Originally Posted by
jdgabbard
Guys, I do want to point something out where it concerns brass availability.
Everyone keeps talking about how .223/5.56 brass will "always be available." This isn't necessarily true. Back 60 years ago guys probably felt the same way about the 30-06, since there was so much surplus ammo on the market and many of the US Military weapons were chambered in this caliber. As well as surplus weapons from the Big 2. But calibers changed, and eventually civilian copies of those new rifles made their way onto the market.
We're currently going through the exact same change. The US is transitioning over to the new rifle and the new 6.8mm cartridge. Sure, we'll still see 5.56 in service for quite some time. But this will slowly become less and less. As that happens, shift in civilian sales will also take place. As that happens, shifts in ammo production will also take place. Because of this, .223/5.56 does have a date at some point in the not too distant future where it sees quite a bit less production. When that happens you will have less available brass. It'll still be common enough to find I would think, with all of the AR platform rifles out there. But it isn't going to be the cheapest brass.
Just food for thought...