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I posted this in the survival section as a primer to acquiring bulk ammo cheap for shtf. I thought I would post it here as well. Maybe some people do not read that section.
...........
Just wanted to share my trials and tribulations over the last 12 months of acquiring bulk ammo for less than the retail price.
As we all know bulk .308 is "muy caro". If a person wanted to store 5,000rds of 308 at full retail the cost would be close
to $3,300 for basic junk military to $5,500+ for match ammo.
Before starting on my journey I had some prerequisites that needed to be filled. I wanted a round that was consistent and
would shoot as close to one inch as possible. The round also had to cycle the gun without malfunction.
Along my journey I hunted down the cheapest powder (.077 per round) the best lowest priced primer (.025 per rd.) and
a decently accurate projectile (.13 per rd). I scraped my wolf primer use as they are very inconsistent and almost double
the group size of anything loaded. I also scraped my use of resized pulled military projectiles as they were ok but not near
1 inch, more like 2.5" @100yds.
I also managed to acquire Lake city once fired 308. The price was very good at .08c ea per 5k order. I loaded a small batch
of the LC brass 10x over the last 11 months to see how much abuse it could take. The brass has actually held up quite well
and I would say it might take double or 20x loadings. For the sake of this test Im going to call it 10x loadings.
A few suggestions
Sign up for the newsletter at every reloading supplier (Nachez, Weideners, Grafs etc)
DONT be in a hurry to buy, wait for the deal.
Watch the group buys here in the ammo/reloading section. These guys know all the deals and will want to get a group buy going.
Buy BIG quantities (5k 223 and 5k 308 means 48lbs powder)
32lbs powder or more (will load 4,800 rds .308) (develop a load that shoots small groups with a 1lb purchase before buying big)
6,000 projectiles or more (buy 100 first to make dang sure they shoot straight and will group well)
Get free hazmat
Get free shipping
Ask for discounts on large orders, maybe a group buy will save you more cash
5,000 brass or more (as above buy small quantities first and test the seller and his brass, make sure its GTG)
So here is the breakdown (.308 ammo).
WC-846 military surplus ball powder (works great in 223/308). (measures very well, will hold .1gr metering) and the cost per round is .077ea
Privii 148gr military fmjbt projectiles at .13 ea (the price went up after buying these to .15ea) (holds almost 1 inch without
even trying.
CCI 200 LR primers at .025ea (wolf are cheaper but not good for small groups)
LC brass (at 10x use) .01c ea over the life or 10x loading (or $100/k shipped for 1x use) (these have all but disappeared
from the market at low prices)
So my bottom line is .242c ea or $242/k or $1210 per 5,000 rds. If you want to figure 1x loading to the brass and come
in at full price use .10c ea and a total of .332ea or 332/1k or 1660/5k
One more thing I need to add. Working with once fired military brass is a pita. You need to small base resize back to
sammi headspace. Swag the primer pockets one at a time and trim back to 2.00 inches. It requires 2 polishings to bring
the brass into loading specs. Once for the original cleaning, once for lube removal after sizing and trimming. I also want to
add that I tried three types of military brass. I used SBS, LC and one other I cannot remember the name of. LC was the best
if you ask me.
Now for 223
Im using a combo of LC and Speer OFMB
Cost for brass was $39/k at 6,000 rds (ask the person selling on GB for a "bulk discount") or .038ea 1x loaded or 1/3rd cent
each at 10x loading.
WC-846 .04c ea per round
CC primers .025
Hornady projectiles (holds one inch groups) .065ea per round
So if using 10x loading for brass cost would be .133 ea or $133/k or $665 per 5/k
If using the 1x loaded brass price cost would be .169ea or $169/k or $845/5k
.308 at 100yds through the LMT
With the savings on ammo I was able to build/buy the rifles I wanted and glass they needed.
DD light with ta11 acog
LMT MWS .308 with SS 5R and NF 3x15
Dont let anyone tell you an auto press cannot load accurate ammo.
Loaded on a dillon 650 with a few tweaks to make it more consistent.
...........
Just wanted to share my trials and tribulations over the last 12 months of acquiring bulk ammo for less than the retail price.
As we all know bulk .308 is "muy caro". If a person wanted to store 5,000rds of 308 at full retail the cost would be close
to $3,300 for basic junk military to $5,500+ for match ammo.
Before starting on my journey I had some prerequisites that needed to be filled. I wanted a round that was consistent and
would shoot as close to one inch as possible. The round also had to cycle the gun without malfunction.
Along my journey I hunted down the cheapest powder (.077 per round) the best lowest priced primer (.025 per rd.) and
a decently accurate projectile (.13 per rd). I scraped my wolf primer use as they are very inconsistent and almost double
the group size of anything loaded. I also scraped my use of resized pulled military projectiles as they were ok but not near
1 inch, more like 2.5" @100yds.
I also managed to acquire Lake city once fired 308. The price was very good at .08c ea per 5k order. I loaded a small batch
of the LC brass 10x over the last 11 months to see how much abuse it could take. The brass has actually held up quite well
and I would say it might take double or 20x loadings. For the sake of this test Im going to call it 10x loadings.
A few suggestions
Sign up for the newsletter at every reloading supplier (Nachez, Weideners, Grafs etc)
DONT be in a hurry to buy, wait for the deal.
Watch the group buys here in the ammo/reloading section. These guys know all the deals and will want to get a group buy going.
Buy BIG quantities (5k 223 and 5k 308 means 48lbs powder)
32lbs powder or more (will load 4,800 rds .308) (develop a load that shoots small groups with a 1lb purchase before buying big)
6,000 projectiles or more (buy 100 first to make dang sure they shoot straight and will group well)
Get free hazmat
Get free shipping
Ask for discounts on large orders, maybe a group buy will save you more cash
5,000 brass or more (as above buy small quantities first and test the seller and his brass, make sure its GTG)
So here is the breakdown (.308 ammo).
WC-846 military surplus ball powder (works great in 223/308). (measures very well, will hold .1gr metering) and the cost per round is .077ea
Privii 148gr military fmjbt projectiles at .13 ea (the price went up after buying these to .15ea) (holds almost 1 inch without
even trying.
CCI 200 LR primers at .025ea (wolf are cheaper but not good for small groups)
LC brass (at 10x use) .01c ea over the life or 10x loading (or $100/k shipped for 1x use) (these have all but disappeared
from the market at low prices)
So my bottom line is .242c ea or $242/k or $1210 per 5,000 rds. If you want to figure 1x loading to the brass and come
in at full price use .10c ea and a total of .332ea or 332/1k or 1660/5k
One more thing I need to add. Working with once fired military brass is a pita. You need to small base resize back to
sammi headspace. Swag the primer pockets one at a time and trim back to 2.00 inches. It requires 2 polishings to bring
the brass into loading specs. Once for the original cleaning, once for lube removal after sizing and trimming. I also want to
add that I tried three types of military brass. I used SBS, LC and one other I cannot remember the name of. LC was the best
if you ask me.
Now for 223
Im using a combo of LC and Speer OFMB
Cost for brass was $39/k at 6,000 rds (ask the person selling on GB for a "bulk discount") or .038ea 1x loaded or 1/3rd cent
each at 10x loading.
WC-846 .04c ea per round
CC primers .025
Hornady projectiles (holds one inch groups) .065ea per round
So if using 10x loading for brass cost would be .133 ea or $133/k or $665 per 5/k
If using the 1x loaded brass price cost would be .169ea or $169/k or $845/5k
.308 at 100yds through the LMT
With the savings on ammo I was able to build/buy the rifles I wanted and glass they needed.
DD light with ta11 acog
LMT MWS .308 with SS 5R and NF 3x15
Dont let anyone tell you an auto press cannot load accurate ammo.
Loaded on a dillon 650 with a few tweaks to make it more consistent.
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