Reloading cost question

[rustythread]

A friend of mine near Louisville, KY, needs a couple thousand .223 rounds loaded. He has clean cases, small rifle primers, and projectiles. He does not have powder or the ability to reload.

Any suggestions on where he should look to find a reliable reloader, and what he should expect to pay per round for powder and reloading services ?

Thanks

 

[glenwolde]

The "reloader" would have to have an 06 FFL for ammunition manufacturing. I don't know of anybody that would consider doing this. It's going to be difficult, if not impossible, to find someone to do this.

Your best shot is somebody who is willing to operate outside the law, and is willing to take on the liability for no reason. With such questionable judgement, do you want this person loading your ammo?

 

[cracker57]

sell the primers, bullets and cases and buy factory...

 

[rustythread]

My error not keeping track of changes in the law--last time I had anything to do with reloading was 20+ years ago, when a friend of mine could and did legally reload for other people.

Mods, I guess you can close this thread.

 

[BE Mike]

He should join a club. He might make friends with someone who has the equipment and will let him use it to reload the rounds he needs loaded. The reloading world is full of people who are generous with their knowledge and time.

 

[AlHunt]

sell the primers, bullets and cases and buy factory...

A quick peruse of ammoseek.com for components and factory ammo leads me to believe he can probably break even doing just this. cci 41 primers are about a dime and new ammo starts at about .35.round. He just might break even.

 

[GypsmJim]

Not gonna happen.

He should spend $100 +- for a press and dies and do it himself. Powder IS available for another 30 bucks or so. A manual is another 20 bucks.

Clamp it to his kitchen table or mount it to his workbench with carriage bolts.

A little edumacation add he'll do just fine. An outsider will provide no liability.

If he is a hurry or is an "all thumbs" mechanic, selling the parts and buying factory is the best option.

 

[rustythread]

If I advise him to get a reloader and do it himself, what recommendations for powder, and how much powder for approx. 2000 rounds? Which reloading manuals?

Thanks again.

 

[pantannojack]

Tell him to get permission from his wife and do it himself.

 

[marinevet]

I won't shoot any reloads except my own.............

 

[scooter123]

I would suggest that your friend purchase a press kit, such as the RCBS Rockcrusher Supreme reloading kit. It will come with the press, scale, powder measure and accessories that will making starting up very easy. Cost for this is 479.00. Then he will need powder. As I have worked up loads for the 223 and the following is based on experience. The powder I would suggest is CFE223 because it's an excellent metering powder that produces good accuracy and good velocity. My personal load is a 60 grain Nosler ballistic tip that uses 26.2 grains of CFE223. Per my calculation an 8 lbs. jug will load 2137 rounds. Currently an 8 lbs jug is in stock at Powder Valley for 264.99. Of course he'll have to add on the 37.50 HAZMAT fee and somewhere around 25 dollars for shipping so the cost as delivered will be in the range of 330 dollars.

 

[wyo-man]

what recommendations for powder, and how much powder for approx. 2000 rounds? Which reloading manuals?

The reloading manuals will list several powders that will work.

Most powders that will work for .223/5/56 average about 25ish grains with 55 gr. bullets. There are 7,000 grains in a pound.

Most people get about 3 manuals for comparison. Speer, Hornady, Sierra, and others all publish manuals.
Hodgdon has their reloading information online.

Really suggest he find a friend that reloads and watch/learn from him.

wyo-man

 

[raljr1]

At one time I knew of a company in Woonsocket RI that would reload your components. They were a licensed ammunition remanufacturer. I can't seem to find one today that lists that service on their website, but surely there must be someone out there that offers that.

 

[raljr1]

These guys say they will.

About – Custom Reloads of Dallas

Depending on the cost of reloading and shipping both ways, the advice to sell your components and buy factory, or reman ammo, might be the most cost effective avenue.

 

[mtgianni]

How much powder for 223? Roughly 25 grains per shot, 7000 gr per lb. 4 shots = 100 gr. 40=1000 gr powder. 7x40=280 rounds per lb. 10 lbs powder should load 2,800 rounds. An 8 lb keg should load about 2,240 rounds which fits for about a couple thousand. Not out of line to find powder for $300 per 8 lbs, bullets should be available.
It is nearly impossible for an individual to ship primers. Anyone who reloads for him would furnish their own.

 

[leadhead2]

I was told by a 06 reloader that it's legal to load for someone if he
supplies the brass. You can charge him for the powder and primers
and bullets and not be a 06 FFL

 

[rustythread]

I was told by a 06 reloader that it's legal to load for someone if he
supplies the brass. You can charge him for the powder and primers
and bullets and not be a 06 FFL

That would solve the problem. Thanks

 

[glenwolde]

These guys say they will.

About – Custom Reloads of Dallas

Depending on the cost of reloading and shipping both ways, the advice to sell your components and buy factory, or reman ammo, might be the most cost effective avenue.

Well there you go. Color me surprised. From reading their website it doesn't seem this is going to save any money, if that's the objective.

 

[AlHunt]

I was told by a 06 reloader that it's legal to load for someone if he
supplies the brass. You can charge him for the powder and primers
and bullets and not be a 06 FFL

Legal or not, I wouldn't load any amount of ammo for my best friend or worst enemy. Too much liability for my tastes.

 

[GypsmJim]

If I advise him to get a reloader and do it himself, what recommendations for powder, and how much powder for approx. 2000 rounds? Which reloading manuals?

Thanks again.

A Lee Anniversary kit will set him back about $200. It will do a fine job, and include all the parts needed for an initial setup.

I personally use IMR 3031, but others work well as well. An 8 pound jug is what will be needed.

I must have a dozen manuals, but I mostly refer to the Lyman Manual. It will give a variety of loads so you can pick the powder that is most available.

The "Manual" also describes how to do it all. A couple hours of reading is all that is needed.

I started loading in 1972 and simply read the directions. My first ever round was just fine.

 

[gwpercle]

It isn't rocket science ... it's actually quite a simple task .

With a Lee Hand Press Kit $72.00 and a set of dies $37.00 (Midway USA )
The Lee dies come with a shell holder , powder scoop and load data ...
$109.00 + cost of 1 lb. power bought from local dealer will get you reloading for .223 .
The press is portable and doesn't require bolting down to a bench .
Although I have 5 bench mounted preses , I now do all my small rifle and handgun reloading with the Hand Press because I can take it in any room ... I even take it to my office and reload at my desk .
Even when you up-grade and buy a larger bench mounted model you will find plenty of small odd jobs for the little portable hand press .
Great for brass prep like depriming and priming brass .

A lot of people overlook this handy little tool that Lee came out with... not only portable but a great way to see if you want to reload ...
I found the hand press so handy ... I bought a second and use one for rifle and one for handgun reloading ... but now they make a Breech-Lock Hand Press which is better than the old model .
Gary

 

[rustythread]

Part of the problem is solved--I've located a couple of pounds of Winchester 748. Now to get the loading apparatus sorted out.

All the suggestions so far are much appreciated. Thanks, all.

 

[Imissedagain]

^^^^^
We use a Lee hand press and just screw the dies into the threads.
Not one of our main presses but useful.

OP might consider a good quality turret press.

Ultra Tef-Gel anti-seize/corrode paste is useful as well, especially on the Ocean.

 

[ajgunner]

Don't forget to lube the cases. Sticking your first case on your first attempt at loading could be a real turn off.

 

[GypsmJim]

Don't forget to lube the cases. Sticking your first case on your first attempt at loading could be a real turn off.

As long as one reads the directions, every step should go easy.

As far as the Lee hand press, I admit upfront that I have never used one. It looks like it would be good for depriming and priming, or even doing a few test loads on the range. Also, maybe for handgun calibers. However, I suspect that full length resizing of rifle loads could be very tedious and hard on the hands. Particularly if the job entails 2000 rounds.

 

[gwpercle]

Its only "better" until the breech lock fitting jams inside the press threads and you have to use it like an old school one,and wonder what the heck your going to do with all the now useless breach lock fittings you bought..

I never understood the big "Need" for a Breech-Lock gizmo on a press ... reloading since 1967 and never had the need of one ... my two Lee hand presses , Pacific Super Deluxe , Eagle Cobra 300 , Lyman , Herter's and C-H press all had no breech-lock and we reload ammo very well .
A case of let's tell them they "need" it , they buy it and the co. makes mo-money .

I guess I just enjoy "Screwing Around" with "things" and don't get the need ... screwing isn't hard and can be fun !
Gary

 

[GypsmJim]

I never understood the big "Need" for a Breech-Lock gizmo on a press ... reloading since 1967 and never had the need of one ... my two Lee hand presses , Pacific Super Deluxe , Eagle Cobra 300 , Lyman , Herter's and C-H press all had no breech-lock and we reload ammo very well .
A case of let's tell them they "need" it , they buy it and the co. makes mo-money .

I guess I just enjoy "Screwing Around" with "things" and don't get the need ... screwing isn't hard and can be fun !
Gary

I have one breach load press - the last one I bought. I mounted the "adaptor", drilled it, pinned it and JD welded the hole.

Every caliber I load uses different bullets for different guns, thus I have to adjust each one every time anyway.

 

[Alton]

I just checked an online site and 223 ammo is $45 a hundred. Unless you have nothing to do you can't hand load for that. 9mm is the same.

 

[llowry61]

Another piece of advice and it may go without saying but better safe than sorry, if you go the load yourself route, don't just load all 2000. Load a few and test them in the gun or guns you will be using. If accuracy checks out, record the load data and finish the bulk loading.

You want to make sure you don't end up with 2000 rounds your gun doesn't care for.

Unless your friend intends to re-load longer term it would be best to sell the SRP's / bullets etc. and buy factory.

 

[rustythread]

I might just have to dig out my old press and do the reloading--will need to go slow and drink a lot of cold water; I haven't reloaded anything in 20 years or so and have moved household twice(and doubtless lost track of some parts / tools) in the interim. I'd need a set of .223 dies, but why not? Agreed, current prices for components would tend to make a guy just buy loaded ammo rather than buy components. But all these components have been sitting in storage for 15 years or so including an unopened ~40-lb carton of Win 55 gr psp .223s and about 5 gallons of cleaned once-fired 223 brass. Getting samples back and forth for testing in the rifle will be a PITA, but what isn't a PITA these days?