Loading Bench Plans

[Adam K]

I started out with one of those little Craftsman fold up work benches, but have since graduated to half of the basement. The only thing I mounted to the counter top is the press. I just built shelves under the stairs for the rest of the stuff.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/kranny99/PICT0234.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/kranny99/PICT0232.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/kranny99/PICT0233.jpg

I got a buddy to build me this gun rack which basically just turned into pellet gun storage so I have easy access when the rabbits invade the garden.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/kranny99/100_0431.jpg

The other side of the stairs just has the safe (hopefully that will be plural soon) and some mounts.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/kranny99/PICT0236.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/kranny99/100_1066.jpg

[showgun]

ADAM:

Damn thats a large Ram! Im in Central washington and I've seen some nice rams but nothing with a double curl! Good looking mounts, and reloading room!

[pdog06]

I was thinking the same thing when i saw the Ram. Dang nice one for sure!

[Balljoint]

If you don't want too build your own bench try this from Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch-solid-oak-workbench-93454.html this was in an ad in my local paper with a 20% off Super Coupon have seen this coupon in many gun magazines including the new American Rifleman pg. 73.

[Hammer]

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One example of a reloading setup…


None of this is for any commercial or productive operation.

It is simply one man’s hobby in his spare time.

All of it paid for by his own efforts (no gov’t dollars at work).

Have been playing around with this stuff for over forty years. Had my first bullet casting setup when I was 13. Had three horizontal SAS bullet swaging presses for calibers up to 458 by the time I was 16. Can make my own bullet jackets for about anything. And, yes, rimfire cases can be reloaded. And, contrary to the rumor mill and conventional wisdom, there is a 3-inch chambered 16 gauge.


1
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/b2ea57d5.jpg


2
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP0173.jpg


Old six-cylinder 5-speed CJ is used to change targets which are setup out past one mile. One day will put a V8 in it to speed up the target changing process.

3
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/ae82efb3.jpg


There’s about two dozen Dillon presses setup and over 150 Dillon tool heads

4
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/2c9e4d85.jpg


5
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/9e1ece60.jpg

Though the Dillons can load up to 500 A-Square and 550 Magnum, the RCBS AmmoMasters fill in for semi-progressive loading of larger rounds.
Think every brand and model of reloading tool and accessory made in the past 100 years is around here somewhere. Some custom made for trying a new idea.

6
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/9e4317e3.jpg

Can load, shoot, and test year round from indoor bench.
Can shoot, measure, make decisions, reload the exact same piece of brass with desired modifications, and shoot again in under a minute.

7
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP0365.jpg


Sound reducing chamber allows me to test 50 calibers while the cowboys work with two-year-old colts in a round pen less than 200 feet away.

8
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP0368.jpg


Each round fired is measured on seven independent chronographs in order to average out measurement error and to identify measurement outliers.

9
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP1206.jpg

The range is a surveyed one mile. Has paper and automatic re-setting steel targets in multiple directions from the shooting bench. Shooter can choose whatever degree of crosswind he needs for a particular test.

10
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP0200.jpg

This particular Savage has over 150 barrels ranging from the 14-221 Walker up through the 470 Capstick. Five complete bolt assemblies with different cartridge bolt heads. Also has half-dozen different stocks. And about a dozen scopes preset in detachable rings. Got to have the right equipment for whatever tests need to be done.

11
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP2175.jpg


In rifles, currently load for hundreds of cartridges ranging from the 14-221 Walker up through the 585 Nyati. Similarly with handguns.



12
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMG_1850.jpg


And field testing is essential…

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http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP0185.jpg




A Comment about Handloading Bench Construction

Some of my benches are built of 2-inch square steel tubing welded together. They have 4 foot by 8 foot tops made of 1½ inch thick plywood with steel support every two feet. Under each loading press is a large piece of steel to spread the pressure before the bolts reach the washers and nuts. These benches are tall enough to work from standing up or with a high adjustable stool or chair.

Other benches are made with either 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 posts for legs. Edge, cross bars, and other supports are 2 x 8’s. The tops once again are 1½ inch thick plywood. Lots of glue, long screws, and nuts and bolts hold them together. These benches are a little shorter and use Dillon strong mount to raise the presses.

Yet other benches are made by using two sets of Gorilla Racks together to form the legs for a 4 x 4 foot top made of 1½ inch plywood.

Make a bench that is solid by design and construction without any need of added weight. Make one that will not be shaken by dropping a Big Block V8 on it. Then add weight to the shelves in the form of lead shot or bullets. Make something that requires a big diesel to budge it.


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[Hammer]

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Before the question gets asked...

No.

Cannot afford the liability of giving handloading recipe advice.

Besides, I consider a rubber mallet an essential tool in testing.

And barrels and actions are consumable goods.

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[Hammer]

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Shotgun loading and testing is done in another building.

Nearly all shotgun loading is done on Spolars.

Wife says I have to quit using vintage Parkers and L C Smiths for experimentation purposes.

The newer Merkels and Krieghoffs will hold a little more juice.

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[Hammer]

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Have had benchrest type loading dies and equipment since the beginning.

My first rifle was built by benchrester Fred Sinclair himself, founder of Sinclair International.

Grew up within a couple of miles of where national benchrest matches were routinely held.


Having said that, Dillon's progressive equipment will load ammunition suitable for any purpose including competition.

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[trappst]

My goodness I love when you post those! ;D

Although I'm feeling a bit inadequate at the moment..............

[bythebook]

Thanks Hammer it gives the rest of us something to dream about. I mean it, thanks again.

[Tim300wsm]

you have quite the setup ive never even imagined anything like that :o you gotta have one hell of a wife to have all the toys too all i can say is wow

[Balljoint]

Any ranch lands for sale or auction in the area you live, looks like a very good area too live BUT how much SNOW do you get during the winter and when does it start

[Hammer]

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... how much SNOW do you get during the winter and when does it start...





Doesn’t snow much.

The first snow starts about mid-September. Last snow melts about mid-July. August is rough sledding.

But we still put up 150 tons or more of hay each year for the livestock.



One night’s fresh snow

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http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP1074.jpg



Typical morning for the cowboys
Real snow removal equipment has large diesel engines and either tracks or lots of wheels.
Sand trucks are not optional.


2
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP1107.jpg


3
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP1069.jpg


Sometimes have to knock a little snow away from the windows.
Rarely have snow above the second story eves.

4

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP1251.jpg



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[Hammer]

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... you gotta have one **** of a wife to have all the toys too all i can say is wow...




She tolerates my habits pretty well.

On top of that, as a senior scientist and engineer in high tech stuff, she can help me with my experiments and tests.

Her excellent cooking is favored by all our overseas guests and a topic of discussion when we visit them at their homes.

She has never bought me a neck tie for Christmas or my birthday.

Currently, she favors German shotguns for presents.

Yes, she has unmarried sisters and nieces.

No, their contact information is not available.





Another habit.

1

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/PR06551063909.jpg



Yet another habit.

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http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Hammer100/IMGP0284.jpg


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[Blue Avenger]

there is a catch to hammers life style, he has to go to all the big city's around the country and WORK to support the cowboys he employs life style. ;) I think the cowboys may be ahead of the game!

[Hammer]

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Twelve Million frequent flyer miles earned the hard way.

Been to New York City or Washington every week this past two years. And hit the other four corners each week too. International when I cannot talk my way out of it. Was supposed to be in Tokyo and Singapore this week.

Smart cell phones and email make it more difficult to escape work.



The cowboys are all the time sharing how difficult life is.

That they'd like gentler cow ponies to break.

Couldn't I hire someone for them to supervise instead of them building fence.

Telling me they need a new rifle barrel for coyote work.

And the first generation Colt SAA 44's are getting a little worn.

Next thing they will want is a PowerPoint projector.

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[Blue Avenger]

wait til they want taller pony's then the shetlands so there legs quite dragging through the sage

Maybe you can get some of the firearms industry to redeem a few of them miles. other company's are doing it.

[Adam K]

ADAM:

**** thats a large Ram! Im in Central washington and I've seen some nice rams but nothing with a double curl! Good looking mounts, and reloading room!


Well I'll admit that's the only animal I shot in a preserve. I said I wouldn't do it again because although I had fun it didn't really compare to actually getting out and doing all the work. I am planning a boar hunt now though for a bachelor party for a buddy of mine... and I need a way to test out my 338 Federal before I take it to Quebec this year for whitetail. Everything else was shot on public lands, except one of the 6pts. I took in Quebec a couple years back.

[TOO Builder]

Hammer,

Airplanes, reloading and appaloosas. Too much in common :o

If you are ever flying that Mooney over central ND you need to stop in for a visit.

[Rocca]

This may be a bit off topic but I have been looking for someone to adopt me. HAMMER?!?!?! TOO Builder???? I dont eat much and I'll be more than happy to help out with the load development.
My wife and kids will probably want to come along also But I'll leave them behind if you only have room for one. ;D