth?"

[rossivey]

Here is my experience. I don't reload pistol bullets because i burn through them too fast. I can load for s couple of hours, and it's all gone in a few minutes. I do load .223, but only for hunting rounds and extreme accuracy, plinking rounds, like what I run through my AR, I just buy. You can still get .223 pretty cheap, not really cheaper than I can reload them, but when I figure in my time to reload, and how long it takes me to burn through the ammo I load with a semi-auto, it all seems pointless to me. Now, for a single shot, or bolt action rifle, where extreme accuracy is the game, it's absolutely worth it. Also, the bigger and more obscure the caliber, the more it becomes worth it. I can load rounds for a .270 WSM that will beat the snot out of the $50+ a box stuff, for about $12 a box. For that matter, I can build loads for a .223 with premium bullets, that shoot in the 1/4" - 1/2" range for about the price I can buy the cheapo stuff, but if I'm just burning ammo, why would I waste a couple hours reloading for 5-10 minutes worth of shooting. It all boils down to, "What is my time worth?"

I agree. It is worth it from a financial standpoint but it does take more time to load the shells than it does to spend the shells. I enjoy reloading though so I do it for that as well as the cheaper price. & I've got a bunch of different dies to load for my buddies and I charge them enough that it usually pays for all MY reloading needs!

[BigTex.308]

I agree. It is worth it from a financial standpoint but it does take more time to load the shells than it does to spend the shells. I enjoy reloading though so I do it for that as well as the cheaper price. & I've got a bunch of different dies to load for my buddies and I charge them enough that it usually pays for all MY reloading needs!

Same here. I make ammo for my buddies so my cost usually zeros out. I also use a progressive press so i can put out hundreds per hour. Besides I enjoy it. It's a hobby that pays back.



Ike