I just bought some reloaded .223 ammo from a local gun show dealer (good guy, good reputation, reloads all kinds of ammo, vocation or avocation, I'm not sure). The ammo is once-fired Remington commercial brass, with 55 gr. FMJ bullets, loaded to 5.56 NATO specs. Price was $75 for 480 rounds. I plan on reloading (I have presses, dies, powder bullets), but I'm thinking I should buy a bunch more of this ammo for two reasons:
(1) pretty cheap (very cheap?) ready-to-run ammo, and (2) a good source of relatively cheap good brass. What do y'all think?

I can just hear the flood of negative posts coming.

Quoted: I just bought some reloaded .223 ammo from a local gun show dealer (good guy, reloads all kinds of ammo, vocation or avocation, I'm not sure). The ammo is once-fired Remington commercial brass, with 55 gr. FMJ bullets, loaded to 5.56 NATO specs. Price was $75 for 480 rounds. I plan on reloading (I have presses, dies, powder bullets), but I'm thinking I should buy a bunch more of this ammo for two reasons: (1) pretty cheap (very cheap?) ready-to-run ammo, and (2) a good source of relatively cheap good brass. What do y'all think?

Do what you want. But, I would stick with big names like Black hills, HSM , Ultramax. They will still be there if you have a problem.

A General Rule of Thumb is not to trust anyone's reloads - especially those from sources you don't know personally.  With that said, many Forum members have provided positive feedback after using reloads from Black Hills, Georgia Arms (Canned Heat), and HSM.  Stay away from Ultra Max as their quality control standards are much lower than the aformentioned 3 ammo manufactures and there are too many disatisfied shooters on this Forum who've learned the hard way about their product.

A company that formally remanufactures ammunition will have the test equipment and expertise to ensure it not only meets industry specs but will function safely and effectively in a wide variety of weapons.  That's a much bigger trick than getting a load to function well in one weapon or even one weapon type.

I also don't consider "remanufactured" ammunition to be in the same categopry as "reloaded" ammunition as the remanunfactured ammunition will undergo inspection adn testing procedures to ensure it conforms to industry standard that reloads do not necessarily meet.

The local home grown reloader is not going to have that capability.  I've been reloading for 30 years and I know an awful lot about reloading for an awful lot of rounds, but I would not claim to be able to produce high quality ammnition for whoever pulls it off the shelf, I cannot tell you the pressure it is running at or assure you it meets SAAMI or NATO specs other than in the broadest terms (OAL, velocity, component types, etc).

A larger company will also have a consistency in component suppliers that a handloader cannot duplicate. And, if things do not go well, they also have liability insurance and a reputation to protect.  That would be important if a faulty round ever sent pieces of your bolt carrier down through the magazine, bent your upper receiver, etc.  A reputable business will take care of the problem and even recall the suspect lot, while joe the handloader will probably forget he ever knew you and/or will claim it was something other than the fault of his ammunition.  

What a local custom handloader can do is a develop a load for your rifle that will shoot very accurately and function safely and properly in your specific rifle.   Beyond that, I would not recommend anyone go that route.

As for cost, .15 cents per round is cheap, but for another dime you could get reliable ammunition from a known source.  From personal experience, I can tell you that a cheap round (surplus or otherwise) can cost a lot if/when something goes wrong.  It does not take much in terms of parts on an AR to far outweigh any cost savings.  If you have a pressure related catastrophic failure of a case head, you are looking at a new bolt and bolt carrier assembly at a minimum.  

Quoted: Quoted: I just bought some reloaded .223 ammo from a local gun show dealer (good guy, reloads all kinds of ammo, vocation or avocation, I'm not sure). The ammo is once-fired Remington commercial brass, with 55 gr. FMJ bullets, loaded to 5.56 NATO specs. Price was $75 for 480 rounds. I plan on reloading (I have presses, dies, powder bullets), but I'm thinking I should buy a bunch more of this ammo for two reasons: (1) pretty cheap (very cheap?) ready-to-run ammo, and (2) a good source of relatively cheap good brass. What do y'all think? Do what you want. But, I would stick with big names like Black hills, HSM , Ultramax. They will still be there if you have a problem.

i have use A LOT of black hills blue box with no problems.


...but i still won't buy reloads from the guy at the gun show.

cheap now..sure...cheap later after your rifle kabooms and you could be in the hospital?? no.    What kind of quality reasurances does this guy offer?

I'd really have to know the guy's operation before I'd trust my rifle and my well being with someone else's reloads. Like others have said, it's best to stick with outfits such as Black Hills et al.

Buying "REMANUFACTURED" ammunition?  Sure, if it's from a reputable manufacturer like Black Hills, etc.  "RELOADED" ammo?  NEVER!  I reload (when I have time) for ME and it's only ME at stake if I goof.  Any handloader who sells his loads is not only WAY too sure of himself, but probably also violating BATFE regulations about "manufacturing" ammunition.  Gotta have a license to sell what you make...

Ref TD ATF-394 (Excise tax on manufacturers of firearms and ammunition), and GCA of 1968, (PL 90-618), Chapter 44, §922(a)(1)(B).  "It shall be unlawful for any person except a licensed importer or licensed manufacturer, to engage in the business of importing or manufacturing ammunition"

Quoted: I can just hear the flood of negative posts coming.

Your hearing, sir, is excellent!!

Appreciate all the advice, guys; your points are well taken. I'll do some further checking. This guy sells so much ammo he might actually have a licence. Of course, that still doesn't put him in the same league as Black Hills!

I DO buy reloaded ammo, but it is from ONE guy who I have dealt with for over 10 years now. He will load exactly to my specs as long as they are within SAAMI guidelines and he has a phenomal setup. While I don't buy plinking ammo from him usually as the cost is about the same as good surp, I do buy match ammo as I can save about 40% or more easily.

In 10 years of shooting 9mm, 45acp, .223 and .308 from him I have never had a bad round. All ammo looks better then the majority or new stuff, very high QC with him.

I don't do reloads from any other dealer at the shows tho, the one other reloader I trusted retired a few years back and I've seen none to replace that guy.

Do you buy used rubbers?

                     I  do  buy  Black  Hills a nd Georgia  Arms  223.  Both  reputable  remanufactured  ammo  companies.  Have  used  UntraMax  with  no  problems  personally.  But  Not  much  of  it.

I also don't consider "remanufactured" ammunition to be in the same categopry as "reloaded" ammunition as the remanunfactured ammunition will undergo inspection adn testing procedures to ensure it conforms to industry standard that reloads do not necessarily meet.

Remanufactured ammo is reloaded ammo with a ribbon on it, while it should be of higher quality, there is certainly no assurance of it.  Black Hills offers a good quality product, but some guy selling ammo at a gun show more than likely doesn't, the only commercially reloaded ammo that I would even consider is Black Hills.

Quoted: I DO buy reloaded ammo, but it is from ONE guy who I have dealt with for over 10 years now. He will load exactly to my specs as long as they are within SAAMI guidelines and he has a phenomal setup. While I don't buy plinking ammo from him usually as the cost is about the same as good surp, I do buy match ammo as I can save about 40% or more easily. In 10 years of shooting 9mm, 45acp, .223 and .308 from him I have never had a bad round. All ammo looks better then the majority or new stuff, very high QC with him. I don't do reloads from any other dealer at the shows tho, the one other reloader I trusted retired a few years back and I've seen none to replace that guy.

You have an exceptional situation.  I don't think you could find someone today who'd even think about YOUR specs.  You'd stay away from him, and you'd be right to do so because he wouldn't be trustworthy.

Quoted: A company that formally remanufactures ammunition will have the test equipment and expertise to ensure it not only meets industry specs but will function safely and effectively in a wide variety of weapons.  That's a much bigger trick than getting a load to function well in one weapon or even one weapon type. I also don't consider "remanufactured" ammunition to be in the same categopry as "reloaded" ammunition as the remanunfactured ammunition will undergo inspection adn testing procedures to ensure it conforms to industry standard that reloads do not necessarily meet. The local home grown reloader is not going to have that capability.  I've been reloading for 30 years and I know an awful lot about reloading for an awful lot of rounds, but I would not claim to be able to produce high quality ammnition for whoever pulls it off the shelf, I cannot tell you the pressure it is running at or assure you it meets SAAMI or NATO specs other than in the broadest terms (OAL, velocity, component types, etc). A larger company will also have a consistency in component suppliers that a handloader cannot duplicate. And, if things do not go well, they also have liability insurance and a reputation to protect.  That would be important if a faulty round ever sent pieces of your bolt carrier down through the magazine, bent your upper receiver, etc.  A reputable business will take care of the problem and even recall the suspect lot, while joe the handloader will probably forget he ever knew you and/or will claim it was something other than the fault of his ammunition.   What a local custom handloader can do is a develop a load for your rifle that will shoot very accurately and function safely and properly in your specific rifle.   Beyond that, I would not recommend anyone go that route. As for cost, .15 cents per round is cheap, but for another dime you could get reliable ammunition from a known source.  From personal experience, I can tell you that a cheap round (surplus or otherwise) can cost a lot if/when something goes wrong.  It does not take much in terms of parts on an AR to far outweigh any cost savings.  If you have a pressure related catastrophic failure of a case head, you are looking at a new bolt and bolt carrier assembly at a minimum.

Great post.  I have used Georgia Arms reman ammo almost exclusively for the past 10 years in .223, .45 ACP, 9mm, .308, and .30-06.  Some of the ammo, mostly match stuff, is new but the majority is reman.  I have had ZERO problems with their ammo and they make it clear that they will replace or refund for any ammo that you have a problem with.

I would not hesitate to buy any ammo from them.  I have been to their plant and it's just like any plant that makes new ammo.  They have even been featured on "Guns and Gears" on the Men's Channel.

Quoted: Quoted: I DO buy reloaded ammo, but it is from ONE guy who I have dealt with for over 10 years now. He will load exactly to my specs as long as they are within SAAMI guidelines and he has a phenomal setup. While I don't buy plinking ammo from him usually as the cost is about the same as good surp, I do buy match ammo as I can save about 40% or more easily. In 10 years of shooting 9mm, 45acp, .223 and .308 from him I have never had a bad round. All ammo looks better then the majority or new stuff, very high QC with him. I don't do reloads from any other dealer at the shows tho, the one other reloader I trusted retired a few years back and I've seen none to replace that guy. You have an exceptional situation.  I don't think you could find someone today who'd even think about YOUR specs.  You'd stay away from him, and you'd be right to do so because he wouldn't be trustworthy.

By that I mean he will use exactly what make and brand of bullet, and will play with the powder, ALWAYS staying within SAAMI guidelines. He will NOT make up something that is overcharged, he always tests it himself and will supply the chrono if I like. He is also a friend, has found me some GREAT deals, invited myself and my son to a F/A shoot where he supplied the ammo, and no, I doubt I would trust someone else to do this.

Quoted: Do you buy used rubbers?

Hell no! I recycle mine - turn 'em inside out and shake the fuck out of 'em!

Other people's reloads?  

Quoted: Other people's reloads?

Do you consider reman the same as reload?

Quoted: Quoted: Other people's reloads?   Do you consider reman the same as reload?

LarryG,

Not at all, apples and oranges.  Can't say I'm a fan of all reman. ammo (Ultramax for example), but I've never had any trouble with Black Hills remans, or GA.  Good stuff for the price.

However, when it comes to gunshow reloads (good guy or not), I just don't think it's worth it.


My .02 cents

Quoted: Quoted: Other people's reloads?   Do you consider reman the same as reload?

See above-we all seem to agree that remanufactured is very different from "reloaded" as in small time, handloader production.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Other people's reloads?   Do you consider reman the same as reload? LarryG, Not at all, apples and oranges.  Can't say I'm a fan of all reman. ammo (Ultramax for example), but I've never had any trouble with Black Hills remans, or GA.  Good stuff for the price. However, when it comes to gunshow reloads (good guy or not), I just don't think it's worth it. My .02 cents

Just checking.