I just finished handloading 800rds of 62grn Hornady FMJ with my precision load I use for 200yd shooting with in my scoped AR A4. I plan to also use them with my soon-to-arrive Ruger Ranch Rifle as I've heard that they like the 62grn bullets better than the 55grn and I've got over 6,000 of them left so what the heck. Anyway, I happened to check the time when I went downstairs in the basement so I decided to see how long it would take to do them from full caliber swap, setup, handloading, through complete cleanup. I started the process at 8:30am this morning.
As always, my reloading bench was clean and everything was stored properly. My press was set up for 7.62x51 for my M1A so I had to do a complete caliber change including everything for the Casefeeder, the Primer Assy, and the Primer Ram over to small primers. After I changed the press over to the new caliber, I got out my powder, primers, bullets, brass and assorted tools to load up 800rds, filled and adjusted the Powder Measure for the new load, and set the Bullet Seater die for the 62grn bullets. I loaded the primers into the Primer Pickup Tubes so I had them ready to load the Primer Assy.
Finally I was ready to start so I proceeded to I load up the 800rds as per normal, not hurrying, but rather enjoying the process because while it's finally sunny outside, the snow is only starting to melt and there's no way I'll be going to the range for at least a few more days. I like soft jazz playing in the background as it's soothing and keeps things mellow. During the run I didn't have any issues, just the normal filling the Primer Assy, Powder Measure, and loading. I really like the process as it's a relaxing time I get to 'be one with the ammo.' When I was done, I packed up the ammo in a 30cal ammo can plus 5ea 20rd Ruger Ranch Rifle mags, plus a small baggie with the overflow that I labeled and put with the mags, ready for the first outing with my Ruger.
I left the press set up for .223/5.56 but emptied all the powder and primers and restored them into their proper containers, put everything else back away and then cleaned up my bench and the press including blowing all the stray dust off with my air compressor. I turned out the light, closed the door and went upstairs. My watch said 10:53am. Granted, I started with processed brass that was ready to be handloaded and I was loading .223/5.56 and that is the fastest of my rifle calibers to load for some reason but still, 2 hours and 23 minutes start to finish including a caliber swap at the front end and cleaning up on the back end is pretty fast even though I wasn't hurrying at all. I didn't even work up a sweat or get hungry for lunch. Since then, I've been doing my housework (vacuuming the house and a bit of laundry while the wife is at the grocery store).
She just came home so I think I'll take her to lunch.
Oh, and the best part is that I'm still using stock I bought 7 years ago so it cost me a whopping 11.9¢ per round to make them, or $95.20 total for 800rds of fun.