New Reloading Room

[Reloading Bum]

I just tore out the old linoleum and put in some new floors. I was about to put my reloading bench and gear back in the room when the light bulb went off. STOP everything! I don't want the same setup in here for another, who knows how many years.

Here's what I have in mind: Unless a gun is being worked on, no guns are visible in the room. It's not for storing guns, just working on, cleaning and reloading.

One thing about having all of your gear setups permanently affixed, it always takes up a lot of space. It may seem like a lot of work, but I think having a bench where... aside from a nice vise on one end, being able to interchange and move things seems like it would work better for me. I use an old RCBS RC Press for FL, Neck Sizing, and some seating, most seating is with a small Arbor press. One thing I'm chewing on is how to best set up my powder measuring station. This might be something flexible as well vs a permanent station?

It seems to me that having my powders down low, in a cool dry location but organized (having a screen with a list of all of my powders, pressing a button and a container pops out like a coo-coo bird would be cool, but that's a lot of work)and my bullets kept on shelves behind cupboards is best. That's just me. The less visible the better but a pegboard with some easy-to-access tools, might be my preferred approach? Having a bunch of storage cubbies and drawers for tools and measuring gear will also be the way to go.

I think I'm going to focus a lot on storage and easy access to my tools. Does anyone have any links or pics. of some reloading rooms and or benches that you like?

ReloadingBum

 

[Forum Boss]

There is a whole section at the end of this article covering the set up of a dedicated reloading room in a new house. There is also a thread in this Forum.

Story: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2021/07/sunday-gunday-6mm-cm-and-6-5-cm-switch-barrel-prs-rig/

 

[PigButtons]

Just one tip I'll share as far as fixed vs flexible work stations. I mounted my Dillion 550 on a 2' x 2' piece of plywood. That way I can bring it out in one piece and set it on the bench top and secure it with a couple of c-clamps. When not in use it is in a cabinet out of sight. I could do the same with my Forster co-axial but it is my primary and is used almost every day.
I also bought a cheap Harbor Freight wood working bench for my powder charging station. It has 4 semi-functional drawers, a nice shelf, and a good flat work surface that I covered with terry cloth to keep cases from rolling away. The bench has a wood vise on the right side that is very handy when needed.

 

[Dub]

My reloading room has evolved over the years. Inline Fabrication made things SO much better.

 

[Dub]

then there is my Dillon set up

 

[TAJ45]

Cabinets are great and I have 4 large ones wall mounted above good sized benches. Think solid core doors. However, once it gets behind closed doors, I will begin to lose track of my "stuff". I'm thinking a lack of organization on my end may be a contributing factor. Just maybe -

 

[divingin]

bullets kept on shelves behind cupboards is best.

Remember that bullets are heavy. A decent supply is damned heavy. Plan accordingly.

 

[snert]

I used t hide my guns in safes. Now I keep them on a rack in my vault room. That inspires me as I walk by and say "hmmm. maybe I could make that 7 mag shoot better" or "I might buy a 686 someday, better lay in some reloads". My rack is expandable, and I always have two open spaces. Wife is less likely to see something new when her brain says "still two empty spaces"...

I don't have a big room. it is only 6 feet wide, 15 feet long. I have a canning cabinet full of powder, bullets, primers and reloads, plus brass buckets, tumblers, etc. My bench has a RCBS jr, a T7 and a Dillon 550. I move my old school 505, and my Bald eagle prmer and Wilson trimmer get clamped to the bench when in use. I have four hanging cabinets for dies, smalls, books. My bench has a charging station for two lithium powered walmart drills that run my trimmer, chamfer, deburr tools. I use Painters buckets in small and medium to sort brass into stages as I load big batches, and masking tape to mark them as "deprime, size, clean and trim, ready to load." Three lights overhead, under cabinet lights, a swing light and two old-style Rock n roll speakers for tunes, Chinamart amp and bluetooth. I have a budget box store folding 2x4 bench ($79 on special) that i use for cleaning and repairs, and it has a shelf for my, and Lil Snert's shooting bags, and under it is stashed a suitcase with fly reels, clay birds, parts and misc.

Not the neatest place, but it works. I'd love drywall and tile, but I'll settle for steel lined walls over reinforced cement walls, joists (great for overhead storage), 99 cent tiles on floor and lots of paint and 2x4's. I wish it had room for a recliner too...but alas, no room for that.

 

[Coonman300]

My rack is expandable, and I always have two open spaces. Wife is less likely to see something new when her brain says "still two empty spaces"...

Now that’s a thinking man...love it!!

 

[338 dude]

Just one tip I'll share as far as fixed vs flexible work stations. I mounted my Dillion 550 on a 2' x 2' piece of plywood. That way I can bring it out in one piece and set it on the bench top and secure it with a couple of c-clamps. When not in use it is in a cabinet out of sight. I could do the same with my Forster co-axial but it is my primary and is used almost every day.
I also bought a cheap Harbor Freight wood working bench for my powder charging station. It has 4 semi-functional drawers, a nice shelf, and a good flat work surface that I covered with terry cloth to keep cases from rolling away. The bench has a wood vise on the right side that is very handy when needed.

I have the same bench I like it very much for what it cost it functions well

 

[cheek9075]

My reloading room has evolved over the years. Inline Fabrication made things SO much better.

So how the heck are you keeping the floor so clean? I'd have powder, bullets, and spent primers all over the floor.....

 

[ryanjay11]

I have this Milwaukee bench with two presses mounted to it. It has plenty of storage for all components, ammo, powder, etc. You can't see it in this picture, but I have a battery backup on the shelf on the right that I run my scale through.


I recently ordered this Husky Bench to hold a vacuum sealer/meat grinder/slicer/etc.

If you were only running one press and wanted to have a table to work on guns, I think it this would fit the bill perfectly. The table folds down and you could get it out of your way pretty quick. With all of the storage in the bench, a pegboard on the back is pretty unnecessary anyways.

 

[Dub]

View attachment 1268562
I have this Milwaukee bench with two presses mounted to it. It has plenty of storage for all components, ammo, powder, etc. You can't see it in this picture, but I have a battery backup on the shelf on the right that I run my scale through.

View attachment 1268563
I recently ordered this Husky Bench to hold a vacuum sealer/meat grinder/slicer/etc.

If you were only running one press and wanted to have a table to work on guns, I think it this would fit the bill perfectly. The table folds down and you could get it out of your way pretty quick. With all of the storage in the bench, a pegboard on the back is pretty unnecessary anyways.

Both are great ideas

 

[Intheshop]

Had a nice response,that got zapped. So screw it... here's the pic in anycase.

 

[284winner]

I dedicated a bedroom into my reloading room once the bedroom was vacated and furniture removed. We had 4 bedrooms and really only needed one guestroom besides the master bedroom. One is a weight room and the other a reloading room. I put a bench on all 4 walls connecting each other. The only area where there isn't a bench is the door and where the gun safe is. It's only In there for powder and primers. More of a storage unit for flammables. It's carpeted still which is ok. Vacuums easily. The office chair with rollers doesn't really move on carpet very well. Next floor will be an office carpet that's more like a smooth carpet. Not sure I'd change anything other than the room size if I could. It's only maybe 9x12 but works out well. I decreased the room by about 30% when I cut a portion of it off to make a hallway going into an addition I added to the house. Wouldn't have worked as a bedroom at that point so Reloading room it was.

 

[jdh47]

My theory is you can never have enough stuff, just not enough space to put it all.