I started reloading in Feb 2024. Since that time I've reloaded about 5000 loads, with one month off. I have read about people doing a box of shells in 2' on a progressive, and of course, longer times on a single stage. I have a MEC Sizemaster bought new, and finally have a smooth operation. I am loading Monarch shells, 1 1/8 oz, 21-ish gr of High Gun with the MEC 21 bushing, using CB6100 wads. Also i do not have the primer auto-loader working. I've never been able to get the primer tray spring to work, so just load the primer tray and pull the tray lever over when the shell is in the final crimp station.
I just timed myself doing 100 shells. I did not count setup time (shot, primers, powder, arrangement). I did the deprime separately and it took 10 min for the 100 shells. The reloading part (primer, powder, wad + shot, first crimp, second crimp) took 34.5 min. The first time I timed myself when i was pretty unexperienced, it took 60 min for 100 shells. It usually takes me 2 hrs to shoot 15 SC stations--walking with shotgun cart. So < 45 min after shooting 100 shells. That seems acceptable to me.
I would be interested to hear anyone else's times on a MEC single stage, and any suggestions. I don't need to find out about any progressive loader times, I realize they are much faster.
I just timed myself doing 100 shells. I did not count setup time (shot, primers, powder, arrangement). I did the deprime separately and it took 10 min for the 100 shells. The reloading part (primer, powder, wad + shot, first crimp, second crimp) took 34.5 min. The first time I timed myself when i was pretty unexperienced, it took 60 min for 100 shells. It usually takes me 2 hrs to shoot 15 SC stations--walking with shotgun cart. So < 45 min after shooting 100 shells. That seems acceptable to me.
I would be interested to hear anyone else's times on a MEC single stage, and any suggestions. I don't need to find out about any progressive loader times, I realize they are much faster.