bench design

[FrankD45]

Dale53:

I made my own version of your die rack. Great idea! I picked up a 1X4 length of Poplar, drilled 1/2 inch holes 6" on center, and glued in 3-1/2 inch lengths of 1/2 inch dowel. I cut sleeves out of 1/2 inch PVC, about 1-1/4 inch long to keep the pins off the board. It's not a "finished" looking as yours yet, but it is a work in progress.

Thanks for the idea.

Frank

 

[Dale53]

FrankD45;
I'm glad you found the sharing of ideas helpful. That's the whole idea of these forums.

No one person can possibly "know it all", but with hundreds of us, the answers ARE there for most any endeavor.

Dale53

 

[VonFatman]

thomashoward,
Nice setup! The cabinet space is a real plus.

Bob

 

[Matlock]

Last summer I had a 12' x 16' metal skinned building put up by the 100 yard range in my back yard. Below are some photos of the interior. The bench is designed for a shooter and spotter, then next to them is the reloading bench. This has been a dream of mine, to be able to load a few rounds, shoot them, then reload a few more. The building is heated and air conditioned. A plexiglass sheet with a 8" x 10" hole minimizes drafts when the window is open for shooting. Reloading equipment consists of a Dillon 1050, Redding Turret, Lee Progressive, and 4 MEC 9000Gs (for all gauges).

MarkM

 

[Dale53]

Matlock;
That is as pretty as it gets! Entirely too clean and orderly, however

...

Dale53

 

[Matlock]

Dale,
Thanks! I am just moving into it in these pictures, so it is getting less "orderly" over time. Several things help though. 1. Lots of cabinets to hide things 2. a 12" shelf running the full length of the bench to store stuff 3. a larger area above the rafters to store bulky items (wads, cleaning rods, targets)

The shed has a 3' overhang to keep the barrels dry in rain and the back stop for the rifle range is 4 tractor tires bolted together filled with sand to make a 6' tall ~6' wide backstop.

MarkM

 

[VonFatman]

MarkM,
That's just way too cool! Thanks for letting me dream!!

Welcome to the Forum!!

Bob

 

[enidpd804]

Matlock, that's one heck of a setup!

Mine's a bit more humble.

Do you just live right or did you win the lottery or something?

 

[Matlock]

Bob,
Thanks for the welcome. This looks like a great place to hang out. On the bench I did leave my 629 and 460XVR sitting out so you could tell I'm a S&W fan.

Enidpd804,
A few years ago moved to a place where I could shoot on my property. My reloading bench was in a closet that you can see in pic 2 next to the gun cabinet. Then I had a "workmate" with a top for my MECs that I could set up temporarily to load shotgun shells. We live in Illinois though and it's either too cold or too hot and humid to shoot as much as I would like, so I just decided to build a shooting shed then decided I should make it big enough to reload in as well.

MarkM

 

[Frank237]

Matlock,

Your my new HERO! Great setup. Well lit, and organized too.

I get kidded for being so OCD regarding cleanliness and organization by my shooting buddies regarding my reloading gear and reloading in general. Then again I've never had any issues with my reloads such as double charges or no powder, etc. Organization and cleanliness pay off.

This is a shotshell bench made to the NRMA design; top and bottom shelf bolted to legs, bottom shelf, plywood back and side pieces for strength. Weight of shot and components on the shelf help to make it rigid and stable.

This is 36" deep as I wanted max bench space. Length is a full eight feet. This was before I mounted a STAR lubrisizer on the left side opposite the Spolar shotshell loader.

FN in MT

 

[Frank237]

This is the NRMA bench made exactly to their plans. My Dad and I built this 30+ years ago. It's been broken down and rebuilt multiple times over the years. Yet is still as stable as a the day we built it.

Sorry that this is a bit dark. In retrospect I should have never had finished it in dark stain. LIGHT stain or natural is THE way to go.

My shotshell bench and my work/cleaning bench are both natural with Varathane matte finish and they look much nicer. And the light finish reflects light too.

FN in MT

 

[Jal5]

Matlock that is the best setup I have ever seen! My dream is to have a place where I can have my own range, but your "shooting/reloading house" takes the cake.

Joe

 

[Matlock]

Frank, Joe,
Thanks for the kind words. To give everyone a bit better idea of the construction, below is a picture of the exterior. You can see the two windows (for the shooter and spotter) as well as the overhang to keep the rain away from the windows. The small window provides extra light at the metallic reloading bench. R11 insulation is in the walls, ceiling and floor. This winter 1500 watts could keep the inside temperature 40-45 degrees above the outside temperature. If you open the window then a second electric or portable propane can make it very warm. The building is on five 6"x6" beams supported on 25 concrete block pads. The eliminated having to deal with a building permit.

The next picture shows the sand filled tractor tire backstop for center fire rifles. I also use tree stumps for rimfire targets and have a metal plate(at 45 degrees)/wood support for targets at for various distance pistol shooting.

This last picture shows the interior entrance and a closet in which the brass tumbler, spare MECs and other larger stuff is stored. Frank commented on having enough light and he is exactly right. I put in five overhead florescent shop lights and it is just enough. They are switched in groups and when shooting I may turn some off to brighten the scope image.

Joe just like you I always dreamed of my own range and a few years ago that became possible. The lots in this area are narrow but a 1/4 mile long so it fit the need perfectly. Many of my neighbors also shoot judging by the amount of gunfire I hear on a pretty day.

Matlock

 

[FrankD45]

Matlock, you are living my dream! I probably shouldn't complain because I only have to drive about 30 miles to get to an outdoor range and I can buy and shoot just about anything I lust after. That said, you have put together one of the nicest set ups I have seen.

FrankD

 

[97th Signalman]

My reloading bench is pretty plain and simple. It's made of 2 x 4 lumber and plywood. It is rock solid and heavy with pretty usable space. I've probably got $100 in it. I bought all clear and straight lumber for some what of a premium but I built the whole thing in about a day.

 

[FrankD45]

First, welcome to the forum. Lots of very sharp guys here, lots to learn and contribute.

That looks like a really nice, repeatable design. If you add a press or other stuff you can just build another bench and bolt them together. Good work!

Frank

 

[Mikey 629]

Hey Mark,
Those are pretty impressive pictures of your "shootin' shed". I can't imagine where you came up with the idea of a "shootin' shed". Just kidding - Mark is my brother and we do lots of shooting together. In my back yard, I have a 300 yard shooting range with a converted chicken into a wood stove heated and air conditioned "shootin' shed". My reloading stuff is in my basement however.
Mark did have a little help in design and lining up the builder from his little brother "Mikey".

 

[n4zov]

Matlock, there just has to be something illegal or immoral about having such a great set up! Not that I'm jealous mind you.

 

[jjones33]

Try going to your local big box construction store like Home Depot or Lowes. Look for the Simpson StrongTies display. They are metal hangers and clips that form the corners and angles that you nail through. They will have a boatload of plans hanging up to take with the ties. It really makes for a strong bench. Use at least 3/4" plywood for the top and I would put a formica like laminate on it with contact cement.

http://www.strongtie.com/ftp/fliers/DIY-PROJECTKT06.pdf

 

[tallpaul]

Matlock- the shed looks nice but the four tires is an accident waiting to happen... bounceback is a reality with that set up!

Security of the shed would be a concern... especially with the non shaded windows etc.