primlantah
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Cant reload fast enough to support your habit? What time saving tips do you have for reloading?
Reloading Time Saving Tips
- Thread starter primlantah
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freakshow10mm
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Buy a 1050.
ReloaderFred
Member
Do large batches of brass one step at a time. I typically size and deprime in batches of roughly 1,000. When I'm in the mood, then I'll prime them, so when I want to load finished ammunition, all I have to do is add powder and bullets.
I've got about 4,000 rounds of .38 brass all primed and ready to load, so when I've got the time to load them, all the preliminary work is done.
It may not really be faster to do it this way, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood to do the whole process, but sizing and depriming brass is kind of a release for me, so I don't mind doing a couple thousand in a session.
Hope this helps.
Fred
I've got about 4,000 rounds of .38 brass all primed and ready to load, so when I've got the time to load them, all the preliminary work is done.
It may not really be faster to do it this way, but sometimes I'm just not in the mood to do the whole process, but sizing and depriming brass is kind of a release for me, so I don't mind doing a couple thousand in a session.
Hope this helps.
Fred
The Bushmaster
Member
I shoot no more then I can load on a turret. I have my own 25 yard range in the back yard. Load in the evening and shoot the next day.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Power Tools!
I clean primer pockets with a Dremel wire brush set on low speed.
Chamfer, debur, and trim with tools chucked in a small hobby lathe.
All goes as fast as I can pick'm up & throw'm in cans.
I have a gallon can hanging under my left hand on the press. As I take them out of the shell holder, I just have to let go of them and they fall in the can.
And like Fred, I like to do large batches in steps.
Just take it one day at a time, and before long, you got a whole lot of cases ready to drop powder & seat bullets.
rcmodel
I clean primer pockets with a Dremel wire brush set on low speed.
Chamfer, debur, and trim with tools chucked in a small hobby lathe.
All goes as fast as I can pick'm up & throw'm in cans.
I have a gallon can hanging under my left hand on the press. As I take them out of the shell holder, I just have to let go of them and they fall in the can.
And like Fred, I like to do large batches in steps.
Just take it one day at a time, and before long, you got a whole lot of cases ready to drop powder & seat bullets.
rcmodel
jmorris
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For pistol I actually like my 650’s (yeah the more you have the less time you spend on setup) better than my 1050, but for crimped primer pockets the 1050 is the only way to go. Of course the case feeder is a time saver. Also the RF100 primer filler saves quite a bit of time. The bullet feeders save time and allow folks with hands that cramp up like mine to load long runs without having to take a bunch of breaks.
In the other areas of reloading: Brass cultivators save time and a lot of bending over while picking up range brass. Brass sorters can save countless hours separating the various calibers. A large tumbler and media separator are also nice to have when it comes to cleaning.
In the other areas of reloading: Brass cultivators save time and a lot of bending over while picking up range brass. Brass sorters can save countless hours separating the various calibers. A large tumbler and media separator are also nice to have when it comes to cleaning.
Possum Hollow Trimmer:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4438781
Also, set up everything before you start. Fill the powder hopper and primer tray. Make sure you have enough components ready. It stinks having to dig around for more bullets because "I swore they were over here. But they're not."
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4438781
Also, set up everything before you start. Fill the powder hopper and primer tray. Make sure you have enough components ready. It stinks having to dig around for more bullets because "I swore they were over here. But they're not."
WayneConrad
Member
Never have an empty hand when working the press.
Right hand stays on the handle. Left hand brings a new case to the press, then switches the new case for a worked case, then brings the worked case back to the loading block while my right hand works the handle.
It's the same idea as a so-called "tactical reload" in pistol.
Right hand stays on the handle. Left hand brings a new case to the press, then switches the new case for a worked case, then brings the worked case back to the loading block while my right hand works the handle.
It's the same idea as a so-called "tactical reload" in pistol.
jenrob
Member
Small cat feeder for my bullets. just fill it with the bullets and it will dispense them as you use them.
Have and empty primer tray. When you open a new pack of primers stick the empty on top of it and flip it over then take the cover from my primer flip try and place it on top of the primer tray and flip it over. All primers anvil down ready to pick up.
When I trim brass I use an RCBS power trimmer with a 3way cutter turned into a 2way cutter. I don't like the debur (I use VLD debur) on the 3way so I put a standard pilot in place as the trimmer is trimming I use an RCBS trim mate to debur.
Have you wife mow the yard so you can reload, but make sure you have a comfortable couch.
use a universal decap die to do crimped brass on a progressive with a case feeder (if you don't have a 1050) to prep for swagging.
If you load on a progressive and single stage have a set of dies for both. this way you don't have to readjust you dies.
Rather than adjusting you seater die or buying a comp seater die just get an extra seater die for different bullets and etch it for the bullet that it will be used for. 45acp 200LSWC and 230 XTP two dies just need to swap out the seater the rest stays the same.
If you buy mixed headstamp brass while sorting it and inspecting it have a can of imperial wax and put a dab on. Brass will be ready to use. Course tumble before you sort. This is good for progrssive users.
If useing digital calipers always have 2 extra batteries cause the 1 extra you have is bad and the store is closed.
Have and empty primer tray. When you open a new pack of primers stick the empty on top of it and flip it over then take the cover from my primer flip try and place it on top of the primer tray and flip it over. All primers anvil down ready to pick up.
When I trim brass I use an RCBS power trimmer with a 3way cutter turned into a 2way cutter. I don't like the debur (I use VLD debur) on the 3way so I put a standard pilot in place as the trimmer is trimming I use an RCBS trim mate to debur.
Have you wife mow the yard so you can reload, but make sure you have a comfortable couch.
use a universal decap die to do crimped brass on a progressive with a case feeder (if you don't have a 1050) to prep for swagging.
If you load on a progressive and single stage have a set of dies for both. this way you don't have to readjust you dies.
Rather than adjusting you seater die or buying a comp seater die just get an extra seater die for different bullets and etch it for the bullet that it will be used for. 45acp 200LSWC and 230 XTP two dies just need to swap out the seater the rest stays the same.
If you buy mixed headstamp brass while sorting it and inspecting it have a can of imperial wax and put a dab on. Brass will be ready to use. Course tumble before you sort. This is good for progrssive users.
If useing digital calipers always have 2 extra batteries cause the 1 extra you have is bad and the store is closed.
sublimaze41
Member
If using an automatic powder dispenser like a Lymann, and loading large rifle charges, partially fill the pan before starting the actual dispensing.
For example, If I am loading 55 grains I fill a .44 Mag case with powder, dump it in the tray and hit enter. Instead of dispensing 55 grains it has to only dispense 5 grains. This reallysaves me time.
For example, If I am loading 55 grains I fill a .44 Mag case with powder, dump it in the tray and hit enter. Instead of dispensing 55 grains it has to only dispense 5 grains. This reallysaves me time.
Floppy_D
Member In Memoriam
Organization will set you free. Find spots where things can be reached without you moving too far.
Unisaw
Member
jenrob, can you provide some more detail about the small cat feeder idea? I don't get it.
jfh
Member.
For me, being organized is the key--nothing special, but my most-used bullets sit on the back of my bench, the turrets/dies and measures on a shelf immediately above them, and the powder storage is by my knees.
Being organized does set you free--and so do die sets in turrets. I have separate sets for my turret and my progressive, and even separate sets for certain calibers--e.g., 38 Special and 357 Mag, .40S&W and 10mm.
The second tip is routine maintenance on the presses--I clean the (Lee) turret every 200-300 rounds and relube it; the Load-Master gets intermittent maintenance (that pesky primer system) as needed (varies widely), but a complete cleanup every 2,000 - 3000 rounds.
With the Load-Master, I organize for extended runs--prefill primer trays, prefill case feeder tubes, stack up extra Akro bins to drop in, that sort of thing.
Last night I loaded 80 rounds on the Load-Master in 11 minutes--and that includes a minute of "confirmation time" that the dies were set properly for the bullet selection, and 30 seconds or so to refill the case collator. That was all I wanted to do, and it was the end of the primer tray.
Being organized does set you free--and so do die sets in turrets. I have separate sets for my turret and my progressive, and even separate sets for certain calibers--e.g., 38 Special and 357 Mag, .40S&W and 10mm.
The second tip is routine maintenance on the presses--I clean the (Lee) turret every 200-300 rounds and relube it; the Load-Master gets intermittent maintenance (that pesky primer system) as needed (varies widely), but a complete cleanup every 2,000 - 3000 rounds.
With the Load-Master, I organize for extended runs--prefill primer trays, prefill case feeder tubes, stack up extra Akro bins to drop in, that sort of thing.
Last night I loaded 80 rounds on the Load-Master in 11 minutes--and that includes a minute of "confirmation time" that the dies were set properly for the bullet selection, and 30 seconds or so to refill the case collator. That was all I wanted to do, and it was the end of the primer tray.
primlantah
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Holly molly! the 1050 is expensive! 
I have read a lot about it and seen many of you recommend it. I have to admit i really like what i have seen... but man. I was gonna buy an AR but i guess the press is going to blow that out of the water. Its a shame im addicted to this stuff. :banghead:
I have read a lot about it and seen many of you recommend it. I have to admit i really like what i have seen... but man. I was gonna buy an AR but i guess the press is going to blow that out of the water. Its a shame im addicted to this stuff. :banghead:
zxcvbob
Member
Get a Lee Hand Press and do your brass prep ahead of time (while sitting in the easy chair watching TV with a delicious cold beverage.)
primlantah
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I have been using a Lyman turret style(crusher2 i think). it takes me about 1.5-2 hours to load 100 rounds of 45acp. Either im missing something or progressive presses are the way to do it. This is my conclusion from seeing how many yall can do in an hour.
with that said, i know little about progressive presses. The Load-Master looks like a viable option for me but i have a couple questions. Can i continue to hand prime if im using a progressive? Would hand priming be better or worse than autopriming?
with that said, i know little about progressive presses. The Load-Master looks like a viable option for me but i have a couple questions. Can i continue to hand prime if im using a progressive? Would hand priming be better or worse than autopriming?
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jenrob
Member
In place of the loaded rounds just put your bullets. it will hold 500+ rounds
Don't stop on the AR cause of the price of a 1050. Half of use would like to have one but don't. And if I had to chose one press it would be the 650 or Hornady LNL. Just cause both have lifetime warrenty and the 1050 is more than what most of use really need.
If you get an AR look at the LNL or 650 they will load plenty of ammo for you.
jfh
Member.
re the cat feeder:
I dunno about your cat, but my cat would be pissed to find bullets instead of his Science Diet-Indoor Cat-Mature Adult-7+ kibble....
primlantah:
If you are process-oriented and enjoy trouble-shooting, Lee progressives are excellent values and produce good ammo. They are also quirky and need attention; do a google search in this forum to read about the buyers who gave up on their Load-Master, or Pro 1000, or whatever.
I recently went through a spate of primer problems on my Load-Master; that is its weak spot--but it can be solved. Yes, you could prime off the press.
Were I buying now, I would probably get a Hornady LnL.
A less-expensive alternative is the Lee Classic Cast Turret. On that one, you can realistically load 180-240 rounds an hour. And, when Lee finally starts marketing the Classic Cast Progressive, there will be a Turret Update kit along as well...
Jim H.
I dunno about your cat, but my cat would be pissed to find bullets instead of his Science Diet-Indoor Cat-Mature Adult-7+ kibble....
"...Either im missing something or progressive presses are the way to do it. This is my conclusion from see how many yall can do in an hour.
"with that said, i know little about progressive presses. The Load-Master looks like a viable option for me but i have a couple questions. Can i continue to hand prime if im using a progressive? Would hand priming be better or worse than autopriming?"
"with that said, i know little about progressive presses. The Load-Master looks like a viable option for me but i have a couple questions. Can i continue to hand prime if im using a progressive? Would hand priming be better or worse than autopriming?"
primlantah:
If you are process-oriented and enjoy trouble-shooting, Lee progressives are excellent values and produce good ammo. They are also quirky and need attention; do a google search in this forum to read about the buyers who gave up on their Load-Master, or Pro 1000, or whatever.
I recently went through a spate of primer problems on my Load-Master; that is its weak spot--but it can be solved. Yes, you could prime off the press.
Were I buying now, I would probably get a Hornady LnL.
A less-expensive alternative is the Lee Classic Cast Turret. On that one, you can realistically load 180-240 rounds an hour. And, when Lee finally starts marketing the Classic Cast Progressive, there will be a Turret Update kit along as well...
Jim H.
primlantah
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are all turret presses built equal? I see alot of recommendations for the lee turret. How does this compare to the lyman crusher 2 i have been using? would it be like comparing ford rangers to mazda b2300s?
The lee progressive so far seems to be the most viable for me unless im going about this wrong. The single most time consuming part my my reloading process is getting accurate powder charges measured(using the crap that came with the lyman kit). Do yall think that a better measure and scale would help?
The lee progressive so far seems to be the most viable for me unless im going about this wrong. The single most time consuming part my my reloading process is getting accurate powder charges measured(using the crap that came with the lyman kit). Do yall think that a better measure and scale would help?
jfh
Member.
primlantah: Since I don't want to have this discussion to segue into a brand war, I'll answer briefly:
1. I'm really only familiar with Lee brands--but nearly everyone speaks highly of the Lee Classic Cast Turret. It's well-built 'smart,' so to speak. I'd probably call it a working F350 versus a Mack pickup of some sort, to use your analogy.
As for measures--again, Lee is good value stuff: The Pro version of the Auto-disk works well for me, and I still use the Lee Scale, although others don't care for it.
Here's two links for you to use for research on this Lee Turret, and related accessories.
1. A review of the Classic Cast Turret and related accessories; and
2. a thread here that discusses more gear, with more links.
I suspect that, for many people, learning to use "the next step up" in presses beyond a single stage or a manual turret is the single most time-benefit move they can make in their reloading hobby. The Lee Turrets, with their auto-indexing that can be disabled in 10 seconds, help span the range of press operation and production.
Jim H.
1. I'm really only familiar with Lee brands--but nearly everyone speaks highly of the Lee Classic Cast Turret. It's well-built 'smart,' so to speak. I'd probably call it a working F350 versus a Mack pickup of some sort, to use your analogy.
As for measures--again, Lee is good value stuff: The Pro version of the Auto-disk works well for me, and I still use the Lee Scale, although others don't care for it.
Here's two links for you to use for research on this Lee Turret, and related accessories.
1. A review of the Classic Cast Turret and related accessories; and
2. a thread here that discusses more gear, with more links.
I suspect that, for many people, learning to use "the next step up" in presses beyond a single stage or a manual turret is the single most time-benefit move they can make in their reloading hobby. The Lee Turrets, with their auto-indexing that can be disabled in 10 seconds, help span the range of press operation and production.
Jim H.
floydster
Member
What is a 1050?
floydster
Member
And is it anything like a 1060?
bluetopper
Member
I hope it's not as complicated as a 1040?
I reload in large single-stage batches too on my Lee turret.
I reload in large single-stage batches too on my Lee turret.
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the 1050 is a press made by dillon.
i wouldn't go so far as to recommend it. it's not for everyone. when i bought mine years ago, they were several hundred bucks cheaper. don't get me wrong: i love it. but there are more economical options if your volume isn't that high
i wouldn't go so far as to recommend it. it's not for everyone. when i bought mine years ago, they were several hundred bucks cheaper. don't get me wrong: i love it. but there are more economical options if your volume isn't that high
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