On the topic of reloading/handloading

[HOUSTON RICK]

My circumstances put time at a premium, but for obvious reasons, my interest in reoading/handloading has increased of late. How much time does it take to safely handload 50 rounds (or whatever "size of manufacture" makes sense). Thank you!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

My circumstances put time at a premium, but for obvious reasons, my interest in reoading/handloading has increased of late. How much time does it take to safely handload 50 rounds (or whatever "size of manufacture" makes sense). Thank you!

 

[glen_farmer]

Using a Dillon 550B configured for straight wall pistol cartridges, 100 can easily be processed in 12 minutes. I work at a leisurely pace. Hyper types can easily process more in that amount of time.

 

[2000Z-71]

Rick that's a loaded question that really depends on what I'm reloading. There's a huge difference between cranking out practice .40 S&W ammo on my Dillon 650 progressive vs. loading for my .25-06 on my Hornady single stage.

One my progressive press, if I've already established a load and have the press set up for that caliber, I can crank out over 300 rounds per hour. Add more time if I need to convert to a different caliber or re-set my powder measure for a different load.

Reloading rifle rounds on my single stage takes a lot longer. Generally I'm re-loading my rifle ammunition for maximum accuracy in a particular rifle not reloading en-masse. Usually I weigh and trickle to final weight powder charges for every round which takes quite a bit of time. I'd estimate on my single stage if I've already got my dies set, it probably takes me about an hour to produce 50 rounds.

Rifle cartridges can be reloaded on a progressive press. I've been planning for several months now to start doing that for .308 Winchester.

It's not a simple question to answer because there are so many variables; type or press (single stage or progressive), purpose (en-masse or specialized for accuracy, etc.), type of round (bottleneck cases will require lube an extra step over straight walled cases, a 650 hols a buttload more short and fat .40 S&W cases over long skinny .357 cases fewer times you need to stand up and reload the brass tube), etc. Then there's alll kinds of other stuff that you start to get into once you're already reloading like black powder cartridge, wildcat rounds, etc. which all add time to the reloading process.

Hope some of this helps. Feel free to follow up with additional questions or specifics at what you're looking at reloading.

 

[Jeff423]

For straight wall pistol cases:

Progressive with case feeder, I can easily reload 500 - 600 per hour.

With a single stage its about 50 in 40 min. (4 stages)

I'm not trying to set any speed records these are "comfortable" rates.

Jeff

 

[Skip Sackett]

With a Dillon press production rates are attainable as advertised.

When I only used their Square Deal B I got above average production by employing the wife as a case feeder!

With the XL650 and case feeder I can easily get 50 45ACP bullets in about 5 minutes. Again, as others have said, if it is set up, yada, yada, yada.

Don't stress out about the time thing. It cost me almost $1000 for the aforementioned production rate not to mention the 31 years of work to train the first case feeder!

(It's been a joy!)

I can't say this enough; the reason to handload boils down to one thing and one thing only for me: "I get what I want, when I want."

I like that.

 

[dennis40x]

I believe the rate of production in regards to progressive reloading is over stated. Too much is made of speed. The rate of production is dependent on the operator’s experience and comfort level. The ease of production is why I employ progressive reloaders. Attention to detail is required. A procedural error may/can result in a mishap of consequence.

I have three Dillon units a 550B and two SDB which are employed exclusively for pistol cartridges. The 550B is rifle capable but I still prefer to load rifle cartridges on a single stage.

Reloading is only as safe as the individual reloader is.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I use a Hornady L-N-L AP. IF it is already set up with the correct dies, the primer feed tube is full, it is a straight walled case and you have carbide dies (no lubing necessary), and the powder measure already dialed in for your particular load with the correct powder (always check and double check ... always!), I can sit down and crank out 50 for a quick range trip in <10 minutes safely. This includes having to reach for brass and bullets, and allows a margin of safety to check things several times times during the process. You can easily achieve a higher production rate once everything checks out, but the most likely place to make a major mistake is in trying to do a small batch in a hurry.

That is a realistic, real world expectation.

If you have to change dies, switch powder, weigh and check charges, sort brass by headstamp, adjust seating depth, adjust crimp, change primer type or especially size, etc. then it will take longer to set up any system and longer to load a small batch. If you are doing it safely.

 

[oldRoger]

I use my progressive for 10 mm & .45. I have two small single stage presses side by side which I use for .357 & .44 spl. This is a set-up which you could inexpensively duplicate, doesn’t require a lot of space. I used to have to fold everything up for storage. I do about 100 rounds of .357 in about an hour, safely, scale checking every 10th powder charge. I am in no particular hurry doing this, I find it relaxing.
Roger.

 

[Hoptob]

With the XL650 and case feeder I can easily get 50 45ACP bullets in about 5 minutes.

+1

Mike

 

[pps]

If I load top end loads, I slow down a lot. For weak 38 special my powder throws +/- .1 grain and I'll check weight every 10 or 15. I also use a powder check die which is a Godsend for progressives, and I'll not use my progressive press without it.

50 rounds...approx 10-15 min depending on if my press is already set up for the caliber in question.

 

[dttheliman]

Rick,

I load 9mm, 38/357, 45acl, 45 colt, 454, 460S&W, each has their own quirks and I would never rush a small batch - its too easy to screw-up, if you are new to reloading or have never reloaded , you need to take it slow - if you only have one caliber, one recipie - you can crank them out , however you need to continually check your quality - ie powder ok , OAL ok etc etc, I you want to see what it takes pm me I am one street north of the woodlands - I run a hornady L&L and my neighbour runs a dillion 650.
Later Tim

 

[45cal]

I run two Dillon 550-b,one set for large primers and one for small.
To tell the truth my old arm get tired after a hundred or so .I take a break and get back in a while ,I never rush,that will cause Squibs

 

[fredj338]

Originally posted by 45cal:
I run two Dillon 550-b,one set for large primers and one for small.
To tell the truth my old arm get tired after a hundred or so .I take a break and get back in a while ,I never rush,that will cause Squibs

Hey 45cal, ype, me too. I load on a pair of 550B & rarely load more than 30min. That yields a min. of 200rds though. For rifle, I still load on a single stage, but I rarley shoot more than 30rds of rifle ammo @ a whack.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

10 minutes for 50 pistol rounds if I am loafing and taking it slow. If I set my mind to it I can do 50 in 5 minutes with my Pro2000.