FishingPilot
US Veteran
Is it still worth reloading .223/5.56 rounds?
With the ammo becoming more available by the day and prices starting to come down, I decided to do some research. The cheapest I've been able to find these rounds are listed below (granted there are probably some cheaper prices out there):
STEEL CASED
Cheaper Than Dirt: Brown Bear .223 Rem. Full Metal Jacket Steel Cased, 55 Grain, 3050 fps, 500 Round Case, AB223FMJ $112.19 per 500 / $0.22438 per round
BRASS CASED
Cheaper Than Dirt: Federal Independence XM193 .223/5.56 NATO, FMJ Boat Tail, 55 Grain, 3240 fps, 20 Round Box XM193I $6.31 per 20 / $0.3155 per round
For my reloads, I have the following prices:
55 gr FMJ, used brass (no brass costs)
Round Cost $0.22
per 50 $10.95
per 100 $21.90
per 1000 $219.00
With all that being said, it's just as cheap to buy steel cased rounds in bulk as it is to reload right now.
I know, we don't reload to save money. However, with all the time that is spent prepping fired casings (trimming, cleaning, etc...), I'm beginning to contemplate just buying these rounds.
Anyone else thinking about making the move to purchasing these instead of reloading?
With the ammo becoming more available by the day and prices starting to come down, I decided to do some research. The cheapest I've been able to find these rounds are listed below (granted there are probably some cheaper prices out there):
STEEL CASED
Cheaper Than Dirt: Brown Bear .223 Rem. Full Metal Jacket Steel Cased, 55 Grain, 3050 fps, 500 Round Case, AB223FMJ $112.19 per 500 / $0.22438 per round
BRASS CASED
Cheaper Than Dirt: Federal Independence XM193 .223/5.56 NATO, FMJ Boat Tail, 55 Grain, 3240 fps, 20 Round Box XM193I $6.31 per 20 / $0.3155 per round
For my reloads, I have the following prices:
55 gr FMJ, used brass (no brass costs)
Round Cost $0.22
per 50 $10.95
per 100 $21.90
per 1000 $219.00
With all that being said, it's just as cheap to buy steel cased rounds in bulk as it is to reload right now.
I know, we don't reload to save money. However, with all the time that is spent prepping fired casings (trimming, cleaning, etc...), I'm beginning to contemplate just buying these rounds.
Anyone else thinking about making the move to purchasing these instead of reloading?