Reloading Bench Layout

[AH64ID]

After over 6 years without a reloading bench I have finally gotten my new one built. I built my own 2x4 bench top out of 9 2x4's screwed/glued together vertically. Sanded smooth and stained... ready to go!

I am going to be using the RCBS accessory plates for mounting my press, powder measure, and case trimmer.

How are you guys laying your equipment out? Trying to only screw things down once.

This is how I am thinking about it, but looking for any other input or ideas.

 

[Cummins12V98]

VERY nice!

 

[AH64ID]

I was planning to mount 2 of the accessory plates on the bench, but I think I’ll just mount 1. I don’t really have a need to use the powder measure and press back to back, but rather each one in stages.

I’m going to mount the 2nd accessory plate on a shelf below the bench to store the press and powder measure.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

AH, that's a great layout and very similar to mine but since I only load pistol and shotgun I went with a wider bench top so there was enough room for the progressive and MEC equipment. By the way, I went by my local reloading supply yesterday knowing that he probably wouldn't have much on hand, and he didn't, but I was able to get two pounds of CFE Pistol.

 

[AH64ID]

I primarily reload for hunting, and a few extra rounds to get reacquainted with the rifle each fall. The only pistol I load for is a 30 Herret, and I did find a lb of H110 for it this week.

 

[Jim W]

Looks good John. I would suggest that you use clamps to hold down the press and some of your components. For the first time or two until you get your work flow figured out.

I don't reload shells anymore since I gave up my shotguns a few years back, giving them to my younger son. But I do due wood working and have re-arranged my shop a time or two to improve the work flow. By clamping items down first and trying out the work flow you will eliminate the screw holes in your reloading bench, if you decided that the components need to be moved.

Just a suggestion!

 

[AH64ID]

Looks good John. I would suggest that you use clamps to hold down the press and some of your components. For the first time or two until you get your work flow figured out.

I don't reload shells anymore since I gave up my shotguns a few years back, giving them to my younger son. But I do due wood working and have re-arranged my shop a time or two to improve the work flow. By clamping items down first and trying out the work flow you will eliminate the screw holes in your reloading bench, if you decided that the components need to be moved.

Just a suggestion!

That's what I have been doing. A little trimming and some resizing to see where I like it.

I've moved the plate more to the right for a better view out the window while working. It's now centered under a light bulb and I think it's a better spot. Still plenty of room around it when the parts are removed for other work.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Looks good, but I’d add a few more of those posters to really improve morale.

 

[CVR222NV]

That's what I have been doing. A little trimming and some resizing to see where I like it.

I've moved the plate more to the right for a better view out the window while working. It's now centered under a light bulb and I think it's a better spot. Still plenty of room around it when the parts are removed for other work.

My bench is 36" wide and 20 1/2" deep. Press all the way to the right and powder charger almost all the way to the left mounted on the front edge of the bench leaving the center open. I use Nosler Custom Brass so don't size or trim brass so you would have to determine the best spot for the case trimmer as I would assume you will bolt that down.

 

[AH64ID]

Looks good, but I’d add a few more of those posters to really improve morale.

There are a couple more, and best of all the wife gets them for me. Can’t wait to see what Christmas brings this year.

Thanks to @dieselshadow for reminding me to put a little cover up on her

My bench is 36" wide and 20 1/2" deep. Press all the way to the right and powder charger almost all the way to the left mounted on the front edge of the bench leaving the center open. I use Nosler Custom Brass so don't size or trim brass so you would have to determine the best spot for the case trimmer as I would assume you will bolt that down.

Since I don’t reload a ton, or often, I plan to mount each tool to the RCBS accessory plate while in use.


I just resized a bunch of my 300 H&H brass and really like the location. I’m going to go work on the wife’s 4Runner 200K mile service since the fire finally heated the shop, and come back to size that brass. If I like the location for sizing I’m attaching it.

 

[Wayne M.]

I don’t reload, but I like the bench idea. Tell me more about how you built it out. Any crossmembers?
I sure do miss the old days when Snap-On (or Rigid or fill in the blank) could give out a nice calendar, and nobody seemed to mind.

 

[AH64ID]

I spent some time at Lowe’s looking for the straightest 10’ 2x4’s I could. Came home with 26 of them. I then ripped 1/4” off the top of them all to get rid of the factory rounded edges.

Then I got busy screwing and gluing. I made the top as flush as I could, but it was still rough so out came the sander. I overfilled my shopvac with the sawdust from my random orbital sander, but some 80 grit really did wonders. I then hit it with 120 grit. All the knots got filled with Gorilla 5 minute epoxy..some took 1/8 cup!! After sanding the epoxy smooth I hit it all with 220 grit and stained it with 3 coats of minwax wood effects weathered grey and topped
it all off with some polyurethane.

The bench is supported with angle iron on each end and a couple of 1” black pipe legs. It attaches to a wider work bench built the same which is supported by the bottom 1/2 of an old TV cabinet that I “aged” with some darker stain over the varnish.

I’ve never done a lot with wood, but I’m pretty pleased with the outcome.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Looks good. I will need to reset up a bench at the new house. Not sure exactly what I'll do, but always enjoy seeing what others do.

Here is what I have right now.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I should have mentioned, I shoot in 2 gun and various pistol disciplines so I reload 9, 40 and 223. YEARS ago I did shotgun reloading, but haven't done that in at least 40 years.

 

[GCroyle]

Hornady LNL, me too.

 

[Killer223]

nice start,
I like my work flow from right to left, on the right was the cleaning tumbler, moving left the case trimmer, then press, to the left of my press is the power trickler and measure. pull clean brass from trimmed pile on right, place in press, reach to right get power charge, place, primer and projectile. that's what worked for me when i use my rock chucker.
most stuff lately is my dillon 650. so it's kinda in different order.
if however you're de-priming and sizing then trimming in a different order... i'm not much help.
i did notice also the swing of the handle might hit the lower part of the bench, i had to chisel mine out some for clearance.

 

[AH64ID]

Well it's mounted... no pics yet thou. The spot I moved it to yesterday worked well! I've use the press, trimmer, and powder measure on it now. No complaints, and the 3 test loads I made for my 12yo daughter's 7mm-08 shot great. Couple more test loads and I'll go into production on them. 7mm-08, GM215M, IMR 4064, Barnes 120 TTSX. 43gr got me 2985 today with a 22" bbl. I'm going to try 42.5gr with an extra .025" jump tomorrow and see how it likes them.


I don't reload enough to have the need for everything to have a permanent spot on the bench, so I don't mind moving tools for each step.

 

[AH64ID]

I do need to get some pics posted... but anyhow,

I decided to get some Large Rifle primers from my dad and see how the pressure changed on the 7mm-08 load. 43gr of IMR 4064 still yields 2265 but much lower pressure, so that's the load I'm going to use. Also a correction, it has a 20” bbl.

I was able to extract a couple from the stump I was shooting at. You can see why they call it the X bullet. The one I weighed was 119.4gr, the other I knocked a pedal off with the splitting maul to it was a little lighter.

 

[Blu-meanie]

I would post a picture of where I reload, but no one would believe it. All the above benches are way too neat and clean....mine is my regular work bench with piles of brass, tools, other projects on hold, cleaning stuff and spider webs in the window. I get it done though. Did you ever see a picture of Einsteins desk? That's me, only way dumber.

 

[AH64ID]

Did some loading with my middle, 12, daughter this morning. Lots of fun!