5.56 I need your resources!

[CK_32]

Ok so like many I'm tired of this 5.56 BS. Average 5.56 is going for about $420 shipped for 1k of XM193 when I use to get it for $320 shipped any time I pleased.



Finally done hiding my AR away to hopefully scavenge whats left of my 4k XM193 I had which is now about to 250 rounds if that.


So what is the going price for loading your own 5.56 with TODAY material costs. And where are you guys getting the best deals for basic plinking 5.56 ammo.


I already have the brass and press. I can get the dies with out a issue. Now I just need good places with reasonable pricing for materials to actually see if its worth reloading my own 5.56 and I can finally get my plinking ammo down to about $0.32 to $0.35 a round and stop hiding away my 5.56 AR's.



Much appreciated hopefully you guys know of some places I can find supplies to get loading.

 

[CK_32]

If you dont want your resource posted to the public please feel free to PM me to not lose your hidden gem.

 

[sixpack340]

Its getting to the point that its almost not cost effective anymore. If you can locate an 8lb jug of surplus powder, you may be in luck. Its not cost effective to load with 4198 or varget. Good powder is getting too costly. Bullets aren't too hard to find. I bought 1000 green tips for a little over 100 bucks shipped a while back for me and my dad to split. We can thank the hoarders/price gougers/democrats/school shooters, for making reloading a not so cheap alternative.

 

[CMH]

In my area, it is hard to locate any powder that is suitable to load in 223/5.56.

 

[KUSA]

A pound of powder will load about 300 rounds. You can do the math to figure what each round will cost once you get your powder price. You can get bullets for 10 cents each if you get plinkers. Brass is free if you already have it. I'm not sure what primers cost now as I haven't had to buy any in a while. I wouldn't factor the reloading gear in as you can keep it for life unlike the consumables that go away each time you pull the trigger.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4

 

[gimpy]

Using hornady 55 fmjbt, wc844, range brass, and federal primers, I believe I have loaded for ~.16 per round.

 

[CK_32]

Whats a good bulk plink powder?


And do any of you guys have any places that have materials for decent pricing right now? Thats my main problem is all my sources are way too expensive now or just sold out. Best I could find was around $0.37 a round cause it was all target high end stuff. Or do most of you buy local?


Also can you guys break down what you guys are spending for your supplies..


And yea I just need bullets/primers/powder. I have tons of XM brass.


Im looking at


WIN SMALL RIFLE 1000 PRIMERS $35
223 55gr FMJ Standard Bullets $120 shipped
8lbs of benchmark for $170

Looking at about $0.21 per round

 

[EddieNFL]

We can thank the hoarders/price gougers/democrats/school shooters, for making reloading a not so cheap alternative.

You forgot about those who suddenly decided to become reloaders.

 

[kansas]

You forgot about those who suddenly decided to become reloaders.

That's what's killing the reloading market. Before O got re-elected I bought a 8 lb jug of the 844 and several thousand bullets. The powder was $75 for 8 lbs and the bullets were $70 per thousand. Primers were $25 per thousand plus the hazmat fee and shipping for about another $35 but now I haven't seen any, any 844 pull down and the cheapest bullets are .10 cents a piece. I bought enough after the election to keep me shooting 3gun for another 2 years but I'm betting on at least another year before we see much in the way of supplies that are cost effective. Last powder I bought (last month) was $28 per pound. You can't make cheap ammo with prices where they are.

If I was considering starting reloading now I'd have to think twice when the cost of components could easily cost.30-.40 cents a round. By the way, I haven't seen any brass cased .223 for less than $500 per thousand but if you can find it for $400 a case then it's the wrong time to start loading.

 

[EddieNFL]

I remember buying primers for less than $10 per K. Powder was $7-$8 per pound and 55 FMJ plinkers were $0.03 each. My first press (Lyman Spartan) was $20.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

You can load long range/match bullets for 33 cents a round at today's prices. It takes good shopping and looking around.

 

[Temp9]

You can load long range/match bullets for 33 cents a round at today's prices. It takes good shopping and looking around.

Match bullets are starting to come back down in price. Here are 77gr Noslers for a good deal:

Nosler 22-77gr Custom Competition HPBT w/ Cannelure (OVER-RUN)-250ct **Limited Quantities Available - Please Limit 5 boxes per customer

Primers are locally available (Winchester and CCI) near me for regular price (~$.03/each). Powders are challenging, but Ramshot TAC is not too difficult to find, and I just picked up 4lbs of AR-Comp about a month ago. Brass is still quite a challenge, but not impossible.


Bulk components are another story. I bought Hornady SP 55gr for less than $.07/each just a year ago, and WC844 for dirt cheap. Now the cheapest I can find is $.12 each for the bullets and I can't find any WC844 at all.

 

[ChemE1975]

For me, 26-30 cents per round. Maybe as much as 35, depending on combined shipping of primers and powder.

Although the savings may be [email protected] over plinking ammo, these reloads are match quality. Varget, cci, Sierra.

 

[Pinecone]

I remember buying primers for less than $10 per K. Powder was $7-$8 per pound and 55 FMJ plinkers were $0.03 each. My first press (Lyman Spartan) was $20.

You are OLD.

When I started reloading, I did it because with casting bullets, I could shoot .45 ACP for less than .22 LR. And being in college, that was important.

I started with a Lyman Spar-T turret press. It is still at my Dad's and get used occasionally.

 

[BC 6.8]

You can load long range/match bullets for 33 cents a round at today's prices. It takes good shopping and looking around.

+1 to this. I can load Hornady 75 gr HPBT for $0.32/rd and I way over-paid for the powder (RE15) because it was all I could find. Now I just have to wait on the better prices to buy more. My reloading cost/rd will be decreasing.

 

[rdinak]

what state do you live in? I sold my Ar's during the last panic to come up with a down payment on a house. Have Ramshot tac powder, primers, giraud trimmer etc if you need to load in bulk.

 

[mtrmn]

Cheap plinking ammo:
J&G Sales

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Nothing against other bullets my price is on Sierra's. I have a back up load with Hornady's. The killer for the price was powder and primers. 6.4 cents per round for my last 8 lb jug of Varget, 9.3 cents since I paid $27 a pound for my last 10 1 pounders. 3 cents for a primer went to 3.6 cents, I also had someone buy primers at Perry this year so I din't have shipping or hazmat or primers would have been around 4.5 cents. I think my bullets went up about 1 cent a piece this year.

As for loaded ammo prices I remeber buying Winchester 55 grain FMJ for $2.50 a box of 20 at Walmart and it being considered a high price. I still have all of the brass too.

rdinak, are you looking to sell the Giraud or offering it for a local loan?

 

[EddieNFL]

You are OLD.

When I started reloading, I did it because with casting bullets, I could shoot .45 ACP for less than .22 LR. And being in college, that was important.

I started with a Lyman Spar-T turret press. It is still at my Dad's and get used occasionally.

With the scars to prove it...

I remember upgrading to a turrett. I thought nothing could top it. Fast forward 13 or 14 years and I bought my second progressive (better if I don't mention the first). I was walking on air.

 

[Pinecone]

I went from turret to Dillon with single stage on the side. I WAS in heaven. Still am, the combo does everything I need to do.

Except, at times it would be nice to have a second single stage.

 

[sandwarrior]

Still less expensive and way more cost effective to reload. One of the biggest mistakes I see regarding this is "blasting ammo" which costs more than "high quality, high accuracy" ammo getting priced compared. During this crunch it's been difficult, but in the past, I didn't buy "blasting bullets" by the 100 or 1k. I bought them by the pound. When I worked it out it was something like $.04 ea. Milsurp is the way to go for powder. But, even still, reloading is not that expensive at about $.085 per round. That's eight and a half cents. Good bullets cost 20, powder is 8 1/2 primers are 3 1/2 and good cases (5.56) run 50 (divided by # of reloads, so if only 4 loads that's 12 1/2 cents). So, for top quality match stuff that's 43 cents. A lot less expensive than a buck a round for match...when you can find it.

For blasting, 3 cents for bullets, powder (I got lots of milsurp @ $46 for 8 lbs) plus shipping ($20 back then) works out to $.02 per round Primers were 1.5 cents and brass was free (range pickup). So, six and a half cents per round to reload. You can triple that cost for blasting ammo. But still think about how much you are saving over surplus buys that are charging over 30 cents for junk ammo.

I also say cost effective, because even with blasting ammo you can tailor a load to your weapon. It's especially cost effective with high accuracy ammo as you can really split hairs by tailoring to your rifle. Off the shelf match ammo will never meet what you can do with reloading if you pay attention and do it right.

 

[Twoboxer]

Using current prices at Powder Valley - though they are out of stock atm - for Hornady 55gr FMJBT, H335, and CCI41, the cost is $0.197 per round, plus 27.50, plus shipping, plus your brass cost.

 

[Pinecone]

Except finding bullets by the pound and mil surp powder is NOT easy these days. I have not seen mil surp powder since I started looking in March or Feb.

 

[sandwarrior]

Except finding bullets by the pound and mil surp powder is NOT easy these days. I have not seen mil surp powder since I started looking in March or Feb.

True. But it's coming back slowly and surely. I've already seen 844 and 846 back on the market. They went quickly, but more of it to come. And, as these conflicts wind down, I'm sure there is going to be some pulldown. Powder that was acceptable ten years ago getting replaced with powder that has new and better qualities.

 

[Pinecone]

I've already seen 844 and 846 back on the market.

Where?

I have been looking, but not seen any.

 

[CK_32]

I got everything all I need is powder now. I'm looking to pick up 2230 powder.

Or some kind of cheap ball powder that's a good pour and shoots well with 223 and 55gr bullets.

If anyone has a source with a good price on powder please PM or email me

[email protected]

 

[elfster1234]

you can reload damn near match grade 5.56 ammo for the same as 55grn FMJ by simply using vmax bullets. on average for me is:

once you have the brass

about .08cent per varget drop
about .19cent per vmax bullet
about .04cent per primer

or about .31 per or $310 per 1k and these numbers really are on the high side

Ok so like many I'm tired of this 5.56 BS. Average 5.56 is going for about $420 shipped for 1k of XM193 when I use to get it for $320 shipped any time I pleased.



Finally done hiding my AR away to hopefully scavenge whats left of my 4k XM193 I had which is now about to 250 rounds if that.


So what is the going price for loading your own 5.56 with TODAY material costs. And where are you guys getting the best deals for basic plinking 5.56 ammo.


I already have the brass and press. I can get the dies with out a issue. Now I just need good places with reasonable pricing for materials to actually see if its worth reloading my own 5.56 and I can finally get my plinking ammo down to about $0.32 to $0.35 a round and stop hiding away my 5.56 AR's.



Much appreciated hopefully you guys know of some places I can find supplies to get loading.

 

[sandwarrior]

Pinecone,

Wideners had it. Another company I don't do business with also had it. It went right out the door as soon as they announced it. You gotta check daily on it. Sometimes twice a day.

That's why I say many times over, get it while it's cheap and get a lot of it. Buy on a regular basis so the industry isn't twiddling it's thumbs wondering if they should make more or not. They are going through a rush like never before right now. Once it slows down, they'll have to almost give it away eventually, and they don't like that.

Also, be patient. As I noted, there is going to be a lot of pull-down when the Afghanistan conflict winds down. We are still supporting the Iraqi conflict materially as well, that is coming to a close. There will be a lot of "old lot/type" powder going to get pulled down. When it comes on, buy it. It may not be the latest greatest powder, but it sure is effective for bulk ammo.

 

[milotrain]

Do a pile of searching on this and various other forums and you'll hear mention of places. The ones mentioned the least are the ones that will have supplies.

I make ammo for around $.31 a round. I buy once fired LC brass, I only reload it around 6 times. I buy everything in huge bulk to save on hazmat and because the prices NEVER go down (in the long run). I'm sitting on 10k of 77gr .223 bullets because it's not like I won't shoot them and they will be more expensive in three years anyway.

There are so many powders that will run a .223 case in an AR that you shouldn't have trouble finding something.
4895
4064
3031
varget
arcomp
rl15
Norma 203b
n140
win748
8208xbr
tac
etc. etc.

 

[mtrmn]

milotrain: "the prices NEVER go down"
Ain't that the truth!!!
I think instead of 4859 he meant 4895--just to avoid confusing the new guys.
I saw Accurate 2015 available on one of the sites the other day-I tried it years ago and got some very accurate loads out of it in my Colt HBAR 1/9. And some of my most accurate loads have been with Sierra 60 gr varminters, which are relatively cheap if you can find them.

 

[milotrain]

You are of course right. IMR 4895, I'll fix my post. I swap those digits all the time, grandmas phone number ends 4859.

 

[DamnDave]

You can still make pretty cheap ammo with today's prices, just takes some shopping around. It's definitely as cost effective as it was last year, but still cheaper.

This is not what I paid, but is with today's prices.

Brass = Free
SRP = $0.03 ($30/1K)
Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT = $0.08 ($80/1K)
H335 25gr = $0.11 ($30/1#)

$0.22/rd for 1 MOA plinking ammo

 

[Pinecone]

Pinecone,

Wideners had it. Another company I don't do business with also had it. It went right out the door as soon as they announced it. You gotta check daily on it. Sometimes twice a day.

That's why I say many times over, get it while it's cheap and get a lot of it. Buy on a regular basis so the industry isn't twiddling it's thumbs wondering if they should make more or not. They are going through a rush like never before right now. Once it slows down, they'll have to almost give it away eventually, and they don't like that.

Also, be patient. As I noted, there is going to be a lot of pull-down when the Afghanistan conflict winds down. We are still supporting the Iraqi conflict materially as well, that is coming to a close. There will be a lot of "old lot/type" powder going to get pulled down. When it comes on, buy it. It may not be the latest greatest powder, but it sure is effective for bulk ammo.

Thanks.

I do check quite often, sometimes more than twice a day.

I got some H335 in the spring, but it is almost gone.

 

[sandwarrior]

Thanks.

I do check quite often, sometimes more than twice a day.

I got some H335 in the spring, but it is almost gone.

It has really been hit and miss since the inauguration when the Obama administration announced everything they wanted to kill. I think it will eventually normalize. But, when it does, just like you put money in your retirement each paycheck, make sure you get stocked up on the powders you use, so this won't happen again. Nothing wrong with having 100+ lbs. of powder, you use consistently. It's a lot easier to cut back and plan less shooting than it is to get hit with highway robbery prices and nothing in stock to buy so you can't shoot at all.

 

[samnev]

powder 7.2 cents
52 grain SMK's 19 cents
primers 3 cents
so 29.2 cents each for my match loads.
And that is at todays prices. Since I had a large stash of all the components before the panic my cost is closer to 25 cents a round. Since I have over 5000 55 grain surplus projos I got years ago from Black Hills Shooters @ 3 cents a projo the cost for those reloaded is about 11 cents a round.