Reloading at the range.

[arakboss]

Another member here mentioned that he does some minimal reloading while at the range. He does most of the work at home and then charges cases and seats bullets at the range with a Lee hand press.

I am curious if other's here are doing something similar. If so can you describe your range reloading set up? Have you met with any resistance by ROs?

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[Andy54Hawken]

Shooting the Hawken

• Andy54Hawken
• Dec 2, 2020

Me shooting my Hawken Rifle.

I always reload at the range...what's the big deal...?
Andy

 

[Towhead]

Seems pretty silly to not finish at home.
You have a more controlled environment.

However, I've only seen benchrest shooters
do this in specific shoots.

 

[GunShy]

Seen it a few times with no resistance from the RO but never did it myself as I have everything I need ready prior to heading to the range.

 

[arakboss]

Seems pretty silly to not finish at home.
You have a more controlled environment.

However, I've only seen benchrest shooters
do this in specific shoots.

The benefit I see, is being able to work your charges up without having to pull rounds apart that might be over pressured, under pressured or just didn't perform well.

 

[Local Loader]

Can't say I've done it at an official range, but I have done it when I've gone out target shooting before. Use to use my single stage that is mounted to 2 2x6s that mounts snuggly into my cargo rack. But I've since started switching to my AP press that is mounted the same way. I use a pre-calibrated and hard set powder drop for both, so I don't need to check weight as much. A sturdy folding work bench works for mounting as well. Done this for most calibers I use but mostly just the ones I shoot the most that are cheaper to reload than buy.

 

[Joe13]

……. My range has a dedicated reloading room….

 

[Koda]

The benefit I see, is being able to work your charges up without having to pull rounds apart that might be over pressured, under pressured or just didn't perform well.

Those are few and far between, I would just take them home to break down later. My range has a reloading room with a press, but even still I dont see any reason to load at the range. I think if your going to do this then a hand press is in order. Or maybe bolt a single stage press to a 2x4 or something you can clamp to the shooting bench... if the range allows that. Even set up, seems like more effort than just doing it at home.

 

[DizzyJ]

I can possibly see benefit from it by working up a load right there. I do believe many bench rest shooters will do this at matches.

 

[arakboss]

If I can find a press like this in the $20 range, it might work well for seating bullets at the range. I will snap some photos of the back bench at the range on next vist. Obviously I won't be able to drill mounting holes in bench top. I may be able to use some quick clamps if the press is premounted on a board. This press is supposedly very light weight.

 

[gmerkt]

Not long ago, I saw a large pickup with a reloading press set up on a massive rear bumper. I didn't get a chance to look into it. The truck had out of state plates, they were visiting shooters. My guess was they were doing load development in the field.

I can see how such a set up might be necessary as above. But when close to home, I want to do it in the usual setting and not at the range.

 

[arakboss]

Not long ago, I saw a large pickup with a reloading press set up on a massive rear bumper. I didn't get a chance to look into it. The truck had out of state plates, they were visiting shooters. My guess was they were doing load development in the field.

I can see how such a set up might be necessary as above. But when close to home, I want to do it in the usual setting and not at the range.

I find that my range trips are very infrequent. I do try to load a good variety of rounds before I go. But if the reloading set up was light and easy to set up, I might take it along for just in case load work up or adjustments.

I often use less conventional load data and component combos. That may make it more likely I will run into situations where adjustments at the range could be useful. Bullet pulling capability at the range could be useful too.

 

[Local Loader]

I find that my range trips are very infrequent. I do try to load a good variety of rounds before I go. But if the reloading set up was light and easy to set up, I might take it along for just in case load work up or adjustments.

I often use less conventional load data and component combos. That may make it more likely I will run into situations where adjustments at the range could be useful. Bullet pulling capability at the range could be useful too.

I transport mine from time to time and except for the press, most everything fits into 1 or 2 50cal ammo cans or a single Plano box, just depends on what and how much I want to take with.

I think if you're going to do this then a hand press is in order. Or maybe bolt a single stage press to a 2x4 or something you can clamp to the shooting bench... if the range allows that. Even set up, seems like more effort than just doing it at home.

You just described what I've done with some of mine, as for setup, it only takes me maybe 5 to 10min to setup and I'm ready to load, just depends on how much I bring with, but setup is really easy.

 

[ma96782]

I asked at my local range about "reloading at the range". I figured that it would be a quicker/easier way to do "ladder tests/load development".
The response was......"NO". But.....there was a "special room" (off to the side) where reloading was possible.
Personally....I never took up the offer after that initial conversation about it.

Aloha, Mark