Range Report Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

[LawnMM]

So I've got my taxes done and have a return inbound. I've earmarked some of that money for an ammunition purchase. I plan to go with Southwest again as they were super friendly and easy to work with when I bought some of their 175's.

So here's the question...do I buy more 175's or some of their 155 lapua scenars? I've only put a few rounds of the 175's I have through my weapon, and only at short range, so I can't yet comment on their performance out of my rifle at longer ranges.

I have a 20" R700 with a heavy barrel that I will be shooting anywhere from 100-1000 yards with. I will be doing most of this at the Colorado Rifle Club which I just became a member of. I've heard its windy there so I'm toying with the 155 scenar idea to deal with the winds. However, I've read that the 155's really only perform well at higher velocities.

I don't own a chronograph yet so I'm looking for anecdotal advice on this. Also not set up for reloading yet, but plan to later this year. I'm at altitude, with a shorter barrel, am I going to have enough muzzle velocity to take advantage of the 155's or should I stick with more 175gr ammo?

 

[HotrRod308]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

I have had better performance out of my 20" barrel with the 175's. I could not get the velocity needed to really take advantage of the 155's.
FYI- Midway has a deal on the FGMM 175's. $220 for a case of 200.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

Take your money and buy reloading equipment, don't tell me you don't have the room, everything you need will fit in to two MTM dry boxes.

 

[Shady_Jay]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Take your money and buy reloading equipment, don't tell me you don't have the room, everything you need will fit in to two MTM dry boxes. </div></div>

mine doesn't

 

[LawnMM]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HotRod308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have had better performance out of my 20" barrel with the 175's. I could not get the velocity needed to really take advantage of the 155's.
FYI- Midway has a deal on the FGMM 175's. $220 for a case of 200. </div></div>

Thats kinda what I figured, thanks!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Take your money and buy reloading equipment, don't tell me you don't have the room, everything you need will fit in to two MTM dry boxes. </div></div>

Reloading equipment is quite a bit more expensive than a case or two of ammunition, or am I looking at the wrong stuff?

Case or two of ammo...$450 bucks or so. Most of the presses I've seen are easily half that, and thats before a tumbler/case cleaner of some sort, tools to prep the cases, powder measure, then you need the actual supplies like brass/bullets/powder.

I want to get into reloading but it seems like the initial start up cost is easily 600+ worth of stuff. Room I have plenty of, its spare cash to get set up I'm a little short on at the moment.

 

[BrettSass844]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

+1 on the reloading equip!

You should be able to get started for the cost of 2 cases of ammo! I was patient when I got my equip. I bought a used RCBS press with loads of extras for $100 bucks. Most of the stuff that came with it was 30 carbine components. I sold them for $80. Used gift cards from birthday and Christmas to finish off my equip. Ammo is to damn expensive anymore to justify not handloading. Make the investment. You will be glad you did.

 

[Guest]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

FYI, Southwest Ammunition sales a case of 175's (200 count) for $200 all the time.

 

[RobG]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

No slight to SW ammo but, gotta agree on the reloading route. Look around for used stuff. Guys are always upgrading gear for something new/different. You will spend more than the 450 initially for all the gear and cartridge comps but, it is a worth while investment. Rolling your own opens up options just not available with loaded ammo.

 

[42769vette]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Take your money and buy reloading equipment, don't tell me you don't have the room, everything you need will fit in to two MTM dry boxes. </div></div>

exactly. hell i have a dillon and a forser set up in a closet. if i have room anyone does

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

My first reloads were all made with used equipment, RCBS JR press 55 bucks, Lyman M5 Scale 18 bucks, Lee dies 30 bucks, Lee hand primer 25 bucks, new RCBS shell holder 8 bucks, I didn't uniform the primer pockets, I didn't trim my brass, I didn't deburr my flash holes, but I did win a Veterans Day Match at Fort Wothers with the ammo I made from my small investment, 99% of the people here over trim there brass, no new ammo or remanufactured ammo has uniformed primer pockets or deburred flash holes, take your return money and invest it in something that last a life time, that an education in reloading, be fugal like me and you'll have money left over for bullets primers and powder

 

[LawnMM]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My first reloads were all made with used equipment, RCBS JR press 55 bucks, Lyman M5 Scale 18 bucks, Lee dies 30 bucks, Lee hand primer 25 bucks, new RCBS shell holder 8 bucks, I didn't uniform the primer pockets, I didn't trim my brass, I didn't deburr my flash holes, but I did win a Veterans Day Match at Fort Wothers with the ammo I made from my small investment, 99% of the people here over trim there brass, no new ammo or remanufactured ammo has uniformed primer pockets or deburred flash holes, take your return money and invest it in something that last a life time, that an education in reloading, be fugal like me and you'll have money left over for bullets primers and powder </div></div>

Gonna take your advice and the other guys and look into reloading...

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2347933&#Post2347933

Feel free to post equipment suggestions, the stuff wound up being much more affordable than I would have thought when I really hunted around for stuff that was simple and cost effective and not so 'whiz bang'

 

[Ol' RD]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

Glad to read your going to at least look into it. If you shoot a lot or at least want to, the amount you save will easily cover the cost of the equipment. 33 cents for a bullet, 3.5 cents for a primer, 17 cents for powder and you already have brass. 54 cents a round times 20. 10.80 a box. Nobody sells match ammo for that. You do the math. Best investment you'll ever make.

 

[RobG]

Re: Tax Return inbound - What ammo to purchase?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LawnMM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gonna take your advice and the other guys and look into reloading...


Feel free to post equipment suggestions, the stuff wound up being much more affordable than I would have thought when I really hunted around for <span style="font-weight: bold">stuff that was simple and cost effective and not so 'whiz bang'</span> </div></div>

Absolutely. You can load match grade ammo on basic equipment. Of course, you will find that as your reloading experience grows, your taste in equipment may change as well. Heres a list from another site I go to. Its a couple years old but that shouldn't be too big of a deal. And this is for all new gear. You can save more by finding used gear.

Lyman "49th Edition Reloading Handbook" Reloading Manual Softcover 19.99
Product #: 217655

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit $104.99
Product #: 121744

Kit Includes:
Lee Challenger Reloading Press
Lee Auto Prime.
Lee Auto Prime Shellholder Set of 11.
Lee Cutter and Lock Stud.
Lee Perfect Powder Measure.
Lee Chamfer Tool.
Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
Lee Safety Powder Scale.
Lee Powder funnel.
2 oz Tube Lee Resizing Case Lube.

Redding Type S Match Bushing 2-Die Set 308 Winchester $129.99
Product #: 271533

RCBS Shellholder #3 (308 Winchester) $6.89
Product #: 326468

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit 73.99
Product #: 414369

RCBS Powder Trickler $13.49
Product #: 317787

Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 308 Winchester $4.49
Product #: 271467

Smith & Wesson Dial Caliper 4" Stainless Steel $19.99
Product #: 119190

Hornady Lock-N-Load Headspace Gage / Comparator $29.99
Product #: 479704

Grand total of about $400 plus shipping.