Progressive Reloading: Empirical Results

Onagoth

Onagoth

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So, I have been using my progressive loader for a while now always kinda knowing what it was capable of. I actually tested it tonight.

Parameters: 500 round test

Press: Hornady Lock 'n load AP
Casefeeder: Yes
Primer tubes: Loaded and ready to go
Brass: Tumbled in advance
Powder: Sufficient hopper size to cover whole session
Perceived pace: Little faster than moderate.

Start time: 6:34
End Time: 7:32

Basically, I had no stoppages except for some spray cleaning and casefeeder jams. As you can see, my results are pretty much 500 rounds per hour. :dancingbanana:

Feel free to post your results :)
 
How about a test start to finish

Now over the next several visits to your club let us know how they shot and if you have any problems!

Last time i rushed too much i had several high primers and it took me longer to check every thing than to do it slower and right the first time.
 
just having some fun said:
How about a test start to finish

Now over the next several visits to your club let us know how they shot and if you have any problems!

Last time i rushed too much i had several high primers and it took me longer to check every thing than to do it slower and right the first time.
Click to expand...

I've never had a problem with my cartridges in the past....and this time I don't expect to be any different, I was only going slighly faster than normal.
 
So what exactly is the point you are trying to make? Any progressive does the same thing; makes a bullet each time you pull the handle. If you pull the handle on any progressive 500 times in an hour, the result will be 500 loaded cartridges.
 
Why not...

I load 1,000 per session

Press: Dillon 1050
Bullet Feeder: Yes (Mr Bulletfeeder)
Casefeeder: Yes
Primers: Dillon RF 100 Primer Filler
Brass: Tumbled in advance (Slight spray of lube)
Powder: Sufficient hopper size to cover half of session
Perceived pace: my normal rate...moderate

So...every 100 rounds when I refill the primers (and drop another 100 into the filler) I give the press a quick spray of air from a small compressor)

I had one jam on this session...it appears the case had a cigarette butt in it...

I refilled the brass, powder and bullets at the 500 mark.

Total time for 1,000 just under 40 mins.

This load is 9 Major...so I have to be very smooth on the handle (it's a pretty full powder charge) I'm sure the cycle rate would be marginally faster for a normal charge weight.
 
The only rounds I've been able to run at even just 400/hr with my 650 were 44 mag rounds. And that was due uniquely to the fact I was using brand new cases. Otherwise, reloading any other calibre (but especially 38/357) is a 150-250/hr reality.
 
Onagoth - Bravo, looks like you got your LnL problems sorted out.

Peter2772000 - At that rate, your Dillon still has a bug. It can do much better.

Feel free to post your results
Click to expand...
I have been meaning to test the actual performance of my XL-650.
I'll take that as a challenge and let you know....
 
Quigley said:
Why not...

I load 1,000 per session

Press: Dillon 1050
Bullet Feeder: Yes (Mr Bulletfeeder)
Casefeeder: Yes
Primers: Dillon RF 100 Primer Filler
Brass: Tumbled in advance (Slight spray of lube)
Powder: Sufficient hopper size to cover half of session
Perceived pace: my normal rate...moderate

So...every 100 rounds when I refill the primers (and drop another 100 into the filler) I give the press a quick spray of air from a small compressor)

I had one jam on this session...it appears the case had a cigarette butt in it...

I refilled the brass, powder and bullets at the 500 mark.

Total time for 1,000 just under 40 mins.

This load is 9 Major...so I have to be very smooth on the handle (it's a pretty full powder charge) I'm sure the cycle rate would be marginally faster for a normal charge weight.
Click to expand...

:eek:

Now that's efficiency.
 
joe-nwt said:
So what exactly is the point you are trying to make? Any progressive does the same thing; makes a bullet each time you pull the handle. If you pull the handle on any progressive 500 times in an hour, the result will be 500 loaded cartridges.
Click to expand...

My point is that everyone theoretically knows the capability of their progressive press....but last night I actually figured out the practical capacity of mine.

Those two are not always the same when you factor in cleaning, refilling powders and primers, etc.
 
Hoser-eh said:
Onagoth - Bravo, looks like you got your LnL problems sorted out.

Peter2772000 - At that rate, your Dillon still has a bug. It can do much better.


I have been meaning to test the actual performance of my XL-650.
I'll take that as a challenge and let you know....
Click to expand...

Not quite....still having the casefeeder problems, but my workaround doesn't really hinder efficiency all that much.

I will be getting some .45 stuff soon, I'm fairly sure the casefeeder problems will be non-existent with that.
 
Onagoth said:
My point is that everyone theoretically knows the capability of their progressive press....but last night I actually figured out the practical capacity of mine.

Those two are not always the same when you factor in cleaning, refilling powders and primers, etc.
Click to expand...

I would agree...

I think the guys that say they get 500 plus per hour on their 550 are also the same guys that claim 30 mpg plus with their F150's ;)
 
Quigley said:
I would agree...

I think the guys that say they get 500 plus per hour on their 550 are also the same guys that claim 30 mpg plus with their F150's ;)
Click to expand...
:rolleyes:....My best time on a 550, 525rds/hr (without the casefeeder)....Leisurely reload time, approx. 425rds/hr....Talk about eyes wide shut....
 
The only hiccup I find with my 1050 is the odd primer jam. Clearing the odd jam drops my rate to maybe 1000/hour. I'm hoping that the PW Autodrive kit might eliminate some of that issue, and allow me to blast out the shellplate with compressed air while waiting for primer tubes to fill.

When I had my Projector, the best I could hope for was 375/hour, as all I had was two primer tubes and had to stop after 250.
 
Canuck223 said:
The only hiccup I find with my 1050 is the odd primer jam. Clearing the odd jam drops my rate to maybe 1000/hour. I'm hoping that the PW Autodrive kit might eliminate some of that issue, and allow me to blast out the shellplate with compressed air while waiting for primer tubes to fill.

When I had my Projector, the best I could hope for was 375/hour, as all I had was two primer tubes and had to stop after 250.
Click to expand...

How are the primers jamming?
 
Quigley said:
I would agree...

I think the guys that say they get 500 plus per hour on their 550 are also the same guys that claim 30 mpg plus with their F150's ;)
Click to expand...

:D You're gonna make enemies with a statement like that Quigley. My favorite Yarn Spinners are the guys who reload for less than the cost of the ####ing primers :confused: .

IMHO threads like this serve as a reality check for new guys looking to get into this. We can all be pretty guilty of embellishing the cost/benefit of reloading at times thus our enthusiasm isn't very fair to the curious. "Good job Onagoth"!
 
HKMark23 said:
:D You're gonna make enemies with a statement like that Quigley. My favorite Yarn Spinners are the guys who reload for less than the cost of the f**king primers :confused: .

IMHO threads like this serve as a reality check for new guys looking to get into this. We can all be pretty guilty of embellishing the cost/benefit of reloading at times thus our enthusiasm isn't very fair to the curious. "Good job Onagoth"!
Click to expand...

That way my initial intention....have a reference thread for progressive reloading speeds.

A lot of guys told me 600-700 rounds per hour when you go progressive... but there might be some assumptions in that estimate (Ie, bullet feeder, case feeder, lots of primer tubes,etc).

Plus, if you have a progressive press right now and are wondering if you need the casefeeder.....this is a pretty good point estimate of whether or not your reloading times will improve.
 
Airwolf said:
:rolleyes:....My best time on a 550, 525rds/hr (without the casefeeder)....Leisurely reload time, approx. 425rds/hr....Talk about eyes wide shut....
Click to expand...

Yep. My experience also. That's at a leisurely pace, primer tubes loaded. And quite frankly, if it takes me 2-1/2 hours to load 1000rnds, so what. It's not like I have to go anywhere after an evening in the reloading room......:)
 
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