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Building the Perfect Reloading Room
- Thread starter sirhrmechanic
- Start date
I am also using a Craftsman bench and for reloading it does very good. No issues at all. We have been using it for twelve years now, still solid.
Yes it is. Just picked it up at Lowe’s. Also ordered the modular drawer system for it. Should pick it up Saturday. Bench itself is solid. I added an additional piece of 3/4” maple under the wood top it comes with. Very solid. It’s pretty high though. 41” to the top. My last bench was 37.5” high and I’m short. Overall, I’m really pleased with it. I anchored it to the studs in the wall as well.
Sold the boat and got my garage back.
Moved the old Harbor Freight table back into the space and put my drill press and baby lathe on it.
Used the drawers and a few clear lure boxes to sort out some bits, cutters and whatnot for the lathe.
Did the same with scope bases, screws, action screws, sling studs and all the other shit that collects here and there.
Cleaned off and dusted the reloading bench and presses.
Rearranged the powders, primers and dies.
Moved the two buckets of lead under the lathe.
Replaced the handle on an axe that I found abandoned. It needs final polishing, a coat or two of that icky blue paint and a good sharpening.
Still need to get a better power strip. I hate wires everywhere.
It's too damn hot to load in a south facing garage right now so I've got an old solid oak TV cabinet that I'm using indoors until the weather cools.
Don't mind the mess around it. It's no longer there, but it was right after I got it set up.
Moved the old Harbor Freight table back into the space and put my drill press and baby lathe on it.
Used the drawers and a few clear lure boxes to sort out some bits, cutters and whatnot for the lathe.
Did the same with scope bases, screws, action screws, sling studs and all the other shit that collects here and there.
Cleaned off and dusted the reloading bench and presses.
Rearranged the powders, primers and dies.
Moved the two buckets of lead under the lathe.
Replaced the handle on an axe that I found abandoned. It needs final polishing, a coat or two of that icky blue paint and a good sharpening.
Still need to get a better power strip. I hate wires everywhere.
It's too damn hot to load in a south facing garage right now so I've got an old solid oak TV cabinet that I'm using indoors until the weather cools.
Don't mind the mess around it. It's no longer there, but it was right after I got it set up.
No photos to share yet, but on the topic of sourcing bench tops. I was at my local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and they had pallets of 8 foot (by 2' IIRC) 2" thick butcher block counter tops for about $100 a slab. I made a mental note to head back when I get to building my next bench. The top of the Harbor Freight bench is too thin and flexible for a direct press mount (plus the press blocks the drawers).
Grab that butcher block while it's available or it won't be there when you want it.
I have Rocker T-tracks on my bench. There's a photo posted somewhere in this thread. I got the idea from other photos posted in this thread. Seems to work great. I really like it.
Haven’t got to use it much yet but seems to be very sturdy thus far,don’t mind the 2x4 legs still in process of finishing the room
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Thanks it’s work In Progress.It’s live edge acacia
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Did that at my sons house the bench could hold engine blocks without a problem.
So one day throwing powder the scale started acting up. Ok close door, turn off ceiling fan, close ac duct off 100 %, the phone out of room and use the light from the window, nope wtf.
Throw 20 rounds when it stops just fine and then it starts acting up again damn.
Got mad go get a beer and walk out into garage daughter in law is out there kicking the ever loving shit out of a heavy bag that is tied into the rafters.
It transferred vibrations into the bench. Lol
At my house now I have a small bench but works, it's my 5 foot of the house.
Always a mess in progress.
@Copechristie What kind of door do you have for the primer/powder storage area? Looks like a steel roll up door.
Can we get a pick of that closed?
Can we get a pick of that closed?
Yes, it’s all cedar lined also to help with moisture along with dehumidifier wand inside
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If you want to save money, this is the wrong profession/hobby/pass-time...
Beautiful work. I really like the galvanized ceiling in there. I would post some pics of my shop and setup but it currently looks like a tornado just touched down in there.
correct, u can still reload for less than half factory ammo prices
I figure I save about a dollar to 1.50 a shot for the nice stuff. I dont save any money though as I just shoot more! 
Right. But technically if you go fairly cheap on reloading gear, it doesn’t take you very long to produce better than FGMM ammo at half the price if you reload say 5-10k rounds.I figure I save about a dollar to 1.50 a shot for the nice stuff. I dont save any money though as I just shoot more!
When I use the term "technically" in any explanation about my gun related purchases, my wife knows I am stretching the truth to the breaking point.
Fgmm 168 is tough to beat in some guns.
If you stick with it you can.
165g SGK over 42.4 varget.
Start of stickey bolt lift.
Maybe too close to lands with book setting.
Using data for lands from hornady modified case so yes slop. New tap on order to make my own from fire formed.
Huge problem is I have only got results like that with varget and can't find any more.
With VarGet I had to keep my OAL with 168 Matchking around 2.7. At 2.8, bolt lift got sticky with the same charge.
The game king is a bit shorter in length, so you might see pressure earlier.
The game king is a bit shorter in length, so you might see pressure earlier.
The 165 SGK #2140 is overall 0.020 shorter but the ogive is 0.060 longer from base.
I think I may back off the lands. At 42.4 primers flat but not flowing and just starting bolt heavy lift.
I would like to keep that grouping and think I'm just too close, max 0.010 from the lands due to modified case and tolerance stacking probably less. The CBD case may also be thicker than federals,
yep 2.3 grains heavier. But that's like 1%, not much of a factor.
At 2.8 168 SMK's are 0.060 off my lands at 2.75 the 165's are nearly jammed.
Somewhere seems I have a math error or measurement error.
These are hunting loads so no jams allowed.
Maybe I just tell my son to run them as is?
I think I may back off the lands. At 42.4 primers flat but not flowing and just starting bolt heavy lift.
I would like to keep that grouping and think I'm just too close, max 0.010 from the lands due to modified case and tolerance stacking probably less. The CBD case may also be thicker than federals,
yep 2.3 grains heavier. But that's like 1%, not much of a factor.
At 2.8 168 SMK's are 0.060 off my lands at 2.75 the 165's are nearly jammed.
Somewhere seems I have a math error or measurement error.
These are hunting loads so no jams allowed.
Maybe I just tell my son to run them as is?
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FGMM is hard to beat? But can be done. Regardless if you shoot same group type as store bought with your hand roll you’re still cheaper than $2 a bullet
I set up a new reloading area since I just moved. I was shocked by the amount of reloading stuff I've accumulated since 1993!. I have full moving boxes stacked up in the shed. I'll add/take away stuff as needed while I'm settling in.
Few years of doing this and it just keeps growing. Found a really cool Hollywood Turret Press yesterday built a few 44mag rounds today.
Another "Gadget Guy" ... good on ya. How do you like the AMP Seating Press? Been pondering that one ...
My reloading bench has been miniaturized for now. It will do the job while I am waiting to buy another house.
Laugh all you want but here’s my place, for now. I got nowhere to go but up, right? There’s a nice shiny nickel for anyone that can spot my press…
There are a few places in the house I’ve scoped out to upgrade to. All it takes is time and money…
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