What's your cheapesst .223/5.56?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What's your cheapesst .223/5.56?

Posted: 5/1/2015 2:20:30 AM EDT

Hey guys,

I recently finished a build in 5.56 and was excited as hell. Thought that since I'm still in college I wouldnt be shoot all that much anyways, so I decided upon shoointg less, and quality ammo. But then yesterday I ran into a gentleman who is a member of a group of former military/special ops that do their own drills and practices, but also teach others(for a small fee). My problem is that I just spent ~80 getting 220rds of .223 Silver Bear, which was pretty inexpensive- but he said they go through thistraining every week and use 150 rounds each time. I would really like to participate as often as possible to learn, but financially I cannot afford $0.50/rd(the ammo I got was on AIM surplus and I have a feeling such cheap .223 wont always be availble, so looking at SS109/XM193 as most common 5.56s out there).

Can you guys recommend your go-to cheap shooting/close range drill ammo? Any grain, any velocity. Thanks,
-John

Posted: 5/1/2015 7:40:36 AM EDT

[#1]

Wolf Gold for $0.30/round is about as cheap as it gets for decent brass case ammo. Made to M193 specs so decent for SHTF stash too.

Posted: 5/1/2015 7:48:41 AM EDT

[#2]

If you buy online in bulk, ie 1000+ rounds you can get free shipping and avoid taxes. You should be able to find m193 / 55gr fmj 223 for around $0.35 a Round. Or you can go with steel cased wolf for around $0.25 a round. Look online on Craigslist, arms list, EE in ar15.com or If you shoot enough you can invest in reloading equipment and reload brass cases 55 gr fmj for $0.20-0.25 a round.

Targetsportsusa.com is where I buy a lot of mine. I know 1,000 rounds seems like a lot but trust me it goes fast and you will save money in the long run plus ammo never goes bad if stored properly.

Posted: 5/1/2015 8:10:12 AM EDT

[#3]

Nick710 Premium at just under $0.19/round.

Excellent ammo, but impossible to find in any of the stores.

Posted: 5/1/2015 8:13:41 AM EDT

[#4]

.223 steel case for .22 cents a round...https://www.laxammo.com/ammunition/.223-ammo/tulammo-223-rem-62-gr.-hollow-point-steel-case-1000rds/27-1253 I have no issues with this for the range.

Posted: 5/1/2015 11:50:20 AM EDT

[#5]

Devildog custom 62 or 55 gr. also unavailable anywhere...

In all seriousness, hand loading is the least expensive option IF you have the time and interest to do so... If its just about the money then it becomes a chore.

1DD

Posted: 5/1/2015 4:49:33 PM EDT

[#6]

@5.49/20 = $0.275/round I like the Monarch steel cased ammo from Academy. Shoots a little hotter than the other cheap local option Tulammo.

Posted: 5/1/2015 5:19:01 PM EDT

[#7]

I think I figured it out once at $0.18-.19 a round for my hand loads. Which are LC brass/Hornady 55gr FMJBT with Winchester primers & Accurate 2015 powder.

Now store bought, Tula 55gr steel case

Posted: 5/1/2015 6:32:04 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Wolf Gold for $0.30/round is about as cheap as it gets for decent brass case ammo. Made to M193 specs so decent for SHTF stash too.

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This is what I use. It's good ammo. Since the "Gold", I no longer buy steel case (since the "gold" is only about 4-5c more/round).

Posted: 5/1/2015 9:36:36 PM EDT

[#9]

ZQI from Walmart, box of 30 5.56 62gr for $10 if you can find it. It seems to be more readily available in Texas.

Posted: 5/3/2015 11:28:45 PM EDT

[#10]

+1 - This is what I just picked up, havent had a chance to shoot it yet, but im glad to see this user hasnt had any issues with it. but its def cheap.

Posted: 5/4/2015 9:37:31 PM EDT

[#11]

Getting into hand loading will likely be cost prohibitive, as it takes a while for cost recovery from the startup costs, and you are always buying more reloading equipment.

My recommendation is Tula for cheap at 20 cents a round, Wolf Gold for good quality brass cased at 30 cents a round, and then spend time on your hands and knees EVERY time you go to the range. Only shoot at ranges that allow you to scrounge brass, and use your scrounged brass to offset your shooting costs.

I used to go shoot 250 rounds through my pistol in an afternoon, and picked up 500 pieces of brass each time. After the training classes, as the guys if you can scrounge. It will add up and help dent the budget.

Posted: 5/4/2015 9:38:09 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
ZQI from Walmart, box of 30 5.56 62gr for $10 if you can find it. It seems to be more readily available in Texas.

View Quote

And not allowed to be shot in many training classes, if there is to be any work on steel.

Posted: 5/4/2015 10:07:30 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

And not allowed to be shot in many training classes, if there is to be any work on steel.

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Quoted:

Quoted:
ZQI from Walmart, box of 30 5.56 62gr for $10 if you can find it. It seems to be more readily available in Texas.

And not allowed to be shot in many training classes, if there is to be any work on steel.

That is correct along with most any indoor ranges. I assumed he already knew the rules for the class before asking.

Posted: 5/5/2015 12:40:18 AM EDT

[#14]

PSA had xm193 90rd boxes on stripper clips for $30

Posted: 5/5/2015 1:39:47 AM EDT

[#15]

I've still got some 30¢/rd M855 laying around from a 420 round can pack. That was all LC brass.

If I ever find CFE223 for $22/lb again I could go back to loading 22¢/rd M193 spec (mixed brass) that just so happens to shoot tighter groups than LC M193 out of my rifles using M193 pulled bullets. The local rabbit population just hates that load…twas a dark Easter eve in the Concho Valley, not a rabbit was a stirrin'…because I shot all of the easter bunny's little helpers in the region. All 27 of them.

Bulk buys are the cheapest.

Posted: 5/5/2015 1:54:27 AM EDT

[#16]

Tula or wolf.

Posted: 5/5/2015 8:49:30 AM EDT

[#17]

Wolf Gold for $0.30 per round makes steel cased ammo pointless.

Posted: 5/5/2015 10:01:14 AM EDT

[#18]

I rely on either Federal A/E or PMC Bronze.

Posted: 5/5/2015 10:29:16 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Wolf Gold for $0.30/round is about as cheap as it gets for decent brass case ammo. Made to M193 specs so decent for SHTF stash too.

View Quote

+1,

Posted: 5/6/2015 7:05:11 AM EDT

[#20]

Not sure why you paid $0.36/rd for Silver Bear but say you can't afford $0.50/round?? Why not keep shooting Silver Bear? As mentioned in the posts above, you should be able to do much better than $0.36 for steel cased.

You mention the "5.56 build" so you may be trying to get "5.56" ammo rather than ".223" but it would make no difference for training. I'd load up on cheap steel case (or Wolf Gold as a cheap, good, brass case) to use for training.

Posted: 5/7/2015 3:30:31 PM EDT

[#21]

Steel Ridge Ammo....its reman using Hornady 55g FMJ but so what.

Delivered for $334.95

http://www.shoretactical.com/product_info.php/steel-ridge-1000-case-223-55gr-reman-p-372

Posted: 5/7/2015 3:46:07 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
Steel Ridge Ammo....its reman using Hornady 55g FMJ but so what.
Delivered for $334.95http://www.shoretactical.com/product_info.php/steel-ridge-1000-case-223-55gr-reman-p-372

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It's just me, but I will never understand why anyone shoots remanufactured, when stuff like Wolf Gold is available for the same price or even less.

Posted: 5/7/2015 3:49:48 PM EDT

[#23]

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Quoted:
It's just me, but I will never understand why anyone shoots remanufactured, when stuff like Wolf Gold is available for the same price or even less.

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Quoted:

Quoted:

Steel Ridge Ammo....its reman using Hornady 55g FMJ but so what.

Delivered for $334.95http://www.shoretactical.com/product_info.php/steel-ridge-1000-case-223-55gr-reman-p-372

It's just me, but I will never understand why anyone shoots remanufactured, when stuff like Wolf Gold is available for the same price or even less.

I've shot wolf gold, but found this reman ammo to be more accurate...so for .33-.34 a round no bid deal. To each there own...

Posted: 5/7/2015 7:09:56 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've shot wolf gold, but found this reman ammo to be more accurate...so for .33-.34 a round no bid deal. To each there own...

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I agree. Accuracy would be the only thing I could think of. I used to shoot a lot of Black Hills blue box for that reason. But since shooting Wolf Gold, I cant find any other 55gr cheap stuff to be more accurate. Even my Black Hills 55gr FMJ doesn't come close.

Posted: 5/8/2015 8:00:59 PM EDT

[#25]

Like many here have stated Wolf Gold is tough to beat . I buy from SGAmmo and usually buy 1200-1300 at a time. The shipping is either the same or buck or two more. Now back when IMI M193 was $349/1200 ($.29) that was a no-brainier as I feel like that's the best M193 spec ammo in the world. Back then Wolf Gold was $279 a case. I hope Wideners drops the price come summer.

What's the deal with steel cased ? I feel like it should be substantially cheaper. Academy has steel cased for almost $.28 a round and Silver Bear is MORE than a lot of brass cased rounds.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What's your cheapesst .223/5.56?

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