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Am I doing the math right?
4/17/2012 3:46:11 PM
1000 rounds of 223....
components-all prices are ballpark
1000 winchester brass midway 240.00
1000 hornady 55g FMJ bulk bullets 90.00
1000 primers 40.00
H335 powder @ 280 rounds / lb = about 3.75 pounds needed for 1000 rounds @ 22.00 lb = 82.50
component total 452.50
If I used Remington once fired brass I would save 100.00
****OR******
I can order Fed Am Eagle ammo for 328.00 for 1000 rounds and have the brass left over for reloading.
So...somebody 'splain to me why I should NOT go with the loaded ammo for a few 1000 rounds first off...as it seems to me that most of the $$$ in reloading is in the brass.
components-all prices are ballpark
1000 winchester brass midway 240.00
1000 hornady 55g FMJ bulk bullets 90.00
1000 primers 40.00
H335 powder @ 280 rounds / lb = about 3.75 pounds needed for 1000 rounds @ 22.00 lb = 82.50
component total 452.50
If I used Remington once fired brass I would save 100.00
****OR******
I can order Fed Am Eagle ammo for 328.00 for 1000 rounds and have the brass left over for reloading.
So...somebody 'splain to me why I should NOT go with the loaded ammo for a few 1000 rounds first off...as it seems to me that most of the $$$ in reloading is in the brass.
4/17/2012 3:48:16 PM
I usually see 1k of once fired brass for around $60/k locally.
4/17/2012 3:53:47 PM
I started with a case of loaded ammo. and really right now with the limited availability of projectiles and me doing small batches with 1 lb jugs from local fun store I am spending more to reload than if I went and got another case of ammo from the fun show even with having the brass already. I would start out with loaded ammo just pick some that doesn't have crimped primers. Seems you really gotta watch deals and order bulk to save money with 223.
4/17/2012 3:58:32 PM
Having a source of once-fired brass cuts the cost down quite a bit. I get FREE .223 and .308 brass so I save a buch. Look on the EE and pick up some once-fired brass... IMO, no reason at all to buy NEW brass.
4/17/2012 4:02:59 PM
Originally Posted By KimberTLE45:
I usually see 1k of once fired brass for around $60/k locally.
I usually see 1k of once fired brass for around $60/k locally.
...and about that, shipped on the EE.
ETA: I'm reloading 223 for about $0.23/round. The extra $100/1k rounds plus the additional accuracy is definitely worth the difference to me. Nothing wrong with starting off with factory, then reloading the brass, but there's not much to be gained, to be honest.
4/17/2012 4:26:41 PM
If you are loading 223 blasting ammo you should be buying powder in something other than 1 lb bottles
4lb or 8 lb or better yet surplus takedown will be way less per pound.
Buying new 223 brass for something less than special match loads is just crazy
At my club range I could come up with 1000 lake city once fired just by picking 3 times in a week (about how often I go)
It would take me the three times as a couple of guys scrap brass a couple of times a week so it never gets real deep.
What with case prep and 5.56 brass haveing a fairly short life I don't bother other than for match loads where the equivilent factory
loads are pretty much a dollar a round.
Don't get me wrong, I spend plenty of time loading 30/06,303brit,45/70,44mag and 44sp,45acp,357 and 38sp,380acp,30carbine,30/40 Kraig and 9mm
Up untill a couple 4 or so years ago I didn't bother with 380acp,9mm or 30 carbine but the last go round of price increases put me back into that stuff.
I have dies for stuff I never bother to load like 7.62X54R and 7.62X39 and I have a pot,a sizer and moulds for a bunch of stuff but I have not cast a bullet for 25
years. The cost of 45/70 bullets might drive me to go back to that also.
A real reloader is always sniffing around for deals on components , the real finds are when you find somebody cleaning out somebodys old reloading bench
and they are happy to have somebody haul the stuff away
4lb or 8 lb or better yet surplus takedown will be way less per pound.
Buying new 223 brass for something less than special match loads is just crazy
At my club range I could come up with 1000 lake city once fired just by picking 3 times in a week (about how often I go)
It would take me the three times as a couple of guys scrap brass a couple of times a week so it never gets real deep.
What with case prep and 5.56 brass haveing a fairly short life I don't bother other than for match loads where the equivilent factory
loads are pretty much a dollar a round.
Don't get me wrong, I spend plenty of time loading 30/06,303brit,45/70,44mag and 44sp,45acp,357 and 38sp,380acp,30carbine,30/40 Kraig and 9mm
Up untill a couple 4 or so years ago I didn't bother with 380acp,9mm or 30 carbine but the last go round of price increases put me back into that stuff.
I have dies for stuff I never bother to load like 7.62X54R and 7.62X39 and I have a pot,a sizer and moulds for a bunch of stuff but I have not cast a bullet for 25
years. The cost of 45/70 bullets might drive me to go back to that also.
A real reloader is always sniffing around for deals on components , the real finds are when you find somebody cleaning out somebodys old reloading bench
and they are happy to have somebody haul the stuff away
4/17/2012 5:38:37 PM
Assuming you plan to reuse the brass instead of leaving it behind after the first firing, divide the cost of the brass by 5 uses. That'll help some, but I get all of my brass once fired for free.
4/17/2012 7:33:48 PM
The last time I bought brass it was $11/k shipped for .223 LC (1981 or so). I'm still using quite a bit of that brass.
I would not buy new brass for plinking ammo. Buy some once fired LC. Check that it is really once fired by looking for the crimp ring around the primer.
As has been said, buying 1 lb cans of powder is more expensive (unless you can catch it on sale for $15/lb or less). 8 lb jugs ($135 or so) are the way to go, and preferably surplus 844 for $85/8 lbs.
For primers, look at the Wolf SRMs; I think they can be found for under $20/k still.
There is nothing wrong with buying new ammo as a source of brass, but it is more expensive.
4/17/2012 7:59:40 PM
Originally Posted By leafinthewind:
1000 rounds of 223....
components-all prices are ballpark
1000 winchester brass midway 240.00 1X pick-up brass: Free
1000 hornady 55g FMJ bulk bullets 90.00 ballpark
1000 primers 40.00 $30 or less
H335 powder @ 280 rounds / lb = about 3.75 pounds needed for 1000 rounds @ 22.00 lb = 82.50 WC844 pulldown for $12/lb
component total 452.50 ~$160
1000 rounds of 223....
components-all prices are ballpark
1000 winchester brass midway 240.00 1X pick-up brass: Free
1000 hornady 55g FMJ bulk bullets 90.00 ballpark
1000 primers 40.00 $30 or less
H335 powder @ 280 rounds / lb = about 3.75 pounds needed for 1000 rounds @ 22.00 lb = 82.50 WC844 pulldown for $12/lb
component total 452.50 ~$160
I fixed those numbers for you, if you're just looking for economy. Each time you show up at the range and see someone with a case of new ammo, and not picking up their brass, you'll start to grin. A friendly conversation will usually get you permission to have all of their brass.
If you're looking for better ammo, you can do match-grade bullets with high-grade powder, and if you're using 1x brass, still come in about the same as buying bulk M193.
Now, that being said... for inexpensive plinking ammo, you may find loading 1k rounds to be quite a bit of work if you don't have a progressive.
4/17/2012 8:00:54 PM
For just straight out blasting ammo for my 223 I came up with these numbers below granted it takes a big buy in to get the costs down but prices have been going up and I don't see an end.
Wc844 pulled powder $85 pound X 4 to get free haz mat + shipping cost = .40 cents per ten @ 25 grns allowing for some loss
3000 62 grain PULLED bullets $205 = .70 cents per ten
10,000 Wolf mag primers $165 = .17 cents per ten
Primer haz mat $28 = .03cents per ten
Range pickup brass FREE (started picking 223 up well before I even had one) I can normally get 3-4 hundred each trip
Throw in some misc costs such as cleaning media @ $10 per 1K = .10 cents per ten
Enjoyment of DYI = Priceless
Approx cost per 1K rounds would be = $140.00 or .14 cents per round
Lets say once shot brass at .10 ea / 5 loads would come out to an additional .02 cents per round
Wc844 pulled powder $85 pound X 4 to get free haz mat + shipping cost = .40 cents per ten @ 25 grns allowing for some loss
3000 62 grain PULLED bullets $205 = .70 cents per ten
10,000 Wolf mag primers $165 = .17 cents per ten
Primer haz mat $28 = .03cents per ten
Range pickup brass FREE (started picking 223 up well before I even had one) I can normally get 3-4 hundred each trip
Throw in some misc costs such as cleaning media @ $10 per 1K = .10 cents per ten
Enjoyment of DYI = Priceless
Approx cost per 1K rounds would be = $140.00 or .14 cents per round
Lets say once shot brass at .10 ea / 5 loads would come out to an additional .02 cents per round
4/17/2012 8:18:24 PM
"So...somebody 'splain to me why I should NOT go with the loaded ammo for a few 1000 rounds first off...as it seems to me that most of the $$$ in reloading is in the brass. "
No reason not to do your plan, the only suggestion I would add is... Try to find some "un-crimped primer" brass, IE Rem. UMC or such. Removing the crimp isn't a big deal, but if you can avoid it , I would.
And you should buy powder in 8lb jugs, cheaper and you don't have to work up the load again, every time you get a new "lot".
No reason not to do your plan, the only suggestion I would add is... Try to find some "un-crimped primer" brass, IE Rem. UMC or such. Removing the crimp isn't a big deal, but if you can avoid it , I would.
And you should buy powder in 8lb jugs, cheaper and you don't have to work up the load again, every time you get a new "lot".
4/17/2012 8:53:11 PM
As others have said,once fired brass is around $75/ 1000. 8 lb of H335 is about $130 and CCI 450's are $28 from powder valley.
You will NEVER reload cheaply buying new brass, 1 lb powder and a small number of primers and bullets.
Currently, I'm getting blasting .223 ammo for under $0.10 per round. But, I am using componants that I bought in 10,000+ orders back in the late 90's and early 2000's.
You will NEVER reload cheaply buying new brass, 1 lb powder and a small number of primers and bullets.
Currently, I'm getting blasting .223 ammo for under $0.10 per round. But, I am using componants that I bought in 10,000+ orders back in the late 90's and early 2000's.
4/17/2012 9:22:58 PM
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.handloads.com%2Fcalc%2FloadingCosts.asp&ei=MReOT4fAK4aJtwfY_bTwCw&usg=AFQjCNFAmnAybWCdOIV0FXUJHDMKxVy_Iw
Go here and input your info OP.
Go here and input your info OP.
4/17/2012 9:33:17 PM
OP if your paying more then 4｢ a round shipped for used brass your paying to much.
4/17/2012 9:35:19 PM
double tap
4/17/2012 9:37:55 PM
I too am just getting into reloading. I've just purchased my first round of components and am at $205.55/case (1000 rounds). You aren't shopping around enough:
Once Fired Lake City Brass (5,000 after shipping): $300 or $0.06/ea
62gr FMJBT projectiles (5,000 after shipping): $391 or $0.0782/ea
24lbs of Pull Down 844 powder (after shipping and hasmat): $300 or $0.04375/rnd (7000gr per pound, 24.5gr per round)
Wolf Small Rifle Maginum Primers (5,000 after shipping and hasmat): $118 or $0.0236/ea
This comes out to $0.20555/rnd, or $205.55/case.
Shop around more.
Once Fired Lake City Brass (5,000 after shipping): $300 or $0.06/ea
62gr FMJBT projectiles (5,000 after shipping): $391 or $0.0782/ea
24lbs of Pull Down 844 powder (after shipping and hasmat): $300 or $0.04375/rnd (7000gr per pound, 24.5gr per round)
Wolf Small Rifle Maginum Primers (5,000 after shipping and hasmat): $118 or $0.0236/ea
This comes out to $0.20555/rnd, or $205.55/case.
Shop around more.
4/17/2012 9:39:45 PM
Like others have said, you need to get once fired brass. Also buy in bulk, 8lb kegs of powder are a lot cheaper. 
4/17/2012 9:47:32 PM
My loads:
POWDER 末 purchased through hi-tech ammo WC844 pull down at $85 each (buy in bulk of 4 at $340 and they pay for hazmat)
POWDER CHARGE 末 approx 21.5gr (slight variance with your own personal)
PRIMERS 末 purchased via wideners 6000 primers for $96
CASES 末 FREE the best you can get from once fired and range pickups
BULLETS 末 purchased through wideners 6000 for $474 shipped 末just plinking ammo
My cost per 1000 rounds is $128 + some shipping that I don't have figures for.
MOST IMPORTANT IS FREE BRASS AND BUYING IN BULK!!!!
POWDER 末 purchased through hi-tech ammo WC844 pull down at $85 each (buy in bulk of 4 at $340 and they pay for hazmat)
POWDER CHARGE 末 approx 21.5gr (slight variance with your own personal)
PRIMERS 末 purchased via wideners 6000 primers for $96
CASES 末 FREE the best you can get from once fired and range pickups
BULLETS 末 purchased through wideners 6000 for $474 shipped 末just plinking ammo
My cost per 1000 rounds is $128 + some shipping that I don't have figures for.
MOST IMPORTANT IS FREE BRASS AND BUYING IN BULK!!!!
