Thinking about reloading .223

[anyracoon]

Golden West Bullets

I just got a E-mail from Golden West. Sad news as the rising cost of copper has caused his prices to go up. Here is his reply.

Sorry our website has not been updated. Below you'll find the updated price
list for our bullet. Because of the increase on copper cost we no longer have
the free shipping. Please take a look at the price and if you're ok with it
please call the number below to place and order. Thanks! David

Pistol Bullets Description Gr. Dia. Retail 9mm FMJ
115gr. 0.355 $ 64.00
124gr. 0.355 $ 65.00
147gr. 0.355 $ 70.00
38 spl / 357 RN 158gr. 0.357 $ 70.00
38 spl / 357 FN 158gr. 0.357 $ 70.00
40 S&W / 10mm 155gr. 0.400
$ 80.00 40 S&W / 10mm 180gr. 0.400 $ 80.00
45 ACP 200gr. 0.451 $ 90.00 45 ACP 230gr. 0.451 $ 90.00
Rifle Bullets Price Per 1000 Description Gr. Dia. 223 FMJ 55gr. 0.224 $58.00 62gr. 0.224 $ 60.00
308 FMJ 150gr. 0.308 $
85.00 168gr. 0.308 $ 90.00
7.62X39 FMJ 124gr. 0.311 $
75.00 150gr. 0.311 $ 80.00


David Chiang
Golden West Brass Industry
2458 N, Rosemead Blvd
S. El Monte, CA. 91733
Tel: 626-454-4585
Fax:626-454-3496
Cell: 626-786-3455

https://www.goldenwestbrass.com

[jmlivingston]

aaarrrggghh..... I hate it when small shops don't keep their websites updated.

That's still a reasonable price from what I've seen. If somebody in the OC area wants to make a GB on these and drive up to get them I'd be interested in participating, including chipping in for some gas. I just don't have the time to do it myself, getting pretty busy with work and family matters right now. Otherwise I'll just have to pay the shipping costs, but there's enough of us in the OC area that are talking about reloading that somebody ought to be able to put this together.

John

[GTKrockeTT]

goldenwestbrass...their storefront (if you can call it that) scares me. i also find it amusing that they are all "sold out" of brass for 2007. but, yes their bullet prices are reasonable, even with the increase.

[ocabj]

goldenwestbrass...their storefront (if you can call it that) scares me.

Hahahaha. I know what you mean. I think I went to an older location they had in an industrial district which had several buildings (A, B, C, D, etc). I went to the wrong building (but correct number) and I walked into a sweatshop.

Good thing I didn't get tackled and thrown in front of a sewing machine.

"We need these fake Gucci bags on the streets of Hong Kong in two weeks!"

[Whitesmoke]

goldenwestbrass...their storefront (if you can call it that) scares me. i also find it amusing that they are all "sold out" of brass for 2007. but, yes their bullet prices are reasonable, even with the increase.

Where does it say they are sold out of brass for 2007? I can't find that anywhere.....I was thinking of getting some too.

[GTKrockeTT]

Where does it say they are sold out of brass for 2007? I can't find that anywhere.....I was thinking of getting some too.

that's what they told me at my last visit.

[Whitesmoke]

that's what they told me at my last visit.

ahhh...ok, I was looking all over their website for it...lol.

[ns3v3n]

you can always try ebay for brass,

[grammaton76]

I personally like hitting www.brassworldonline.org

The guy who runs it is really nice, albeit not very computer literate. He sends out periodic panic mails about his SSL certificates...

[Jicko]

Here is what I worked out for Mk262 load

To make something similar to BH Mk262 load:

Per 1000 rounds cost (material pricing from midwayusa):
4lb Hodgdon Varget powder $19x4 = $76
1000 Winchester Small Rifle primer = $23
1000 Sierra MatchKing 77gr HPBT bullets $91x2 = $182
OR 1000 Nosler 77gr Custom Comp HPBT bullets $38x4 = $152
TOTAL = $281/1000 ($251 w/ Nosler Bullet)


To buy Black Hills Ammo @ Midwayusa:
Remanuf 1000 77gr SMK HP $541
New 1000 77gr SMK HP $760


So if you are going after "match" grade loads, the reloading will save you a LOT of money. But as previous posts listed out, with today's expensive ammo pricing on XM193, XM855 and even AE223, I think reloading will still save you some $$ even if you are only going after simple 55gr or 62gr load.

One more thing, if you are after 62gr bullets, reloading is actually better since you can get 62gr bullet from GoldenWest that is non-*ap*.... ie. not like XM855.... that is not welcome in indoor shooting ranges, nor they are welcome in distance steel matches....

[ocabj]

To make something similar to BH Mk262 load:

Per 1000 rounds cost (material pricing from midwayusa):
4lb Hodgdon Varget powder $19x4 = $76
1000 Winchester Small Rifle primer = $23
1000 Sierra MatchKing 77gr HPBT bullets $91x2 = $182
OR 1000 Nosler 77gr Custom Comp HPBT bullets $38x4 = $152
TOTAL = $281/1000 ($251 w/ Nosler Bullet)

Don't use Winchester SR primers. I would avoid using them in the AR, especially for high pressure NATO loads (above SAAMI spec). You're going to pierce primers, pop primer cups, crater, etc. In my experience, Winchester SR primers can't handle it. Go with CCI 400s or BR4s.

Also, if you switch between SMK and Nosler, you need to chrono the loads, especially if you are trying to duplicate MK262. The Nosler will shoot faster than the SMK with the same powder charge weight. The ogive is 'longer' giving less bearing surface, and therefore more muzzle velocity. I would personally use Noslers since they are cheaper if you get in on the Nosler.com sales when they happen, plus you can shoot them at MK262 speeds with less pressure than if you used the SMK, and Noslers actually had better terminal performance according to military tests (but SMKs were chosen instead because Sierra put a cannelure on the bullet; read Ammo Oracle for explanation).

[Jicko]

Thanks for the pointers.... I never reloaded 223 before.... I've got a 550B for reloading my handgun rounds, and I am now looking into acquiring equipments/dies to do 223 reloading.

So for primers, what's the difference between #400 or #BR4? What's so special about "bench rest"?

RE: Nosler, don't they have cannelure too on their 77gr HPBT bullets? I just went and check on their site, they are actually having a SALE NOW... ie. $127 for 1000 77gr HPBT, that's a GREAT price(1000 Golden West 62gr will cost $120 already)... anyone know how much shipping do they charge?

So, in your personal experience, do the Nosler perform better than the SMK then?

Don't use Winchester SR primers. I would avoid using them in the AR, especially for high pressure NATO loads (above SAAMI spec). You're going to pierce primers, pop primer cups, crater, etc. In my experience, Winchester SR primers can't handle it. Go with CCI 400s or BR4s.

Also, if you switch between SMK and Nosler, you need to chrono the loads, especially if you are trying to duplicate MK262. The Nosler will shoot faster than the SMK with the same powder charge weight. The ogive is 'longer' giving less bearing surface, and therefore more muzzle velocity. I would personally use Noslers since they are cheaper if you get in on the Nosler.com sales when they happen, plus you can shoot them at MK262 speeds with less pressure than if you used the SMK, and Noslers actually had better terminal performance according to military tests (but SMKs were chosen instead because Sierra put a cannelure on the bullet; read Ammo Oracle for explanation).

[ocabj]

The BR4 should have a better standard deviation.

As far as Nosler vs Sierra. I've found that they shoot the same as far as accuracy at 200 yards. I have yet to shoot them in competition, yet, but I'm sure they'll do just as good at the 200 and 300 yard lines. I think the Hornady 75gr BTHP, Sierra 77gr Match King, and Nosler 77gr BTHP are all going to shoot equally well.

[xdpackin]

I reload 223 and it is great if you like control and a price break! I have a lee classic cast turret press that I use and can crank out rounds pretty fast... and I only spent less than $300 for all my reloading stuff...

[Jicko]

I've got my Nosler 77gr HPBT

And they are... non-cannelure... do Nosler have cannelured 77gr HPBT??
I guess, for my purpose... it is OK, if they are non-cannelure... I just hope that my loaded roads will feed right and the bullet will not be pushed in to create the over-pressure situation...

Back to the Nosler 77gr HPBT that I've got.... I've noticed quite some of them got some "stuff" in the HP!!! I thought that the HP is a feature to make the bullet MORE stable, but now, if there are "stuff" in that hole, is it OK? Is that "normal"?

Check out my pics and the lot code: