Reloading - The Way It Oughta Be

[Ugly Dwarf]

I have been planning to hit the range tomorrow and I thought I was low on .45 - as it turns out, I still had a few hundred rounds loaded.

I headed out to the garage, confirmed I had the right tool head and conversion parts on the 550, loaded up some powder and primers, confirmed the powder charge and got to it.

20-25 minutes later (not rushing at all), I had 200 rounds ready to go.

Now if only it would go like that with everything I load.

Just thought I'd share.

Dwarf

[smokingloon]

you make it sound to easy.... i think it is time to upgrade to a progressive

[Ugly Dwarf]

I started out loading .35 Rem on a single stage, then tried my brothers Dillon 550B. I bought a tool head and conversion parts from Dillon the next week and haven't looked back.

It RARELY goes so easy to me, and this was one of the few times I think I've come close to Dillons advertised 600 rounds per hour on a 550. That said, I can usually crank out 300-400 an hour without much effort (taking breaks every 100 rounds to fill primers and powder). Rifle cartridges take (me) longer. Perhaps 200 - 300 RPH.

Still, it would take me a couple hours to load 50 rounds of .35 on that single stage. I'm just not that paitent.

[USN CHIEF]

you make it sound to easy.... i think it is time to upgrade to a progressive

I have never loaded on a single stage, but I have seen different people use a single stage and I really would not have the patience and time to load the amount of ammo that I load for my shooting needs. Just like the OP, I was able to load 700 rounds of .223 in about 2 hours while watching a movie last night

[TonyM]

Yep, I get 800/hr out of my 650 without much effort at all when loading my straight walled cases. Well, I get about 500 per hour when doing 500S&W, as with the increased powder charge I like to slow down more to make sure all the powder drops.

I couldn't imagine doing quantity volume on a single stage at this point.

[Army GI]

Yeah, after loading my very first time loading 100 rounds of 223 on a single stage, I knew without a doubt I needed to upgrade to a progressive. My Dillon 550 should be getting here this week!!

[What Just Happened?]

I've been reloading on a Lee Auto-Index Turret press and would like to upgrade to a Dillon / Hornady progressive one day, but I just can't seem to get enough funds together. They always seem to be drained by ammo and range fees

[Army GI]

Just do what I did, put away $100 per paycheck (somewhere you can't spend it like underneath the dresser or something) and before you know it you'll be buying a Dillon 550 for a mere $405 shipped.

[wrench]

And keep your eyes open... Although I wouldn't wait for a "deal" they do sometimes pop up. I was at a shop where they had a 650 that looked like it had been scavenged as a demo model. I figured, "what the heck" and asked the guy if he would sell me the case feeder. "Sure! How about $100"... It didn't take me long! And then he gave me two discs! Eek! I got wise and the next day I asked him about the press. Turns out that he actually had all the "scavenged" parts in the back. I got it, and a bunch of conversion kits, etc, for a steal. I sold my other 650 (in box) off, along with some other stuff. I think I have maybe $350 to $400 into my 650 and I have a case feed, bullet tray, strong mount, about 6 toolheads, conversion dies, etc. You get the picture... Basically a lot of stuff. I have to admit that I was extremely lucky, but these types of things do come up occasionally. You just need to jump when you see them!

[ar15barrels]

I was able to load 700 rounds of .223 in about 2 hours while watching a movie last night

Don't do that.

[Timberland]

I would be able to say I could load .45, but I keep breaking parts

[ar15barrels]

I would be able to say I could load .45, but I keep breaking parts

Why?
I have never broken anything loading 45.

[stphnman20]

I did close to 400 45acp in about an hour with a turret press the other day.

Timberland, what are you breaking?

[Sunwolf]

Personal best:480 rounds of .308 in 35 minutes.I never did it again.

[s10rick]

Personal best:480 rounds of .308 in 35 minutes.I never did it again.

Thats pretty damn good if you ask me.

I am still fresh to reloading and take my time to double check EVERYTHING on my Dillon. Currently Im pumping out around 200 rounds of .45 per hour. I dont plan on speeding up until I know the press better.

-Rick