Which Would You DO? Why?

[fullspeed1]

I put together all my 223 components and ended up selling all my Dillon 223 equipment. Reloading rifle is a pain in the rear, and for me its low volume shooting anyways. I now stick with 9mm and 45acp.

[Cowboy T]

If you can shoot the Russkie ammo (Wolf, Bear, Tulammo, etc.) at your range, and if you're not going for match ammo, then I'd choose the .45 ACP. On the other hand, if you're making and shooting plenty of fairly precise handloads, and need the precision, then I'd just get both setups if you shoot both a lot.

That's one reason I love Lee's Classic Turret Press. Cartridge conversions are inexpensive and take about a minute and a half to complete, including changing the primer size if needed. If no primer size changes are needed, you're looking at maybe 45 seconds.

[Lead Waster]

I've not loaded .223 yet, but I have the dies for it. I'll single stage it for most rifles. Yeah, I know .223 is practically a pistol round in terms of voume! But that's the beauty of a single stage press. Buy the press then every caliber is just a $30 Lee die set!

First of all, I would just forget about cost savings, forget about initial cost and ROI for equipment, seriously, you'll go nuts worrying about it.

Second, you can cut down on the cost if you don't buy the quick change kit (which come with powder measures). just buy an extra toolhead and the conversion kit (shellplate, pins, powder funnel). And move the powder measure from toolhead to toolhead.

If you are worried about price and payback, then don't get the splurgy stuff. I would happily move powder measures back and forth to save $100 per caliber that i load!

Also, go to the range and shoot your .45, then pick up the brass and reload that. Try and sneak in some other stray cases while you can.

I get most of my cases from just gathering up more brass than I shoot at the indoor range (with permission from other shooters, of course!)

[ExtremeX]

Using the same powder measure isn’t a big deal, I do it for almost every caliber I reload for just to lower cost…

[Na-vah-duh]

In my opinion it's way overkill to buy multiple powder measures for each caliber. At most have 2. one set up with large charge bar and one with small. It's very easy to adjust and dial in. However having the separate tool head with dies / powder check is very wise.

Fellow penny pincher

[kmca]

1. Your starting premise isn't quite right, you have to include the cost of bullets, cases, dies and primers with your rifle rounds (unless you really want to swing the poll to the rifle side).
2. I don't need an extra tool head for sizing. I use a universal decap die in a single stage, then proceed from there.
3. I trim after the first firing of .223, then I lose them before they need to be trimmed again

[Colt562]

1. Your starting premise isn't quite right, you have to include the cost of bullets, cases, dies and primers with your rifle rounds (unless you really want to swing the poll to the rifle side).
2. I don't need an extra tool head for sizing. I use a universal decap die in a single stage, then proceed from there.
3. I trim after the first firing of .223, then I lose them before they need to be trimmed again

I already have all the components needed for 223.

I was thinking that since my load for 223 is going to be about 23 grains, to use the same powder hopper but just to have to switch out the larger and small powder bars. Would that be wise to do?

[Colt562]

If you can shoot the Russkie ammo (Wolf, Bear, Tulammo, etc.) at your range, and if you're not going for match ammo, then I'd choose the .45 ACP. On the other hand, if you're making and shooting plenty of fairly precise handloads, and need the precision, then I'd just get both setups if you shoot both a lot.

That's one reason I love Lee's Classic Turret Press. Cartridge conversions are inexpensive and take about a minute and a half to complete, including changing the primer size if needed. If no primer size changes are needed, you're looking at maybe 45 seconds.

I dont really like shooting that Wolf, bear, Tula ammo. Just would rather stick to something like winchester, remington. I have about 1000 rounds of winchester right now and love them.

[Colt562]

In my opinion it's way overkill to buy multiple powder measures for each caliber. At most have 2. one set up with large charge bar and one with small. It's very easy to adjust and dial in. However having the separate tool head with dies / powder check is very wise.

Fellow penny pincher

this would in fact be my second. I only have one for 9mm right now.

So would you reccomend a powder check for 223?

[Colt562]

Also, go to the range and shoot your .45, then pick up the brass and reload that. Try and sneak in some other stray cases while you can.

I get most of my cases from just gathering up more brass than I shoot at the indoor range (with permission from other shooters, of course!)

Haha I have other people sneak some 45 brass in for me. My dad and his fellow K-9 officers go shooting a bunch so they pick up the brass for me and bring it home.

[kmca]

I already have all the components needed for 223.

I was thinking that since my load for 223 is going to be about 23 grains, to use the same powder hopper but just to have to switch out the larger and small powder bars. Would that be wise to do?

Sure you can use just one powder measure, it's just a little inconvenient. To be a true cost basis analysis, you have to include all the factors. If you don't do that, why not put in that the rifle powder, approximately 28 grains, against the 45 which is closer to 5 grains? Also, you're paying too much for primers and bullets. You can use moly coated bullets in the 45 for about $38/500..can't do that with .223

[kmca]

You're not factoring in accuracy. Using various .223 factory ammunition, my AR will do about 1-1/2 inch groups. With my reloads, it's closer to 3/8". You probably won't see that kind of accuracy improvement with a 45.

[Colt562]

Sure you can use just one powder measure, it's just a little inconvenient. To be a true cost basis analysis, you have to include all the factors. If you don't do that, why not put in that the rifle powder, approximately 28 grains, against the 45 which is closer to 5 grains? Also, you're paying too much for primers and bullets. You can use moly coated bullets in the 45 for about $38/500..can't do that with .223

Im not sure what you mean by "if you dont do that, why not put in that the rifle powder, 28 grains, against the 45 wich is closer to 5 grains?

I don't like using lead bullets. I prefer copper plated.

[Colt562]

You're not factoring in accuracy. Using various .223 factory ammunition, my AR will do about 1-1/2 inch groups. With my reloads, it's closer to 3/8". You probably won't see that kind of accuracy improvement with a 45.

Ummm Im confused. Im not really worried about accuracy right now, Im concerned with the start up cost of 223 vs. 45. But I do know what you mean by 3/8" in a 223 compared to the 45.

[ExtremeX]

You're not factoring in accuracy. Using various .223 factory ammunition, my AR will do about 1-1/2 inch groups. With my reloads, it's closer to 3/8". You probably won't see that kind of accuracy improvement with a 45.