Single stage vs progressive?

[the86d]

I would never use a SS for pistol calibers, or for generic 5.56 loads either. The current per round price for most of those calibers just doesn't justify the cost and / or time to reload...

Actually it does if you can get your ppr down real low. Factory 9 / 45 cost .18/.28 respectively. If you can reload them for .05/.07 cpr then it's still worth to reload "cheap" calibers. I believe you think otherwise because you and most reloaders like to use expensive FMJ bullets, don't look for the best component deals, dont cast/powder coat etc.

When your ppr is near .12 cents then that's when youre right that it's not worth to reload them.

"you're"

I am still reloading 5.56 M193 @ about ~$0.183rd. after tax, and shipping for pulled 62gr green tip SS109 projectiles.

Retail .223/5.56 is about $0.386/$0.4775, before tax( and shipping)...

THAT is a savings of 52-61% PER ROUND, 57% on average.

Multiply that by just 1000, one saves $203-$294, and 1000 goes fast, if using non-bolt-guns.

I started on a progressive, teaching myself, and was kicked-down a single-stage that we really only use now for my lady to reload .25ACP, or primer ejection for pulls (but I did use it for .38 SPL and .357 Mag before I got the right progressive dies), but .38 SPL and .357 MAG is really where savings can be had, in my house anyways.

[divingin]

Just got done depriming, resizing, deburring, and cleaning 40 rounds of .308 and 60 rounds for 5.56. My fingers are sore. Chamfering/deburring seems to be the worst and most tedious part.

Sounds right. I went to using the tool heads for the RCBS motorized station, but chuck them in a handheld electric drill. A quarter second of contact does all the chamfering you need.

Also do most people use a hand primer to crank out primed casings? Seems like the primer on the press would be longer to do.

Depends on what I'm loading.

Pistol ammo (NRA/Int'l bullseye shooting) gets decapped on a SS press, wet tumbled, then loaded on a LNL progressive press (size/prime; flare; charge; either seat/crimp or seat then crimp on a separate station depending on caliber.

Bulk rifle ammo gets decapped, wet tumbled, then loaded on a SS press.

Precision rifle ammo gets decapped/neck sized on an arbor press (yeah, I don't need advice on not neck sizing), primer pockets cleaned, hand primed using an RCBS tool, charged by hand, and plugged using an arbor press seater.

I personally don't see much sense in loading "match" pistol ammo. I know I am the weak link in pistol accuracy; taking pains to ensure that ammo will shoot a 1" group at 25 yds is wasted time if I can only hold a 3 -4" group.