Breaking down your reloading time

[raffit78]

How long does it take you to reload, from start to finish.

Picking up brass, separating, or buying brass, whatever your process is. Let's hear it.


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[Whiterabbit]

I tried to write this up but failed miserably.

I can spend about 5 minutes in the shop reloading, but after that the outside world stress sloughs off and I go into a:



and I lose all track of time

[raffit78]

Haha love it!


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[Top Cat]

My only real concern is crafting the best ammo that I can, as efficiently as I can, and that translates to the best speed as well.

I've found over time that however long it takes, it doesn't take any longer to do it right.

[TKM]

When you add in the time it takes to decide what to load next and searching for the stuff that was right here the last time I looked... years.

[baih777]

Its a hobby. Time is irrelevant.

[drkphibr]

Its a hobby. Time is irrelevant.

This ^

I'm at a point where I can't tell if I reload to shoot or shoot to reload.

For those that look at reloading as a way of saving $, there will always be the argument of what your time is worth. Sure, at a component cost level, what you produce in almost every caliber, especially the larger ones, will be less expensive than what you'd pay commercially. But that also means you're working for free. So if you apply what you're paid from your career to an hourly estimate of your reloading activities, suddenly things are not so attractive from a cost savings perspective.

I believe looking at the other benefits of reloading make more sense, at least to me:

1. It's an enjoyable hobby
2. There is a level of focus and detail required
3. Making something is very satisfying, great pride in a finished, functioning product
4. The processes are relaxing to me
5. Total control over all aspects related to the load
6. Always on the lookout for a new gadget that can be added to the bench/process and trying them out (definitely no cost savings here!)
7. Online shopping as well as local shops
8. Never ending hunt for elusive supplies (double edged sword on that one)
9. Managing my own inventory/supplies
10. Not having to worry about commercial availability or cost
11. Visiting the range without having to worry about buying ammo
12. Making as much (or as little) as I want when I want

I'm sure others have more to add to the list. To me, cost is just one variable that balances the overall equation a bit more to allow attention (translation = spend) in other areas.

A very rewarding hobby. If you're forcing yourself to do it, you won't enjoy it.

[maxx03]

^^^ Well said.

[trackcage]

For me, gathering different supplies to try different loadings is the most addicting part.

[arrowshooter]

OP.....As you can see, reloading and stop watches do not go together. Personally, I primarily load 45, 9 and 223 on a single stage press in batches. I'll take say 400 cases at a time and size them, go back and flare the pistol cases or trim and chamfer the .223, then prime. I keep a rolling stash of "ready to load" cases. After that they sit until I reload them 200 at a time. Got no idea how long it takes, but I do know that I am not working, watching TV or taking a nap (at least I don't think I am napping). It's just plain quality time.

[Mike402]

This ^

I'm at a point where I can't tell if I reload to shoot or shoot to reload.

For those that look at reloading as a way of saving $, there will always be the argument of what your time is worth. Sure, at a component cost level, what you produce in almost every caliber, especially the larger ones, will be less expensive than what you'd pay commercially. But that also means you're working for free. So if you apply what you're paid from your career to an hourly estimate of your reloading activities, suddenly things are not so attractive from a cost savings perspective.

I believe looking at the other benefits of reloading make more sense, at least to me:

1. It's an enjoyable hobby
2. There is a level of focus and detail required
3. Making something is very satisfying, great pride in a finished, functioning product
4. The processes are relaxing to me
5. Total control over all aspects related to the load
6. Always on the lookout for a new gadget that can be added to the bench/process and trying them out (definitely no cost savings here!)
7. Online shopping as well as local shops
8. Never ending hunt for elusive supplies (double edged sword on that one)
9. Managing my own inventory/supplies
10. Not having to worry about commercial availability or cost
11. Visiting the range without having to worry about buying ammo
12. Making as much (or as little) as I want when I want

I'm sure others have more to add to the list. To me, cost is just one variable that balances the overall equation a bit more to allow attention (translation = spend) in other areas.

A very rewarding hobby. If you're forcing yourself to do it, you won't enjoy it.

This should the prologue of the next reloading manual that hits the shelves. Well done!

[raffit78]

Great posts guys, it is true, new to the reload stuff, reading books now. I find that more so in all the others forums, I'm constantly looking at updates and new tools in here and new information.

Like said, to me it seems more then just saving money it's really a time to spend concentration on work, patience.... I'm enjoying seeing all the threads here.




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[milotrain]

I have essentially three different processes that take very different amounts of time.

Pistol Ammo (45acp, 357/38) I don't shoot much of this, maybe 200 rounds a year but I got set up to reload it a while ago so I do.
• Brass exits gun and goes right back into the round box.
• ACP gets tumbled, 357/38 does not. I tumble 1k of ACP at once, so it's say 10min of work time, 3hrs of tumble time every three or four years.
• Dillon 550 with a toolhead for each. Tool head swap time 5min
• Fill primer tube, pull out bullets and powder 5min
• Load 100 rounds 10 min
= ~20min per 100 rounds

.223 match I pay $.05 a case for someone to process my brass. It shows up sized, trimmed and polished. I do this in 2500k lots.
• Toolhead swap time 5min (or zero because it's the thing that's always set up)
• Fill primer tube, pull out bullets and powder 5min
• Load 100 rounds 15 min
= ~25min per 100 rounds, or 400 rounds per 1hr

.30-06 match Single stage (turret so dies are preset), and I process the brass.
• Tumble or scotchbrite 50 rounds 20min
• Size 50 rounds 10min
• Trim, chamfer and debur 50 rounds 20min (or 5min with giraud trimmer)
• Tumble or wipe off sizing lube 5min
• Prime 50 rounds 10min
• Throw and trickle charges 50 rounds 20min
• Seat 50 rounds 10min
= ~1.5hrs per 50 rounds

For me a progressive was the only thing that made reloading make sense. I don't like to reload, or maybe it's more truthful to say I'd rather do other things as I don't mind doing it. I do not like doing it slowly especially when there is a reason for the ammo to exist (upcoming match). I shoot mostly .223 and I do so in a match setting. For this reason the 550 is always preset to 223 and ready to go (sans powder). I can make enough ammo for a match (88 rounds) in around 15-20 minutes from going into the garage the night before a match. It's meant a number of matches that I got to shoot rather than stay at home. I also load practice ammo in between soak times while cleaning the match rifle. A 15min soak is 100 rounds of practice ammo.

I absolutely hate making 30-06 single stage, and will soon have the 550 setup to run it. I also hate trickling up to a charge weight so if I didn't have a thrower I felt confident in, or wanted to do a lot of load dev or exact powder charges I'd buy a chargemaster or autotrickler.

Your biggest time savers or convenience devices are as follows:
• A good thrower
• A good electronic scale
• A good auto charge system (chargemaster or autotrickler)
• Hornady One Shot (you don't have to wipe the lube off, this saves a whole step of most prep processes)
• Carbide pistol dies
• An electric trimmer that chamfers and deburs
• A progressive press.
• Non Semi Auto guns (leverguns, bolt guns and wheel guns don't need their brass tumbled)

A progressive press is a huge boon for speed, but it isn't the only thing especially with rifles. In fact I'd buy all the above before a progressive and it will reduce a lot of your burned time.

[al123]

Reloading is as important as shooting to me at this time. Everyone has their own methods to manage time, but it may be difficult to quantify it each step of the way.

I allow as much time as necessary to get the job done right, including proper labeling, organizing components, and other miscellaneous tasks. However, like many people time is not a limitless resource.

To manage it, I break up this process into smaller, well define tasks. I allow a few hours for each. I try to complete a task in that you can readily see where the next stage is when you have to pick it up again.

1. Tumbling brass
2. De-priming, pocket cleaning and sorting brass
3. Priming brass (by hand)
4. Cartridge assembly

I doubt this way is time efficient, but prior to cartridge assembly it allows for redundant brass inspection. I hand prime to check for loose pockets, and to be sure that the primers are inserted in the correct orientation.

Cartridge assembly I allow the most time. The main danger is during the powder drop to avoid squibs and double charges. I use an LCT with index rod and a powder check die (for those recipes that need it). I don't rush it and I don't worry about getting N number of rounds completed per hour.

Of course this is not counting the additional fun of developing loads.

[kcstott]

How long does it take you to reload, from start to finish.

Picking up brass, separating, or buying brass, whatever your process is. Let's hear it.


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Time spent reloading is pure decompression for me. I concentrate on what I'm doing block out all other outside influences and just get to work. By the time i look up a few hours has passed.

but i also do stuff in shifts, Right now on RL550B is doing .223 55gr FMJ's
the other is set up for 45ACP and the ammomaster is either doing .308 match or .408CT. I leave post its on everything to know where i left off and what powder is in what hopper and set to drop what charge. so when i get back in there in a day or two i know right where I left off.