Considering reloading .223, can I expect as accurate as premium factory loads?

[iHuntTargets]

Hi all,

New target shooter here, got an Axis in .223. I've been experimenting with different ammo brands lately, and I've found that my gun likes the expensive premium ammo. Surprise, surprise. :) Shooting the cheap stuff, like the $8 per box of 20 Winchester white box, the groups are pretty bad, around 2 MOA. Shooting the expensive Hornady match rounds ($20 per box) or the Winchester ballistic silvertip ($25 per box) I get consistent 0.6" groups at 100 yards.

I've been planning to get into reloading anyway, because I think I will really enjoy the process of working up my own loads and the gratification of shooting tight groups with ammo I put together myself. The fact that my gun really likes the expensive ammo makes reloading even more attractive to me and my wallet. :)

So, my big question is, would it be reasonable to expect that I can load my own rounds and get accuracy on par with the expensive stuff I mentioned above, and spend the same or less money as what I'd spend on the cheap stuff?

Thanks for any input or advice!

-Ross

[osmosis]

The savings are more long term, and marginal at that in my experience. There are reloading calculators out there to help figure out the exact $ per round.
It took me no time at all to have my ammo equal the best store bought stuff that I've tried, and now I wouldn't go back.

It has it's own satisfaction making excellent ammo, and seeing the groups, especially if you like experimenting and are mechanically inclined.
The specific tailoring to each particular rifle's tolerances can't be matched by the standardized factory specs.

[iHuntTargets]

It's good to hear that it took you no time to load ammo that matched the best factory stuff.

From what I've been reading, it seems I should be able to load up .223 for the same or less than the cheap factory stuff, or around 30 to 40 cents per round.

I *really* enjoy shooting the premium factory stuff like the Winchester Supreme ballistic silvertip, and if I can get that same enjoyment without literally burning up $1.25 each time the gun goes bang makes it all the better. (Not to mention the satisfaction of firing my own loads.)

Have others on this forum had similar experience? Have you been able to easily meet or exceed the accuracy of the premium factory stuff with your own loads?

[keeki]

even if you used the most expensive brass (Lapua) at 60 cents each, primers are 2.5-3 cents each, match grade bullets at 15 cents each and about 8 cents on powder thats still only 86 cents per round. Plus you can get 8-12 firings off each brass easily in 223. One of the easiest rounds to load for and you dont have to worry about running out of ammo. When all is said and done I have 8-12 bucks per box of 20 in match grade ammo.

[jeffman3]

I loaded .223 for an "out of the box" Savage 12 low profile, for years. It would out-shoot most of the custom rifles (some of which cost many,many thousands of dollars) at our local bench shoots! In my experience. Reloading won't "save" you money. (in over all cost) You will just shoot a lot more! 8) :o ;D

Matching factory load quality is not hard to do, and the 223 is a fine cartridge!

[keeki]

matching factory fodder in most rifles could be done in a wet dark cave using bathroom scales, a rock for a hammer, and joints on your finger as a measuring device. But in some guns really like the junk as his seems to. It just hurts my soul to pay $25 for a box of 223. For the price youll pay on ammo for one day at the range you could be set up and making your on.

[GaCop]

matching factory fodder in most rifles could be done in a wet dark cave using bathroom scales, a rock for a hammer, and joints on your finger as a measuring device. But in some guns really like the junk as his seems to. It just hurts my soul to pay $25 for a box of 223. For the price youll pay on ammo for one day at the range you could be set up and making your on.


Good advice!

[iHuntTargets]

Reloading won't "save" you money. (in over all cost) You will just shoot a lot more! 8) :o ;D

Heh ... tha'ts like saying grocery store "buy one get one free" coupons don't save you any money. Yeah, I know I won't save money as in putting it in a bank account, but I'll still be saving money each time I pull the trigger. The fact that I'll just be pulling the trigger a lot more just means I'll be spending the same shooting budget but building my skills a lot faster. (Not to mention having more fun in the same period of time.) :)

[keeki]

if I were you I would go buy a Lee anniversary kit and the dies of your choice. It will have everything you need to start making ammo. Its not as nice as most others but it gets the job done and if you decide reloading is not for you then you wont have a lot invested and if down the road you want something better, just keep the Lee and have 2 presses because its real handy like that.

[iHuntTargets]

if I were you I would go buy a Lee anniversary kit and the dies of your choice. It will have everything you need to start making ammo. Its not as nice as most others but it gets the job done and if you decide reloading is not for you then you wont have a lot invested and if down the road you want something better, just keep the Lee and have 2 presses because its real handy like that.


I lucked out in that regard ... I've got a friend that has lots of reloading equipment ... he'll be giving me everything I need to get started, including a .223 die set.

[ig25]

1 IN 9 TWIST 20" BULL BARREL. 52GR SEIRRE HPBT WITH 27.5 GR VARGET 1/2 GROUP AT 100' 3/4" 200'

[iHuntTargets]

1 IN 9 TWIST 20" BULL BARREL. 52GR SEIRRE HPBT WITH 27.5 GR VARGET 1/2 GROUP AT 100' 3/4" 200'


Nice ... how does that compare to the groups you get with that same gun with match grade factory loads?

[Eric in NC]

Also depends on the gun - had a 223 that shot lights out with Winchester white box 45 grain rounds. Could never equal that load with my handloads! But that is very unusual.

As others have said - easy (usually) to better the factory stuff, but don't look at it as a cost savings measure because of the nature of the illness - you will buy the set up, then want a better scale, then a chrony, then a better seating die, then...

[iHuntTargets]

As others have said - easy (usually) to better the factory stuff, but don't look at it as a cost savings measure because of the nature of the illness - you will buy the set up, then want a better scale, then a chrony, then a better seating die, then...


Illness ... that gave me a chuckle. ;D Shooting is definitely an addiction for me already, and adding reloading to the mix will probably push it over the line into the realm of illness. I've already got my eye on the RCBS chargemaster, and I haven't even loaded a single cartridge yet ... is there a doctor in the house??

[rjtfroggy]

I am not a Dr. but I can tell you this I have not shot a factory round in over 20 years.I reload for everything I own and the list keeps growing(damn savages). My 223's both shoot in the .2's using 60gr Sierra's and imr 4895 with a standard cci small primer.Cost about $10 per box of 50.
I can also tell you that only one will not group under .5 (YET). After one more try the barrel will more than likely be re chambered to 308.

[GaCop]

+1 what rjtfroggy said. My rifles ,shotguns and pistol have never had a factory round fired in them. I've been loading for more than 40 years.

[bythebook]

Since 1965 I don't think I have shot more than 50 rounds of factory rounds other than to qualify at work.

[jeffman3]

if I were you I would go buy a Lee anniversary kit and the dies of your choice. It will have everything you need to start making ammo. Its not as nice as most others but it gets the job done and if you decide reloading is not for you then you wont have a lot invested and if down the road you want something better, just keep the Lee and have 2 presses because its real handy like that.


I started with a LEE kit. definitely not the very best, (I recommend a different scale) but I actually prefer LEE Dies over others costing many times there price. (yes,, I have used others) If used properly, They will create ammo to shoot with the best. Why pay more if you don't have to. LEE products are a tremendous value! Don't let the low price scare you into spending more then you have to. ;) If you are shooting seriously in nation matches, then by all means try some high end dies, but I will stick with what works for me. I can out-shoot a $6000 custom rifle, (yes, he is an awesome shot, and loads with custom made dies) with an out of the box savage, and lots of load development. That's enough for me.

[bubbinator]

I started reloading in 1970 and my first serious accuracy goal was for a Rem 700 HB Varmint rifle. NO factory ammo then or now can beat the loads I worked with 52gr Sieera and Speer bullets. And I'm talking from a USAF Marksmanship Rifle Team bedded stock Rem HB 223- one-hole groups(,257/.244/.275) for 5 shots with loads the rifle liked off sand-bagged fore/aft rests w/ a 24X scope. It now carries a Weaver 6X with a Spider web dot From T K Lee Co. Birmingham. AL and IS NOT FOR SALE! It is all in the load work-up!

[romulus]

You can most assuredly achieve better results that factory ammo. The ammo is made to very conservative size specifications and will 99% not be the best length for your gun. That said, it may be hard to achieve velocities of factory ammo as they blend powders, but most of the time I can find something that equals if not beats it in velocity although I usually shoot slow loads.

I feel like I have to say once a day, "Federal Gold Match or handloads of a buddy of a buddy are not fit to your gun!" when people tell me that there's no way one can load better rounds that premium factory. Some say they've tried and given up. It may be rude, but they are doing it wrong.

Post some target pics once you get one figured out.