AusVarmint

Looking around to buy some bulk 223 ammo. I am currently using hornady 55 graing V max zombies which I am buying for $30 for 20. I am finding them a bit expensive especially if I chase rabbits with them. Anyone know if I can get a decent price on the hornadys? I am considering testing some cheaper loads or even reloading to get the price down if anyone has any input. Thanks

When I can't be arsed or dont have time etc to reload my 223 I use american eagle ar223 which is made by federal and has a 55gr polymer tip proj. You can pick the up reasonably cheap. I think I payed about $160 for 200 rounds. Shoots about 3/4-1inch 5 shots in my 223 which is all or more accuracy than ill ever need. Foxes and rabbits dont like them much

try and order in a bulk 900 round tin of the 55 grain sierra blitzking
buffalo river osa ammo

cleavers has it for about $700 ish

Hey mate,

I can never be bothered reloading for my 223 so I buy Winchester bulk pack 55gr SP. They come in a box of 50 and are reasonable for the price. $50 for 50 shots. My rifle with handloads shoots 1/2MOA....the Winchester ammo shoots around 1.5 MOA which is fine for bunnies and anything around my way out to 200 yards or so.

The other bulk ammo I tried was Sako 55gr SP 100 pack...I picked this box up for $120 and obviously you get sako brass....These are more accurate, around 1MOA but still not as accurate as my handloads. The other option to consider is Federal 55gr SP blue box ammo....I have seen this for around $1 a shot...which is okay.

Hope this helps.

Happy Hunting

Thanks for the replies ill test some of the suggestion at the range next. Those of you who do hand load roughly how much a shot are you doing them for?

The biggest difference is in the cost of the projectile, this can vary from .13c each for things like Sierra 55gn spbt, to way out there costs of things like Barnes, average would probably be around the .35c mark.
Brass, once it has been loaded twice I consider it a freeby.
Primers, got some rem 7 1/2 S/r primers today for 74 bucks for a thousand 7.5c each
Powder, average it out at approx. 300 loads per tub @55 bucks per 500gm tub equals approx. 18.3c per load. (This is worked on 25gn loads at the last price I bought a tub of powder for) It could vary depending on how much you pay.

35+7.5+18.3 = roughly 61 cents per load. I don't take into consideration the costs of loading equipment, only consumables. Hope that helps.

Prices will vary immensely depending on where you buy your stuff from. Country costs are way more than in city.

At 60-70cents a load for 223 it makes the bulk factory loads look pretty good price wise

bimbo wrote:At 60-70cents a load for 223 it makes the bulk factory loads look pretty good price wise

Yeah maybe, but where is the fun in that. One of my favourite past times is tinkering in the loading room making ammo. Probably one of the reasons that I enjoy wildcats so much. Self inflicted pain and all.

I assume you've been keeping your brass.

Roughly the 223 cost me;
$60 dies.
$50 for 0.5kg powder (7'700grains-about 300 loads@25grains (Max load of AR2206h))
$6 primers per 100
$30 for 100 Z/V Max (I think for the hundred I tested)
========
300rounds loaded- 60dies+50powder+90 projectiles+18primers=$218
Every 300 afterwards only costs $50 powder, $90projectiles, and $18primers-$158/300-about $0.50ea.

You can bring the projectiles price down by buying 1200 for around $160 depending on what projectiles you want. Not sure on the bulk price for plastic tipped wonders.

Running different powders- and you can shift down to 12-15grains per load thereby "doubling" the amount of reloads per lb of powder bring the powder loads to 600rounds per bottle. ($25/300)

Running 15grain powders+bulk projectiles=$83/300 =$27per100.

I can load the 454Casull for the same money as the 25grain 223loads- or I could pay $88for20shots if I buy factory loads locally.

I reckon by the time I get on the bike, ride to gunshop, get served, pay and ride back- I can have at least 50 done.

Tex.

britto wrote:Looking around to buy some bulk 223 ammo. I am currently using hornady 55 graing V max zombies which I am buying for $30 for 20. I am finding them a bit expensive especially if I chase rabbits with them. Anyone know if I can get a decent price on the hornadys? I am considering testing some cheaper loads or even reloading to get the price down if anyone has any input. Thanks

Gun Emporium in Vic is having an ammo sale at the moment, mostly 223. A quick look suggests they have some pretty keen pricing.

If only I had a 223...

last factory centrefire ammo I bought was for my 6.5x55 swede in about 1999.

Last factory ammo I bought was some win 55 gn 223. It shot like shit. Shotgun patterns.
The rifle shot bug holes with reloads. Loading isn't about cost. It's about quality

trevort wrote:Last factory ammo I bought was some win 55 gn 223. It shot like shit. Shotgun patterns.
The rifle shot bug holes with reloads. Loading isn't about cost. It's about quality

Hmmm... Then comes along "SA Feral Shooter"and blows that theory out the window. Bugger.

Bruce

Not quite