Breaking down your reloading time

[kcheung2]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How long does it take you to shoot? Including loading up the car, driving time (include all stoplights), the time you spend in the drive through picking up a cup of coffee, the time to set up, the time to load up all your mags, etc. Whatever your process is.

No one keeps track of that. Like previously mentioned, pastimes & stopwatches don't go together. (unless your pastime is competitive racing) A general guideline is that time=money. If you want to load fast, be prepared to spend more money. If you're on a tight budget, expect things to take longer.

[someoneeasy]

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.

Well said.

For those who constantly argue about what your time is worth when it comes to reloading, its not like you're getting paid to shoot either. But thats all fine and dandy, they shouldn't reload anyway, I dont like competing for powder and primers

[croue]

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.

This!

[croue]

Its a hobby. Time is irrelevant.

And this!

Ask me how long it took to build the furniture in my living room that I get compliments on, but if I tried to amortize my time by the hour vs. buying something similar, I'd be arrested for human trafficking!

[croue]

And let's not even start trying to figure out what the 50 lbs of venison in my freezer cost me!

[Barbarosa]

I was curious so this past weekend I timed myself. I didn't count the time cleaning brass because I just dump it in a tumbler and walk away.

220 rounds in 50 minutes. Steady effort but not hurrying.

.38 special 158 gr LSWC, Hornady L-N-L progressive with auto case feeder. The 50 minutes included the time to load primer tubes. I don't use an auto bullet feeder because all I load is lead and they tend to gunk up the feeder.

[robert101]

Honestly, I don't want to calculate how long it took me to load 200 rounds. I'm not going to buy them at retail and I enjoy the hobby. In reality, to someone not a reloader, it takes too long - but then I don't care. I do know it takes a lot less time to shoot them.

[Divernhunter]

If you have to ask or need to break down the time, or it matters then reloading is not for you. It is another hobby and time does not count and is not important.

[Ross]

Its a hobby. Time is irrelevant.

^^^This!!!

Hobbies are meant to be fun time killers and keep a person out of trouble.

[Whiterabbit]

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.

[Chief-7700]

700 to 800 rounds per hour. Prep time 30 minutes loading 10 primer tubes, checking the powder drop, this is for .45ACP

[bohoki]

lets say time to reload 100 9mms

i use a single stage and cast my own bullets

i suppose it takes about an hour to make 200 bullets


well i pick up brass after a few that takes like 15 minutes

then sorting 9,45,accidental 40s,223s takes maybe 20 minutes

then tumble a bunch of 9mms for like 3-4 hours (not really my time as i'm not standing there staring at the media

decap and resize 100 9mm maybe takes 40 minutes

prime and bell another 45 minutes

set up powder drop and bullet depth 2 minutes

dump powder into case place in shellholder then seat bullet maybe another hour

i do it at a leisurely pace often watching tv

[Metal God]

For pistol , not to long

Buy brass from local range 0min
Deprime 1k and wet tumble 1hr 20 min
Hand prime 100 , 10min
Complete loading of 100 on classic turret press 1hr

Rifle loads take a long time

Buy brass from local range 0min
Deprime 1k and wet tumble 1hour 10min ( easier to handle from box to press then 9mm or 45acp )
FL size 1k 1hr 20min
Second tumble to remove lube 10min
Trim , debur and remove primer crimp 1k Seems like forever 2hr 30min
Dry tumble 1k and clear flash holes 30min

OK now I can start loading

Single stage at about 60 an hour

Man that hurt to right down . I need to get some faster equipment

['09CTS-V&'87Turbo-T]

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 poor guy must be about the same age as I am (72). I love to reload just as much as I love to shoot. Maybe more.
I wish that I could think this clear and put it to print as well as this.

[pennstater]

Its a hobby. Time is irrelevant.

^^^This seems to be a popular post. And I completely agree! Being two months into retirement, I'm learning just how much time I can now really enjoy handloading. baih777, genius my friend!