Where do you guys buy your .223 ammo?

[spleify]

I am in the process of getting my first AR, and wonderning where you guys have found the cheapest price for ammo.

I reload all my other calibers and I'm sure I will eventually reload the .223 also. Its been a long time since I have had to buy factory ammo, and I was amazed at the pricing when looking at the .223 ammo. Does anyone reload this? I would assume its like everything else, less expensive to reload, rather than buy factory ammo.

Thanks

[Zman]

Got mine from Natchez awhile back when they had a special going on.

Z

[cowboykjohnson]

when I can afford it... Jensen arms.

[StagLefty]

I find my best deals on-line but you have to take shipping into the equation.I stocked up pretty good before the ammo prices went crazy so it's been awhile.I looked into reloading but it looked like for .223 reloading and factory were pretty close plus I'd be starting from scratch for equipment.

[Pistol Packing Preacher]

Just came back from spending my hard earned cash @ Wally World on 72nd and Sheridan. They had some .223 there... today Wednesday the 24th!

[Beer]

[al_g]

Mostly I order from ammoman.com . One of these days I'll complete my reloading setup and start reloading .223.

[Backinblackrifles]

Big fives at kipling and c470 is where I have found it even when it was scarce.

[funkfool]

My first stop to check specials and pricing is always the Ammo Engine:
http://www.ammoengine.com/

[sniper7]

I check aimsurplus, ammoman, cabelas, sportsmansguide and seem to find stuff.
I still really hate the prices of ammo, i think they will come down before long.

[funkfool]

Of course you can always scope arfcom for .223 deals:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=16

[spleify]

Thanks for all the info guys!

I am amazed at the price of factory ammo now a days. I have been reloading for about 10 years now, and havnt bought any factory ammo in that time so I was freaked out when I went into Bass Pro shop today. They had a ton of .223 ammo....if you want to pay .60 per round and up....crazy.

[rl45acp]

I usally buy the Wally World Federal bulk 223. It's like $40 for 100 rounds, 40 cents a round.

For accurate rounds, I reload. Reloading the 223, or any rifle round, is kind of a PIA. I am finding the case length seem to make a big difference on accuracy. That means one has to trim each case. Also, most reused 223 brass has to have the primer pocket reamed a bit due to the factory pocket crimp. If/when you do start reloading it, do yourself a favor and add a Lee universal decappong die. They use a collet to hold the decapping rod, so rather than breaking counless decapping pins due to the crimps, you can just reset the pin (although I have still managed to break one of the lee pins).

A note to every body, sometimes cheap brass can be found at you local recycle center. There are companies out there that are contracted to clean out the military and police ranges and take the brass to the recycle center and sell it to them. Last time I went, I think it was like .13 cents per pound. You have to seperate it, inspect it and clean it, but it does keep the cost down.

[SigsRule]

Mostly I order from ammoman.com . One of these days I'll complete my reloading setup and start reloading .223.

I get most of my stuff from ammoman also. BTW, there are no shipping costs from ammoman. If he says $279 for 500 Lake City, a box will show up at your door for $279.

[Ed_S]

I use this site: http://gun-deals.com/ammo.php?caliber=.223

[jerrymrc]

Even at today's prices assuming I only get two loads out of once fired brass it works out to $172 per K for 55 or 62 Gr. I am currently loading 55fmj for $98 per K since I bought supplies when they were cheap. ;)

I just think that if you shoot any at all you have to load for it unless your shooting 7.62X25 or 7.62X54r.

[spleify]

The prices these places are charging is really disgusting, and actually quite insulting. It infuriates me how these companies take advantage of us.

I actually got into reloading because of a buddy of mine told me how much more accurate it is. Back then it really wasn't about the savings, but the accuracy and I enjoyed it. I still enjoy doing it, but now there is a real monetary benefit to it as well.

Thanks for all the tips on sites guys, I will check around and see what I want to do. I will likely just buy the dies and components and start reloading.

[gnihcraes]

A note to every body, sometimes cheap brass can be found at you local recycle center. There are companies out there that are contracted to clean out the military and police ranges and take the brass to the recycle center and sell it to them. Last time I went, I think it was like .13 cents per pound. You have to seperate it, inspect it and clean it, but it does keep the cost down.

I'd be careful buying from the recycle guy, as anything I have that is junk or questionable I sell to the recycle guy.

Buy from one of the locals who sell once fired brass or purchase it from someone on gunbroker. Lots of brass there at reasonable prices.

kc.

[rl45acp]

Even at today's prices assuming I only get two loads out of once fired brass

Why only two re-loadings? Lost brass in the bushes? Or do the cases start to fail? I have only just in the last six months started reloading 223, but my 243 cases have been lasting for quite a few loads, one set of 20 has been reloaded at least five times.

Spleify: Also, if you reload 5.56 brass, the case volumes are a little less than 223, or so I have read. I use two different loads for 223 vs 5.56 cases I have. I should note that on the "223 vs 5.56" thread.

[jerrymrc]

Why only two re-loadings? Lost brass in the bushes? Or do the cases start to fail? I have only just in the last six months started reloading 223, but my 243 cases have been lasting for quite a few loads, one set of 20 has been reloaded at least five times.

Spleify: Also, if you reload 5.56 brass, the case volumes are a little less than 223, or so I have read. I use two different loads for 223 vs 5.56 cases I have. I should note that on the "223 vs 5.56" thread.

It was just a number. I have .223 brass that I have loaded 5-6 times so far. Go take a look at that thread again. ;)

[esaabye]

I have ordered from http://www.classicarms.us/ several times, 193 from 350-360 out the door and good service.

I just started reloading, tested my first batch today actually. Was shooting about 1 MOA compaired to 2 MOA with fed bulk.

Wallyword generally has the Feb bulk for 40 cents each or so.

[rl45acp]

I'd be careful buying from the recycle guy, as anything I have that is junk or questionable I sell to the recycle guy.

Buy from one of the locals who sell once fired brass or purchase it from someone on gunbroker. Lots of brass there at reasonable prices.

kc.

The recycle guy I buy from usally has 2-3 55 gallon drums filled to the top with brass. Mosty LE calibers, 45 ACP, 233/5.56, 40 S&W, and 9mm. When My brother and I picked up 1 or 200#'s, we got 2,000+ cases of 40, 1,500 of 223, 2-3000 of 45, and countless 9mm. And I would say about 25% of them we had to throw away, but I kept them because I like to make jacked bullets from used up cases. So yes, one does need to inspect them, but one should anyway. I guess if a person doesn't want to take the time to remanufacture their brass, then gaurenteed once fired brass is the way to go.


Even at today's prices assuming I only get two loads out of once fired brass it works out to $172 per K for 55 or 62 Gr. I am currently loading 55fmj for $98 per K since I bought supplies when they were cheap. ;)

I just think that if you shoot any at all you have to load for it unless your shooting 7.62X25 or 7.62X54r.

It was just a number. I have .223 brass that I have loaded 5-6 times so far. Go take a look at that thread again. ;)

Sorry, you did say "assuming", I was just wondering if there was a reason for only two reloads per case that I didn't know about, like the pockets start loosing up or something.

[rl45acp]

I have ordered from http://www.classicarms.us/ several times, 193 from 350-360 out the door and good service.

I just started reloading, tested my first batch today actually. Was shooting about 1 MOA compaired to 2 MOA with fed bulk.

Wallyword generally has the Feb bulk for 40 cents each or so.

Nice! I have found about the same results with my handloads vs factory, about a 50% decrease in group sizes. I wanna ask you what you load is so far, but this is the wrong thread for that.

[spleify]

I wanna ask you what you load is so far, but this is the wrong thread for that.

I would like to hear some .223 loads that you guys are using and having luck with.