How long to reload a box of shells?

[max]

I used an RCBS Jr for many years. I never worried about how many or how quick. It was easy to do, relaxing and great therapy. I am mechanically challenged, but I turned out thousands of good reloads. I now have a Dillon and it is much faster, but it does not turn out better loads.

 

[5906fan]

straight wall pistol cases are fairly easy to reload. nix 9mmPara as it's cheap again unless you shoot hi-volume of this one.
as said before you need a dial caliper and powder scale/dippers or a measure. this is a very important step - pay attention to the loading manuals. also watch your crimping stage - the hotter loads especially.
when you plan to mount your press consider the base for it and strengthen by 50% more. you won't regret it.
also keep an eye peeled for a spare press to set up in tandem if you can get a shooting buddy to run it while you charge powder and start a slug - they can seat crimp for you after you have it set up. check garage sales/pawn shops etc. this is about the best thing you can do for your loading plans. an evening spent with a shooting buddy depriming/sizeing and seating primers can prepare 100's of cases for loading later.
of course you need a good tumbler to clean brass. wash then dry it if swept up from a dirt range floor. 4-5 hours at least are needed for a servicable cleaning.
oh yeah loose primer pockets and beat up/unreadable headstamps are sign the brass is at the 'run and gun' or 'shoot and scoot' stage so leave it lay for a newby to pick up and learn on.

 

[sean79]

Thanks, guys. All good stuff. I'm still thinking Lee single-stage kit, but some of those turret kits aren't a lot more money. Guess I'll need to make a decision on what new pistol to buy, before ordering dies.

 

[tmbrcruizr]

about an hour, I use a lee single stage and have been since I started reloading 20 years ago. I see no need to upgrade. I deprime 100 or 200 shells, then I prime them, and I have them sitting around until I want to load them. Doesnt really speed things up, but I fiind it works well for me because I experiment with a lot of loads.
Remember it takes a hellavu of a lot more time to load a box than it does to shoot a box, but reloading is 5/8th of the joy.

 

[BearBio]

There are too many variables to give a quick answer. Some (i.e. Dillon) won't load long cases very well. Some loads require more attention to detail. If I am loading 45-90 with black powder on my RCBS, it takes a lot longer than 45 Colt on my Dillon. That's because I have to use a powder drop, hand measure, etc. Also, some loads (like max charges in a 45 Colt for a Ruger) may need more precise measuring or more rigorous checking.

I use both an RCBS and a Dillon. Some loads I don't shoot often enough to make getting a Dillon set up worthwhile, such as 45 auto-rim or 454 Casull. Also, I hand prime unless I am using the Dillon.

The system I use is to de-cap a bunch of brass, maybe in more than one caliber. Then, later, I'll prime a bunch while watching TV. I might do 200-300 at one sitting. Then bell, charge, seat all at one sitting. If I need to factory size, I might do that at still another time.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Lee Classic Turret. It will single stage it you want or it auto indexes stage to stage. It's a little faster than batch loading. And I have the added benefit of having a finished cartridge in seconds if I only feel like loading a single box. Using a single stage I had to set up, break down, and meddle with every step. It isn't so bad, it's just that the turret simplifies all the steps. I had a problem with it feeling "mousetrapish" at first. But after a while you figure out the little needed motions and steps and ammo just builds up around you.

 

[JohnnieB]

Like many here, I started with a single stage press and batch loaded until my shooting started exceeding my reloading, then upgraded to a Lee Classic Turret.
I eventually gave my original RCBS Rock Chucker to my son-in-law and bought a Lee C-frame single stage for sizing bullets.

Back to the original question of how long it takes to load 50 rounds on a single stage press.
That's sorta like asking the price on a Rolls Royce.
If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Asking how long it takes to load 50 rounds on a single stage probably means you'll outgrow it quickly, so it might be better to start with a turret.

John

 

[sean79]

Asking how long it takes to load 50 rounds on a single stage probably means you'll outgrow it quickly...

The 50 was just thrown out there as a point of reference. I really had no idea how long reloading takes - wasn't sure if it was in the 20 minute, 60 minute, or ??? range. But, you may be right about the turret press. I just looked at a YouTube video about loading .45s with a turret. Looks pretty slick.

I'll have to do a little more research about what might be missing from the single-state kit v. what might be missing from the turret kit. I know I'll have to buy caliber specific die sets, but I'm not sure what else I'd need (other than the kit, casings, primers, powder, and bullets) to pick up to get running.

 

[growr]

If my Dillon 550 is already set up, I can run 50 through it in a few minutes. That times changes dramatically if I need to reset or change to a different size primer set up.
Single stage has a similar but much longer answer...depending on whether or nit I am already set for that caliber.
Randy

 

[gregintenn]

I can load a box of 50 in an hour on a single stage press. That includes getting everything set up and adjusted. I can load the second 50 in half that time.
I usually clean, size, trim, and prime all my available cases when I'm bored and it's bad weather. There's nothing much to do anyway, and I hate watching T.V. After that's finished, assuming that my powder measure is already correctly set, I can charge the cases and seat the bullets in just a few minutes.
I've used a Lee Anniversary Kit, which includes a Lee Powder Measure and an O Ring Press for over 15 years now. I don't want anything else. There are little things, such as adjusting your powder measure, or getting your dies adjusted properly, that you on't have to do every time you reload. You do it once, and unless something changes, it's still properly adjusted the next time you use it.

 

[gregintenn]

You made me wonder, so I did a little experiment. I grabbed a box of 44 mag brass we "unloaded" this afternoon, and headed to the basement. Keep in mind that I did this just as I'd ordinarially do it. I sized/deprimed, belled, cleaned primer pockets, primed, and loaded 50 rounds in 50 minutes using a Lee Anniversary kit, Lee dies, and a frankfort digital scale. This time included getting everything out, adjusting the powder measure, and weighing every charge to ensure that no charge was off by more than 1/10 a grain. It also included putting everything back up, and several minutes crawling around the floor looking for a primer I dropped. It wouldn't have taken much longer to have loaded another 50 rounds. This is an honest amount of time for a single stage press. I hope this helps.

 

[pbcaster]

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE..

I can load a box of 50 in an hour on a single stage press. That includes getting everything set up and adjusted. I can load the second 50 in half that time.
I usually clean, size, trim, and prime all my available cases when I'm bored and it's bad weather. There's nothing much to do anyway, and I hate watching T.V. After that's finished, assuming that my powder measure is already correctly set, I can charge the cases and seat the bullets in just a few minutes.
I've used a Lee Anniversary Kit, which includes a Lee Powder Measure and an O Ring Press for over 15 years now. I don't want anything else. There are little things, such as adjusting your powder measure, or getting your dies adjusted properly, that you on't have to do every time you reload. You do it once, and unless something changes, it's still properly adjusted the next time you use it.

Less than a minute on a progressive press, with a bullet feeder.

 

[JohnnieB]

The 50 was just thrown out there as a point of reference. I really had no idea how long reloading takes - wasn't sure if it was in the 20 minute, 60 minute, or ??? range.

Sorry I didn't give you the straight answers you were look for, but I thought they had already been answered by reloaders far more knowledgeable than me, so I made a feeble attempt at dry humor.

IIRC, the first 50 rounds I reloaded (.45acp) took me the better part of a day, but a lot of that was learning how to adjust the dies, measure the powder, etc.
After I finally figured out how everything worked and fit together, I could easily reload 50 per hour, not counting case prep time. (Washing and/or tumbling)

But, you may be right about the turret press. I just looked at a YouTube video about loading .45s with a turret. Looks pretty slick.

Basically, a turret press is 4 single stage presses in one assembly. The increased throughput is from only having to mount the case in the caseholder once and not having to dismount and remount the dies between each step in the reloading process. If so desired, the auto advance can be disabled and it can be used manually as a single stage for batch processing.

You didn't ask, but mentioned here a few times, progressive presses are faster than turrets because once the case, bullet and primers feeder as well as the assembly line contained within the press are filled, you get a completed round with each pull of the handle.

Much to my wife's chagrin, I don't keep track of time while reloading , but I'm pretty sure I'm at least two or three times faster with my Lee Classic Turret than I ever was with a single stage press. I used to use a hand-primer and now I do it on the press, so eliminating that step cuts the time also.

I only reload .38spl & 357mag these days, but I'm still set up for .45acp and will do more of them if my stash ever runs low.
I've got separate turret plates with dies and powder measures (Lee Auto Disk) for each caliber, so changing flavors is quick and simple.

Some people don't like the Lee auto Disk because it (allegedly) doesn't drop flake and extruded powders consistently, but I only use spherical grain powders with them, so I've never had any issues with them. BTW - I used to weigh every 10th powder charge, and then every 20th, but now I weigh the 1st, then when the hopper is about 2/3rds and refill it when it gets down to 1/ 3rd . Of course, I'm only building mid-range loads for plinking and punching holes in paper, so 0.1 grain either way doesn't matter. If I was loading near max pressure, I would weigh each and every powder charge.

I'll have to do a little more research about what might be missing from the single-state kit v. what might be missing from the turret kit. I know I'll have to buy caliber specific die sets, but I'm not sure what else I'd need (other than the kit, casings, primers, powder, and bullets) to pick up to get running.

If you don't already have one, Modern Reloading by Richard Lee is an excellent book. Granted it leans heavily towards Lee equipment, but it cover all aspects of the reloading process in fairly clear and concise language. The book is ~$13 at Midway and over $40 at Amozon, but you might find it cheaper elsewhere.

Lee "Modern Reloading 2nd Edition" Reloading Manual - MidwayUSA

You may want to buy other reloading manuals also, and there is a lot of info available at the various powder and bullet manufacturers' websites. Also, Lee (and other) reloading equipment manufacturers have some good info and videos available on-line.

Whatever you decide to go with, have fun and be safe.
John

 

[OKFC05]

Last night I decided to time a loading session so I could answer the original question.
56 minutes to load 300 .40 S&W 180gr TC on a Dillon Square Deal B, starting when I got the primers out of the cabinet and ending when I washed my hands after finishing.
The SDB was bolted to the counter, had the .40 dies on it, and the hopper had Titegroup in it.
I had to put 100 primers at a time into the pickup tube and then into the loader. A box of 1000 .40 bullets was on the shelf, as was a quantity of cleaned used .40 brass. I wasn't trying to hurry, just loading at a normal pace.

 

[cptdco]

Like JohnnieB mentioned above, I cut my time down considerably when I went from single stage to the Lee Turret. I often leave it set up for a particular load for days or even weeks so all I have to do is sit down and start reloading. Under those circumstances, with no real set-up time, I will reload a box of 50 straight-walled pistol cartridges in just under 15 minutes. And as has been stated, you can easily disable the auto-rotation for initial set-up or for loading rifle cartridges. For me the turret press was just what I needed.

 

[dickttx]

Occasionally I will head for the reloading room thinking "I've got to reload a box of XXX NOW".
When I find myself thinking that I turn around and go back to the house.
That is not the attitude to have when reloading. It leads to slopiness, and bad habits.
Reloading should have your full concentration.

 

[mikerault]

As a beginning loader myself, let me tell you my experience. I have the Lee 4 place turret loader. I use a rotary tumbler with walnut media to tumble my cases. I tumble them before I deprime them. Takes about 2 hours to tumble the cases to get them cleaned up a bit.

I then set the turret to single by removing the indexing bar and deprime the cases into my staging trays. Takes about 30 minutes to do 100.

I inspect the primer pockets and if needed, clean them.

To load 100 using the Lee autoprimer setup with the turret and the carbide dies, it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to load 100 rounds validating your charge every fifth round. I will probably move t validation on every 10th or so.

When I finish I weigh each round to make sure none deviate more than a grain or two from an average weight (I have found using 124 grain JHP rounds the average weight is about 189 grains for a 9mm). I have had some rounds weigh in at 196 and I set them aside, but when I pulled the bullets using a kinetic puller (a must have) the charges where fine.

So there you have it:
For 100 rounds:

2 hours case prep (some say it isn't needed but I like my brass to shine a bit)
1/2 hour deprime
1 hour 45 minutes to load

So, start to finish about 4 hours and 15 minutes. 2 hours of which you can do other things while the cases tumble.

Since primers and other components seem to come in lots of 100 I usually just do 100 at a time. That is also how many I tend to shoot in a weekend at the range. Works out well!

Mike

 

[JohnnieB]

IIRC, the Dillon Square Deal B is a progressive, so 300 straight walled pistol rounds per hour without cutting any corners ought to be well within the potential of most reloaders here, with a little practice.

The first one down is a step by step walk through using a turret press. Four stroke per round. (Five if you count the down stroke to seat the primer)

Lee Precision, Inc. Reloading Tools and Equipment: Setup and Operation Help Videos

The second one down show the same guy loading 5 rounds in just over a minute (1:05) That's also in the 300 rounds per hour range.
Of course, I doubt if he could keep up that pace for an hour, I know I couldn't.

Personally, I prefer a far more leisurely pace and probably do about half that, or less. YMMV

I've kicked the thought of getting a progressive press around a couple of times, but given the choice of going progressive or getting another gun, I've gone with the gun option every time so far.

Also, there are videos on adjusting dies and other stuff on the linked page,
John

 

[JohnnieB]

"mikerault" --- Some food for thought.

Instead of disabling and re-enabling the auto rotate on your turret press when you reload, an inexpensive single stage with a universal decapping die might come in handy.
I bought one of these for sizing the cast bullets I buy, but I occasion put a Universal Decapping die in it to decap military brass and S&B brass the first time I process it.

Lee Reloader Single Stage Press - MidwayUSA

Lee Universal Decapping die runs about $8.50 at same place, but may be less elsewhere.

To each their own, but I use a Lee Safety Prime setup on the press rather than priming by hand with a Lee Auto Prime.
In fact, I normally go straight to the carbide decapper/sizing die after tumbling and haven't had a FTF. (First time Mil and S&B being the exceptions)

John

 

[DGNY]

Reloading time

I always found 1.5 hours for a box of 50 .44 Mag or similar using Herter's Model 3 [I think] turret. Great time for directing attention just to this activity. No phone, TV...

Included set up with just one primer, powder and bullet type on bench, changing dies, primer arm if needed, inspecting for split mouths, decapping/sizing, eyeballing/detailing primer pockets, charging and setting powder measure with numerous trial throws weighed to 0.1 grain, seating primer/belling mouths, charging cases from loading block and checking at least every 10th for charge weight, checking every case for charge, seating bullets, crimping often by separate step, inspecting every cartridge for uniformity, detail label each box of cartridges. It was fun - I should get back to it!

Some things I like to do quickly, but reloading not, for me, one of them.

In the slow lane,

Dyson