Quote:
Originally Posted by Chief Roundup
How much time does it take to do 100 rounds?
How much does it cost to make 100 rounds?
Do you feel safe loading your own?
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Time: it depends on what machine you're using. A single-stage press might take about an hour to produce 100 rds. A turret about half an hour or less if you're very familiar with your press and the round you're producing. A progressive press is variable, but a typical entry-level progressive will probably make 100 rds every 20 minutes or so. i ran a turret for 6-7 years before transitioning to a progressive last year, so I can run slightly more than 275 rds/hr (straight-wall pistol) per hour. The progressive I'm still getting used to, but without trying very hard I can make over 300-350 rds/hr on it. Probably once I'm really used to it I'll be able to do over 400/hr.
Cost: for certain calibers you can discount the cost of brass (low-pressure rounds), which is the case for 9mm. 9mm brass can be reloaded infinitely (or close enough), so we don't count the cost of brass. Between primer, powder, and projectile, about 10 cents/rd. Or $100/1,000 rds. Of course, I bought all of my materials over the last 6-7 years so prices were lower. Right now that same round might cost 17 or 18 cents to make.
Safety: After you've loaded a few thousand rounds you get comfortable with your press, equipment, materials, and your system. Once that happens you feel pretty safe. In fact, for me (and many people I know that reload) the process is actually very relaxing. It's kind of like doing yoga or something.
As for shooting your own: The first time I pulled the trigger of one of my own rounds, I was a little nervous. But it went off just like a manufactured bullet, and now (11 years and more than 100,000 rds later) I actually have more faith in my rounds vs. manufactured, because I know exactly what's in one of my cartridges.