I've had an urge to reload at the range for load development. I'm sure some of you do it. What kind of set-up do you drag to the range that is not bolted to the bench....press...dies...tools? How do you portage it....wheels...case? What would you do different if you had it to do over again?
Do you reload at the range?
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P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Never done it but thought of it.
Only time I have seen this was an old bench rest guy - he'd turn up in his truck and had on board a small but very solid lil' bench. Bolted to that was his Rock Chucker - or whatever - and he of course had his consumables.
The few times I watched him - he'd put a batch of pre loaded stuff down - make notes and do another batch and so on. When he had gotten results of several - he would reload to suit (I assume) his then best results load and tweak that, or repeat. He only loaded ten at a time IIRC but - struck me as most useful to have that facility on hand. He had all day of course!!
I carry so much stuff to go shoot - I'd never have space to include this gear too!
Only time I have seen this was an old bench rest guy - he'd turn up in his truck and had on board a small but very solid lil' bench. Bolted to that was his Rock Chucker - or whatever - and he of course had his consumables.
The few times I watched him - he'd put a batch of pre loaded stuff down - make notes and do another batch and so on. When he had gotten results of several - he would reload to suit (I assume) his then best results load and tweak that, or repeat. He only loaded ten at a time IIRC but - struck me as most useful to have that facility on hand. He had all day of course!!
I carry so much stuff to go shoot - I'd never have space to include this gear too!
I remember driving in traffic a couple years back and seeing a nifty loading bench with Rockchucker and a some other gizmos attached to the back of a pickup using the hitch receiver. Very slick.
I pulled up next to the driver at a light, mentioned that I liked his range loading setup, and after a pause he said, "Oh shoot, forgot to put it away again!"
So apparently, he takes it out while at the range, plugs it into the back of the truck, loads away, and (usuallly) puts it away when done.
All the others have been benchrest shooters who use C clamps on the bench.
I pulled up next to the driver at a light, mentioned that I liked his range loading setup, and after a pause he said, "Oh shoot, forgot to put it away again!"
So apparently, he takes it out while at the range, plugs it into the back of the truck, loads away, and (usuallly) puts it away when done.
All the others have been benchrest shooters who use C clamps on the bench.
I have done it.
Using a Lee Loader.
I sized/deprimed/primed cases at home.
The only thing done at the range was powder and bullet seating.
You need to weigh powder inside something: vehicle, building, or some kind of container to keep the scale out of the wind.
I locked the Lee Loader bullet seater into the correct length at home.
The whole thing could easily fit in a shoebox.
Using a Lee Loader.
I sized/deprimed/primed cases at home.
The only thing done at the range was powder and bullet seating.
You need to weigh powder inside something: vehicle, building, or some kind of container to keep the scale out of the wind.
I locked the Lee Loader bullet seater into the correct length at home.
The whole thing could easily fit in a shoebox.
cropcirclewalker
member
I feel guiltly.
I live on 90 acres and my shooting bench is just outside my basement door.
I remember one Saturday afternoon when the missus was galavanting, I reloaded the same .303 cartridge 11 times while working up a light load.
Load it.
Shoot it.
Clock it.
Note the bullet hole location.
Check for case separation or whatever.
start again at the top.
repeat until satisfied or the missus comes home.
I live on 90 acres and my shooting bench is just outside my basement door.
I remember one Saturday afternoon when the missus was galavanting, I reloaded the same .303 cartridge 11 times while working up a light load.
Load it.
Shoot it.
Clock it.
Note the bullet hole location.
Check for case separation or whatever.
start again at the top.
repeat until satisfied or the missus comes home.
i do this quite often.
hand dies (look at LE Wilson's stuff on www.sinclairintl.com) and an arbor press are fantastic. they sell the culver powder measures too, but it's not too difficult to bring along your electronic dispenser.
i usually prep brass and prime at home though.
with the hand dies, you can achieve very good accuracy, and there's no need for a "bench" or to have anything mounted. just toss it all in your range bag.
obviously, being at the range is quite convenient for working up loads.
hand dies (look at LE Wilson's stuff on www.sinclairintl.com) and an arbor press are fantastic. they sell the culver powder measures too, but it's not too difficult to bring along your electronic dispenser.
i usually prep brass and prime at home though.
with the hand dies, you can achieve very good accuracy, and there's no need for a "bench" or to have anything mounted. just toss it all in your range bag.
obviously, being at the range is quite convenient for working up loads.
All the time. My range 25yard line is 20 feet from my workshop 
But I have to walk 100 feet to get to the 100 yard bench....
I seriously don't know how the rest of you guys manage....
But back in the bad old days (when I had to drive 2 miles to the club range) I frequently took a Lee loader for load development.
But I have to walk 100 feet to get to the 100 yard bench....
I seriously don't know how the rest of you guys manage....
But back in the bad old days (when I had to drive 2 miles to the club range) I frequently took a Lee loader for load development.
Sam Adams
Member
Not yet, but I'm thinking of getting the Lee handpress for that purpose. Either that, or the basic Lee C-press, and mounting it to a 2 x 6 or 2 x 8 for a stable platform. I'd do what 444 does and only load powder and bullets at the range. My only concern with the C-press would be that lugging it around is not as easy as putting a handpress and the rest of the reloading stuff in a small bag.
Deavis
Member
The range I go to forbids you to clean your guns at the line, I somehow doubt they would let me reload there
IIRC, don't they make reloading kits specifically for loading at a range bench?
IIRC, don't they make reloading kits specifically for loading at a range bench?
I've been thinking about this for some time and reviewed several different configurations of equipment and such in my head. I keep coming back to a hand truck (dolly) that could be outfitted with a hinged fold-down or lift-up table top (1/2" thick aluminum) that has the press and powder measure mounted to it. Table top legs (2) could be attached/extended to/from the sides of the dolly to make a rigid support for the bench. There could be a shelved/drawered keeper underneath the bench top to keep all the misc equipment and components. It would not be so big that it couldn't easily be loaded into the bed of the pickup truck and wheeled around to wherever it was needed.
I would most likely be neck sizing brass so a lighter press less capable than my Redding Ultramag would work fine, just have to figure out which one. That would save me from having to buy new/specialty dies that work with a hand press. I would still plan to use my Redding powder measure. It's very accurate and repeatable and easily calibrated ahead of time for specific kinds of powders.
I would most likely be neck sizing brass so a lighter press less capable than my Redding Ultramag would work fine, just have to figure out which one. That would save me from having to buy new/specialty dies that work with a hand press. I would still plan to use my Redding powder measure. It's very accurate and repeatable and easily calibrated ahead of time for specific kinds of powders.
redneck2
Member
I saw something on the web....maybe. Guy had an article about reloading at the range. Don't remember where exactly.
The benchrest boys do this all the time. Try the Benchrest Central Forum. http://www.benchrest.com
You can get really nice stuff from Sinclair and some of it is designed for range use. Lee used to advertise that David Tubb used a hand Lee Loader to set all kinds of records.
The benchrest boys do this all the time. Try the Benchrest Central Forum. http://www.benchrest.com
You can get really nice stuff from Sinclair and some of it is designed for range use. Lee used to advertise that David Tubb used a hand Lee Loader to set all kinds of records.
45 ACP
Member
Handloading at the range
I've duplicated this setup and it works wonders for me.
The only slight change I made is to use my Forster Ultra Seating die in place of the Lee seater pictured above. It's easier to experiment with seating depth when you don't have to "guess" at how much to turn the bolt.
Just prep/prime brass at home and go for it. Considering the 1.5 hour one-way drive for me to the "good" range, it's worth the effort of contruction.
There's also a lot of good info at David's website if you're into high-precision.
http://home.comcast.net/~davidawilson/LongRange/LR_Frame.htm
I've duplicated this setup and it works wonders for me.
The only slight change I made is to use my Forster Ultra Seating die in place of the Lee seater pictured above. It's easier to experiment with seating depth when you don't have to "guess" at how much to turn the bolt.
Just prep/prime brass at home and go for it. Considering the 1.5 hour one-way drive for me to the "good" range, it's worth the effort of contruction.
There's also a lot of good info at David's website if you're into high-precision.
http://home.comcast.net/~davidawilson/LongRange/LR_Frame.htm
redneck2
Member
Why is their reloading any different?? I could be wrong, but the way I see it, they're looking for accuracy just like you are. Difference is, they're more anal because they're trying to wring the last .001 out. I'm looking for 1/4" at a time
Only difference is they spend 10x the time and 10x the money, and are 10x more hyper about it. The set-up I saw really wasn't very complicated. Just the equipment was more expensive. I'd use an RCBS instead of one of the fancy rigs Sinclair sells. I'm not a good enough shooter to tell the difference. A $1,000 precision press would be wasted on me.
Hey...if that's your game, have fun. I'm not gonna justify myself to you, and you don't have to justify yourself to me either.
Only difference is they spend 10x the time and 10x the money, and are 10x more hyper about it. The set-up I saw really wasn't very complicated. Just the equipment was more expensive. I'd use an RCBS instead of one of the fancy rigs Sinclair sells. I'm not a good enough shooter to tell the difference. A $1,000 precision press would be wasted on me.
Hey...if that's your game, have fun. I'm not gonna justify myself to you, and you don't have to justify yourself to me either.
Matthew748
Member
I currently don't reload at the range, but I would like to. Maybe when I have some vaction time to take I'll rig something up and spend the whole day shooting and reloading. I saw an older man loading at the range one day. After shooting a few rounds he went back to his truck and starting unloading some equipment. As soon as I saw him setting up his Forster Co-Ax I ran over and talking with him.
Clark
Member
I reload at the range.
I put 5 presses on a board and clamp it to the bench at home and to the bench at the range.
It has chaged how I organize my reloading room.
A big box may have little .308 bullet boxes.
Another big box may have .308 Win dies and .308 Win brass
Another big box may have 30-06 dies and 30-06 brass.
Another big box may have a loading scale, funnel, case chamfer, primer pocket cleaner, dial calipers, bullet comparitor, primers, and powder.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=260370
I put 5 presses on a board and clamp it to the bench at home and to the bench at the range.
It has chaged how I organize my reloading room.
A big box may have little .308 bullet boxes.
Another big box may have .308 Win dies and .308 Win brass
Another big box may have 30-06 dies and 30-06 brass.
Another big box may have a loading scale, funnel, case chamfer, primer pocket cleaner, dial calipers, bullet comparitor, primers, and powder.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=260370
"Why is their reloading any different?? "
Well, I was hoping an actual benchrest shooter would jump in and discuss it. I am not a benchrest shooter, but have read about their handloading practices.
Basically, it boils down to the fact that they have custom rifles with a chamber cut to very tight dimensions. The dimensions are so tight that some dont' need to resize their cases. The cases typically last for the life of the barrel. They use like a dozen or so cases over and over for the life of the barrel. From what I understand, they are basically depriming/priming, charge the case with powder, and seat a bullet.
I am sure that this is not exactly correct, but it is as I understand it.
Well, I was hoping an actual benchrest shooter would jump in and discuss it. I am not a benchrest shooter, but have read about their handloading practices.
Basically, it boils down to the fact that they have custom rifles with a chamber cut to very tight dimensions. The dimensions are so tight that some dont' need to resize their cases. The cases typically last for the life of the barrel. They use like a dozen or so cases over and over for the life of the barrel. From what I understand, they are basically depriming/priming, charge the case with powder, and seat a bullet.
I am sure that this is not exactly correct, but it is as I understand it.
jdkelly
Member
"Why is their reloading any different?? "
Because they try to achieve exact duplicate rounds by paying attention to the minute details involved in hand loading, that we as handloaders don't even consider.
Respectfully,
jkelly
Because they try to achieve exact duplicate rounds by paying attention to the minute details involved in hand loading, that we as handloaders don't even consider.
Respectfully,
jkelly
I am probably guilty of beating a dead horse here, but as I understand it, the handloading is totally different, not just more attention to detail, not just "measuring each powder charge (the most common thing I hear when people are talking about making accurate handloads: which benchresters DON'T do).
It is a totally different ballgame: guns and handloading.
It is a totally different ballgame: guns and handloading.
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