Daryl
11-04-2010, 07:43 AM
Hi,
I'm using they Lyman 4500 for lube sizing. If all goes well, it seems I can do about 400 9mm/38's in an hour or so. First question: is this about average for everyone?
My volume is starting to go up and I'd like to be able to do a few thousand in a sitting. Honestly, one hour at the Lyman has my back aching!
I looked at Magma's web site and found the Star plus a bullet feeder and air feed set up for 3 calibers would end up about $765.
So, my question is this: Is it worth it? What production level have you experienced with the Star vs. the Lyman?
I look at the cost of buying lead makes my material cost less than a penny a bullet. Market prices are 6-8 cents or more for a ready-to-load lead bullet. So, I figure I'm "making" a nickel a piece in labor for the whole casting, sizing, lubing operation. I can cast/size/lube about 300 an hour with my current set up- so that's about $15 per hour (of course, with taxes & the gummit's share - I'd have to be making $25 an hour or so to pay out $15 in cash to buy them).
So, how much labor would the Star save? I can figure out the "payback" in bullets for my labor once I can get an idea of the production rate.
Thanks
I'm using they Lyman 4500 for lube sizing. If all goes well, it seems I can do about 400 9mm/38's in an hour or so. First question: is this about average for everyone?
My volume is starting to go up and I'd like to be able to do a few thousand in a sitting. Honestly, one hour at the Lyman has my back aching!
I looked at Magma's web site and found the Star plus a bullet feeder and air feed set up for 3 calibers would end up about $765.
So, my question is this: Is it worth it? What production level have you experienced with the Star vs. the Lyman?
I look at the cost of buying lead makes my material cost less than a penny a bullet. Market prices are 6-8 cents or more for a ready-to-load lead bullet. So, I figure I'm "making" a nickel a piece in labor for the whole casting, sizing, lubing operation. I can cast/size/lube about 300 an hour with my current set up- so that's about $15 per hour (of course, with taxes & the gummit's share - I'd have to be making $25 an hour or so to pay out $15 in cash to buy them).
So, how much labor would the Star save? I can figure out the "payback" in bullets for my labor once I can get an idea of the production rate.
Thanks