Leaning towards a hornady setup but any will help answer m question; with many different options on different systems, fom a plain Jane single stage to a full blown ammo factory- but how much time does it save? How much $$ and time would be in getting set up to and reloading a hundred rounds handgun (say 38 special) with a single stage, progressive, ammo factory? He much time do the little add-ons save, are there any not worth the cost?
Reloading, time vs money
- Thread starter bandit86
- Start date
You will save more than 50% with .38Spcl. 400rds an hour without add-ons on Hornady LNL is doable with experience, you may see less than 250rds as you start being new to it.
Complete setup for loading with LNL will run about $600-700 (press, shell plate, dies, caliper, books, bullet puller, scale, tumbler etc). Do your own math.
Complete setup for loading with LNL will run about $600-700 (press, shell plate, dies, caliper, books, bullet puller, scale, tumbler etc). Do your own math.
Don't know about 38 special, but I can make 240gCMJ 44mag for less then $20 a box compared to 49.95 a box of factory rounds, and the "lesser" CMJ bullets seem to shoot just as good.
I do have some figures on file. My receipt book is an Excel spreadsheet that not only logs my receipt but gives me a run down of real world costs.
All figures are per box of 50 rounds, using Cast or CMJ bullets.
Prices are all in, after tax, what it's costing you to shoot that box, based on the prices of components I can get locally. We just happen to have a very good local reloading supplier in my City.
9mm: $8.99 - 10.07 per box.
45a.c.p: $9.55 - 13.29.
10mm auto: $11.91
That should give you an idea.
PS: If you're new to reloading, stay away from a progressive press, they are generally for experienced reloaders, and can be a dangerous learning curve.
If you want something faster then a single stage, look into a Turret press. Lee makes some decent ones.
I can bust out a hundred rounds of 44mag in less then an hour, and that's taking my time.
I do have some figures on file. My receipt book is an Excel spreadsheet that not only logs my receipt but gives me a run down of real world costs.
All figures are per box of 50 rounds, using Cast or CMJ bullets.
Prices are all in, after tax, what it's costing you to shoot that box, based on the prices of components I can get locally. We just happen to have a very good local reloading supplier in my City.
9mm: $8.99 - 10.07 per box.
45a.c.p: $9.55 - 13.29.
10mm auto: $11.91
That should give you an idea.
PS: If you're new to reloading, stay away from a progressive press, they are generally for experienced reloaders, and can be a dangerous learning curve.
If you want something faster then a single stage, look into a Turret press. Lee makes some decent ones.
I can bust out a hundred rounds of 44mag in less then an hour, and that's taking my time.
I've got an RCBS set up. Love it.. Saves me money and also I'm not worried on the range about shooting a dollar bill with every shot. Especially with 308 and 30-30. Also it gives me an excuse to go down to the mancave and escape the wife and child for an hour or so.
Also, think about the zombie apocolypse.. You'll be able to make your own while others will be running out.
Also, think about the zombie apocolypse.. You'll be able to make your own while others will be running out.
The good part is, in reloading some rifle calibers the money saved on the first 200 rounds pays for all the reloading set up.
In regardes to pistol I think is was after 2000 rounds reloaded that my first press was paid for. Then I switched to a dillon xl650 and haven't reworked the numbers yet.
In regardes to pistol I think is was after 2000 rounds reloaded that my first press was paid for. Then I switched to a dillon xl650 and haven't reworked the numbers yet.
This likely doesnt answer your questions, however; My experience has been with single stage rifle press loading.
I load for 3 reasons;
1) because I can do it cheaper than factory (well less then half price for .308 & .270, less than 25% of factory cost for my .257 wby)
2) because I can get better accuracy than factory - way better.
3) because it is fun.
So I dont worry about time spent doing something I think is fun. And because I want accuracy I am not trying to get this done as fast as possible.
Personally, I dont think a progressive press will give the accuracy of single stage (mostly because I measure out every single powder load vs using a powder drop system) and therefore defeats the purpose of loading for accuracy but of course it does serve the purpose of having cheap ammo to shoot in a hurry.
And I agree with Conte - if you are new to this, start with a single stage press.
I load for 3 reasons;
1) because I can do it cheaper than factory (well less then half price for .308 & .270, less than 25% of factory cost for my .257 wby)
2) because I can get better accuracy than factory - way better.
3) because it is fun.
So I dont worry about time spent doing something I think is fun. And because I want accuracy I am not trying to get this done as fast as possible.
Personally, I dont think a progressive press will give the accuracy of single stage (mostly because I measure out every single powder load vs using a powder drop system) and therefore defeats the purpose of loading for accuracy but of course it does serve the purpose of having cheap ammo to shoot in a hurry.
And I agree with Conte - if you are new to this, start with a single stage press.
I Cant say i agree with the above quote /\ , a progressive can be a learning curve for the most experienced reloaders as well , It is probly easyer to learn now more than ever with all the youtube vids out there . I have a hornady APLNL and can do 100rnds every 10-12 min when I am in the "zone" (kids in bed,wife on a run, no distractions,etc....)
useing :
W231 $18 for 4700gr,
winSP $35 per1000
124CMJ $80 per 1000
and used brass with Taxs in I am loading for $6.60 a box of 50 and if I do an average of 500 rnd an hour =10 box = $66.00 . If I were to buy 10 box I would be around $130+/-? so probly saved $60 per thou and also $60 with that hour loading my self as I would have shot 500 of factory .
Shoot 4000 rounds you pay for your press
Did you start with a progressive ?
I imagine if a person is naturally mechanically inclined, or already is practiced in a similar trade they would not have a problem.
For the sake of due diligence, I recommend new reloaders to start simple, learn to walk before they run, just to get a feel of things. Single stage and turret presses are cheap enough you aren't out a lot of money and can still come in handy even after upgrading to progressive.
actually I did and it was a lee pro1000 to boot , probley the worst press to learn on and used it for a year , then moved up to a loadmaster and it was anouther finicky beast, then moved up to the Hornady LNL and never looked back .
I know many people that dont even use a single stage and never have as they only shoot pistol and .223 and they only run a progresive.
Buy the press that makes the most sence for your type/volume of shooting.
If you understand the concept of reloading it wont matter if its a single or progresive as you are doing the same thing but just useing a different tool .
Well, I haven't run a progressive yet. So I guess I'm not sure. Just seems like a good idea.
I run turret and and I find it a good compromise. I shoot a lot of rifle right now, maybe I'll run progressive in the future when I get into pistol.
Either way, if you got the mind for it, it's totally worth it.
I run turret and and I find it a good compromise. I shoot a lot of rifle right now, maybe I'll run progressive in the future when I get into pistol.
Either way, if you got the mind for it, it's totally worth it.
i started on the pro 1000 as well and now use 3 of them, cheap and work great when the primer system works. which is maybe 90% of the time.
i try and shoot 300 or more rounds a week, so progressive makes sense for me.
though i will get a single stage at some point for odd jobs.
i try and shoot 300 or more rounds a week, so progressive makes sense for me.
though i will get a single stage at some point for odd jobs.
back40sniper
CGN Regular
- Location
- South east Sask.
buy a Dillon 550, manual advance. Run it like a single stage until you are condident in what you are doing, then go progressive. Cheaper in the long run.
I have the LNL and a single stage, never looked back. Its a great investment, and you might as well get the single stage because if your picky and double check your work by wieghing bullets, you might have to pull a few and a press mounted bullet puller in your single stage is the way to go. My RCBS partner press complements my LNL very nicely. Good Lcuk with your choice
I just timed myself, not including brass prep, which I do the same as rifle.
Took 10 mins to bang off 50x 44mag rounds on my Lee turret press.
So, that's like, 300 rounds an hour with ready brass.
Maybe if 200 an hour if you do the same kind of prep many people do with progressive.
Took 10 mins to bang off 50x 44mag rounds on my Lee turret press.
So, that's like, 300 rounds an hour with ready brass.
Maybe if 200 an hour if you do the same kind of prep many people do with progressive.
I started on a single stage LNL and it quickly became a chore to do volume 9mm and .45
Got the APLNL and it no longer feels like a chore, can pump out rounds much faster
Now if you are doing accurate rifle rounds or expensive calibers, you likely dont need a progressive because you probably arent loading 1000's of rounds at a time and going slower to measure charges
Got the APLNL and it no longer feels like a chore, can pump out rounds much faster
Now if you are doing accurate rifle rounds or expensive calibers, you likely dont need a progressive because you probably arent loading 1000's of rounds at a time and going slower to measure charges
I can attest to the fact it will cost allot more to reload...... but you shoot way more too and you get awesome bullets.
I started loading last fall for my 7WSM rifle instead of hitting the range and shooting ten rounds I was shooting 30 rounds, this was way more expensive. So I bought a .223 as it would be less powder and cheaper. Well I figured since I was reloading I could try a custom barrel and reamed it to a 223AI. Now with load development and fire forming I can't keep powder in the house and I am shooting allot of 223AI and 7WSM.
So is it cheaper ......... with the rifle's scopes gear brass powder.......... Go for it it is fun.
I started loading last fall for my 7WSM rifle instead of hitting the range and shooting ten rounds I was shooting 30 rounds, this was way more expensive. So I bought a .223 as it would be less powder and cheaper. Well I figured since I was reloading I could try a custom barrel and reamed it to a 223AI. Now with load development and fire forming I can't keep powder in the house and I am shooting allot of 223AI and 7WSM.
So is it cheaper ......... with the rifle's scopes gear brass powder.......... Go for it it is fun.
- Location
- Halifax, NS
1) I loaded handgun with single stage before I bought my Hornady LNL AP. Never again. Takes about 4 times longer. So YES, buy a progressive.
2) I do not have a bullet or case feeder, and can load 100 rounds of 40 in about 30 minutes including primer filling. Either a bullet feeder or a case feeder would speed it up, but I doubt having both would not make it much faster than with just one. If I had $500 burning a hole in my pocket, I'd buy a case feeder.
As far as why I reload goes, I made a pie chart!
To put it into perspective, below is 288 rounds of 30-06 I loaded for the M1. That took ~9.5 hours, not including setting up the dies or cleaning. I used a Forester benchrest case trimmer and debur/champfer by hand. If I had a case prep center, it would have gone faster. Also, I cleaned, then lubed/resized and then delubed by hand. In the future, I will lube and size the 'dirty' brass, then clean.
Also, below is a pic of the 2000 rounds of 9mm and 40 I loaded. Took me about 12 hours for all 2000 rounds not including the cleaning and sorting of old brass.
As far as the Hornady LNL AP is concerned, I've got mixed feelings. Overall I highly recommend it, but the 'EZ' Ject system is a joke. It jams alot with 40, almost never with 9 fortunately. I got a free replacement from Hornady but in order to replace the god damn thing, you need to take apart the press and dremel the primer garbage chute. The primer feeding worked great, 0 issues in 2000 rounds. The powder measure is outstanding, measures 4.2gn of Win 231 to +/-0.02gn.
Also, you don't need a massive area for your progressive. I might have issues with a case feeder because of my shelving but for what I've got now, the set up works great.
Hope that helps!
2) I do not have a bullet or case feeder, and can load 100 rounds of 40 in about 30 minutes including primer filling. Either a bullet feeder or a case feeder would speed it up, but I doubt having both would not make it much faster than with just one. If I had $500 burning a hole in my pocket, I'd buy a case feeder.
As far as why I reload goes, I made a pie chart!
To put it into perspective, below is 288 rounds of 30-06 I loaded for the M1. That took ~9.5 hours, not including setting up the dies or cleaning. I used a Forester benchrest case trimmer and debur/champfer by hand. If I had a case prep center, it would have gone faster. Also, I cleaned, then lubed/resized and then delubed by hand. In the future, I will lube and size the 'dirty' brass, then clean.
Also, below is a pic of the 2000 rounds of 9mm and 40 I loaded. Took me about 12 hours for all 2000 rounds not including the cleaning and sorting of old brass.
As far as the Hornady LNL AP is concerned, I've got mixed feelings. Overall I highly recommend it, but the 'EZ' Ject system is a joke. It jams alot with 40, almost never with 9 fortunately. I got a free replacement from Hornady but in order to replace the god damn thing, you need to take apart the press and dremel the primer garbage chute. The primer feeding worked great, 0 issues in 2000 rounds. The powder measure is outstanding, measures 4.2gn of Win 231 to +/-0.02gn.
Also, you don't need a massive area for your progressive. I might have issues with a case feeder because of my shelving but for what I've got now, the set up works great.
Hope that helps!
