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Building the Perfect Reloading Room
- Thread starter sirhrmechanic
- Start date
I have a non security just plain steel/ industrial building type door if you happen to be in Arizona.
The pending reloading area. As soon as the painters get done, I'll get to work on it.
Lucky dog. You already have 4x the shelf area I’m squeezed into.
Nice can placement for the upcoming bench.
I'm going from a 48"x 26" bench with the annealer and trimmer on a 24" sq. table in the "living room" at the current residence to about
550 sq. ft. in the new place.
Sheetrock should be floated today and Ill get it painted before the weekend.
Before I start building my bench, I have a question about T Tracks. People who have them, do you like them? Would you do it again? I use the inline fab quick mount system, I do think that the tracks would make it a little easier and of course more modular.
Before I start building my bench, I have a question about T Tracks. People who have them, do you like them? Would you do it again? I use the inline fab quick mount system, I do think that the tracks would make it a little easier and of course more modular.
Not a professional at floating Sheetrock or texturing it by any means. But it’s done, should be painted tomorrow, then baseboards, and benches and shelves going in this weekend (hopefully). I should have masked off the floor, that crap got everywhere!
I don't have any 8 pounders of anything on hand. Can anyone give me dimensions of some 8 pound powder containers? I'm trying to design some shelves.
Accurate / Ramshot - 8lb - 5.5"x5.5" x 10.75" tall
Hodgedon/Winchester-8lb. - 7" x 4.5" x 10.5" tall
Hodgedon/Winchester-8lb. - 7" x 4.5" x 10.5" tall
I’ve been tinkering with the idea of getting back into reloading. I’m in desperate need of a hobby. Long story short, we have a special needs son who just turned 12. He has epilepsy caused by a mutated gene. Started at 4 months old. We are confined to our house and have been for 12 years.
The set ups you guys have are amazing. Those Dillon set ups are very intimidating. I sold off my RCBS single stage press and everything else when I sold my 338 Lapua 10+ years ago. I’d mainly be reloading 45 ACP, 9mm, and my hunting rifles. I’ll keep lurking this forum to further educate myself/get up to date on everything. I also need to start piecing together reloading components. I won’t piece together press stuff yet until I decide which one to go with. I don’t shoot near as much as you guys, so a multi stage I’d probably be okay with (skip on a progressive for now)
Sorry for the ramble, again, VERY nice setups you folks have.
The set ups you guys have are amazing. Those Dillon set ups are very intimidating. I sold off my RCBS single stage press and everything else when I sold my 338 Lapua 10+ years ago. I’d mainly be reloading 45 ACP, 9mm, and my hunting rifles. I’ll keep lurking this forum to further educate myself/get up to date on everything. I also need to start piecing together reloading components. I won’t piece together press stuff yet until I decide which one to go with. I don’t shoot near as much as you guys, so a multi stage I’d probably be okay with (skip on a progressive for now)
Sorry for the ramble, again, VERY nice setups you folks have.
Bro!!! You are a giant among us and talking about being intimidated by a press??? You are intimidating to me! I feel very sure you can do it and much more. I think a turret is the best press to start with, so you can leave dies set up. But don't be afraid to get a dillon 550. You can feed it when you're ready and crank out pistol ammo and do rifle on it but I really hate changing shell plates on it so I personally wouldn't switch back and forth. Unless it's a lot of rounds a turret will be great for rifle and dillon for pistol. A man that has done all that you have and do will have no trouble, and if you do, you have the best resource there is right here at the Hide. Go for it
Spent my entire life working with families with special needs children and adults. I understand.
Don’t be intimidated by Dillon 550’s. They look very intimidating but when you get it home, read the directions to set it up and go. it really is much simpler than it looks.
The biggest problem you will have is switching from large to small primers. So, depending on which you reload more, 9mm or 45 and hunting rounds, set up your first Dillion with that primer size and leave that part alone. Go with a single stage for the other. A good used single stage press will last you forever. Also, the biggest expense and the greatest ease/use of the 550 is to have separate tool head for each caliber. Really saves time.
Loading either 9mm and 45 ACP on a 550 is a real breeze compared to a single stage. Takes minutes rather than hours.
If you aren’t looking for automation and etc, you might consider the RCBS supreme. One of the best at seating concentrically in case you want to get back into rifle reloading. I do my 45 colt and 9 mm on mine with zero complaints.
Tis a fine hobby. I often refer to it as “knitting” for men, and I am not the least bit worried about production as I focus on accuracy and safety and just the basic process.
Hugs for you and your family. Your dedication is more than just commendable.Funny thing is, my wife got all the info to buy me a Dillon 650 when they made it almost a decade ago. I caught wind and told her not to spend the money on it, didn’t have the time. I kick myself for that. I’m a buy once, cry once type of guy. Maybe I should go with the 550 for my handgun and 5.56 loading and a RCBS for my hunting rounds.
Powder Valley is only 30 minutes from where I live.
What are some other reloading websites you all use? Also, who do people order their Dillon’s from?
You can save money buying one used on here. They come up regularly for sale. I traded for mine. You can also check our Double Alpha. They are pretty good.
https://www.doublealpha.biz/
Thanks. I’ll keep an eye on the classifieds. To reply or post on the classifieds, is there a wait/post count like on 1911 Addicts before I can reply or post?
Custom 1911’s are my addiction, but I love rifles just as much. Custom rifle build is definitely on the top of my list.. along with getting set up to reload.
Thanks for all the help
You can buy stuff without being a supporter. In order to create a post to sell something, you must be a supporter and pay the 20 bucks I think it is. I always do yearly so I am not sure but it's cheap either way. The other online training ect is also included for being a supporter, which is actually a lot more useful than it may seem. There's a rules thread at the top of the "Buy/Sell/Trade forum if there's any particulars you are wondering about. Glad to have you here.
Kansas man huh? Our son was stationed at McConnell for quite a few years, navigating KC135's. (that would be when he wasn't flying missions over Iraq or Afghanistan, or serving in country in Iraq.)
Kansas; Don't get me started on the Flint Hills. Especially that section north of El Dorado. That is some place, I could go on for hours. (for you other folks, you have to see it, no experience it, to have a frame of reference. Its special )
So, been to Powder Valley many times. Nice to be able to do business locally. Put in your oder on line, pop into the truck a few days later and pick it up.
As far as presses, get new 550 and if your loading table is standing height, get the strong mount and the bullet holder. Our son uses the roller handles, I use the ball, to each his own, I prefer the ball. Single stage, a good ole RCBS or Redding will work for the rest of your life. Used single stage presses are fine. However, if you get a Redding, get the Big Boss. The Boss is a fine machine but a touch to small for 30-06 length cartridges, where the Big Boss has plenty of room. I own the Boss and mainly purchased it for case forming in my IHMSA days, where everything we shot was either a wildcat or a standard round that was so rarely available, it was easier to make brass than to try to find brass. Now it gets used to load 6.5 Creedmoor, and 6GT as well as occasionally .243 for Brenda. For the .25-06 and .35 Whelen, it can work but my old (purchased used) Lyman Orange Crush press has plenty of room.
Finally, here is the caveat about buying used. I purchased a rather old Lyman press a few decades ago. it worked fine, until the top of the ram where the shell holder went bad. So, in the interim, I purchased the Redding. A bit later, I contacted Lyman, they had the parts I needed, and mailed them too me at a minimal cost for the parts or shipping. I installed them and use this press to this day. The Point, RCBS, Redding, Dillon, Lyman all cary parts for their older presses and if they cannot rebuild them for you, normally they have the parts in stock to get you going again.
Anyway, its late, have a good evening and I'll het the sack.
Liked Kansas, Nice People.
Flint Hills, that is what I dreamed about as a teen, struggling through school as a dyslexic, wanting nothing more than to work on a cattle ranch out west. Yes, I know, Developmental Disabilities and special needs.
I’m 20 minutes south of Kansas. Live in North Central Oklahoma. Very close to OK/KS border.
As far as rifles, 25-06 and 6mm Remington are my main hunting rifles. 6.5 CM or PRC will be my next rifle. My son is almost 15, 6.5 will be perfect. He’s fine with the 25-06 or 6mm Rem, but the 6.5 is a great caliber that I need.
Picking up orders from Powder Valley definitely makes it better. Thanks for all the advice!!
Between the rain, work, and preparing for a baby in the next few weeks. I made some more progress.
Epoxied the floor, painted the walls, buying trim and 2x4s tomorrow. Time to start the long bench on the right wall for reloading and a 6’-8’ bench on the left for gun stuff.
Don’t mind all the crap on the “roof”, I needed it all off the floor
Epoxied the floor, painted the walls, buying trim and 2x4s tomorrow. Time to start the long bench on the right wall for reloading and a 6’-8’ bench on the left for gun stuff.
Don’t mind all the crap on the “roof”, I needed it all off the floor
Doesn’t seem like it, but that’s 2 days worth of work by yourself.
My plan is the 5’ long bench to the right will hole the vise and be for “gun smithing”. 16’ long bench to the right will be presses and other loading tools. The back wall will hold brass prep.
I was going to reuse my 3/4” birch for the tops, but I went ahead and paid up for butcher block. I’m going 20-20.5” wide bench tops, that’s a 1-1.5” overhang, I’m not sure yet.
Now to build a big shelving unit for powder, primers, and whatever other crap will find its way in there. And put up my wall control panels for even more junk holding
My plan is the 5’ long bench to the right will hole the vise and be for “gun smithing”. 16’ long bench to the right will be presses and other loading tools. The back wall will hold brass prep.
I was going to reuse my 3/4” birch for the tops, but I went ahead and paid up for butcher block. I’m going 20-20.5” wide bench tops, that’s a 1-1.5” overhang, I’m not sure yet.
Now to build a big shelving unit for powder, primers, and whatever other crap will find its way in there. And put up my wall control panels for even more junk holding
Ah! I see HVAC in the last pic. Glad to see you added that.
It is 8'x16'
Oh absolutely, Louisiana isn't nice during the summer. Also needed the dehumidifier in the unit. The heat will more than likely never be used, but I am hoping these mini splits are as nice as people claim
I think an 1 1/2 " over hang is OK if you considered how much overhang is needed for presses and the vice particularly the vice
I use Inline Fab quick change mounts. I planned my bench frames 19" wide, 20" wide butcher block, then the inline overhangs 1.25-1.5"
Still unsure if I want to router out for my flush mounts. On my "gun smith" bench I will because I don't want it to ever be in the way.
While building the last frame, I thought what if I cut the butcher block to 1.5"? Either way my mounts will be over the outside of the frame, and I will add another 2x4 from front to back wherever the presses end up on the bench.
What is the height to the top of the butcher block, the height of the bottom of the 2X4 from from the floor, and on what are you going to sit while reloading?
The overall height will be 39.5-40” I don’t remember off the top of my head. I have shop stools, this way I can sit and it’s still comfortable or I can stand and work still
Perfect. I am all about comfort when reloading etc lol I sit in a computer chair and have my table desk height. Having a comfy height to stand as an option is excellent.
I built a high top, and I was looking now for a comfy way to sit.
Oh I know. I already run 3 not routered into my bench. I know on my gun smith bench I won’t want it in my way. But on the reloading side, there will probably always be a press on them
I gave mine routed for 3 presses. If you have any questions or concerns that I can help with just let me know. I struggled with doing it or not vs tracks or not too.
Had a thought yesterday while looking for an escaped primer how are you finishing the floor? If I were to redo my room I would put bulkheads around all furniture to prevent small objects from going under tables . I would also paint the floor a contrasting color to allow things like primers and powder kernels, little parts etc to show up easily. Off hand bright white comes to mind. I might consider redoing that in my room.
Will do! There is really no reason I shouldn't, either way I have to drill the holes through the top for mounting. So even if I try to reuse the tops years and years from now, it will have holes in the top, routing wouldn't hurt anything else.
I used an industrial epoxy from work. We only had a grey or black. I would have liked a lighter color, BUT at least with the epoxy, nothing will stain like bare concrete, and the color is not as dark as it looks. Once Entergy finally pulls their wire to the shop, Ill be able to have lights installed.
Yeah, I sort of did my tops so that the middle section( where all 3 of the routed out plates go), could be replaced and refinished a little easier if I ever wanted to repurpose that space with all the cabinets and a lot of good office space.
The fact is, if you are building a reloading room, do it how you think it will work best for you, not for what the future may hold. No one builds a reloading room like that if they aren't really into it so make it like you want it. If you don't, you won't be happy when it's done
Guys, I've been buying components and gear for years whenever I found a good deal. It's finally that time when I'm just about ready to start reloading with all that I have.
What is that metal bracket thing most of you have that allows the press to slide back & forth or side to side on the table?
I want to include they on my table and want to know where I can find them or what they're called.
What is that metal bracket thing most of you have that allows the press to slide back & forth or side to side on the table?
I want to include they on my table and want to know where I can find them or what they're called.
It's T slot tracks I think that you're talking about. You can get many different ones ect but that's what they are
POWERTEC 48 in. Universal T-Track with 2 Hold-Down Clamps 71169 - The Home Depot
The POWERTEC 71169 Universal T-Track 48-Inch with 2 Hold-Down Clamps (5-1/2 in. L x 1-1/8 in. W) is your must have t-track set when you want to optimize your jig/fixture setup. With its precision-machined
www.homedepot.com
Can you install them in 3/4" plywood, or does it have to be butcher block wood?
You can but you'd have to have something under the plywood. Also, plywood can be difficult to route out cleanly and may splinter the veneer unless you've got good sharp bits and go at the right speed and a good powerful router so, that definitely wouldn't be my preferred surface to install t slot track into but it definitely can be donePOWERTEC 48 in. Universal T-Track with 2 Hold-Down Clamps 71169 - The Home Depot
The POWERTEC 71169 Universal T-Track 48-Inch with 2 Hold-Down Clamps (5-1/2 in. L x 1-1/8 in. W) is your must have t-track set when you want to optimize your jig/fixture setup. With its precision-machinedwww.homedepot.com
Can you install them in 3/4" plywood, or does it have to be butcher block wood?
1 3/4” pine butcher block. Now to sand and poly about 10 times and build some shelves.
I did router in the QD mount for the gunsmith bench. I do think I’m going to router in the other 4
I did router in the QD mount for the gunsmith bench. I do think I’m going to router in the other 4
It should be. My last bench was built out of pine. And this time it’s glued together and 1/4” more thick.
I used 1” pine, and for the working area (press) I had 1/2” hardwood 6” wide (2 side by side) glued under the pine and screwed. Never a problem at all.
Pine ran left to right, hard wood pieces ran front to back. Solid a heck. Used 3/4” screws with flat washers up from underneath.
I’m proud of you.I finally finished my 4th bench in my reloading room which is a dedicated gun building bench. Just needs to be stained and cleared but that will have to wait till spring when I can leave the windows open.
1. Dillon XL650 bench
2. Co-Ax / Chargemaster bolt rifle bench
3. Roch Chucker depriming and brass prep bench
4. Gun building/cleaning bench
I went with Inline Fabrications Ultramount with Quick Change baseplate system. Its an amazing setup!! I have 5 baseplates with different tools mounted on each. They have a huge drop down of pre made plates for all kinds to tools, trimmers, presses, vises, etc. Waiting on a second shipment from them with my wall mounting system. Also have a nice sturdy old dinning room table as kind of a 5th bench for whatever I need it for.
Why are you replying and quoting an old post from a member that isn't a member anymore? Looks like you're trying to increase post count fast huh?
Been a long time coming but hopefully in the next week or two I’ll be reloading out of her.
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