Well, I finally bought an AR chambered in .223/5.56 NATO. I was researching ammo prices, and frankly, I can't see any economic justification for reloading for it with the price of milsurp ammo. However, being unfamiliar with the AR platform, my question is are there any other good reasons to reload for it? Do you folks see advantages to reloading such as increased accuracy, better performance, etc... the same as for a bolt action? Any help for an AR noob is appreciated.
To reload or not to reload...
- Thread starter Hazzard
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LkWinnipesaukee
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being a soon-to-be AR 15 223/5.56 owner myself, I've been getting hold of mil surp ammo in addition to reloading stuff. Reloading lets you 'tune' your ammo to be more accurate, consistent, etc. And it's fun
I say go for it.
I say go for it.
redneck2
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chimera101
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LOL! Redneck2 that picture is worth more than a thousand words! I can't wait to start reloading!
Thanks!
Thanks!
snuffy
Member
WELL,,, let me put it this way; just after I bought my bushmaster, I shot it using a couple boxes of winchester white box ammo. I used the stock open sights. I then removed the handle, put a 1" riser on it and scoped it with a 3X9 variable. Another trip to the range, with the same white box 55 grain winchester FMJ ammo showed me a 2.5 to 3.5 inch group(@100yds), from a solid rest! Phooey, did I get a lemmon??? I switched to Remington yellow box, 55 FMJ, darn near the same result! Didn't try the Federal Am. eagle type.
Since I already had dies for my .223 contender, I assembled some loads using Hornady 60 gr. V-max bullets. I loaded them at .5 grain increments up to max using WC-844 surplus powder,( this powder uses H-335 load data). Viloa! At a max of 24.0 grains, I got an even 1 inch group. Subsequent loads,(several thousand), all shoot to 1 inch or sometimes a little less. I figure that's all the factory stock bushmaster barrel is capable of.
Subsequent loadings of 69 gr. Nosler J-4 match HP, have produced a few sub-inch groups as small as .575. But not on a consistant basis.
The rifle has been modified from it's factory configuration, full floating fore-end, DPMS gas block, and a jewel trigger.
The point I'm trying to make is IF you want to get the most accuracy your rifle has to offer you MUST reload.
Since I already had dies for my .223 contender, I assembled some loads using Hornady 60 gr. V-max bullets. I loaded them at .5 grain increments up to max using WC-844 surplus powder,( this powder uses H-335 load data). Viloa! At a max of 24.0 grains, I got an even 1 inch group. Subsequent loads,(several thousand), all shoot to 1 inch or sometimes a little less. I figure that's all the factory stock bushmaster barrel is capable of.
Subsequent loadings of 69 gr. Nosler J-4 match HP, have produced a few sub-inch groups as small as .575. But not on a consistant basis.
The rifle has been modified from it's factory configuration, full floating fore-end, DPMS gas block, and a jewel trigger.
The point I'm trying to make is IF you want to get the most accuracy your rifle has to offer you MUST reload.
Steve in PA
Member
I can reload 1,000 rounds for around $122.00 (powder, primers and bullets). I have around 3-4k pieces of empty brass. The only thing in addition is my time.
Try getting 1k for $122.00
Try getting 1k for $122.00
Shooter973
Member
Reload or not?
You must make a lot more money than I do!!!
And the price for ammo is going up pretty fast in my area!!! And you are completely dependent on the store having what you need or want at any time!!!
I have a lot of components on hand that I purchased a much lower prices than loaded ammo can ever come close to.
But if you don't want to reload, well good luck and have fun!!!
You must make a lot more money than I do!!!
And the price for ammo is going up pretty fast in my area!!! And you are completely dependent on the store having what you need or want at any time!!! I have a lot of components on hand that I purchased a much lower prices than loaded ammo can ever come close to.
But if you don't want to reload, well good luck and have fun!!!
After reading the replies I did some more digging on bullet pricing. I found bulk pack FMJ's for about half what I originally priced. As I can get free range brass, it looks like the price to reload is a benefit after all. Thanks all for keeping me on the "straight and narrow".
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