Reloading Bench Layout

[AH64ID]

Working on shelves today. Got the press/measure storage shelf in.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Well now that the move is in progress I need to rethink how I’ll do things. NOT looking forward too this. I’d rather be shooting!
I had a nice system down.

 

[AH64ID]

It’s been so long since I had a bench that I’m really enjoying the setup of the bench. Shooting more has been fun too.

 

[AH64ID]

Even thou I lost all my firearms in a boating accident I have continued to do some reloading.

Working up an elk load I am able to push a 180gr Barnes TTSX at 3130 fps with 74.5gr of H4831SC. I am very happy with those specs. Beyond 300 yards the bullet carries more energy than my previous 200gr bullet did.

I hold the recommended 1500 lb/ft of energy for elk to just shy off 1100 yards, and the minimum 1500 fps for expansion to almost 1600 yards...basically anything I am willing to shoot at will be well within the killing range of this load.

I started playing with a .30 Herrett load. 110gr Barnes TAC-X bullets designed for the lower velocity of the 300BLK, so it should do well in the 2300fps range of the .30 Herrett.

I've also loaded up a bunch of stuff for my wife and daughters to shoot out of the 280 and 7mm-08 respectively.

 

[CVR222NV]

What were all your guns doing in a boat???

I have been shooting Barnes 168 gr bullets out of my .300 Weatherby since the early 90's. First the X Bullet, then the Triple Shock X Bullet, and now the TTSX. I got the rifle (Winchester Model 70) restocked (McMillan) and re-barreled (Douglas Air Gauged) a couple years ago and have it shooting a 3" group at 500 yards. Great performance on Mule Deer and Elk. Not enough expansion on Antelope. I won't shoot anything else but Barnes!

 

[AH64ID]

My elk rifle is a R700 with a McMillan and a Lilja bbl.

I plan to do some long range shooting this summer to see what groups she can hold.

What's your recipe for that 168gr TTSX?

I've thought about loading up some 168's too, but likely won't. I can always shoot the wifes .280 that's slinging a 140gr XLC at 3100fps at smaller game.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

My elk rifle is a R700 with a McMillan and a Lilja bbl.

I plan to do some long range shooting this summer to see what groups she can hold.

What's your recipe for that 168gr TTSX?

I've thought about loading up some 168's too, but likely won't. I can always shoot the wifes .280 that's slinging a 140gr XLC at 3100fps at smaller game.

Is that a W300 Mag?

 

[AH64ID]

Is that a W300 Mag?

No, it's a 300 H&H.

 

[CVR222NV]

My elk rifle is a R700 with a McMillan and a Lilja bbl.

I plan to do some long range shooting this summer to see what groups she can hold.

What's your recipe for that 168gr TTSX?

I've thought about loading up some 168's too, but likely won't. I can always shoot the wifes .280 that's slinging a 140gr XLC at 3100fps at smaller game.

87 grains Reloader 22. I kept the same overall length and it feels a little tight during extraction. It's already a compressed load. I think the TTSX is a little longer than the TSX. I will probably increase the length to compensate.

 

[AH64ID]

87 grains Reloader 22. I kept the same overall length and it feels a little tight during extraction. It's already a compressed load. I think the TTSX is a little longer than the TSX. I will probably increase the length to compensate.

That's a lot of bang!!

Yes the TTSX's are a bit longer, thou not as much as the tip. I had Barnes send me a 180gr TSX and a 180gr TTSX to compare and see what fit the best. The lengths were closer than anticipated. I was able to get the TTSX's to fit the magazine well with them seated .020" off the lands.

The 168's are a different design and ogive than the 165's, and are designed for better long range performance. They are longer and have different seating requirements to get the "jump" right.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Got the reloading bench set up, but have yet to try it out. Now that we are moved I thought I'd get to do some reloading/shooting - nope. My arm pain started to get bad enough to wake/keep me up at night. Doc said carpal tunnel surgery - both arms..grrr. So, got one done last week next one in 5 more weeks. Now the left arm that had surgery hurts less than the right - as long as I'm not moving the left around a lot.

I got rid of the desk since it was getting too "floppy" - found the inside to be particle board and it was loosening up from the movement of the press. So, now I have 2+" butcher block work area, supported by 4x4s with an additional support right under the press. Shouldn't move much at all. Found some heavy shelving to put underneath to hold bullets/etc.

Thought about getting a used cheap tool box to place next to it to hold the small stuff - tools, dies, press parts, etc. Anyone done that before?

Found a blue "junk" cabinet I placed close to the area to store cleaned brass in. Now to find my corn and walnut media as well as the polish..

The tall thing with drawers is what my wife found at a thrift store - not very convenient but adds storage (will be replaced - maybe - by the toolbox idea).

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Don’t have any current pics, here is it in process. Please ignore the mess - still unpacking - and will be till the end of my life....

 

[AH64ID]

Sorry to hear about the surgery, but the reloading setup sounds like its coming along nicely!

Hopefully you'll be back shooting soon.

A tool box/chest would be a good way to store stuff and, depending on the size, get a little more bench space too.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Hmmm - didn't think of the additional bench space. I saw at a big box store their boxes had a (real or fake) wood top - that would work!

 

[CVR222NV]

Thought about getting a used cheap tool box to place next to it to hold the small stuff - tools, dies, press parts, etc. Anyone done that before?

I did just that. Got a good deal on a used Snap On box (one with both large and small drawers) that sits on the work bench to the side of my reloading equipment. Much more organized.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Dan, the cabinet and drawers are perfect. I'd definitely put those to use for reloading.
A little humor; my wife came into my cave and picked up the set of new Redding carbide dies that I had just received after waiting a few months. She looked at them and I knew what was coming.
Hmmm...these look expensive...my response...not that much dear...about 1/1000 the cost of your engagement ring.
Big smile...have fun...