Reloading bench pics

[Benchrest]

Ducted the casting bench today

Something that seems like it would be so simple turned out to be slow work doing it solo.




Done!

Well, last step is to hardwire the fan w/ a relay that kills the fresh air damper

 

[CV-66]

Scrappydoo has the most decorative idea. That would look nice in any room of the house. Good thinking. However, my vote for the best set up has to go to bmgm37. I mean really though... one each. Really? Lol

 

[Benchrest]

Cast a couple hundred 401-145's tonight, and coated a few of those - The hood only has a 210CFM 'booster' fan, but it really works! The garage is fume free

 

[spyguy]

I've only been at it about a year now. Still learning but have been making plenty of good rounds in the calibers that I shoot most often, with mostly good results.

I'm glad I started with the Hornady AP, in spite of most of my credible friends recommending that I start with a single stage press. It took a little longer to get to a point where I could go to work, and there were a few headaches along the way. But I still think it was a good way to get started.

I still fail to see the point in starting with a single stage press based on beginner status. Maybe ten years ago when information didn't exist so close to our fingertips.....but now it's easy to work through issues and there's likely already someone that had the same problem....and posted a video somewhere.

I see many variations in my future, including a single stage set-up. But for now, I've been having a great time learning and experimenting with my Hornady set up. Would recommend it to someone thinking of getting started...especially is pistol is your thing.

 

[Velzey]

Sorry I cant post my whole bench, way to much top secret stuff there!
But I can post this neat old Hollywood press that has 12 Vickerman seating dies atop!

 

[Benchrest]

Sorry I cant post my whole bench, way to much top secret stuff there!
But I can post this neat old Hollywood press that has 12 Vickerman seating dies atop!
View attachment 239155

Sweet mother!

 

[spectra]

I've only been at it about a year now. Still learning but have been making plenty of good rounds in the calibers that I shoot most often, with mostly good results.

I'm glad I started with the Hornady AP, in spite of most of my credible friends recommending that I start with a single stage press. It took a little longer to get to a point where I could go to work, and there were a few headaches along the way. But I still think it was a good way to get started.

I still fail to see the point in starting with a single stage press based on beginner status. Maybe ten years ago when information didn't exist so close to our fingertips.....but now it's easy to work through issues and there's likely already someone that had the same problem....and posted a video somewhere.

I see many variations in my future, including a single stage set-up. But for now, I've been having a great time learning and experimenting with my Hornady set up. Would recommend it to someone thinking of getting started...especially is pistol is your thing.

I can understand the single stage thing but I started with a Lee and love it still. Yes now for pistol I did purchase a SDB but still for rifle I will always use the SS. Just easier to make sure all is right.

 

[Benchrest]

Sorry I cant post my whole bench, way to much top secret stuff there!

I protest!

It's not as if any of us have the ability to triangulate your location and pull off a raid!

Or do we...

 

[Velzey]

Lol!! When raiders come they end up wanting me to fix their guns....
Benchrest I have a question about your setup.

Do you actually cast with that hood setup or just lube?

I have a Star lubrisizer setup on a alum plate with a heating element on it, no smoke..

 

[Benchrest]

Lol!! When raiders come they end up wanting me to fix their guns....
Benchrest I have a question about your setup.

Do you actually cast with that hood setup or just lube?

I have a Star lubrisizer setup on a alum plate with a heating element on it, no smoke..

Cast, and 'bake' - I coat w/ RAL (powdercoat) and bake em' in a toaster oven.

Although the inline fan is only rated at 210cfm (which it certainly isn't doing with the pipe run & 90s / 45s) it moves enough air to eliminate any nastiness.

Jason

 

[Benchrest]

Newest member of the family - A new 4 hole turret 'kit' that I picked up for $60

On the press crimping for 10mm

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

just bought my first house. this is the 2nd thing i did. 1st was set up my safe
View attachment 211880
View attachment 211877 View attachment 211878

built a new bench into the wall now instead of my old table. solid as a rock

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

and another from the early stages

 

[Benchrest]

Tinkered in the garage yesterday

Build at shelf for the press stands.



Now they have a place to live when not in use



Quick connect system is, well, pretty quick

Lets me swap from 3-hole to 4-hole to Pro1000 in about a minute



Pro1000 fully setup with bullet feed and collator



Kludged together a ramp / bin system for the completed rounds - Works quite well



A lot going on in a small space, but it works

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

benchrest,
ive been looking at pro1000s. obviously they are working for you. would you mind giving me some insight on them? pros? cons? likes? dislikes? any input would be much appreciated.

 

[Benchrest]

benchrest,
ive been looking at pro1000s. obviously they are working for you. would you mind giving me some insight on them? pros? cons? likes? dislikes? any input would be much appreciated.

Actually the Pro1000 is brand new (to me), and while I've tuned it, I'm waiting for the correct size bullet feed fingers to arrive before I'm really able to test it.

That said, I've read enough to know that I'll get along with it just fine - watching adjustments and replacing inexpensive plastic bits every now and then.

Now the auto-indexing three hole presses I love - cartridge change in seconds, thousands of rounds though mine without a glitch.

Not a lot of miles on the four-hole ( I only use for 10mm), so no real feedback on that model (other than I think the index rod clamp seems chintzy).

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

Actually the Pro1000 is brand new (to me), and while I've tuned it, I'm waiting for the correct size bullet feed fingers to arrive before I'm really able to test it.

That said, I've read enough to know that I'll get along with it just fine - watching adjustments and replacing inexpensive plastic bits every now and then.

Now the auto-indexing three hole presses I love - cartridge change in seconds, thousands of rounds though mine without a glitch.

Not a lot of miles on the four-hole ( I only use for 10mm), so no real feedback on that model (other than I think the index rod clamp seems chintzy).

thank you for taking the time to share your opinion.it seems like a great value for a progressive set up. i have watched a few youtube vids of guys just hammerin out rounds! im currently loading single stage and am lookin to speed up the process with my handgun loads.however, i will continue to single stage my rifle loads.

 

[Member 5605]

4x4 posts and 4x4 horizontals.

Built a month and a half ago when we moved to our house.

 

[Member 5605]

benchrest,
ive been looking at pro1000s. obviously they are working for you. would you mind giving me some insight on them? pros? cons? likes? dislikes? any input would be much appreciated.

Avoid a 1000 at all costs.

Pain in the bubblegum to setup and tune.

Get a Lee 4 hole turret classic (with the FLAT BASE), trust me. Caliber changes are 15 seconds versus having to change the shell plate. So what if I'm not spitting out one round a pull. I still load a round every couple seconds.

Plus if one round screws up you stop the line, fix it then try and get back in sync again.

I went from a 1000 to turret and won't ever go back.

See above post for my bench setup. Single stage on left (you load from the right), turret to the right as you feed it from the left side. Perfect union and the both use the same primer arms, same bases.

The turret press uses a small square indexing bushing that wears out. $2.50 for them. Buy a few for extras. Figure 4-5000+ if you lube it a little before needing to replace it.

I would love to say more positive stuff about a 1000- but I can't.

Quality control each round at every step is much easier on a turret.

Any questions send me a message. I'll be glad to assist.

 

[Goosebrown]

I move my bench with me. I use L.E. Wilson dies and a 21st Century shooter Arbor Press. RCBS loadmaster combo with a Redding trickler when I want to use one. Hornady analog dial calipers with comparitor. RCBS priming tool.

I also have a Hornady Case Prep station I use a couple times a year to trim brass and clean out primer pockets.

This way I can reload in the car or the hotel when varmint shooting. take my whole set up with me.