Going to buy a new Rifle. Had myself talked into a .243 because that is what I had been shooting (58g V-Max). Thinking about the .223 now. .243 has more punch and range but 99% of my hunting will consist of coyotes (and a few bobcats) rarely over 250 yds and usually under 150 yds. I would like to do alot of shooting this summer to get used to the gun. What should I do and what is the price diff in the rounds? Paying $24 a box for Hornady 58g V-max 243.
.223 Opinions on hunting and cost
- Thread starter Errick
- Start date
BigKev
New member
If you stick with the premium Hornady ammo, not much. If you reload you will see some astronomical savings in the long run in the .223. I figured it is costing me around $0.317c per round, $15.83 per 50rnds and $316.62 per 1000rnds to reload for the .223.
On the .243 it would work out at: $0.477/$23.86/$477.16.
I wont bash hornady's ammo, its pretty good, but I get more enjoyment out of loading my own.
My components are as follows: 40gr Nosler BT, 26.0gr xterminator, CCI small rifle primers (and 5000+ empty cases stored $0.00 value for those assigned). You can load cheaper than I do, on the projectiles anyway.
On the .243 it would work out at: $0.477/$23.86/$477.16.
I wont bash hornady's ammo, its pretty good, but I get more enjoyment out of loading my own.
My components are as follows: 40gr Nosler BT, 26.0gr xterminator, CCI small rifle primers (and 5000+ empty cases stored $0.00 value for those assigned). You can load cheaper than I do, on the projectiles anyway.
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markley
New member
i would have to agree with the above. i reload and really enjoy it because i can shoot a lot more. i wanna say that hornady 55gr vmax factory loads are around 18-19 in my area. What are your thoughts on the rifle you are getting? i really like my sps tactical. great gun for the money. i put a nikon monarch 4-16 mil dot on mine. if you want something that is a little lighter i would check out tikka t3s. i have one in a 7mm-08 and its a great shooter. also have some friends who have them in 25-06 and 223.
If you DO NOT intend on hunting deer...go for a lighter weight bolt action in 22-250 caliber. A low cost reloading outfit doesnt cost that much and you can load DOWN a 22-250 so slow the bullets crawl on their hands and knees....and also speed them up to over 4000 fps....and thats flat getting it.
Im buying Rem and Win 22-250 ammo on sale different places for normal price of $14 and change and at times as low as $12.95...so unless your buying that military crap...you aint saving "much" at all.
Im buying Rem and Win 22-250 ammo on sale different places for normal price of $14 and change and at times as low as $12.95...so unless your buying that military crap...you aint saving "much" at all.
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Originally Posted By: markleyi would have to agree with the above. i reload and really enjoy it because i can shoot a lot more. i wanna say that hornady 55gr vmax factory loads are around 18-19 in my area. What are your thoughts on the rifle you are getting? i really like my sps tactical. great gun for the money. i put a nikon monarch 4-16 mil dot on mine. if you want something that is a little lighter i would check out tikka t3s. i have one in a 7mm-08 and its a great shooter. also have some friends who have them in 25-06 and 223.
If a man wants a LIGHT gun...get the Rem SPS straight version. Lightest gun I ever handled.
If a man wants a LIGHT gun...get the Rem SPS straight version. Lightest gun I ever handled.
TXCOONDOG
Well-known member
Savage has introduced some interesting new models to their rifle line up this year including a light weight hunter, a bear rifle, and a suppressor ready model! They have expanded the Walking Varminter models. The Predator Hunter now comes in a long action chambered in 6.5 x 284 Norma.
http://www.savagearm...e/?id=7gGoX0RZK
Here is my take on savings money on anything: The only way to save money is not to spend it!
If I get an urge to shoot, I go shoot, regardless of cal, but I do love my new light weight Savage in .223
Good luck on whatever you decide.
http://www.savagearm...e/?id=7gGoX0RZK
Here is my take on savings money on anything: The only way to save money is not to spend it!
If I get an urge to shoot, I go shoot, regardless of cal, but I do love my new light weight Savage in .223
Good luck on whatever you decide.
OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
If you decide to start reloading, you will see an initial cost reduction per round, but that will depend on the number of rounds per year and it has to be balanced against what constitutes your initial cost of equipment, with the cost spread out over a five year time period...
Example: Initial cost of equipment = $500, depreciated for five years = $100 per year...
My cost per round of .223 is approximately 0.30 per round, or $6.00 per 20, as opposed to $20.00 for 'better than average' factory ammo ($1 per round) for a savings of $0.70 per round, or $14 per box..So after I've reloaded 7.14 boxes of 20 rounds, I've offset my cost of equipment for each year of the five year period..
Your real savings comes in by buying your components in bulk quantities, as inflation over the following years will accelerate that savings in two ways.. 1) your cost per round will stay static, while factory offerings keep increasing in price (pick up an 2005 catalog where premium ammo was selling for $12.95 per box), and 2) At the end of the five year period, your equipment will have paid for itself and then your real savings will set in, as you are still building excellent ammunition at only the initial cost of your bulk item purchase price..
Now, if you only shoot five 20 round boxes of factory ammo per year, your probably will be better off to set aside the plans for reloading and eat the cost of factory ammo,, financially..
Example: Initial cost of equipment = $500, depreciated for five years = $100 per year...
My cost per round of .223 is approximately 0.30 per round, or $6.00 per 20, as opposed to $20.00 for 'better than average' factory ammo ($1 per round) for a savings of $0.70 per round, or $14 per box..So after I've reloaded 7.14 boxes of 20 rounds, I've offset my cost of equipment for each year of the five year period..
Your real savings comes in by buying your components in bulk quantities, as inflation over the following years will accelerate that savings in two ways.. 1) your cost per round will stay static, while factory offerings keep increasing in price (pick up an 2005 catalog where premium ammo was selling for $12.95 per box), and 2) At the end of the five year period, your equipment will have paid for itself and then your real savings will set in, as you are still building excellent ammunition at only the initial cost of your bulk item purchase price..
Now, if you only shoot five 20 round boxes of factory ammo per year, your probably will be better off to set aside the plans for reloading and eat the cost of factory ammo,, financially..
Originally Posted By: gman2153Originally Posted By: sully2Where is the cheap to shoot .223 at???
Remington UMC 55gr at Wally World $9.94 per 20 round box.
The critters I shoot don't know the difference.
Yepper. My friend and I travel from WW to WW in the area looking for ammo at times. He's shooting a .204...and surprisingly..they do stock some...
Im shooting REM for my 22-250....and Win Super X for my 243...keeps all my casings separated that way.
Remington UMC 55gr at Wally World $9.94 per 20 round box.
The critters I shoot don't know the difference.
Yepper. My friend and I travel from WW to WW in the area looking for ammo at times. He's shooting a .204...and surprisingly..they do stock some...
Im shooting REM for my 22-250....and Win Super X for my 243...keeps all my casings separated that way.
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Orneryolfart357
New member
Originally Posted By: sully2Originally Posted By: markleyi would have to agree with the above. i reload and really enjoy it because i can shoot a lot more. i wanna say that hornady 55gr vmax factory loads are around 18-19 in my area. What are your thoughts on the rifle you are getting? i really like my sps tactical. great gun for the money. i put a nikon monarch 4-16 mil dot on mine. if you want something that is a little lighter i would check out tikka t3s. i have one in a 7mm-08 and its a great shooter. also have some friends who have them in 25-06 and 223.
If a man wants a LIGHT gun...get the Rem SPS straight version. Lightest gun I ever handled.
I have an SPS and a Tikka T3 its only 6 lbs 3oz. The Remmy is heavier. Im putting a new stock on it to replace the flexi flier that came on it, and that will make it even heavier.
If a man wants a LIGHT gun...get the Rem SPS straight version. Lightest gun I ever handled.
I have an SPS and a Tikka T3 its only 6 lbs 3oz. The Remmy is heavier. Im putting a new stock on it to replace the flexi flier that came on it, and that will make it even heavier.
viper
Well-known member
I shoot both and like both my question is just how many times do you pull the trigger on a coyote? A couple of boxes of .243 shells will last me a long time and just is not that costly. If I'am just plinking then I just shoot something else cheaper to shoot. Although in Kansas you probably shoot a lot more than I do in Indiana. Good Luck!
I guess it all depends on whether you reload your own ammo. And if you like to cast bullets.
For all your shots out to 150 yards the 22 Hornet with a 37 grain cast bullet would do all you want. And you can probably reload and shoot well over 1,000 rounds for under $100. In a 22 Hornet and cast bullet you can probably easily shoot closer to 1500 rounds for about $100.
Just buy an inexpensive mold and your brass and dies. Maybe another $100 to start with. Possibly $150 if you buy 300 or 400 pieces of brass.
You could pick up some cheap dogtown bullets and still keep your 22 Hornet loads under $175 or so per 1,000. Maybe a little more than that.
The 223 would be the next best choice if you want to shoot to 250 yards. But your powder prices go up a good bit.
The bottom line is if you want to practice a good bit for a low cost then learn how to cast your own bullets. I cast for almost all my rifles. I shoot alot of 30-06 and 45-70 and revolver round rifles for a very cheap price. It is the only way I can afford to shot 200 or 300 rounds at a time. Tom.
For all your shots out to 150 yards the 22 Hornet with a 37 grain cast bullet would do all you want. And you can probably reload and shoot well over 1,000 rounds for under $100. In a 22 Hornet and cast bullet you can probably easily shoot closer to 1500 rounds for about $100.
Just buy an inexpensive mold and your brass and dies. Maybe another $100 to start with. Possibly $150 if you buy 300 or 400 pieces of brass.
You could pick up some cheap dogtown bullets and still keep your 22 Hornet loads under $175 or so per 1,000. Maybe a little more than that.
The 223 would be the next best choice if you want to shoot to 250 yards. But your powder prices go up a good bit.
The bottom line is if you want to practice a good bit for a low cost then learn how to cast your own bullets. I cast for almost all my rifles. I shoot alot of 30-06 and 45-70 and revolver round rifles for a very cheap price. It is the only way I can afford to shot 200 or 300 rounds at a time. Tom.
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BigKev
New member
Originally Posted By: markleyfor cheap 223 rounds you can get pmc and those are 6.99 at sportsmans where i live. good for 100 yard plinking but the groups open up a bunch at 200 yards.
Yeah I have a couple of cases of PMC fmj's in the garage...great brass once its swaged too. My rifle likes them well enough, they shoot under 1/2" at 100 and not a lot worse at 200.
Yeah I have a couple of cases of PMC fmj's in the garage...great brass once its swaged too. My rifle likes them well enough, they shoot under 1/2" at 100 and not a lot worse at 200.
CrazyHorse66
Active member
For a factory hunting round, I've been using these out of my SPS TAC:
On sale now at Cabela's for < $ .50 a round.
I dammn near shot my best group ever with these the other day (but I muffed it!)
5 rounds 100 yds 1/2"grid:
On sale now at Cabela's for < $ .50 a round.
I dammn near shot my best group ever with these the other day (but I muffed it!)
5 rounds 100 yds 1/2"grid:
coyote killa
New member
I've been shooting the exact same bullets and getting some great groups myself. The Black Hills 55 gr SP's are very good also.
A kid (22 years old) wanted to get into coyote hunting. So he found a used .223 Savage Edge with scope for two hundred and something. He buys 500 rounds of 55 gr. hp for around $125 post paid which works out to $0.25 per round. This guy is a champ. I have seen anybody get so excited over bagging a coyote.