Cost to reload 55gr M193 Ammo?

[NetJunkie]

I'm trying to work the numbers to see the difference between reloading ammo and just buying some 55gr M193 for $320/1K.

Assume I already have the gear I need, but I do not have brass, bullets, powder, or primers. What's the cost to load 1K rounds of M193 .223?

 

[nitesite]

I might be able to help, albeit only partially.

1K M193 bullets $74 +shipping = $85
1K small rifle primers = $24
Four pounds of powder = $80

Cases are the biggest variable.
New vs. once fired can make a huge difference.
You're into components already for $189 (or more) then add whatever type of brass you wish to purchase.

 

[NetJunkie]

Looks like once fired is $70 to $80 for K pieces. So I am at close to $270. I think I'll just buy some for now.

Thanks!

 

[Sunray]

It's not about cost. However, if it cost you $320 to load 1,000 rounds of any ammo except match grade bullets, I'd be very surprised. Match bullets aren't cheap.
Midway wants $195.99 plus shipping for 1,000 pcs of new Remington brass. They're not the least expensive either. Mind you, an M193 isn't the best bullet either.
Of course, you get lots more than one use out of the brass. Depending on the load used. Hot loads reduce case life.

 

[NetJunkie]

Right now my concern is cost. I'm trying to do a return on investment calculation on a really good reloading setup. I'm also trying to decide if I want to order several K rounds of .223 or just wait and load it up myself. I agree that brass can be reused, but that's on the assumption I use it. I don't shoot a lot of .223 but I want to stock up a good bit. That means I buy brass to do that.

I know how much .40SW I'd have to reload to get my investment back. 20K rounds. I shoot that the most since I use it in USPSA. Usually the other argument is the customization of your load for your needs but to be honest, Atlanta Arms and Ammo makes a darn good .40SW Major power factor load. It's very accurate and lands at 166.5 power factor out of my gun. I don't think I can improve on that myself at all...so it comes down to (Cost Savings) - (Time)

EDIT: Also, I don't think it'll cost me $320 to load 1K rounds. But we just did a quick estimate and it can cost $270 to do it. That's $50/K in savings. Not a huge number. My calculations on handgun ammo (.40SW) are more favorable.

 

[Roccobro]

I get brass for $50-60/K. And once you re-use them once or twice the savings is VERY favorable. Add to the fact that you'll have the equipment paid off to make even more in the future, in which we can only speculate what reloading cost could be for use shooters.

Justin

 

[amlevin]

I have loaded approximately 5,000 rounds of M-193(type) ammo and have the following to offer for costs:

I use Accurate 2230 (26gr for approx 3200 fps) 8# costs me $104.95
Bullets are a Bulk 55gr FMJ-BT that I pick up at the local gun show for $60/thousand. Winchester Bulk 55gr FMJ-BT's are $2 mor per thou. from a local Dealer and look exactly the same. Winchester primers for $23/thousand and once fired cases are available from Jeff Bartlett for $60/thousand.
That works out to $0.192 per round. (Yes, there are cheaper Powder/Primer/bullet prices online but be sure to add shipping and hazmat fees. I buy local, save money, and make friends with my Dealers)


I'd rather shoot my reloads than pay close to $400 per thousand. Load 5,000 rounds and you can save enough to have a good Dillon XL-650 with casefeeder that can spit out several hundred rounds an hour. After it's paid for in the savings, you can think about another rifle to add to your collection.

 

[NetJunkie]

Excellent info amlevin. Thank you. That makes it harder.

 

[Sunray]

"...on the assumption I use it..." Even if you're not shooting a lot of .223, you'll have to work up a load anyway. Same as you did for your .40 S&W. Buying ammo in bulk when you don't know how well it shoots out of your rifle isn't a good idea or investment. Buy one box, if you can, and try it, before you buy in bulk.
Your current press matters too though. If you have a Dillon or other progressive for your .40 S&W, you'll want to consider how much it'll cost to change calibres. A Dillon RL 550B Caliber Conversion Kit for .223 runs $40.95 plus dies. Regular dies will do. Dillon carbide rifle dies are mucho expensive. $133.95 for .223 carbide dies.
Mind you, I suspect that, depending on what rifle you have, 3 gun shoots might catch you're eye. One rifle, one shotgun, one pistol. You can't have too much fun shooting.

 

[Jenrick]

I'm currently loading .223 match ammo for highpower shooting, which is the only reason I've been able to afford to get into the sport (and the reason I started reloading too).

Cases: .08 per case sized, cleaned and primed from River Valley Ordinace
Bullet: .15 69gr Hornady Match BTHP
Powder: .08 26gr Varget

Total cost per round: .31

Cheapest cost per match ammo: Black Hills reloads ~ .64 a round for remanufactured rounds with the same bullet weight and type.

Savings: .33 a round ~ $330 per 1/k Basically I can make match rounds for the same price you're paying for non-match rounds.

Now if you go with a cheaper, lets use the quoted $85 shipped, thats .085 a bullet. The total now comes out to roughly .25 a round.

You can of course find cheaper powders, or use cheaper bullets and the savings will continue to add up.

-Jenrick

 

[sublimaze41]

AMLEVIN's calculations are spot on for me. I use AA2230 as it is the cheapest powder in 8 pound containers and it flows like butter in my 550b. I like the Hornady 55FMJ w/ Can and Win primers. Even without using the brass again (forgive me fateher for I have sinned) you still come out ahead.

I have 2 loads for my Colt M4, one with H322 and the other with AA2230.....These loads have been loaded specifically for my gun, that is an added bonus.

Friends use to laugh at me for reloading .223. Now they aren't making the same jokes with the cost and lack of .223.

 

[stubbicatt]

$60 for 1k brass
$20 for 1k primers
$50 for powder (Ramshot TAC)
$60 for 1k Hornady 55 gr.FMJ bullets

$190. Plus you can reuse the brass, so you can lower this price if you figure 7 loadings from your brass before you scrap it. $60/7 = $8.50 per thou per use, bringing your total to $138 per thou, or roughly 14 cents a round.

Of course, bending over to pick up the brass will strain your back some.

To me the difference is 1 MOA accuracy from this combination vs. whatever it is I get from the milsurp, PLUS the knowledge that it is surplused because it was found to no longer be suitable for military use... whatever that means.

Go with the handloading. I think you will be happier with the results.

 

[amlevin]

Of course, bending over to pick up the brass will strain your back some.

There are, for some of us lazier folk things called Brass Catchers. Bending over is a thing of the past.

 

[345 DeSoto]

This Site might helpyou out on reloading vs buying. I was buying cheapo UMC 22-250 @ $7/bx 20 a while back. I checked the price recently, and it's doubled...
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/rescources/calculators/php/cost.htm

 

[RustyFN]

Free brass = $0
1,000 bullets = $65
1,000 primers = $17
4 pounds of powder = $48
Looks like I am making them for $130 per thousand.
Rusty

 

[Ndenway]

my m193 load with components bought in 06':

Rifle 223 rem
6,000 Bullets Purchased at $203.00- P&P gr 2 m193 55gr FMJ hitech ammo
8 Pounds of Powder Purchased at $76.00- data 68 natches
1000 Pieces of Brass Purchased at $0.00- range pick ups
10 Boxes of Primers Purchased at $18.00-cci400 sportsmans warehouse 06'
(1 box = 100 primers)

xx.x Grains of powder per cartridge

Price per 20 rounds $ 1.71= $85.50/1k delivered (all S&H/hazmat/tax included)

M193 load with recently purchased Ramshot Tac:

Rifle 223 rem
6,000 Bullets Purchased at $203.00- P&P gr 2 m193 55gr FMJ hitech ammo
8 Pounds of Powder Purchased at $111.00- Ramshot TAC
1000 Pieces of Brass Purchased at $0.00- range pick ups
10 Boxes of Primers Purchased at $18.00-cci400 sportsmans warehouse 06'
(1 box= 100 primers)

xx.x Grains of Powder per cartridge

Price per 20 rounds $2.07= $103.50/1k delivered (all S&H/hazmat/tax included)


TAC is still $95/8lb jug and wolf srp are $90/5k at powdervalley, and hitechammo still had new m193 bullets for approx $.06 each last I looked,

add in the hazmat fee (maxed out weight per order of course) and S&H and you'd be at approx $130 to $140 per 1k.