So it takes me about 2hrs to load

Yeah it just don't seem fair! Bought a progressive press and turned those times around.

It takes me an hour to drive to the range and an hour to drive home again so half an hour of shooting is all gravy.

That's exactly why I upgraded to a progressive. Yesterday I loaded 100 .40s in 18 minutes, a leisurely pace for some folks, but fast enough to make my math work out right.

I loaded single stage for 20 years before going progressive. I regret all the time I wasted.

Python I'm feeling you....I used a Single Stage RCBS for years and when I started shooting AR's I purchased a Dillon 550 and felt like kicking myself for all the long nights I used to put in making ammo. I still use the RC press but it mostly holds my Dillon 1200 trim motor which is another tool you shouldn't be without if you process rifle brass on you progressive. I can cut about 400-500 brass easily and perfectly so fast it makes me laugh when I think of cranking the handle on my old trimming tool for hours. I understand people have financial limitations which is why I didn't make the plunge for so long but now I can process 1000 5.56 in a weekend and still have time to get the other things I need to do done. My progressive processed ammo is just as good or better than my single stage. Single stage will always have a place on my bench but I use it much less than I used to since its so easy to just pull a quick change toolhead off its holder, slide it into the Dillon, set up the shell plate and I am in business in 15 minutes for the whole change over.

I still consider myself a rookie, so I don't mind taking a long time. I might upgrade to a turret press eventually.

I'm at 75/hr all on single stage, but that's in batches if 1000 or more. Run all through a stage, then run all through next stage until all are complete.

Dillon Precision Products
8009 E. Dillon's Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85260

800-223-4570

They will cure your problems.

WestKentucky, get a Dillon and you can get 800 an hour. Some report more.

For batches of ammunition around 100-150 rounds, I really do not see any time saving, lights on to lights off, between the progressive and singe stage presses. But, I rarely load the same cartridge on the progressive two sessions in a row. I am constantly setting up the press and powder measure.

Of course, for large batches, there is no contest.

But then I enjoy reloading and spend time in the reloading room many evenings a week.

I grew up on a .256winmag lee loader being preached to inspect after each step. I tried a progressive shotgun loader and truly despised it. I will keep my rockchucker mounted next to my challenger.

medalguy said:

WestKentucky, get a Dillon and you can get 800 an hour. Some report more.

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That sure is fast.

I've reloaded 20-25 different calibers with a single stage for over 30 years. I'm in no hurry...it helps the winter pass and I don't have to watch reality crud on TV.

Started off on a RCBS a year and a half ago then moved up to a Redding T-7 turret press. Now within the past month I've bought 2 xl-650's. One xl for .45acp the other for 9mm. Still use the Redding for .357 and .44mag though since I only load up 100 or so at a time. And the RCBS is used for 454 cassul also no more than 100 at a time. So I guess they all have a purpose. But the Dillons are sweet though.

Many people feel the Lee Classic cast Turret press with the mounted powder feeder & primer feeder is the perfect compromise between a single and full progressive.
And for under $200 its a pretty sweet deal too.

Being as I have thousands upon thousands of 9mm brass that I have picked up over the years with all of already deprimed. sized, and tumbled/polished I normally do not count case prep time as time spent reloading.

Priming cases for reloading is usually spent while watching a show on TV, so that doesn't count as time either.

Actual time spent charging cases and bullet insertion is very little, can easily do a few hundred an hour in a rush, but usually only do 100 to 150 an hour as I like to work at a leisurely pace.

This is how I just enjoy doing it, with 2 single stage presses side by side, one with a Lee Auto Disk mounted, and the other with the seating die mounted.

No reason to rush when smelling the roses.

The math ain't working out.

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No, it doesn't for me either. I had gone back to single staging my .357mags and was shooting around 100 rounds a week.
OH LORD.

I resurrected my old pro1000, dismantled it and put it back together. As long as I don't prime on it the darn thing is working pretty well. I had retired it to de-priming duties which it worked supreme for but I believe I am going to have to do something this year. I now have 3 pistol calibers I single staging due to lack of equipment. My LNL-AP is set up for 9mm and will stay that way.
I believe I will be buying a second LNL-AP with out a case feeder for all my other pistol calibers and leave my single stage for rifle and loading run cleanups (like pulling bullets and such).
I have a bad habit of leaving my 9mm loading go until I have around 2k that need loaded but I know my 9mm machine will handle that in a few hours and I'm good to go for a while again. That works for me.
The .357s, .327s, and 41mags are work in progress all the time whether I have the time or not. That has to change.

When you get your first progressive you'll go from being a slave to the single stage to "what the hell just happened?" I'm done already?

It's a beautiful thing.

I like to drag it out. So i think i'll keep my LCT.

I find that with my Pro2000 if I am not really pushing it, I can load at about the rate I shoot. So I can load up and box up and log in a 1000 rounds in about 3 hours which is close to my burn rate so it all works out.

The key is to spend time on the single stage and work out the loads you want to production.

Cold mid winter nights and inclement weather spring and fall give me a chance to load more than I shoot all summer as it is. All precision loaded ammo on a SS press or two FWIW. I also have a metric butt load of processed brass that only needs a primer and then load em up as needed. when I get the urge. When I get into the zone 200-300 finished rounds an hour is not uncommon as the prep is what takes the time to me. I am presently using brass that was prepped 2+ years ago and put into ZipLoc bags after a tumble in Nufinish and look like I cleaned/sized them yesterday.

The key is having enough brass on hand that you can have a years normal use processed ahead so there are no holdups to get to reloading. If you plan ahead I find there are few problems loading what some here would call the slow way. YMMV

That is why we moved up to a progressive and AP in my case (LNL-AP). Output in the 500-600/hr makes short work out of a daunting process. A lot easier on the tennis elbow too.

I don't mind the time it takes either. Not a race to see how many I can spit out an hour or how fast I can shoot.... Of course, I do not shoot semi-autos except a bit of .22LR once in awhile. For the most part my shooting is all single action, so don't go through enough that the single stage press and hand priming is a problem and worry about getting behind.... Get a Old Army or other cap/ball revolver and then you don't worry ever again . About time to get one of mine out again for some smoky fun!