reloaders and their set-ups

[comfortsource]

morning all. Is there anyone out there that would share their "set-up" for people to see and use for reference? I'm new to reloading and use a Rock Chucker Supreme single Stage. Still working on placement and what everything should look like. Small quantities obviously, but wanting to see what others have done or do currently.

Thank you as always!

J

[AJ]

This is my main set up. I have other benches that I use for priming and casting of bullets.

[oldman10mm]

Rebuilt the area a few years back.
Lyman turret press, wet pin tumbler, small vise, powered case trimmer at lower right.
Top narrow shelf areas for primers, left downward 9mm, 38sp, 357M, 40S&W, center downward 10mm, 41M, 44sp, 44M, right downward 223/5.56, 300AAC, 35Rem.
Bottom shelf areas at bottom for trays of misc stuff relating to reloading, 2nd from bottom shelf areas are die sets.
Areas not shown, to the right- bullets for handgun and powders, to the left- bullets for rifle.

[SMSgt]

After I moved to Florida, I lost all my reloading space. I don't have pictures, but this is what I do:

I use a Lee hand press for most of my case prep--Handgun case resizing, decapping, etc. All from my Laziboy recliner. I also do my case chamfering and primer pocket prep and hand priming there.

I mounted my Herter's #3 SS press to a small 5/8" piece of plywood and clamp that to the kitchen counter for resizing rifle cases, and loading.

Case neck turning and trimming is done on my small bench on the garage, as well as the tumbling.

When it comes to reloading, where there is a will, there is a way. The wife says my recliner smells like old gun powder. I think it smells just right!

[andy52]

I still load on single stage presses but here's some photos of my set up.
The Lyman press in the lower left has been replaced with a RCBS rock chucker, I gave the Lyman to a member here.
All the rest of the gear is the same. The back part of the table where the Lyman prep station is also serves as my casting area when I'm making bullets.

[Ole Joe Clark]

My reloading room is also my Music room, my hidey hole, my study area etc. I can put a guitar or rifle or whatever on the table to work on, or clean, besides reloading. Most of my reloading tools came from the 1970's but they still work. The Lee turret on the left is the only new reloading press I have bought since then. I still use my Pacific shotgun and rifle presses on occasion.

What you don't see is my rocking chair, stacks of books, acoustic guitars and such. It works for me.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

[AJ]

Originally Posted by oldman10mm

Rebuilt the area a few years back.
Lyman turret press, wet pin tumbler, small vise, powered case trimmer at lower right.
Top narrow shelf areas for primers, left downward 9mm, 38sp, 357M, 40S&W, center downward 10mm, 41M, 44sp, 44M, right downward 223/5.56, 300AAC, 35Rem.
Bottom shelf areas at bottom for trays of misc stuff relating to reloading, 2nd from bottom shelf areas are die sets.
Areas not shown, to the right- bullets for handgun and powders, to the left- bullets for rifle.

Nice set up. Last time I was in Euclid went to Euclid Beach Park, that was some time ago.....

[oldman10mm]

Originally Posted by AJ

Last time I was in Euclid went to Euclid Beach Park, that was some time ago.....

I guess you're old too, I'm 74. Euclid Beach Park closed for the season/forever 1969. After high school used to go there, seemingly, everyday. I live just a few minutes away from where it was. It was the 'social area' of the area. Back then to draw in the crowd, free concerts in the dance hall ballroom- Frankie Valie and the Four Seasons, Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, many others. Plus some good rollercoasters (for the times).

[Mike, SC Hunter]

Mine 12 feet long. casting on the left. Size & trim going to the right. Mec Loaders(now 4). 2 Dillons and a RCBS jr.

[mmb617]

My reloading equipment is in my basement setup as a U shape area. On the right side is my APP and Lee single stage press with my dies in a rack behind them.





On the bottom of the U are my powder measures and annealing machine plus out of picture to the right is my tumbler, with brass storage on shelves behind them. I only reload 3 calibers so I keep 3 powder measures set up, one for each caliber.





On the left leg of the U is my raw materials storage - powder, bullets, and primers.





It's all reasonably compact and has served me well. So far this year I've reloaded 18,996 rounds here.

[Engineer1911]

No matter how large your bench is now, it will be too small in less than a year. I suggest mounting your press so you have room for finished ammo on one side and reloading supplies on the other. Also, mount your press closer to one end of the bench, not in the middle.

When I got my bench, 7' long, because that was all the room I had, I mounted my RC on the right side about 20" from the right edge. That gave me plenty of room to clamp case trimmer, sort brass, clamp a bench mounted priming tool. or use as a work bench / gun cleaning area.

Forty years later, I have a Dillon 450 and 550 mounted on either end, but I can still do all my other stuff in the workable middle. When I want, the RC can be C-clamped in the middle of the bench for resizing brass or short loading sessions, 50 rounds of 45-70 that I don't have a Dillon conversion kit to reload.

And once again, I don't have a large space for reloading and the bench just fits in the laundry room.

EDIT: As with any hobby, we fall victim to the dreaded "Good Deal" -- those things we didn't know that we needed, evolves to things we want, becomes The Good Deal -- guns, reloading equipment, bullet moulds, bulk bullet buys, brass, primers, powder, or 42 rods & reels hanging in multiple racks over my boat (which has remained dry for about 10 months).

[824tsv]

I use a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme as well. It's mounted on a In-Line Fabrications bench mount. I have a couple of RCBS Uni-Flow powder measures pre-set for 45ACP and 9mm. I also have a RCBS Piggyback set up in .44 Magnum ready to go on the Rock Chucker when the need arrises.

[tlawler]

I mount my presses at the left end of my bench. Both are removable and I have a large lateral file cabinet under my bench to store them in when not in use. Toaster oven is for powder coating projectiles. Cabinet on the workbench holds all my reloading manuals, gunsmithing books, and precision tools like scales and calipers. In the standing metal cabinet I store my powder, brass, loaded ammo, and misc. reloading tools. Shelf space to the right of the cabinet is projectiles, tumblers, power tools, etc. The duct going up into the ceiling is a portable a/c condenser exhaust. It’s a constantly changing setup, as I figure out better ways of doing things.

[comfortsource]

This is why I love this forum. You guys are wonderful! Yes I can obviously see the "you'll outgrow it quickly" thought. Do most of you have multiple powder dispensers? This probably keeps it simple when getting into multiple calibers. Also, the Inline Fabrication people have some neat products and appear to improve the efficiency of our "lowly" single stage RC's. thoughts?

J

[hotshot357]

This is my set-up. I can reload everything I shoot. It's down in the basement so I can stay comfortable all year long.

[mikld]

I read the title of this thread and went out to my shop to take a pic with my new phone/camera. The bench was so "busy" one couldn't tell what was what with press, scale table with powder measure, 3 drawer tool box for dies and tools, the usual manual open to the last cartridge I reloaded, and the wall behind is peg board with various hand tools, shelves for CD player, often used die boxes, often used chemicals, and misc. reloading stuff. In person I can very easily see what is what but in a pic, it's a multi-colored mosaic of indistinguishable "stuff"...

[BRL40]

Purchased these components 40 years ago when I was stationed in Mississippi and had a 3/4' plywood open faced speaker box for a bench.

Loaded .30-06 and just about everything else without a problem.

Was using it once a week to load up 50 until recently when primers vanished and now it's about 50 every two weeks.

Still serves me well enough to keep it as is.

If you're just starting out, you don't have to have much room or money invested to turn out some really excellent reloaded ammo!

[Golphin]

Mine is a mess but here it is. Converted a bedroom as it is just the wife and I these days. If the kids all come at one time someone can sleep on the couch.

[Golphin]

Originally Posted by tlawler

I mount my presses at the left end of my bench. Both are removable and I have a large lateral file cabinet under my bench to store them in when not in use. Toaster oven is for powder coating projectiles. Cabinet on the workbench holds all my reloading manuals, gunsmithing books, and precision tools like scales and calipers. In the standing metal cabinet I store my powder, brass, loaded ammo, and misc. reloading tools. Shelf space to the right of the cabinet is projectiles, tumblers, power tools, etc. The duct going up into the ceiling is a portable a/c condenser exhaust. It’s a constantly changing setup, as I figure out better ways of doing things.

I see you have some Gator tags along with some Miami tags. That is a strange mix. That Gator tag on the bottom is one of the first they came out with. I bought one the first day they were available around 1987 I think as I had a Z28 at the time.

[dla]

Reloading Bench - Christian Ed and Hobby info

[AJ]

The bench that I use came from Sam's Club. Takes several strong men to lift. The two old farts that brought it into my house had to take it piece by piece.

[Peak53]

My only advice is to carefully consider your reloading process and what needs to be located where in order to facilitate that. Think powder measure, scale, loading block, trickler, if you use such, so that you can arrange them in a way to make the assembly process efficient. This takes a little space. And a bombproof way to attach your press is always key.

[SLT223]

Originally Posted by mmb617

My reloading equipment is in my basement setup as a U shape area. On the right side is my APP and Lee single stage press with my dies in a rack behind them.

Is that a Hurst T shifter handle?

[DeplorabusUnum]

I feel lucky to have a dedicated re-loading room/shop to work in. I started out reloading in our bedroom, since that's the only room in the house that had room. Since moving, I've been able to expand without pissing off my bride. I'm still on an RCBS rock chucker supreme.

Here's my reloading bench:

Here's my brass cleaning/storage and powder storage:

Here's my casting area and bullet storage:

My lubing/powder coating area:

And my work table/bullet sizer and finished ammo storage:

What a great hobby we all have, and what a great nation we live in to have this freedom!

[mmb617]

Originally Posted by SLT223

Is that a Hurst T shifter handle?

Why, yes it is. Leftover from my racing days. I find it more comfortable than a ball, but then I always preferred a T handle for my cars as well.

[H Richard]

I've been reloading for around 35 years or so. When we build our condo (15 years ago), and I was then just retired. We agreed that my wife (and interior designer) could design the upstairs but the basement was mine. It included a loading/gun room that was 21x11. It had a solid concrete vault 4x7 interior, in one corner. 60% had base cabinets and counter in a "U" shape around the 3 walls. I set up one wall as work station for cleaning and repairs, one section with my old Texan turret loader for load development small batch loading. On the longest wall I set up my Dillon 550 and my Mec9000 loaders. It has worked out well.

[Ole Joe Clark]

Originally Posted by comfortsource

morning all. Is there anyone out there that would share their "set-up" for people to see and use for reference? I'm new to reloading and use a Rock Chucker Supreme single Stage. Still working on placement and what everything should look like. Small quantities obviously, but wanting to see what others have done or do currently.

Thank you as always!

J

Don't swallow that song and dance that a single stage press is outdated, no good, etc. My old Pacific single stage is still a great press and I use it for bottleneck cartridges and other relatively low volume work. I use the Lee for pistol cartridges that I load much larger quantities of. It also works great. If your volume of reloading goes up, by all means buy something that you want to save work with, but hang on to that nice RCBS press.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

[max503]

Originally Posted by Ole Joe Clark

Don't swallow that song and dance that a single stage press is outdated, no good, etc. My old Pacific single stage is still a great press and I use it for bottleneck cartridges and other relatively low volume work. I use the Lee for pistol cartridges that I load much larger quantities of. It also works great. If your volume of reloading goes up, by all means buy something that you want to save work with, but hang on to that nice RCBS press.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Yes. My 40 y.o. RCBS single stage press is a most vital piece of equipment.

[AJ]

Originally Posted by Ole Joe Clark

Don't swallow that song and dance that a single stage press is outdated, no good, etc. My old Pacific single stage is still a great press and I use it for bottleneck cartridges and other relatively low volume work. I use the Lee for pistol cartridges that I load much larger quantities of. It also works great. If your volume of reloading goes up, by all means buy something that you want to save work with, but hang on to that nice RCBS press.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

I have two reloading presses mounted on my bench. One is a RCBS Rock Chucker and the other is a Lyman Turret Press, both are single station presses. I owned a Dillon square Deal B for a number of years and used it (long enought I completely broke the body of the press), did not feel comfortable as I was not in comlpete control of all of the reloading steps.

[GB]

Reloading equipment and placement is sort of like underwear. What kind you buy and how you place your equipment is sort of personal preference. I still own almost every piece of reloading stuff I ever bought(some bought used 55+ years ago). Some of it gets used every time I head into the reloading room and some of it seldom, if ever, sees the light of day. I have built half dozen benches and stands. (still have 3) All were set up in what I thought was the ideal way, at the time. My first set up was on an old kitchen cabinet in my folk's basement. Next I built a stand (12x15x1/2 plate, piece of 2" pipe, 2 couplings and a 15" rim) It lived in the pantry of one of my first apartments and had moved with me for 45 years. It holds 2 presses, a luber/sizer and a measure stand and is still my go to "bench". I have two other wooden benches in the reloading room. One has room for 2 more presses which are mounted using "c" clamps and are used for batch processing of cases (decaping before cleaning and small batch work). Across the room, the other bench is where I do trimming and such. Both benches also are used as work/cleaning areas. After almost 60 years I still am not sure I have it right but I make do. You will find reloading a life long process, both fun and frustrating. There is no universal "perfect" reloading setup. Only the one that works best for you. You will probably make changes until you die or quit reloading, whichever comes first.

[Golphin]

Originally Posted by mmb617

Why, yes it is. Leftover from my racing days. I find it more comfortable than a ball, but then I always preferred a T handle for my cars as well.

I saw that also. I had one just like it on a 67 Cougar I had back in the mid 70's.

[SLT223]

Originally Posted by mmb617

Why, yes it is. Leftover from my racing days. I find it more comfortable than a ball, but then I always preferred a T handle for my cars as well.

I found one in my mother’s garage last summer leftover from a 1971 Chevelle I had in the mid ‘90s back in my “let me take the entire car apart and put it back together” days. Now I know what to do with it Thanks!

[kbm6893]

Not much. Built with 2X4's and my limited carpentry skills. But I've loaded thousands of rounds there and plan to load thousands more.

[Pierrejr]

started reloading back in 1979 this bench is from 1984 to now . When I move to NC I will be making a new one which will be double the size. I currently reload 18 or more calibers.




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[Pierrejr]

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