Price of .223 Ammo

[Beetle]

I don't think it was a BLR. Just googling it I think they were B92's.  I've always wanted a BLR though.

[nelson96]

My brother went back to Cabela's today to buy more of the .223 mentioned in my OP, only to discover that they sold out yesterday (the first day of the sale) and won't be honoring that price for the remainder of the sale dates (thru March 8th).

[Beetle]

The panic has started.

[gundog]

Yes the panic has started. You could peruse the many ammo sites and watch the price rise. Bulk ammo had 885 for over 600 per thousand......and the xm193 went from $479 which is high up to 515 in the last few hours.

This ammo type was generally going for 330-360 per 1000.

You can call it supply and demand if you want.......I remember who's price inflates that fast.

If everyone would just relax and stop fear buying this wouldn't happen.

[d3nni5]

My brother went back to Cabela's today to buy more of the .223 mentioned in my OP, only to discover that they sold out yesterday (the first day of the sale) and won't be honoring that price for the remainder of the sale dates (thru March 8th).

Sold out here too.   Asked me to call back today to see if any came in.

[nelson96]

Sold out here too.   Asked me to call back today to see if any came in.

Our Cabela's said that they were given a certain amount and when it's gone it's gone, no rainchecks.

[d3nni5]

Our Cabela's said that they were given a certain amount and when it's gone it's gone, no rainchecks.

No rain checks here either.   But they're cool with you calling for availability.   Nothing today either.   At least it saved me the drive.

[d3nni5]

PMC .223 from Bulk Ammo.   I paid $372 (including shipping) for 1000 rnds.  With my MSB discount.

http://www.bulkammo.com/1000-rounds-of-223-ammo-by-pmc-55gr-fmjbt

It was on sale, not anymore

Take the link above again.   $490 now for the same stuff!    And that is without shipping.   I'd say close to $.12-15/round more than 10 days ago.   

Also, a little grievance I will tuck in here.....I went to a Field and Stream store today too.   I got a new trout reel, and my buddy bought a kayak.   I went over to the ammo section just to see what they had.   Nothing bulk, just 20 to 100 rnd boxes.    The clerk/sales guy there sort of went off on me when I asked if they had anything in bulk....."You know the government isn't banning all .223, blah blah blah"   He immediately started jumping on my back after I asked about bulk cases.   I didn't mention anything about bans or the government, or anything like that.    He just assumed I was going to horde.   I politely explained to him I was up on the current events, and I wasn't going to spend a lot per round and it wasn't worth it to me to buy boxes of 20.   It isn't worth it for me to spend .50+ cents a round either.    Just like 22LR, I got a maximum price in my head.   I'm not going over that, unless it never comes back down.   I'm sure it will.

[nelson96]

I suppose you could call me "part of the problem", but I have no problem with hoarding.  I only added to my stash with my recent purchase (1800 rounds) because I figured the latest news would strike a run on ammo again and I didn't want to be the guy 10 years from now that didn't have any while those darn guys that got scared and continue to get scared, have tons of it.

[David in MN]

I suppose you could call me "part of the problem", but I have no problem with hoarding.  I only added to my stash with my recent purchase (1800 rounds) because I figured the latest news would strike a run on ammo again and I didn't want to be the guy 10 years from now that didn't have any while those darn guys that got scared and continue to get scared, have tons of it.

There's no such thing as "hoarding". You were offered a price and took it. That's just a free market.

[TexDaddy]

This thread is supposed to be about where we can find good deals on .223 ammo.

Let's stick to this.

[chad]

Just checked bulk ammo:

Tul-ammo $315 per 1000 55gr FMJ
PMC $495 per 1000 55gr FMJBT
PMC $$685 per 1000 62gr xm855 FMJ

[Smurf Hunter]

Just checked bulk ammo:

Tul-ammo $315 per 1000 55gr FMJ
PMC $495 per 1000 55gr FMJBT
PMC $$685 per 1000 62gr xm855 FMJ

As I mentioned, that Tula works well in my BCM.  It seems to have a different velocity compared to other 55gr, as the point of impact is high at closer distances.
I mainly shoot with iron sights, so I don't much care as long as it groups decent.

[armymars]

OT I think it's a plot by the Dems so we won't have money to donate to throw them out of office. Grin

[Beetle]

Bi-Mart's new ad has American Eagle for $6.39 a box.

[Smurf Hunter]

As we're all here, I need a suggestion for long range accuracy.  I'm taking a high power match clinic and shooting ARs beyond 300 yards they suggest heavier bullets.  I'm kind of on a budget, but happen to have a quantity of both 69gr and 77gr Sierra .224 bullets, as well as H-335 and H-4895 powder.

Hodgdon has recipes for all the above, but am wondering if there are any recommendations?

Code: [Select]

BULLET WEIGHT
69 GR. SIE HPBT
Starting Loads Maximum Loads
Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.235" 22.0 2,801 42,400 CUP 24.0 2,960 49,500 CUP
Hodgdon H4895 .224" 2.235" 24.0 2,870 41,100 CUP 26.0C 3,069 49,700 CUP
BULLET WEIGHT
77 GR. SIE HPBT
Starting Loads Maximum Loads
Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.260" 21.0 2,582 44,400 CUP 22.6 2,738 51,700 CUP
Hodgdon H4895 .224" 2.260" 20.0 2,474 40,300 CUP 22.6C 2,727 50,200 CUP

[FrugalFannie]

As we're all here, I need a suggestion for long range accuracy.  I'm taking a high power match clinic and shooting ARs beyond 300 yards they suggest heavier bullets.  I'm kind of on a budget, but happen to have a quantity of both 69gr and 77gr Sierra .224 bullets, as well as H-335 and H-4895 powder.

Hodgdon has recipes for all the above, but am wondering if there are any recommendations?

Code: [Select]

BULLET WEIGHT
69 GR. SIE HPBT
Starting Loads Maximum Loads
Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.235" 22.0 2,801 42,400 CUP 24.0 2,960 49,500 CUP
Hodgdon H4895 .224" 2.235" 24.0 2,870 41,100 CUP 26.0C 3,069 49,700 CUP
BULLET WEIGHT
77 GR. SIE HPBT
Starting Loads Maximum Loads
Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.260" 21.0 2,582 44,400 CUP 22.6 2,738 51,700 CUP
Hodgdon H4895 .224" 2.260" 20.0 2,474 40,300 CUP 22.6C 2,727 50,200 CUP

Accuracy is not always increased with a heavier bullet. You need to know your twist rate of your barrel. If the twist rate is too fast, the bullet will be over stabilized, too slow and it's under stabilized.

Twist rate = 175 x (bullet diameter)^2/ bullet length.

You can use JBMballistics.com for advanced stability calculations.

example .224", 75 gr Hornady Amax, Length = 1.1"

175 x (.224")^2 / 1.1" = 7.98   A barrel with a 1:8 twist will stabilize this. 1:7 would over stabilize it but would be preferable to a 1:9 barrel which would under stabilize the bullet

[Docwatmo]

There's no such thing as "hoarding". You were offered a price and took it. That's just a free market.

This is so absolutely correct it deserved a little recognition.    :-)

Doc

[Smurf Hunter]

Accuracy is not always increased with a heavier bullet. You need to know your twist rate of your barrel. If the twist rate is too fast, the bullet will be over stabilized, too slow and it's under stabilized.

Twist rate = 175 x (bullet diameter)^2/ bullet length.

You can use JBMballistics.com for advanced stability calculations.

example .224", 75 gr Hornady Amax, Length = 1.1"

175 x (.224")^2 / 1.1" = 7.98   A barrel with a 1:8 twist will stabilize this. 1:7 would over stabilize it but would be preferable to a 1:9 barrel which would under stabilize the bullet

My barrel has 1:7, which is pretty much the fastest twist rate.  If I built a rifle length, I'm guessing 1:8 would be enough for the additional velocity gain from the longer barrel.