Quote:
Originally Posted by kepp
Yeah, so doing the math, it does seem like reconditioning your own brass is what will really save you money. I made a quick spreadsheet and if I buy reconditioned brass (not primed), I can load for about $0.31 per round. That would save me between $0.03 and $0.05 per round from the cost of new ammo, once shipping is added in.
That's not a huge savings, but I'll probably start out that way and gradually acquire the equipment necessary to recondition my own brass.
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The best deal on 223 is usually the overrun military stuff that sells for roughly $7.00 per box (or at least did last month) of 20. If you buy it in bulk it is probably more like $6.25 per box of 20.
I load 223 for $12 per box of 50. That is a pretty dramatic savings increase in my mind. Particularly when you start counting in the accuracy increase. When you reload ammunition, you can tailor make it for your gun's chamber, rifling, lede, etc. It has been my experience that most cheap factory 223 ammunition is about 3 MOA. Meaning, if you were perfect, at 100 yards, you would have a 3 inch group. My rifle will shoot 1/2 MOA. I won't tolerate crap ammunition screwing up my day. I can handload 1/2 MOA (or better) ammunition all day. It isn't even that hard. If you compared reloads to match quality ammunition (which generally is still less accurate than reloads) the savings would be much more evident.
Additionally, the savings in reloading is much less evident (though still good) in 223 and 9mm than any other caliber. Reload 45 acp or 30-06 or in my case some odd cartridges like 7.5x55 Swiss or 6.5x55 Swede, and the savings are immediately apparent.
I figure on 9mm I save $3-5. But on 45 ACP, I can make a box of 50 for $5.50. Try buying 45 ACP for less than $15 a box. Likewise, I can reload 7.5x55 for $15 a box. When I can find it (which is rare), it always costs me at least $20.
You are definitely going to want to do your own brass prep. If you are worried about money up front, I would buy the Lee case trimmer for 223 and use it. You need a cutter and the caliber specific pilot. It is $10 total or something like that. You don't need to worry too much about chamfering and the rest, but that is cheap too.
LiveSteam - I have loaded one box of 45-70 at my uncle's house. I don't own a 45-70 though. I reload 9mm, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 Smith and Wesson, 45 ACP, 223 Remington, 6.5x55 Swede, 30 Carbine, 7.5x55 Swiss. I have access to dies in other calibers, but I own all the components/dies for the calibers above.
Dunit35 - I have the STR on my rifle and it I love it.