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DIAMOND
Senior Member
USA
1894 Posts |
 Posted - 07/24/2010 : 12:47:13
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So, I've always thought about reloading, but have never gotten past the thought.
1. How much time does it take you to reload a box of...say...9mm? Figure the time NOT including tumbling, since that can be done while you are doing other things.
2. Also, how many times can a case be reused and how do you know it is worn out?
3. I do understand that you can't reload aluminum and steel cases. But can you reload nickel plated brass?
Thanks.
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Loving God.
Loving People.
Carrying a gun.
Palin for President 2012
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emrah
Average Member
941 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 13:04:31
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It's really hard for me to put a time on it. I've tried, but it is NOT fast by any means; especially not with a single stage press. Apparently, some progressive presses you can crank out 400+ rounds per hour.
Me? I'm not sure I can break it down by boxes of 50, but what I do is in batches of, say 300 (for .223, .45 ACP, etc.) I might de-prime and size (one operation) that whole batch in one night. The next night I might prime them (new primers in pockets). The next night I'd charge (powder) and load bullets (with crimp).
Some rounds I'll then run through a Lee Factory Crimp Die after loading. I do this with 200gr. Lead Semi-Wadcutters I load for .45. Not a problem with FMJ or any jacketed bullet, but with lead bullets I'll have to do that so they'll feed right.
So, figure several nights' worth of work to load about 300+ rounds, working a couple of hours each night. It is NOT fast. it IS theraputic.
As for how to know how long you can re-use brass, well, that's a longer discussion than what I can explain here. You'll have to read up on reloading, get some manuals, etc. to know what signs and dimensions to look for. Straight-walled piston brass (.45, 9mm, etc.) will last a really long time.
You are correct, you CANNOT reload aluminum or steel cases. You CAN reload nickel-plated cases.
Emrah |
"I haven't yet done everything, but by the time I'm finished, I won't have missed much. If I auger in tomorrow, it won't be with a frown on my face. I've had a ball."
- Gen. Chuck Yeager
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LKline
Jew-Jitsu Master
USA
3350 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 14:55:02
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| Friend has a 4 stage dillon press, 50 rounds takes no time once the press is set up with supplies. It is getting everything started that is the most time consuming... |
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Johnde
New Member
USA
89 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 17:34:40
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| I usually spend an hour loading 100 rounds on a turret press. |
Gun ban cities are murder capitals.
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hipshot
Average Member
USA
803 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 18:48:48
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| 450 per hour on my Dillion 550b |
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Chris_T
Senior Member
1903 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2010 : 19:25:07
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| I've never timed myself on my RCBS single stage |
"A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have"
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"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life."
--Robert A. Heinlein
"Remember democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."
-- John Adams |
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lwknight
Senior Member
USA
1352 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2010 : 00:17:30
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I don't normally load only 50 rounds but, I do average about 150-200 rounds per hour ( depending on how hard I want to work ) on a single stage press.
50 rounds would be a little less efficient to run.
I think that I could load 50 rounds in 20 minutes easily. |
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DIAMOND
Senior Member
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2010 : 05:39:54
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Thanks all for your great answers. Very helpful as I mull all this around in my mind.
I am collecting a lot of brass whenever I go shooting. Amazing what people leave behind. |
Loving God.
Loving People.
Carrying a gun.
Palin for President 2012
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lwknight
Senior Member
USA
1352 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2010 : 21:39:03
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| Hipshot will walk around the bench 4 times just to make sure he did not miss a brass case on the ground. No matter whos' it is! |
No trees were killed because of this message.
However a lot of electrons were terribly inconvenienced |
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scottg
Senior Member
USA
1123 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2010 : 05:28:57
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| 10 minutes on my Dillon RL550B. Set up takes about 5 minutes with quick change heads. |
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government"
Thomas Jefferson
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AA BEAR
New Member
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 10:59:04
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| It not how fast you do it . Jest that you do it right and safe . I am 70 and I always take my time to see that it is done right. I will shoot 200 rounds in my hand guns a week and 200 rounds a week in my high power rifles. I will reload all I shoot that week. |
A man that loves guns Big & Small & Longe & Short. X NAVY 375 D. W. 357 D. W. Max S&W 460 454 C |
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futinshool
New Member
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 12:51:13
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I do my 9mm reloading normally in two stages. After tumbling, I will de-prime several hundred cases.
Then I will do 50 at a time:
1. Primer and expand
2. Powder charge
3. Bullet seat
50 rounds takes me about 30 minutes in the second stage on a 35 year old RCBS Rock Chucker |
An ACORN is a really bad nut.
Attn: zerO - America does not need to be remade! |
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lwknight
Senior Member
USA
1352 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2010 : 18:20:15
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| You're slow. |
No trees were killed because of this message.
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Plano Mark
Junior Member
USA
353 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 08:04:32
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quote:
Originally posted by AA BEAR
It not how fast you do it . Jest that you do it right and safe . I am 70 and I always take my time to see that it is done right. I will shoot 200 rounds in my hand guns a week and 200 rounds a week in my high power rifles. I will reload all I shoot that week.
Amen on that! I never have timed myself on my RCBS Rockchucker, I am always checking brass, cleaning primer pockets, making sure the flash hole is clear, checking primer seating, powder levels, etc.
It shouldn't be a race - be safe. |
Help save America, have your liberal spayed or neutered
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DIAMOND
Senior Member
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 15:04:53
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Thanks to everyone. I know I have a lot to learn before I start...if I start...but it's great to have a resource like CCF to come to for help.
quote:
Originally posted by Plano Mark
quote:
Originally posted by AA BEAR
It not how fast you do it . Jest that you do it right and safe . I am 70 and I always take my time to see that it is done right. I will shoot 200 rounds in my hand guns a week and 200 rounds a week in my high power rifles. I will reload all I shoot that week.
Amen on that! I never have timed myself on my RCBS Rockchucker, I am always checking brass, cleaning primer pockets, making sure the flash hole is clear, checking primer seating, powder levels, etc.
It shouldn't be a race - be safe.
I'm not so much looking for the fastest way to reload, but just trying to justify the time involved. I'm in commission sales, so my time is as valuable as I use it. Of course, there's plenty of play time, but do I want to spend it reloading, or doing something else. If it's an hour, and I reload 100 rounds, that's not too bad. Would hope for more. But, I want to keep it safe. |
Loving God.
Loving People.
Carrying a gun.
Palin for President 2012
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lwknight
Senior Member
USA
1352 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2010 : 20:12:13
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| Handloading for me is mostly something I do in my relaxing time. I do the most when its cold outside and the wife is watching " Don,t you wish you could dance " or some BS like that. |
No trees were killed because of this message.
However a lot of electrons were terribly inconvenienced |
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Topic |
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How much time to reload a box of 50?
