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Author Topic: reloading bench  (Read 8033 times)

Offline BULLBLASTER

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reloading bench
« on: January 23, 2012, 08:38:51 AM »
I am going to buy a reloading bench soon and was wondering what you guys use? I am looking at this woodworking bench at harbor freight.

 http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch-solid-oak-workbench-93454.html

It is very sturdy and the top is plenty stiff for a press. Any other ideas?
It will he used as an all around shooting/hunting work bench also. Where I will work on archery stuff and reload. And gun cleaning etc.

Offline cascademountainhunter

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2012, 08:54:01 AM »
I like that way better than the bench i got to use right now. However you may not be able to open a couple droors in the front with a press mounted on there.

Offline Biggerhammer

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2012, 08:55:05 AM »
Looks good, you may have to anchor it to some wall studs or the floor some how. Full length sizing, esspecialy with used brass can get fairly rough sometimes. :tup:

Offline JohnVH

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2012, 08:57:01 AM »
I have that HF bench, wife got it for me for xmas. I like it, its not the deepest, but its super sturdy, running the press doesnt make it wobble at all, and the drawers are felt lined, and hold alot of stuff.


Offline BULLBLASTER

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2012, 09:32:59 AM »
That is exactly how I would set it up. Glad you like how it works. It seemed heavy and sturdy when I looked at them so wasn't concerned with press operation and resizing.
Thanks.

Offline TheHunt

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2012, 09:44:58 AM »
You could not build that bench for that price.  Pull the tigger and buy it.  I made mine out of scrap plywood and 4x4 legs.  But that bench is ready to go. 
275 down 2

Offline JohnVH

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2012, 09:45:22 AM »
works great, thought about getting a second one and putting it on wheels for a mobile work bench in my man room. I full length size everything and it works great. Its pretty heavy, that top block is thick!  I thought the end vice thing was gay until I figured out I can clamp guns in it and not hurt the finish, hehe.  Only bad is the top deck has some holes in it for those dowel things, so I was going to put plugs in them to fill them in. Just have not done it yet, if something falls into them it just goes into a drawer.   :tup:

Offline Encore 280

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2012, 10:15:47 AM »
Here's one of mine all cluddered up. :yike: My Lee Loadmaster, Pro 1000, and Mec 9000 Shotshell reloader can all be bolted down to the right of the Pacific. Haven't tried the Dillon SD on here yet, it mounts on the other bench. I don't think I need anymore reloaders. :bash:

Offline BULLBLASTER

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2012, 10:46:47 AM »
This made up my mind then. In Tue next couple weeks I will buy the bench and get all set up. Glad I found a 20% off coupon for harbor freight in the paper yesterday morning. It will be nice to get my reloading set out of the box and set up for use! Just waiting on some pieces from rcbs that were supposed to be included in my kit that were forgot.

Offline whacker1

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Offline BULLBLASTER

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2012, 11:38:18 AM »
I don't see a need for the tool hanging board on the back. I like drawers more. I think you would be in to about the same $ in the end but still have a 2x4 bench. I like the finished look since it will be in the house. I looked at the kits and benches at cabelas and see the hf one as the best buy still.
I also still need to buy a task light to.set up too. Going to look at these today after work.

Offline JohnVH

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2012, 11:40:47 AM »
I put a shelf on the wall behind the bench and hung a smaller tube light under it to light the bench up. works good for me

Offline KillBilly

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2012, 12:41:56 PM »


Some people spend their entire life wondering if they made a difference. Marines don't have that problem.
He who shed blood with me shall forever be my brother.

Offline BOWHUNTER45

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2012, 12:43:30 PM »
Dang ...wish mine was that clean  :tup: thats a sweet set up !

Offline Jason

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2012, 12:58:04 PM »
KillBilly are those Lyman t-mags? if so how do you like them?

Offline JohnVH

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #15 on: January 23, 2012, 01:07:32 PM »
how do you like those powder measure/dispensers, Ive been thinking I need one of those lately

Offline HardCorpsHuntr

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #16 on: January 23, 2012, 01:08:04 PM »
Thanks for posting this BB.  Just what I'm looking for too!
"Fast is fine. Accuracy is final. You need to learn to shoot slow, real fast." -Wyatt Earp

Offline AWS

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #17 on: January 23, 2012, 01:10:34 PM »
There is never enough room.



T-Mags are nice, there is one on the bench shown but I've replaced it with a Lee Cast Classic Turret with 7 heads , much faster to change out, I have 13 different cartridges on the 7 heads.  If I were only loading for two or three cartriges the T-Mag would be great.  With the Lee I've been able to eliminate the Truline Jr And the T-Mag and put a Mec where the Truline was.
After the first shot the rest are just noise.

Make mine a Minaska

Offline JohnVH

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #18 on: January 23, 2012, 01:31:01 PM »
I use the Lee Classit Turret also, love that press, I have a disc for ever caliber, takes < 1 minute to change calibers.

list=UULqx43LM26ksQ_THrEZ7AcQ&index=65&feature=plcp

Offline KillBilly

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #19 on: January 23, 2012, 01:55:30 PM »
KillBilly are those Lyman t-mags? if so how do you like them?

Yes they are and I luv em. I have a bunch of turrets and it is a quick change to calibers... There may be some better but not for me...
Some people spend their entire life wondering if they made a difference. Marines don't have that problem.
He who shed blood with me shall forever be my brother.

Offline BULLBLASTER

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #20 on: January 23, 2012, 02:23:54 PM »
Mine is the rock chucker press made by rcbs. I don't reload a ton and don't mind screwing and unscrewing the dies. I'm very excited to get set up and loading at my house. Right now I go to my parents house and use my dads reloading set.

Offline jeepasaurusrex

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #21 on: January 23, 2012, 03:01:46 PM »
Im finishing up mine out in the shop. 24" wide by 16' long.



Howa 1500 in .270 Winchester Shootin handloads.

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Offline KillBilly

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #22 on: January 23, 2012, 03:46:17 PM »
how do you like those powder measure/dispensers, Ive been thinking I need one of those lately

If that question is for me, I like them a lot. They are accurate to 1/10 of a grain and are quick and easy to use.
Some people spend their entire life wondering if they made a difference. Marines don't have that problem.
He who shed blood with me shall forever be my brother.

Offline JohnVH

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #23 on: January 23, 2012, 03:47:58 PM »
Yep, and thanks!

Offline whacker1

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #24 on: January 23, 2012, 05:51:14 PM »
how do you like those powder measure/dispensers, Ive been thinking I need one of those lately

If that question is for me, I like them a lot. They are accurate to 1/10 of a grain and are quick and easy to use.

love mine also

Offline addicted

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #25 on: January 24, 2012, 12:01:26 PM »
I use the Lee Classit Turret also, love that press, I have a disc for ever caliber, takes < 1 minute to change calibers.

list=UULqx43LM26ksQ_THrEZ7AcQ&index=65&feature=plcp

this is the way i'm thinking about going as well. any complaints about the system as a whole?
"Right now, I am thinking that If my grandmother was here, she would be lecturing me about how there are poor people in Africa, that would just love to have a Ruger, I would just say "Great, granny, lets just ship all the Rugers to Africa!"


Loving life in the Great Northwest one day at a time.

It sounds like it's time to get a new gun.

Offline JohnVH

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #26 on: January 24, 2012, 12:16:21 PM »
no complaints at all, I love it. The powder system isnt as accurate as a high quality setup, but its fast and for just shooting it works great, if your a bench shooting perfectionist, you may want something else..

list=UULqx43LM26ksQ_THrEZ7AcQ&index=66&feature=plcp

It wont charge a 7mm mag, so I have to powder those manually, but everything else works great! Look at the vid, 1 loaded round ever 10 seconds about.

Offline addicted

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #27 on: January 24, 2012, 12:24:01 PM »
no complaints at all, I love it. The powder system isnt as accurate as a high quality setup, but its fast and for just shooting it works great, if your a bench shooting perfectionist, you may want something else..

list=UULqx43LM26ksQ_THrEZ7AcQ&index=66&feature=plcp

It wont charge a 7mm mag, so I have to powder those manually, but everything else works great! Look at the vid, 1 loaded round ever 10 seconds about.

the powder disks were one thing that i was semi sceptical about. I did note the specs couldnt do large cartridges. 

I've got enough ammo to last me another year or 2 for the rifles so maybe christmas 2013 i'll get my set up.
"Right now, I am thinking that If my grandmother was here, she would be lecturing me about how there are poor people in Africa, that would just love to have a Ruger, I would just say "Great, granny, lets just ship all the Rugers to Africa!"


Loving life in the Great Northwest one day at a time.

It sounds like it's time to get a new gun.

Offline AWS

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #28 on: January 24, 2012, 01:39:07 PM »
I use my Lee as a single stage and use my bench mounted powder measures and hand priming tools..  I just like the ease of the changing die sets.
After the first shot the rest are just noise.

Make mine a Minaska

Offline whacker1

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #29 on: February 09, 2012, 09:46:37 AM »
I am going to buy a reloading bench soon and was wondering what you guys use? I am looking at this woodworking bench at harbor freight.

 http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch-solid-oak-workbench-93454.html

It is very sturdy and the top is plenty stiff for a press. Any other ideas?
It will he used as an all around shooting/hunting work bench also. Where I will work on archery stuff and reload. And gun cleaning etc.

Just an update, I ended up buying this bench last weekend and getting it all set up.  I just need to finish mounting the press, and I am ready to go.  It is much nicer than I anticipated from Harbor Freight.  I have had some sub par experiences with Harbor Freight in the past, but this product is very nice.  Chris, if you haven't already purchased one, they carry them in stock at the Harbor Freight on Nevada.  Thank you for starting this thread.


Offline BULLBLASTER

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Re: reloading bench
« Reply #30 on: February 09, 2012, 10:20:33 AM »
Thanks whacker. I bought mine and got it set up. It is working very well for me. I just forgot to update the thread. The bench is.very sturdy and is just the right size for my area and what I do there.

 


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