Reloading at range tool box
- Thread starter Belton45
- Start date
For my tools, powder measure, seaters, primer tools, I use a 2 drawer metal mechanics tool box. For my powders, primers, bullets, I use a MTM weather-proof ammo box .I also have a separate box for my spotting scope and stand. The front rest, rear bag, and muffs are in a wheeled Rubbermaid Tote Box. My gun cleaning cradle, stool, single stage press(es), flag poles and cased cleaning rods are packed separate. The patches, brushes, bore guides, solvents are in a smaller tool box. The wind flags are in a big Rubbermaid trunk. I built wood chests for some of the above......but they just get too heavy, so I went to plastic boxes.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41gRFwdIPfL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
This is what I use for my reloading equipment and supplies. The stack comes apart and travels real nice.
This is what I use for my reloading equipment and supplies. The stack comes apart and travels real nice.
Apart from the fact that where I live (NL) reloading at the range is unusual and probably unwelcome, I am uncertaing about the why of it. What advantages does it bring compared to prepping your rounds prior to heading out and spending the actual rangetime shooting? I can come up with "limited number of cases" but I would think that should be an easy problem to solve. Don't mean to hijack the thread or anything, just would appreciate posters schooling me on this within their reply to OP.
-Edit for spelling-
-Edit for spelling-
The need to load at the range depends on your accuracy goals. If pretty good is good enough, it is not necessary, unless you want to find a load in a short period of time. On the other hand, short range CF benchrest competition is all about doing what it takes to win...within the rules. In this situation, being able to change one's load, if it is not working, is a great advantage. There are also advantages for those who do not compete. My friends, who load at home, use up a lot more time, fuel, barrel steel, and reloading components to find a load than I do, loading at the range. It is simply a fact. On the other hand, most shooters are not comfortable doing something that they have never seen done, even if it has been demonstrated that it works.
For example, I remember one time when a fellow asked me why he was seeing a distorted image through his high magnification variable scope, after firing a few shots. I laid something over his barrel and had him look again. He agreed that that fixed the problem. At that point I explained that that is why benchrest shooters use mirage shields, pointing to mine. I offered to make him one, using a discarded target, and some masking tape, but I think three things held him back. None of his other acquaintances used one, he didn't want anything that looked so crude on his rifle, and he was not comfortable with doing something that made him look different. Fine fellow..I always enjoy his company. He gets to do it his way. I wouldn't have it any other way.
For example, I remember one time when a fellow asked me why he was seeing a distorted image through his high magnification variable scope, after firing a few shots. I laid something over his barrel and had him look again. He agreed that that fixed the problem. At that point I explained that that is why benchrest shooters use mirage shields, pointing to mine. I offered to make him one, using a discarded target, and some masking tape, but I think three things held him back. None of his other acquaintances used one, he didn't want anything that looked so crude on his rifle, and he was not comfortable with doing something that made him look different. Fine fellow..I always enjoy his company. He gets to do it his way. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Luke,
The why for me is simple. When I was preloading different variations of powder types, charges, bullets and seating depth it always ended up in my having too much of some and not enough of another. The travel time between my house and the range made it a royal hassle to go home to load more rounds. Also, having to disassemble some rounds at home that were dead ended is not my idea of fun. I gradually worked out a portable system that allows me to neck size and reload anywhere. it doesn't look like much but it works. Even when at home I use the same system. Only resizing that requires lube on the cases will be done on a workbench with a beefier press.
Invariably during competition or at other times, one's favorite recipe will stop working. It is necessary to be able to immediately juggle the charge or seating depth to bring things back on target.
I am not a proponent for spreading my stuff out and getting in other people's way. Most of my reloading at the range is done in my van (or lorry to some).
The why for me is simple. When I was preloading different variations of powder types, charges, bullets and seating depth it always ended up in my having too much of some and not enough of another. The travel time between my house and the range made it a royal hassle to go home to load more rounds. Also, having to disassemble some rounds at home that were dead ended is not my idea of fun. I gradually worked out a portable system that allows me to neck size and reload anywhere. it doesn't look like much but it works. Even when at home I use the same system. Only resizing that requires lube on the cases will be done on a workbench with a beefier press.
Invariably during competition or at other times, one's favorite recipe will stop working. It is necessary to be able to immediately juggle the charge or seating depth to bring things back on target.
I am not a proponent for spreading my stuff out and getting in other people's way. Most of my reloading at the range is done in my van (or lorry to some).
Belton45 said:
I wish it was that simple! I have a large cigar box (about 16" x 14" x 9") that I have my arbor press, powder measurer, scale, dial calipers and a few other items in. My cleaning stuff is in a seperate box, and bullets and powder are in a third. I have not come up with a good way to store my spotting scope and chronograph yet, but have an idea or two.
gary
When I show up with my cooler from the 1950s I get funny looks. But now my friends ask me to bring it to the range to help them sort out a new bullet or barrel. The kit weighs 30 lbs including a set of dies, a bottle of powder and a box of 6mm bullets. Box is 22''L, 13.5''W and 13'' deep. It is dedicated to reloading stuff only.
Wind flags are in a seperate box. Cleaning stuff is together in yet another box. Ammo boxes in a seperate small tool bag with bolt lube, markers, tape, lens cleaner, timer, etc. that I use at the bench. For the rests, stool, and anything else there is nothing special to report.
Wind flags are in a seperate box. Cleaning stuff is together in yet another box. Ammo boxes in a seperate small tool bag with bolt lube, markers, tape, lens cleaner, timer, etc. that I use at the bench. For the rests, stool, and anything else there is nothing special to report.
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Toz, Boyd - thanks.
I agree it makes sense to be able to change loads on the fly, and I actually think it's kind of cool. *cue envious look * Back here, there are fewer ranges and when they're open, not that much time on the lanes to crack out a few, whip up a new batch, rinse and repeat. Also with much stricter laws, I think the owers that be would frown on a portable ammofactory
Not being used to much else, I guess I was stuck in the "a few of each, ladder test,pick winner - fabricate" ways. Hence my retrospectively snide remark on 'range time is for shooting". Here, even cleaning while on a lane will get you looks for impeding with another shooters time on said lane.However, I'm lucky enough to have a trip on the books to more civilised parts of the world (with rifle) so I'll be following this thread (pics, more pics please) to steal some ideas. Consider me schooled.
I agree it makes sense to be able to change loads on the fly, and I actually think it's kind of cool. *cue envious look * Back here, there are fewer ranges and when they're open, not that much time on the lanes to crack out a few, whip up a new batch, rinse and repeat. Also with much stricter laws, I think the owers that be would frown on a portable ammofactory
Not being used to much else, I guess I was stuck in the "a few of each, ladder test,pick winner - fabricate" ways. Hence my retrospectively snide remark on 'range time is for shooting". Here, even cleaning while on a lane will get you looks for impeding with another shooters time on said lane.However, I'm lucky enough to have a trip on the books to more civilised parts of the world (with rifle) so I'll be following this thread (pics, more pics please) to steal some ideas. Consider me schooled.
Belton, Luke,
One thing about putting a range box together is to keep it light. Here is another pic of some very light stuff you might need.
If you are a daddy, when you run out of wet wipes for baby's bottom, save the boxes, they make very nice organisers for your range box.
Next time you guzzle down a bottle of Canada Dry ginger ale, cut the top part off and use it as a powder funnel. It is perfect for returning powder to many types of powder bottles and it comes in RCBS green. You DO have Canada Dry in NL I hope!
A cover for the powder measure will keep light from deteriorating the powder in the reservoir. Next time you buy some coffee beans, save the bag, turn it inside out and voila. You might have to wipe the oil film off the foil side tho. These backs come in different sizes so you can shop for the right size and enjoy some good coffee to boot.
There are more ideas but I don't want to wear out my welcome.
One thing about putting a range box together is to keep it light. Here is another pic of some very light stuff you might need.
If you are a daddy, when you run out of wet wipes for baby's bottom, save the boxes, they make very nice organisers for your range box.
Next time you guzzle down a bottle of Canada Dry ginger ale, cut the top part off and use it as a powder funnel. It is perfect for returning powder to many types of powder bottles and it comes in RCBS green. You DO have Canada Dry in NL I hope!
A cover for the powder measure will keep light from deteriorating the powder in the reservoir. Next time you buy some coffee beans, save the bag, turn it inside out and voila. You might have to wipe the oil film off the foil side tho. These backs come in different sizes so you can shop for the right size and enjoy some good coffee to boot.
There are more ideas but I don't want to wear out my welcome.
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Tozguy,
Those two tips are real slap forehead, think why didn't I think of that items. Thanks. I will have to look into the coffee bag thing however, being somewhat of a coffee oaf, that drinks Folgers that comes in a 2# plastic drum.
On the reloading box thing, I use a Harbor Freight tool case, and with everything on board, bullets, powder, primers, press measure....everything that I will possibly need, it weighs around 35# , which is the upper limit. The press is wrapped in a piece of towel, smaller bits are in plastic boxes, the measure and priming tool in zip vinyl cases, and bullets and primers are secured in their boxes with strips of Velcro, which I prefer to having rubber bands die at inconvenient times.
http://www.harborfreight.com/17-x-12-x-5-aluminum-tool-case-69317.html
Those two tips are real slap forehead, think why didn't I think of that items. Thanks. I will have to look into the coffee bag thing however, being somewhat of a coffee oaf, that drinks Folgers that comes in a 2# plastic drum.
On the reloading box thing, I use a Harbor Freight tool case, and with everything on board, bullets, powder, primers, press measure....everything that I will possibly need, it weighs around 35# , which is the upper limit. The press is wrapped in a piece of towel, smaller bits are in plastic boxes, the measure and priming tool in zip vinyl cases, and bullets and primers are secured in their boxes with strips of Velcro, which I prefer to having rubber bands die at inconvenient times.
http://www.harborfreight.com/17-x-12-x-5-aluminum-tool-case-69317.html
Boyd,
Thanks for the link to the tool box. I have been looking for something like that in a larger size. My objective is to replace the powder blue cooler box with something more 'professional'.
In my case the box is also used as the 'bench' for mounting and operating the press and powder measure.
I usually do the reloading while sitting in my Chevy Astro with the layout shown in the picture. Someone could easily do it this way from the trunk of a car, weather permitting.
Having a complete self contained system makes things much easier to setup. The crux of using the box as a bench is to use a press that operates on a table top. The new RCBS press featured recently in the Bulletin is designed along those lines. The LEE press in my case is used because the handle angle can be adjusted to allow most of its swing to stay above the mounting surface. That way the press can be positioned so that forces on the handle can be kept over the footprint of the box and avoid tipping things over.
Re the coffee bag, once people find out it is from Starbucks they think: 'he is not so cheap after all'.
I'm sure someone with a little charm could pick up just the bag from a Starbucks. Larger bags are available at places like Costco but you might have to drink a drum full of coffee to earn one.
Would the Folgers drum work on a Chargemaster?
Thanks for the link to the tool box. I have been looking for something like that in a larger size. My objective is to replace the powder blue cooler box with something more 'professional'.
In my case the box is also used as the 'bench' for mounting and operating the press and powder measure.
I usually do the reloading while sitting in my Chevy Astro with the layout shown in the picture. Someone could easily do it this way from the trunk of a car, weather permitting.
Having a complete self contained system makes things much easier to setup. The crux of using the box as a bench is to use a press that operates on a table top. The new RCBS press featured recently in the Bulletin is designed along those lines. The LEE press in my case is used because the handle angle can be adjusted to allow most of its swing to stay above the mounting surface. That way the press can be positioned so that forces on the handle can be kept over the footprint of the box and avoid tipping things over.
Re the coffee bag, once people find out it is from Starbucks they think: 'he is not so cheap after all'.
I'm sure someone with a little charm could pick up just the bag from a Starbucks. Larger bags are available at places like Costco but you might have to drink a drum full of coffee to earn one.
Would the Folgers drum work on a Chargemaster?
Loading blocks for range kit:
Some light and compact trays for holding cases during the reloading operation come from recycled black powder pellet containers. Just cut the top off. They come in at least three different depths. There is even a version that comes in Lee red!
Some light and compact trays for holding cases during the reloading operation come from recycled black powder pellet containers. Just cut the top off. They come in at least three different depths. There is even a version that comes in Lee red!
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I use the same model, and it has the potential to really organise your kit without leaving anything out. Not made super hardy, but a bit of care with the latches and handle and it will see a fair bit of service.
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