Thinking about .223

[vorra65]

I,ve done .45 ACP on my Dillon 550 for years. Put together my 1st AR lower yesterday and really looking forward to the rest of my parts to arrive to complete the build.

You guys that reload the.223, what kind of savings should I expect? I really enjoy the process, and know the $$ involved in the extra equipment I,ll need. Just curious to hear some .cents per shot numbers.

Thanks

[shooterbill]

If I scrounge for deals, I can load 1000 rounds for about $150.

[Colt562]

Just be prepared with all the prep work. I hate trimming so this is what I am doing when I get the cash:

Toolhead one-
1. Deprime
2. Lube Die
3. Size
4. Trim/Size with Dillon Case Trimmer

Toolhead 2
1. Deprime/Prime
2. Powder
3. Seat
4. Crimp

havn't done the price per round but I pay 17/pound of powder, 25 for primers, 25/250 Bullets, brass for free.

[Quinc]

I reload .223 on a Dillon. It kind of sucks because you have to hand guide the brass into the powder drop, but other then that it's fine. If you buy bulk and re use brass you can easily get them down to 12-15 cents for good ammo. Which is better then paying .25 cents for steel cased ammo.

[NiteQwill]

I reload .223 on a Dillon. It kind of sucks because you have to hand guide the brass into the powder drop, but other then that it's fine. If you buy bulk and re use brass you can easily get them down to 12-15 cents for good ammo. Which is better then paying .25 cents for steel cased ammo.

You need to adjust your shellplate.

Or adjust your funnel.

Or polish your funnel with Flitz.

Should be happening. Doesn't to me and I can knock out .223 rounds effortlessly.

[Bunsen]

The two tool heads on the .223 is the way to go for sure. I recently upgraded to the 1150 for the swagging tool option since I get a lot of boxer primers and was spending a lot of time running it off line. If I am loading lead plated bullets I can get it down to the 0.10 to 0.12 cents per round but that is buying bullets 5K at a time. Enjoy it!

[Quinc]

You need to adjust your shellplate.

Or adjust your funnel.

Or polish your funnel with Flitz.

Should be happening. Doesn't to me and I can knock out .223 rounds effortlessly.

Adjust it how? I am still fairly new to the Dillon. I am thinking the only fix is to do problemchilds carpet trick so the cases cant tilt so much?

[problemchild]

Cost involved
223/556

Prices based on large orders during sales NO hazmat and NO shipping

8lbs wc844=$84 dollars (aprox 2500rds @25grs.) (.0336ea)
wolf primers $78/5k (.0156ea)
brass either $65/k same headstamp or free range brass mixed (free) OR (.065ea x10loads= .0065ea)
projectile= (.07-.09ea) each based on quality/brand etc

So about .12-.19ea based on brass or $120-$190 per 1,000

[problemchild]

I reload .223 on a Dillon. It kind of sucks because you have to hand guide the brass into the powder drop, but other then that it's fine. If you buy bulk and re use brass you can easily get them down to 12-15 cents for good ammo. Which is better then paying .25 cents for steel cased ammo.

Nope not correct. I can load 18/minute with no fuss except cleaning the pusher and primer areas about every 2,000rds. Not sure why you have an issue with powder but call dillon because thats not right. You might have the wrong tube and powder funnel installed????

[vorra65]

Cost involved
223/556

Prices based on large orders during sales NO hazmat and NO shipping

8lbs wc844=$84 dollars (aprox 2500rds @25grs.) (.0336ea)
wolf primers $78/5k (.0156ea)
brass either $65/k same headstamp or free range brass mixed (free) OR (.065ea x10loads= .0065ea)
projectile= (.07-.09ea) each based on quality/brand etc

So about .12-.19ea based on brass or $120-$190 per 1,000

Now that's what I'm likin........

I think I'll start my shopping list for Dillon gang.

Thanks,

[CEDaytonaRydr]

You need to adjust your shellplate.

Or adjust your funnel.

Or polish your funnel with Flitz.

Should be happening. Doesn't to me and I can knock out .223 rounds effortlessly.

+1

I've never had an issue, and I've never used "Flitz".

[GeoffLinder]

I reload .223 on a Dillon. It kind of sucks because you have to hand guide the brass into the powder drop, but other then that it's fine. If you buy bulk and re use brass you can easily get them down to 12-15 cents for good ammo. Which is better then paying .25 cents for steel cased ammo.

My guess is it's something with shell plate. Either wrong one, or it's too loose, or wrong guide buttons allowing too much slop.

Agreed about calling Dillon, they will troubleshoot with you over phone.

[GravityGear]

why don't you guys use the x-die? trim once and forget about it for the life of the brass.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

why don't you guys use the x-die? trim once and forget about it for the life of the brass.

I have it for .308...

Technically, you still have to trim, initially with an X-die but only once...

[johnny1290]

8# H335 ($128).0512
5k wolf primers $72.50(14.50/k).0145
Shipping-$40
bullets-.07-.09
brass .058 (87.50/1500 shipped mixed head)


$51.20 powder
$14.50 primers
$80 bullets(split the diff)
$20 shipping
------
$165 / k not including brass

+$58 brass

=$223 (heh!) / thousand

This is using what I just paid at Wideners on sale a few weeks ago, plus brass cost I just got via PM, and I took the above posters cost for bullets as it sounds about right. I'm not 100% sure about shipping as it came in a huge box that weighed 32 pounds, but that's what the invoice says, and I'm afraid to open the credit card statement as I added too much stuff LOL.

They were out of surplus powder or I would've bought that and saved around $20/thousand.