.223 reloading

[maza]

Can anyone tell me an approx cost for all the bits and equipment needed / necessary to reload and is the saving money wise, worth the outlay and all the time and effort.

thanks in advance,..

[mag44uk]

Tuff question to answer but I will give it a go!
1. What are your aims (scuse pun!) 1000yd target or vermin?
2. How many rounds a year?
3. Do you belong to club and if you do anyone giving up reloading?
4. On that note dont discount good second hand items.
5. You will need - a press - dies set and shellholder - a beam scale - a caliper - a powder thrower - primers - powder - bullets. Then case trimming and other odd widgets.
6.If you buy new look at RCBS/Lyman/Hornady and dont discount Lee (apart from the awful safety scale) Lee make some good things. And they all make a starter pack - just add dies.
7. New starter pack from about £400 and up. Dies from £45 and up. Primers - if you can find them from £120 a k. Bullets from £300 a k (Lapua) Powder from £300 for 3.6kg (Viht)
8. Totting that up to make 1000 rounds you will be looking at an outlay minimum £1000.

[maza]

It seems a lot of effort, time and £££ outlay for not a lot of return.
Time is the biggy for me.

[mag44uk]

You're welcome. For me it is worth it. My equipment was paid for in ammo savings many years ago.
I will refer you back to my first two points.

[DesG]

I inherited a whole load of powder, primers bullet heads (223,308,270,30) and a box full of the rcbs and lyman presses, scales et all so I’m set up for the rest of my life. I even had a few rifles and 8 shotguns, 5 berettas and 3 paratzi. My friend’s late husband only bought the best. Luckily the bank wrote off his debts!

[Grifff]

That's a pretty good breakdown of costs, you might do it a bit cheaper buying used equipment. I think the real benefit comes if you either want a specific load or shoot a large volume of rounds. I reload a few different calibres but mainly pistol calibre. I think it would be hard to justify for a few hundred .223 a year unless of course you enjoy it.