In need of "Tool Box" ideas for loading at the range

[Mulligan]

i have decided I am going to start loading at the range, particularly for load development. The range is an hour away and I always end up with loaded ammo that doesn't get shot.
I know the benchrest crowd has been doing this for years....they have got to be pros at it. Help me out please.
What is a good range tool box? Pictures would help.
Powder scale protection?
What press, dies, and such are the standard for BR?
I am a fairly new F-Class shooter and have plans to join the BR ranks soon.
CW

 

[dmoran]

Back in my SR-BR days I used a thrower and press at the range. Now days when loading at the range for LR, where I want my charges weighed out more precisely, most often I go with pre-thrown charges in vials (glass) or in the cases caped with the bullet upside down. I prepare the cases and charges at home, then funneling the selected charges, and seating the bullets at my range or match.

For doing it all at the range, the compact press' like JLC, Harrel's, etc.. work great for case prep, and/or inline dies and arbor press. The Harrel's Culver Measure are highly regarded powder throwers if one wants to throw at the range.

Good Luck
Donovan

 

[LHSmith]

+1 on the preloading the powder in vials at home under constant temp and humidity or else your volumetric thrower will not throw consistent unless you compensate for atmospheric changes occurring at the range. Any press mounted on a short board or metal plate that can be secured to the shooting range benches. For the box, a Kennedy 7 drawer machinist box was common, but IMO too heavy when loaded with tools. For BR work I like Wilson in-line seaters which requires a small arbor press. Don't forget the most important box of all .....the box holding a set of windflags.

 

[Bamban]

Wilson inline seater and this. In my SR BR days we loaded ammo on the range, just threw everything though Lyman Culver converted with a pill bottle adapter, small pill bottle full of powder, priming tool, primers, bullets, and small loading block, all fit in GI 50 caliber can. On mine I just bolted a small piece of Aluminum on the cover with just enough stick out to mount the powder measure.

 

[Mulligan]

@BoydAllen
Any ideas Boyd?
Clay

 

[Richard Coody]

See attached photos for mine. It is an MTM utility dry box.

In it i have a harvey deprimer. All the small tools for reloading. Sinclair priming tool, harrell combo press, harrell BR powder measure and a gempro digital scale. Bunch of stuff i have accumulated while reloading. Have another MTM box i keep bottles of powder for the power measure and primers.

 

[Mulligan]

See attached photos for mine. It is an MTM utility dry box.

In it i have a harvey deprimer. All the small tools for reloading. Sinclair priming tool, harrell combo press, harrell BR powder measure and a gempro digital scale. Bunch of stuff i have accumulated while reloading. Have another MTM box i keep bottles of powder for the power measure and primers.

That helps, thanks.
I was pondering building a nice wooden box with the press mounted. This looks just as handy

CW

 

[Richard Coody]

That helps, thanks.
I was pondering building a nice wooden box with the press mounted. This looks just as handy

CW

I like the idea of a nice wood box. There are some nice ones out there. The MTM is light. Gets heavy quick with all the stuff in it.

 

[rkittine]

If you go to a Medical Supply House you can buy 1 ounce plastic cups with solid fit lids. Good for pre-weighed powder and if you don't need them all, they are great for making Jello Shots!

Bob

 

[Mulligan]

@BoydAllen is this a photo of your set up?

 

[243Lapua]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Gear-Cart-Black-222573/205441921
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Tool-Box-Black-222570/205440481
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Organizer-Black-222571/205440492

This is what I use to organize my reloading tools at the range. Very well made.

I also throw my powder charges at home and put them into plastic test tubes with caps. You can find them on Ebay really cheap.

And I made a portable bench for range use. Here are the plans.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2012/11/12/portable-reloading-press-plans/

There is no need for so much reenforcements. Use good wood screws.

 

[BoydAllen]

Yes, it is. My friend Ed Hellam built it to my design, one for each of us. At the time I did not have a place to do the work. Originally the front was plastic, but I discovered that it caused a slight problem with static charge, so it was replaced with tempered glass. It does not get used that often, because I do most of my shooting with a 6PPC at 100 yards, using thrown charges, but when I want to work up a load with a powder that cannot be thrown accurately I have a way to weigh charges at the range, and not have the scale affected by the wind. I called it my scale wind box. I had never seen anything like it when I came up with the idea. The key point was having the trickler inside with the scale with its handle sticking out the end so that it could be operated with the front cover closed. You really don't need to b able to see anything through the cover except the end of the beam, and the marks that indicate when it is balanced. I am sure that others can come up with improvements. This is just Scale Wind Box 1.1 (with 1.0 being with the plastic cover). It has a bullseye level on the top that you can't see in the picture. There are a couple of changes that I would make but I use it so infrequently that I have not had much reason since it works as it is.

 

[dmoran]

@Mulligan -
Here are vials that I have (and an Ebay link):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/191899433723?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Tim Singleton]

Some pics for ideas. It's gonna take more than one toolbox. You will end up with something else like a small rolling tool bag/ box for powder, cleaning equipment, scales and other misc stuff. A small folding table maybe needed depending on your range 2'x3' is enough and not to heavy.

 

[BoydAllen]

I use several containers, one for flag stands (a zippered bag), another for flags, one for loading stuff and tools, and one for cleaning supplies. My cleaning rods are in a dual case (home made from PVC pipe and fittings) , and if there is no table at the range I take my own, 2'x4' folding. One thing that you should never do is have cleaning supplies in the same container with brass, because it is common for solvents to have some ammonia in them and even the small amount that would get by a container's cap as fumes would be very bad for cases. Yes, all of the packing, hauling, unpacking, and repacking is a pain, but that is what has to be done to achieve the goal.

 

[Thud]

You guys are forgetting 1 big item.


A BIG Pickup to haul all the stuff around in.

 

[Mulligan]

Some pics for ideas. It's gonna take more than one toolbox. You will end up with something else like a small rolling tool bag/ box for powder, cleaning equipment, scales and other misc stuff. A small folding table maybe needed depending on your range 2'x3' is enough and not to heavy.

Thanks Tim, those pics help a bunch.
CW

 

[Mulligan]

I seen a pic somewhere of a nice "cabinet" that was hand made for the basics. It held the press, powder measure, etc. don't know where I seen it however if others have pictures that does help a bunch.
CW

 

[Mulligan]

You guys are forgetting 1 big item.


A BIG Pickup to haul all the stuff around in.

Do in need a covered utility trailer or will the 'Ol Dodge/Cummings do the job?
CW

 

[SheepDog]

A friend of mine used an old milk truck converted to a traveling reloading / gun repair shop. For those of you too young to have ever seen one it is like a box truck with a box that is about 7 feet wide and 7 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet long. He installed a leveling system on it and kept it stocked with all his gear. The refrigeration plant was replaced with a gasoline heater and an air conditioner. I never had the desire to do it but it was a great way to reload just about anywhere.