I just came downstairs after loading 300 rounds on my RCBS Piggyback II. Now, before I start this, I am well aware of the "old timer reloading" thread out there, and this is not about that at all. But time does function into what I am about to say...
Everyone these days screams about Mike Dillon's products. I am certain they are great pieces of machinery; I just got started handloading before Mike Dillon was a player, and my favorite color being green, I bought RCBS. I bought an ammocrafter set and a set of .270 dies, and off I went.
As the years rolled along I got to the point I was ready to do some progressive loading, and the logical step for me was the Piggyback II. So, to the house it came. It took some learning, as they all have quirks, and this machine was no different. So I learned it.
Fast forward to this afternoon: when I finished the first hundred and the shell holder locked open on the primer detection pin, I walked into the other room where the Midway boxes are. When I finished loading the 100 rounds of 158 SWCs into the 5001 box, I looked at the time. It was 4:08 CDT. I went back to the press, changed out the primer tube, and started again. When the second shell plate lockup occurred at the second hundred, I walked back to the other room. I looked at the clock, and it said 4:25 CDT.
If my math is correct, that is 100 rounds in 17 minutes, or 5.88 rounds per minute, just a tad short of one round every ten seconds. That is just about what it takes to load a case, a projectile, and pull the handle.
I guess what I am saying is that although I am definitely not a speed freak when it comes to handloading (I load rifle shells single stage with the exception of 5.56...), it is pretty gratifying to be able to load almost 300 rounds an hour and take your time. I was in no hurry, and I did not have a single issue with powder spillage, a primer failing to feed, or anything else. The Piggyback performed like oil on glass.
You good men can use your Hornady L-N-Ls, and your Dillon SDBs, 450/550s, and whatever else is out there. I think I will stay with my green stuff. It seems we understand one another, and that is a good feeling.
Everyone these days screams about Mike Dillon's products. I am certain they are great pieces of machinery; I just got started handloading before Mike Dillon was a player, and my favorite color being green, I bought RCBS. I bought an ammocrafter set and a set of .270 dies, and off I went.
As the years rolled along I got to the point I was ready to do some progressive loading, and the logical step for me was the Piggyback II. So, to the house it came. It took some learning, as they all have quirks, and this machine was no different. So I learned it.
Fast forward to this afternoon: when I finished the first hundred and the shell holder locked open on the primer detection pin, I walked into the other room where the Midway boxes are. When I finished loading the 100 rounds of 158 SWCs into the 5001 box, I looked at the time. It was 4:08 CDT. I went back to the press, changed out the primer tube, and started again. When the second shell plate lockup occurred at the second hundred, I walked back to the other room. I looked at the clock, and it said 4:25 CDT.
If my math is correct, that is 100 rounds in 17 minutes, or 5.88 rounds per minute, just a tad short of one round every ten seconds. That is just about what it takes to load a case, a projectile, and pull the handle.
I guess what I am saying is that although I am definitely not a speed freak when it comes to handloading (I load rifle shells single stage with the exception of 5.56...), it is pretty gratifying to be able to load almost 300 rounds an hour and take your time. I was in no hurry, and I did not have a single issue with powder spillage, a primer failing to feed, or anything else. The Piggyback performed like oil on glass.
You good men can use your Hornady L-N-Ls, and your Dillon SDBs, 450/550s, and whatever else is out there. I think I will stay with my green stuff. It seems we understand one another, and that is a good feeling.
