.233 / .308 / .300WM / .338LM Price Comparison

[Luke]

I've seen folks ask about the price difference between the .223 / .308 /.300WM / .338LM so I did some rough math. There's obviously a lot of variables so your mileage may vary.

(All prices were sourced from www.powdervalleyinc.com 7SEP11) <span style="font-style: italic">Shipping costs not included.</span>

Load data is a rough average of loads I've seen from members here.
<span style="font-weight: bold">
<span style="color: #33CC00"><span style="text-decoration: underline">.223REM</span></span> <ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Bullet: 69gr SMK - $93/500[*]Brass: Lapua - $53/100[*]Primer: Federal 205M - $37/1000 [*]Powder: Hodgdon Varget (~25gr load) - $140/8lbs

<span style="text-decoration: underline">TOTAL:</span> <span style="color: #FF0000">$0.82</span> once loaded. <span style="color: #FF0000">$0.55</span> twice loaded. <span style="color: #FF0000">$0.47</span> thrice loaded. [/list]
<span style="color: #33CC00"><span style="text-decoration: underline">.308WIN</span></span> <ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Bullet: 175gr SMK - $145/500[*]Brass: Lapua - $64/100[*]Primer: Federal 210M - $37/1000 [*]Powder: Hodgdon Varget (~44gr load) - $140/8lbs

<span style="text-decoration: underline">TOTAL:</span> <span style="color: #FF0000">$1.08</span> once loaded. <span style="color: #FF0000">$0.76</span> twice loaded. <span style="color: #FF0000">$0.65</span> thrice loaded. [/list]
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #33CC00">.300WM</span></span>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Bullet: 208gr AMAX - $28/100[*]Brass: Winchester - $309/500[*]Primer: Federal 215M - $38/1000[*]Powder: Hodgdon Retumbo (~77gr load) - $140/8lbs

<span style="text-decoration: underline">TOTAL:</span> <span style="color: #FF0000">$1.14</span> once loaded. <span style="color: #FF0000">$0.83</span> twice loaded. <span style="color: #FF0000">$0.72</span> thrice loaded[/list]
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #33CC00">.338LM</span></span> <ul style="list-style-type: disc">[*]Bullet: 300gr SMK - $268/500[*]Brass: Lapua - $244/100[*]Primer: Federal 215M - $38/1000[*]Powder: Hodgdon Retumbo (~95gr load) - $140/8lbs

<span style="text-decoration: underline">TOTAL:</span> <span style="color: #FF0000">$3.25</span> once loaded. <span style="color: #FF0000">$2.03</span> twice loaded. <span style="color: #FF0000">$1.63</span> thrice loaded
</span>[/list]

 

[MALLARD]

Re: .308 / .300WM / .338LM Price Comparison

you should do .223 as well huh ?

 

[fw707]

Re: .308 / .300WM / .338LM Price Comparison

That's some good info there!

Could you run the 338 Edge through your formula?
The only significant difference in the Edge and the LM would be $100/100 for Remington brass.

 

[FL_Tactical]

Re: .308 / .300WM / .338LM Price Comparison

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MALLARD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you should do .223 as well huh ? </div></div>

+1

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: .308 / .300WM / .338LM Price Comparison

308 versus 338 LM
2X the bullet cost,
2X the powder cost,
8X the brass cost.

The brass for 338LM costs 4X as much and you only get about 1/2 as many reload cycles. I'm getting 30+ (But not 40) relaods from Win brass in 308 shooting 155 scenars with 47.8 gr Varget.

 

[Luke]

Re: .308 / .300WM / .338LM Price Comparison

.223 added.

10 reloads of .308 will cost you $0.50 per round, 20 reloads $0.47 per round, and 40 reloads $0.45 per round. Past the first few loadings your cost savings drop off considerably. Personally, after the first few reloads I'd be willing to pay a couple extra bucks for brand new brass to save on prep time.

For the folks on a budget who are looking for 1500yd+ cartridge the .300WM is a great option.

For those just starting to reload you'll have to take into account the cost of reloading equipment. Even if you spend $500 on reloading equipment you should easily break even and start saving money by the time you've loaded 1000 rounds, as opposed to buying factory match grade ammunition (using .308 as an example).

 

[725franky]

Re: .308 / .300WM / .338LM Price Comparison

Great comparison! You answered a question that most people have when they are just starting out or looking to get into reloading.

 

[Luke]

Re: .308 / .300WM / .338LM Price Comparison

BTT

 

[George63]

Re: .233 / .308 / .300WM / .338LM Price Comparison

out of all of them .223 brass is the only one I have found I can pick up in volume for free, with that I can do a decent (1-1 1/4 moa) 55 grain load for 17 cents