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Ace08066

Anyone reload 5.56?

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Just thought I'd throw this out there...  I have ~320 American Eagle 5.56 brass casings, once-fired from my AR last Wednsday at Range-14.  I initially collected them to save for the scrap yard but if any of you reload 5.56 and might be interested in hooking me up with some reloads in exchange for all the casings let me know.  I don't know what the cost of reloading is, but I figure 1 - 6 would be fair?  I'll give you 320 once-fired casings, you give me 50 reloads? I have a buddy who reloads but he only shoots .30-06.  

 

I just ordered 500 brown bear steel case rounds, so I won't be poppin' brass anytime soon...  But if I do buy brass in the future I always save it.  I also have a friend sitting on probably close to 2000 once-fired American Eagle .45 ACP brass if any of you reload pistol rounds.

 

Like I said, I don't know what the cost of reloading is... But I have to assume the brass is the most expensive part.

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The most expensive part is the bullet.  I would suggest you hook up with your friend and see how he reloads his '06.  Maybe for the cost of some dies and such he would help you reload your own on his equipment.  I would not be comfortable with either shooting or trading reloads with another.  Too many variables, liabilities, for me.

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There is a decent supply around, not sure what county  your in makes a difference on how much, but I have not had any real difficulty finding primers or powder recently for rifles, pistol powders are difficult at best.

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Call it conventional wisdom or general consensus, shooting someone else's reloads is not recommended.  As stated, any purchase or barter of reloaded ammo requires that the reloader be an FFL06.  What you do is your own business, I'm just throwing the caveats out there for you so you can make an informed decision.

 

If you do not mind paying the steep HazMat fee, you can order powder and primers on-line.  There are several sporting goods stores in NJ that sell reloading supplies.  If NJ does not pan out, then there is always PA to fall back on.  If you are sincere about reloading, you may even be able to score some powder and primers from members here if you post a WTB.

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Well, some thoughtful insight as always fellers.  Like I said, I know little about reloading - Was just throwing it out there.  My buddy who reloads .30-06 has a pretty cool setup and is fairly anal about his calibration...  I remember him measuring powder like ten times then getting pissed off if one of us looked at the thing too hard.  Doubt he'd be interested in letting me use his rig :p 

 

But I'm not really enthused about reloading - I just got 500 rounds for $120, I'm fairly happy about that and as long as there's no problems I'll probly order the 1k box for $230.  I don't shoot competitively (yet) so I'm not even interested in reloading.  

 

Post was strictly trying to help you guys out and get a few rounds in return.  Honestly - the casings aren't worth *that* much in brass scrap, so if any of you are close to Paulsboro and would like this bag of brass you can have it. Free ofc. 

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FWIW...

 

1000 55gr FMJ pills are $100...............................................$0.10.....$0.10

1lb Powder $30-40 (7000 grains/pound, 25 grains/round)...$0.11.....$0.14

1k Primers $30-40................................................................$0.03.....$0.04

 

Total: $0.24-$0.28. Buying 8lb jugs of powder is cheaper (as they are anywhere from $160-$200).

 

Reloading isn't about saving money. You can't beat the prices with the cheap commie stuff for blasting. It is more of a 'fun' thing to do, and your savings are made when you load expensive calibers and/or match ammunition. I could probably load .30-06 or .458 Winmag for not much more than .223 when those rounds run $15 and $90 for a 20 round box respectively. 

 

I also load .45 and 9mm for $2.50 a box, but that is another story.

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Found an article on truthsaboutguns site that says about the same as you did 302w.

 

Also covered .308/7.62 which author said wasn't a money saver vs. bulk range ammo. Biggest savings was for higher end loads mostly. But sort of works if you shoot stuff like American Eagle and PMC.

 

Using their math, even if you didn't have a die and press, you could make it up with 5.56 in about 500 or 600 rounds versus over the counter brass ammo. But against Russian steel, not a savings.

 

Article also compared .270 I think. Benefit to reloading that was the cost of commercial ammo was higher. But...most people aren't shooting 1000 or 2000 rounds of .270 at the range in a day.

 

Again, it's more about fine tuning your loads as you want them according to most that reload. Or if you're just into doing it.

 

I'm saving my PMC brass. Not sure what I'll do with it.

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I will continue to reload most of my own ammo with the exception of rimfire of course.  You may not be able to save on some caliber reloads but, as stated, you get what you want.  Some may love that commie blasting ammo but for me it doesn't cut it.  I have given up on foreign milsurps because they basically do nothing for me anymore, been there done that.  I'll spend my dollars with US made firearms, and supplies, even if I have to put them together myself.   

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Lead - reclaimed range lead/etc - using tools to cast your own bullets.

 

Powder and Primers purchased in bulk at older prices... Current prices are much higher.

This. Also, a pound of power goes significantly farther in a handgun.

 

Assuming $30/1k primers, and $30/lb powder, that is 3 cents and 2 cents respectively. If bullets are arbitrarily 10 cents each that is $7.50 a box. I try not to buy bullets so that is only $2.50 a box.

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I was just at Cabelas in Delaware, they had plenty of rifle powder, half a shelf of 4895, a little pistol, hardly any when I left. I just ordered bullets from King Shooters, 2K assorted. It is out there, prices are ok, you just have to shop around

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I'd also never sell or give away my reloads under any circumstances, just not worth someone loosing an eye over. I have given so thought to letting someone else shoot my reloads, in my rifle, with me present and decided they better bring factory ammo.

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I was just at Cabelas in Delaware, they had plenty of rifle powder, half a shelf of 4895, a little pistol, hardly any when I left. I just ordered bullets from King Shooters, 2K assorted. It is out there, prices are ok, you just have to shop around

IMR or Hodgdon? I had 48lbs of H4895 come in from a backorder I placed in February. I hope to see more H4895 since what I received will only load the components I currently have on hand.

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IMR or Hodgdon? I had 48lbs of H4895 come in from a backorder I placed in February. I hope to see more H4895 since what I received will only load the components I currently have on hand.

Forty eight?

 

Christ. I've been looking for 8lbs at a fair price. Save some for the rest of us

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I've got machine guns to feed! I can't let mah babies go hungry, can I?!

"then let them eat cake!"

 

That is enough 4895 for at least 13,440 rounds of 223. I'll never fire that much in my life!

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"then let them eat cake!"

 

That is enough 4895 for at least 13,440 rounds of 223. I'll never fire that much in my life!

Haha, I probably shoot that much every year if not more.  I load .308 with it too.  Depending on the bullet/application, I'm using anywhere from 43-46gr of H4895 for .308.

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