There are many good points here made. Cost being at the top of the list thus far. I personally do not hand load because of cost of ammo. My first priority in hand loading any cartridge is the increase or gain
in "Performance" of said ammo. The best way to enhance any cartridge is choosing the right bullet for the mission at hand. Whether that mission is Precision Shooting, or hunting, and terminal performance.
Above 11B CIB makes a great point about Cost Savings over Factory Ammo, with premium bullets. Absolutely correct. While I have not checked the price of factory ammo in any cartridge in many years, I am sure his analysis is spot on, "The Money", so to speak, and yes, pun intended. I don't know what factory ammo costs, as I would never even lightly consider using factory ammo for any endeavor in which I might embark. Now speaking of serious rifle ammo only. In some cases such as 9mm and 45 ACP I have been known to pick up a few 1000 pieces of ball ammo when the price is right, to put away for hard times one might say.
Since most of this discussion is concerning 223, you just have to weigh the costs of your end goals. If precision is your goal, you are not going to get it with the basic 55 gr FMJ 1000 pieces at a time. Lucky if that stuff shoots 2 inches at 50 yards. If terminal performance is your end goal, then you choose the bullet required to do that. For me, I have loaded, and continue to load several 1000 50 gr CEB Raptors, my bullet of choice for terminal performance in 223. It exceeds my precision requirements by a long stretch, even though it would not be considered in that category.
Many times one chooses to hand load, not because of cost, but obtaining superior performance in one area or another that simply can't be found in factory ammo. Cost will come into effect if there is a factory equivalent, I am quite sure you will be able to load High Quality ammo at a better end cost.
