RunninLate
Lieutenant
Thinking about the boat sitting on the trailer.......WHY
Posts: 794
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Post by RunninLate on Jan 23, 2015 16:58:09 GMT -6
For the past month or so it really has not been boating weather or the fishing has been not worth buying the gas or bait. So I am playing around with my bullets (wife likes that saying).
I have been reloading for a year (after a lay off for 15 year) and decided to try reloading a rifle round. I have done about 6 handgun calibers but never a rifle round. So I decided to learn by reloading 223s for an AR. Left me tell you, it is not cheaper to reload rifle rounds and really a PIA. There are more steps that are needs to be done than in reloading a handgun round. Plus being a 223 or 5.56, the brass that I have might be military brass which requires even another step and equipment. I guess it keeps me out of the bars and out of trouble...maybe.
Hopefully I will be able to try some of my reloads on Sunday. I bought a chronograph that I have never used and will try that out too. My luck I will shoot it with the first round. Well if that happens I guess I loaded the round right and did not blow up my gun.
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Post by gnrphil on Jan 23, 2015 19:24:51 GMT -6
Some say a .223 and 5.56 are the same, they are not. However i,ve fired 5.56 through my AR on occasion with good results.
Where do you go shooting?
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Post by Juan on Jan 24, 2015 8:19:00 GMT -6
You gotta love reloading to do it. Never done any bullets but I found it wasn't worth the time, effort or expense loading shotgun shells either. The only advantage to doing it myself was I could adjust the load a little one way or the other. Not worth the effort to me.
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RunninLate
Lieutenant
Thinking about the boat sitting on the trailer.......WHY
Posts: 794
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Post by RunninLate on Jan 24, 2015 21:58:04 GMT -6
gnrphil, I go to the DNR range on the east side of Richmond Hill. Open everyday except Tuesday. Let me know if you would like to meet there one day. You are correct about the 5.56 vs the 223. The outside is identical but the pressures in the round are higher with the 5.56. Also, the chamber of a 5.56 are a little longer than a 223. The 5.56 NATO round also have a crimped primer.
Juan, if I knew how much a PIA 223 was I would not have started buying all the rifle dies and other equipment. With fixed cost out, I only saving about 7 to 8 cents around. If all the brass that I picked up was 223, it would make the reloading process a lot easier. Not worth the time and effort but when ammo becomes short, I want to have a supply that I can shoot. I will load a few 100 rounds and keep a supply of powder and bullets on hand. If I find any 223 or 5.56 that is 40 cents or cheaper I am going to buy them. I am a little OCD about what I do. For the past year I have been collecting 223/556 brass and want it all ready to reload. That means processing about 1200 rounds to get them to that point. Once they are done, any pickup brass or rounds that I shoot would will be processed then. Maybe 50 rounds and could be done in an hour.
Now pistol reloading is a lot easier. I can reload 50 rounds of any caliber that I shoot in maybe 20 minutes. With plinking rounds I will save about 50%. Jacket Hollow Points, cost me about 60 to 70% what a factor round will cost. If I wanted to reload faster, I would buy a progressive reloading press but reloading time is my time and I enjoy playing with my bullets. (Yes Juan, my bullets)
Southern Cross, every gun I have shoots better than I can shoot it. Years ago I just enjoyed shooting into mud and anything else that would splatter. With handguns, I can put all rounds in the center cavity at 25 yards or hit metal targets. Wish I could shoot the same hole every time.
I look at reloading like building rods. The time and cost does not justify building it yourself but there is something about fishing with a rod you built. Wait a second, I would not know because I have not built one.
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Post by Simple Man on Jan 25, 2015 4:29:17 GMT -6
You have to shoot a LOT to make reloading cost effective. Like Juan said, you have to do it because you want to not to be cost effective. Shot shells are the quickest to pay out though in my experience.
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Post by freezerfiller on Jan 25, 2015 20:20:25 GMT -6
If you shoot a bunch its worth it. If you shoot some, it's not.... unless you shoot 410 shotgun in tournaments...
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RunninLate
Lieutenant
Thinking about the boat sitting on the trailer.......WHY
Posts: 794
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Post by RunninLate on Jan 25, 2015 20:40:41 GMT -6
Freezerfiller, years ago I had an 870 410 that I tried to shoot skeet with and reload them. Could not do it on a progressive reload and ended up using a Mec Jr. Problem back then was getting the 410 hulls.
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Post by gtightline on Jan 26, 2015 5:51:23 GMT -6
I enjoy riding my 05 FLHTCUI HD Dresser when not on the water.I too like to relax by going out and blasting some holes in targets. It's great living in a state that actually respects and honors the second amendment....just saying...  |
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Post by Juan on Jan 26, 2015 15:35:32 GMT -6
I enjoy riding my 05 FLHTCUI HD Dresser when not on the water.I too like to relax by going out and blasting some holes in targets. It's great living in a state that actually respects and honors the second amendment....just saying... Me too and I take my bullets with me!   |
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RunninLate
Lieutenant
Thinking about the boat sitting on the trailer.......WHY
Posts: 794
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Post by RunninLate on Jan 26, 2015 15:48:26 GMT -6
Boys, you are going to have to stop posting pictures of your bikes. Making me want my bikes back.
Juan, is that a Road King Classic? What ever it is, it looks good and the accessory top it off!
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Post by Juan on Jan 26, 2015 16:18:31 GMT -6
I wish it were but it's a FLSTCI (Heritage Classic)
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Post by gnrphil on Jan 26, 2015 18:30:24 GMT -6
Yes please stop that, sold my Ducati to help pay for my Sea Pro .
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RunninLate
Lieutenant
Thinking about the boat sitting on the trailer.......WHY
Posts: 794
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Post by RunninLate on Jan 26, 2015 20:17:48 GMT -6
Sold my 1500 Classic to buy the T-top on the Sea Pro and the Nomad to buy the motor on the Mako.
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Post by gnrphil on Jan 26, 2015 23:05:51 GMT -6
Lol the sacrifices we make for our boats
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Post by gtightline on Jan 27, 2015 16:53:16 GMT -6
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Post by gnrphil on Jan 27, 2015 18:33:19 GMT -6
That is so wrong in so many ways. LOL
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Post by Juan on Feb 2, 2015 18:52:06 GMT -6
Rained yesterday and it's going to be 29 degrees tonight and tomorrow.. I did go fishing the day before yesterday but only caught 2 flounder.... so I decided I wanted a boat I could launch in the river and local lakes.. Bought this POS yesterday with that in mind...(1976 Terry bass boat, w/ 1987 115 Merc) that makes 3 boats now and the Warden is giving me dirty looks... Believe me, I've got plenty to do now getting this thing ready to fish... but it's too cold to do it!  |
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Post by freezerfiller on Feb 2, 2015 20:14:17 GMT -6
Your sea pro can't handle local lakes?
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Post by Juan on Feb 3, 2015 6:09:16 GMT -6
Your sea pro can't handle local lakes? I'm sure it would, but it's a lot heavier and the ramp I like to use at the river is REALLY steep and my truck is only 2 wheel drive.. I've seen several trucks and a even a car slide into the river and I don't want to be one of them. |
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Post by gtightline on Feb 3, 2015 13:38:21 GMT -6
I think that's a great idea. I have often thought of finding myself a small john boat with a small outboard on it just for the ease of use.
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