How many shotshell reloads in 1 hour

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

glenns

Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
119
Location
Spokane, WA
I just started reloading 12 GA shotshells with a MEC 600 Jr Mark 5 a few months ago. I wanted to see how many shells I can load in 1 hour - I loaded 148.

Just curious how many others can load in 1 hour with a single stage reloader.

How many can you load with a progressive reloader in 1 hour?
 
Well I don't reload for speed records, but I can load 1 box of 25 12 gauge in less than 8 minutes. So if I don't have a foul up that equates to a little more than 175. but who's counting. Now when you talk progressive it goes way up if, and a big if nothing fouls up. A friend just had to "start" with a Mec 9000 and to me it ain't worth the hassle.
 
If the 9000H and I are in synch we can easily run at about 700 rds an hour with out breaking a sweat.:D The hardest thing is keeping an eye on powder and shot.

Oh yeah, a single BB in the wrong place can cause mayhem on an hydrualic.:uhoh:
 
Caution Will Robinson

I don't reload shot shell but I have seen the results of double charging handgun ammo. Each event was caused by a reloading speed demon using a fully progressive press.

Get a good rhythm going and consistently check things and be alert to changes. If the rhythm is interrupted for whatever reason, stop and clear the press.

Wyatt Earp said: "Fast is fancy, but accuracy is everything!"
 
Everyone needs to work at their own pace, be it a single station or progressive press. As the previous poster stated speed demons cause themselves some serious problems. It not that easy to double charge or empty charge a shotshell case but if you do it's going to take awhile to clear your press and the resutant mess you made by too much speed. I won't comment on pistol cases on progressive presses...you've all heard it before! :)
 
Come on guys, the guy asked a simple question and you jumped all over him. I'm sure he knows to be careful and not to try and set "speed records." He's probable only trying to find out if he's doing something right or wrong, only trying to see if he is loading in the "normal" range for that press. Cut the guy some slack.... (IMO of course ;))
 
The faster I go, the messier the jam-ups, MEC 9000.

I'm Very Happy with an average of 200 hour, including filling hoppers, occasional charge verification, shell inspection, packaging and jams / cleanup.
 
Just wanted to see if anyone had suggestions about how to load more efficiently.

Someone at our club told me to de-prime and put new primer on all shells then load powder and shot - precrimp and final crimp. I thought that was a great idea since my most common mistake is not moving the hull after putting on the primer. Result - shot all over the place.

I was not trying for 'speed record.'
 
One 'could' say that if you're forgetting to move the case to the next position,you are already going to fast.
I won't say it.
but, one could.

someone famous once said if you go slow you'll have a more harmonious outcome.
good saying.
 
I haven't tried to see how many ( how fast) i could load on a 600 for about 30 years but if memory serves me I think I could load a box in around 6 min. I mount my shotshell loaders on desks wads in one drawer hulls in the other I don't have primer feeds. dump primers on a upside down Winchester primer box keeps them from rolling around. Tried the sizing and priming separate thing don't think it saves any time. if you don't size and prime and load at the same time check your powder charges they will probaly be light
 
I tried loading in 2 stages:
1. De-prime and new primer for all hulls.
2. Powder, wad, shot, first crimp and final crimp.

Loaded 50 shells in 18 minutes or 166 in 1 hour. No problems.
 
Okay- I'll admit to using a Lee Load-All II. There. I said it. I'm cheap.

In theory I can load 100/hour (based on the avg. time to complete one shell), but it always seems to be more like 60 or so by the time I fool around with loading shot/powder, folding boxes, etc.
 
I have 650's in all 4 gauges and after setup (hulls on the left, wads on the right, primer tray, powder and shot bottles full) I get between 400 and 450 per hour. I may be a little slow but I use a stacker and re-box the loaded rounds.
 
I prefer my single stages - by the time you factor in stoppages, spilled powder and shot, and then having to box all the shells, the time difference isn't that big a deal, IMO.......If you really want to save your time factor, buy factory by the pallet
 
I have an old Ponsness-Warren 800B progressive shotshell loader. It will comfortably cycle at well over 500 per hour, and it just doesn't seem to jam.

Pausing to refill the shot & powder hoppers, reload the primer tray, box the loaded rounds, etc., cuts into overall production rate.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Patocazador
  • Locked
Shotshell Reloading???
Replies
22
Views
1K
oneounceload
O
Z
  • Locked
How many rounds per hour?
2
Replies
43
Views
3K
Rico567
R
Z
  • Locked
Ugh, too many choices
Replies
7
Views
538
Ben Shepherd
B
B
  • Locked
shotshell reloading book?
Replies
20
Views
1K
blarby
B
G
  • Locked
MEC 600 Jr Mark 5 - resizer
Replies
5
Views
1K
243winxb
243winxb
Back
Top