It doesn't pay

[Mr.Snerdly]

to be cheap. When I first started in this hobby I got 150 rounds of Selier and Beloit 223 ammo for I think $55. I knew it wouldn't be great but I just wanted the brass. Come to find out, the primers are crimped and that was the first ammo I ever reloaded. I found out after reloading some Winchester what the trouble was. About 1/4 of them didn't even fire. I had no way to remove the crimp at the time and didn't shoot all of them. I finally got a tool and the ones that were left I shot so I could remove the crimp and use the brass and the groups were horrible. 1 7/16", 2 3/8" and 1 1/4". I then shot just one group with the 69 grain Sierras and it was maybe a few thousandths of an inch less than 1/2". That is about what it usually shoots with the Sierra 69 grain. Lesson learned.

[Dave Hoback]

Lake City & other NATO marked is my preferred brass for 223 loads. They are all heavy crimped. Picked up a swaging die years ago, and use a Lee Challenger press, which was the first press I purchased many years ago, for that sole purpose.

Crimped primers aren’t a point of “cheap” ammo. And Sellier & Bellot is not even close to cheapest. That cry belongs to Wolf, TulAmmo, Silver/Brown bear..... Steel cases and Berdan primers is the hallmark of cheap.

[charlie b]

When I first got my .223 I was thinking that I could have fun shooting without reloading due to all the cheap ammo out there. Then reality set in when 2" groups were not unusual. I realized that it was either spend a lot on match factory ammo or reload (again). So, now I reload :) FWIW, that initial cheap ammo was Federal bulk.

Next was bullets. Huge difference in accuracy. Again started with the inexpensive 55gn pills. Could maybe get close to 1MOA. Then went to Sierra Match Kings, 69gn. Much better. Also showed me my shooting skills needed to improve. :)

Then I found out the brass didn't last long. 4 or 5 reloads and primers would not stay in the cases. I thought it was the cheap stuff so I tried Hornady, Winchester and Lake City. Same thing. So, I could buy a ton of surplus stuff, or, buy Lapua. I am still on my first 100 Lapua cases. They have just been reloaded for the 17th time (rifle has over 3000 rounds through it). I still have another box of Lapua brass waiting (and no more crimped primer pockets to mess with).

Now days it is accurate enough to be 'boring'. When I do my part it shoots into less than 1/2MOA out to 300yd. Less than 1MOA at 600yd and a bit less than 2MOA at 1000yd (very calm day).

So, yes, what started out as a cheap rifle to be used with cheap ammo turned out to be a cheap rifle that ended up with a new stock, new scope and expensive reloads :)

[Mr.Snerdly]

^^^That is getting your money's worth. Quality usually pays off in the long run.

How often do you anneal?

[charlie b]

Have never annealed a case, in any of my guns. Usually neck size only with the Lee collet dies. Every 5 reloads a full length resize is needed or the brass will sometimes stick in the chamber.

[yobuck]

Have never annealed a case, in any of my guns. Usually neck size only with the Lee collet dies. Every 5 reloads a full length resize is needed or the brass will sometimes stick in the chamber.

Now that statement is apt to start a long conversation Charlie. lol