You're welcome, aedimmick
lost sheep, thanks aton for giving me your setup! so how many rounds can you put out in an hour on the lee classic? im looking at that or the loadmaster but it seems like with caliber changes the classic would be easier. And with the folding workbench... i did a search on google shopping and there is a table at about $100 that has a flat table top and another that looks like it has two movable boards... and that one is only like $30. do you think the cheaper one would work? or should i just dish out the extra cash?
1) Loadmaster:
I retired and traded off my two progressives (Lee Pro-1000) partly because of the inconvenience of caliber changes. (And the primers dropping on the floor and the poor primer feeding) But the main reason is that I never, in 30 years, ever got comfortable with trying to watch three things happening at once. So, I would stroke the press, watching primer movement and try to see the powder drop at the same time. Stroke, feel the primer seat, stop, check the bullet seating, remember to put a fresh bullet on the next case.
I resorted to writing a checklist that I posted above the press so I would not forget any step or get one in the wrong order. I even reduced the checlist to few enough syllables that I could chant it as a mantra. (No beat to it, though. I am apparently rhythm-challenged.)
I never got used to my progressives, so they are gone and I am happier now. Your results will probably be different.
2) You mention the Lee Classic:
Please note that the Lee Classic and the Lee Classic Turret are two completely different presses. (Lee could use some advice in their naming conventions, but they have not asked me.) The Classic is a single stage and comes in two varieties, One with 7/8 -14 die threads and one that uses bushings. The Lee Classic Turret is, of course, a Turret Press (which should not be confused with the Lee Deluxe Turret, which is an older design than the Lee Classic Turret and not as nice.) See, I told you they could use some advice.
Lee Classic Press: Cast Iron Single Stage
Lee Classic Breechlock: Cast Iron Single Stage using the VERY convenient bushings
Lee Deluxe Turret: Aluminum base, early model drops primers on the ground often
Lee Classic Turret: Cast Iron base, the acme of Turret evolution in the world (to date)
3) What to mount your press on?
I have the one with the two moveable boards that crank together like a vise. But you can get by with even less sophistication than that if you are on a budget. I mentioned earlier that I used my Rockchucker mounted on a 2x6 that I wedged into an end table. It helped to have 50 lbs on the end table, but with one hand on the press and one hand on the operating lever, I never had any trouble keeping everything steady even with no weight on the table. You started out bemoaning your lack of space. Knowing no more than that, I would recommend the one that folds up into the smallest package. Add weight (books, lead, bricks, cooperative spouse, whatever) if you need more stability.
4) On processing speed:
The first time I loaded more than a few rounds, I clocked myself for 100 rounds. I had my press set up with with dies and powder dispenser mounted and ready to go, but everything empty. My balance beam scale was set up and zeroed. Components were within reach but boxed up (except the brass, which was fresh from my tumbler).
I started the clock and sat down. I opened the primer box from the shrink wrap and filled the primer feed device, filled the powder hopper and set the bullets and brass on my workbench and the floor, respectively. was able to fill the primer feed device, dump 100 cartridge cases into a bowl, open a box of bullets and pour the powder into the hopper. Threw a few charges to check the weight. (Did not have to change the disk in the dispenser-that would have blown the timed run for sure.)
I took a cartridge case from the box on the floor and inserted it into the press, and did the four strokes to load it. Bullets were on the same level as the press, so the reach there was easy. As each cartridge was completed, I took it out of the press, put it into a waiting ammo box on the floor next to my empty brass bowl and got the next case.
47 minutes later, I had two 50 round ammo boxes filled, closed and ready to take to the range. Powder poured back into its original powder container and all the gear exactly as it was when I started, ready to put away or to continue.
That was my first time out. I have not timed myself since, but expect I might be only a little faster.
I went into such detail describing my loading algorithm because the steps you include or leave out have an effect on the speed figures. Loading primer tubes takes a LOT of time. Loading Lee's primer tray takes a significant (but less) amount of time. Weighing every charge, or every 5th, 10th or 25th charge will make you slower than someone who only checks charge weights every 50 or 100 charges. Leveling the comparison field is important.
Some people claim much higher throughput, but some have also specified that they start with cartridges already primed or with other shortcuts in play. That's no slam on their claims, just realizing that a downhill bicycle race is going to yield higher speeds than an uphill race.
I used to do 50 rounds per hour on my single stage press. So, I figure my benchmark is 100 rph. I am happy with my bar set that low. It compares favorably with what I got out of my progressives (though I was handicapped by not having a the case collator).
It makes no sense to go for speed for its own sake. I load carefully. I take absolute care in assembling my tiny bombs. Caution is one corner I NEVER cut, NEVER compromise. I use speed as a gauge of how skilled I am at exercising caution. I put exactly 100 grains of caution into every cartridge I make. If I make 98 cartridges in one hour or 103, that is a measure of how well I am doing. If I make 120 sloppy cartridges, the production rate measures nothing of value (such a measure in not useful for comparing my apples and oranges and is therefore of no interest to me), not to mention the danger.
As a past handloader, I figure you know this already, but I mention these things so that anyone reading (expert to novice) will know exactly where I am coming from, understand my perspective, and hopefully, benefit.
Good luck
