reloading .223 vs 7.62x39

[Tennjed]

Currently I only reload for pistol calibers (on a Lee Classic Turret) Considering a AR15 or AK type rifle. Caliber wise does the .223 or 7.62x39 offer any advantages over each other? Things like price, avaliability of componets, brass life, ease of the reloading process.
Any input would be appriciated.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Just buy cheap 7.62x39. You cannot find reloadable cases in quantity to make it worth the effort. If I wanted good ammo I bought the cheapest stuff I could find and tore them down. I used the cases only then used quality components.

For 223 you can load blaster ammo about as cheap buying Tula but your reloads will be magnitudes better. For accurate ammo it is a lot cheaper to reload than buy. My "match" ammo cost .28 a round to load and to buy anything comparable was 3x as much.

Components for 223 are going to be a lot cheaper. Be it brass or bullets.

Dolomite

[frankmako]

7.62x39 ammo is still cheap to buy at this time so no reason to reload it. 5.56 ammo is not cheap and i reload it.

[Trekbike]

Yep I agree as well. I buy steel cased 7.62x39 and reload .223.

[vujade]

At least on my AK (Saiga in 308), it beat up the case pretty bad too.

Ionly reloaded about 20 to test out, it wasn't worth the effort so I just went back to cheap russian ammo. At least in my experiences, there wasn't a very big accuracy gain anyway.

[I_Like_Pie]

The bullets alone for 7.62x39 will cost you more than surplus ammo.

.223 is also a much better cartridge to reload.

[gregintenn]

Depends on whether you'd prefer to make 22 or 30 caliber holes. Unless you are trying for tiny groups, ammo for either is cheap and plentiful enough to forego reloading.

[Tennjed]

Thanks guys