Best Bang For Your Buck: Reloading 223 with Berry's

Published on April 14, 2026
Duration: 8:23

This guide details how to reload budget-friendly 223 Remington ammunition using Berry's 55 and 62 grain bullets and Accurate 2520 powder. It covers component selection, progressive press setup, load data considerations, field testing with a chronograph, and cost analysis, highlighting significant savings by reusing brass. The presenter, Serena, brings over 10 years of competitive service rifle experience and extensive behind-the-scenes work at Ultimate Reloader.

Quick Summary

Reloading budget .223 Remington ammunition is achievable using Berry's 55 or 62 grain bullets and Accurate 2520 powder. Reusing brass can cut costs by approximately 50%, making it significantly cheaper than factory ammunition. Accurate 2520 offers a cost-effective powder option with a burn rate similar to Varget.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction: The Cost of Shooting
  2. 00:20Meet Serena: Expertise and Passion
  3. 00:56.223 Remington Cartridge Overview
  4. 01:24Powder Selection: Accurate 2520
  5. 01:40Bullet Selection: Berry's 55 & 62 Grain
  6. 01:56Load Data: 55 Grain Berry's
  7. 02:15Load Data: 62 Grain Berry's
  8. 02:24Barrel Length & Velocity Differences
  9. 02:34Progressive Press Setup: XL750
  10. 02:43Component Breakdown: Brass, Primers, Dies
  11. 02:56Range Testing: Retro AR with Irons
  12. 03:42Range Testing: 16-inch AR with 55 Grain
  13. 04:04Range Testing: 16-inch AR with 62 Grain
  14. 04:20200 Yard Shooting: Offhand & PRS Style
  15. 04:49Rockchuck Targets & Fast Transitions
  16. 05:11Chronograph Data: 55 Grain Load
  17. 05:23Chronograph Data: 62 Grain Load
  18. 05:56Comparison: Budget Hornady Ammo Velocity
  19. 06:11Cost Analysis: Did We Save Money?
  20. 06:21Cost Breakdown: 55 Grain (New vs. Reused Brass)
  21. 06:38Cost Breakdown: 62 Grain (New vs. Reused Brass)
  22. 06:46Factory Ammunition Cost Comparison
  23. 06:56The Importance of Brass in Reloading Costs
  24. 07:15Conclusion: Enjoyable and Affordable Reloading
  25. 07:30Call to Action: Share Your Budget Loads

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key components for reloading budget .223 Remington ammunition?

For budget .223 Remington reloading, you'll need Berry's 55 or 62 grain full metal jacket boat tail projectiles, Accurate 2520 powder, CCI 400 small rifle primers, and processed brass. Reusing brass significantly reduces overall cost.

How does reusing brass impact the cost of reloading .223 Remington?

Reusing brass can cut the cost of reloading .223 Remington ammunition by approximately half. For example, 55-grain loads with new brass cost about 65 cents per round, dropping to 35 cents with reused brass.

What powder is recommended for budget .223 Remington reloading in this video?

The video recommends Accurate 2520 powder for budget .223 Remington loads. It has a burn rate similar to Varget and is presented as a more cost-effective alternative.

Why are chronograph velocities lower than published data when reloading .223 Remington?

Chronograph velocities can be lower than published data due to differences in test platforms. This video's lower velocities resulted from using shorter AR-15 barrels (16-20 inch) and gas systems, compared to Hodgdon's data which used a 24-inch bolt gun.

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