dob Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 I have recently made the jump from rim fire to centre fire. I bought a browning x bolt in .223. Heard that home loads are more accurate than factory loads but was wondering if it's worth having a go. The reason I am asking is I wondered how much it is going to cost to get set up and best place to buy primers,heads powder etc. . I only shoot foxes so want to make sure as many shots count as possible .i would be a complete novice so not sure best way to start/learn . Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow white Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 It all depends how you far you want to go with reloading.I have gone over the top if there is a tool I think have brought it. Have a look on opticwearhouse they have done me some good deals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elk hunter Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 My honest oppinion is, Upside. Reloading is far cheaper in the long run. Tailor make a load to suit the rifle, very accuruate. Find someone local to show you the ropes and there set up. Downside. Lay out can be expective. To put in context I've went to norman Clarks last week and spent close on £500 just on powder primers and bullet heads. But take a .270, 100 factory rounds cost £130 reloads £43. It's the way forward. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 21, 2015 Report Share Posted March 21, 2015 In your case just foxes stick to factory, the difference is tiny in real world use. If you start shooting more than a box a month then think about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 As has already been said it depends on how much ammo you are going to chew through, or you may just want to reload for the satisfaction. It needn't be expensive, I reloaded 50 .223 rounds at a sitting on this http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164_181_474&products_id=1713 Great fun, cheap (£28) and will teach you everything you need to know about making an accurate round at your own pace. If you go through North Somerset I have half a tub of Hodgdons H4895 you can have and suitable for .223. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 Can I just chime in with this point. I could never get my rifle to group very well with almost any factory ammo. Federal was about the best but still utter bobbins compared to friends rifles in the same calibre. Hand loading has reversed that trend. I can now tailor a bullet, powder and seating depth to a point where I can confidently take shots that previously I would never have even considered. Hand loading gives me quality and consistency way beyond any factory ammo. So, if you are struggling to get good results from a rifle with factory then perhaps it is the way forward. However, as Alex points out, if you are getting pretty good results with factory ammo and your only using it for foxing stick to factory as it will take a long time to recoup the initial outlay. Of course, you may find the whole nerdy side of reloading and making something you can shoot and reload really satisfying - I know I do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmydean Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 I find reloading a relaxing hobby - just for the fun of it since I bought the gear early on. Its not, as AL4X says, worth it for purely foxing, but if you find such things relaxing and have some spare cash then it might be for you. There's no doubt it groups better but a good cheap round may do too. Privvi P at £12 per 20, is cheap as chips and can work well in .223's Try some and consider whether the other benefits suit you, then decide ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenshooter Posted March 22, 2015 Report Share Posted March 22, 2015 I load for my 303 but don't for my 223. Get such good results for accuracy with Hornady factory, and as it's a foxing rifle, the number of shots I take is limited. You need to be shooting a fair bit to make it worthwhile financially, IMHO Accuracy wise, it depends what range you take your foxes at. Anything up to 200 yds, I'd doubt there's much in it but of course this depends on your rifle and current ammo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dob Posted March 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Got browning x bolt and using Winchester 55grn varminters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I've got an A-Bolt in 223 and it much prefers reloaded ammo. Even at 100 yards the difference is quite noticeable. Haven't got all my own kit yet but a couple of generous friends have let me use theirs. As was said above, I quite enjoy it too, and find it quite a relaxing hobby, thus far. I do fancy one of those electronic powder scales that also acts as a thrower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbiep Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 As others have already said, really. Some rifles can be really picky with factory ammo, and some shoot it so nicely that (unless going through a lot of ammo) homeloading is pointless. In my case, my .223 loves RWS GECO 55grn ammunition. If I do my part, it will group 5 rounds in a 2p piece at 100 metres. The next-best factory ammo for my gun is PPU 55grn, which is more 3-4 inch groups. But getting hold of the RWS is incredibly hard. People don't seem to want to stock it. So I'm left with loading my own, and buying as much RWS as I'm allowed to hold when it comes into stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmydean Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) I've got an A-Bolt in 223 and it much prefers reloaded ammo. Even at 100 yards the difference is quite noticeable. Haven't got all my own kit yet but a couple of generous friends have let me use theirs. As was said above, I quite enjoy it too, and find it quite a relaxing hobby, thus far. I do fancy one of those electronic powder scales that also acts as a thrower. So do I, bit expensive however, but very simplifying. I bought a cheap Hornady electronic scale - quite good but I find the powder thrower varies quite a bit (despite being good) and the scales are inconsistent in weighing to .1 grains. I am really trying here to justify an upgrade ! Edited March 25, 2015 by jimmydean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlewis Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 I reload and find it relaxing and fun and as stated it can work out cheaper as for equipment another supplier to look at is CDSG found them very helpful and will do a deal as well if buying a package or look for 2nd hand and buy dies etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted March 27, 2015 Report Share Posted March 27, 2015 Best advice I can give you if its a new rifle is to buy some PPU and see how the rifle likes it. If its OK then stick with it for now, you will struggle to reload for less but keep the cases and in the mean time watch as many rifle reloading vids on youtube as you can, there are thousands If you dont get on with PPU then switch to something else but even just shooting groups teaches you so much. Reloaded ammunition thats tuned to your rifle can be more accurate but thats not a given, I have produced a lot of bad batches experimenting over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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