Let’s see an odd item that you use in your reloading process.

[cfullgraf]

Here is a block I built for using the case holders for a Wilson trimmer/Sinclair trimmer stand.

The right side is for seating the case in the case holder, the left side if for removing the case from the case holder. I use a pin that fits in the case mouth and knocks on the base iof the case to remove the case from the case holder. There is a UHMW pad on the right side that minimizes potential damage to the case mouth. The block is aluminum.



This is not as efficient as some high volume trimmer systems such as the Giraud or WFT trimmers, but works well for low level trimming applications.

 

[nettlle]

I have a Wilson trimmer. It's an excellent trimmer.

 

[Random 8]

Mine didn't photograph well. It's a Lee aluminum 30-06 family shell holder with several file strokes removed to shorten it's overall height giving an "over travel" with the ram of the press and reducing shoulder height below SAAMI spec. I would not wish to use this for standard calibers, but it is used for reforming .308 Win into .300 Savage and 30-06 into 8x57. The over travel is needed to bump the shoulder far enough to effectively chamber the rounds in order to fireform with a light load.

 

[Hugger-4641]

It's probably not that odd, but this is my drying set up after wet tumbling.
Its a fume extractor being used as a fan and boiler tray out of an old oven. The holes work great for standing up bottle neck rifle cases and allowing any stray pins to fall out underneath.

 

[JmacD]

I will take a “delicates” bag for laundry, dump some brass in it out of the wet tumbler, and use it properly by closing it in the door of the dryer while I have some work clothes drying. It will dry brass out in flat.

 

[Litetrigger]

A common problem with some presses is catching spent spent primers as they drop out the bottom. So I put together this PVC "plumbing" arrangement that catches primers and drops them in bucket out of the way. And since I prefer a loading "desk rather than a higher bench, I had the drawers made so that they hold rows of loading dies end up so that they are quickly found and retrieved. Each drawer holds 40 sets of dies, most that can be found, pulled out and replaced without getting out of my chair.

 

[Soonerpesek]

Each drawer holds 49 sets of dies that can be found, pulled out or replaced without getting out of my chair.

I think when you load for your 148th different cartridge, we will think about listening to you….!!!……….

 

[CQB45ACP]

I will take a “delicates” bag for laundry, dump some brass in it out of the wet tumbler, and use it properly by closing it in the door of the dryer while I have some work clothes drying. It will dry brass out in flat.

Ingenious!

 

[Hugger-4641]

I guess my entire loading bench is probably odd to some. Its in spare room on 3rd floor of my house. I work a full time job and have to grab reloading time when ever I can an hour or two at a time. It's worth buying multiple presses to me if it saves me a few minutes. I keep a bullet puller in the Lee C and a universal decapping die in the RCBS on the left. The 3d printed primer catcher and clear hose work great
The RCBS on right was my grandad's and I've usually got a crimp die or primer pocket swager in it. I have extra turrets for the Classic 4 hole and most of the cartridges I load regularly are set up in thier own turret.
My powder measures are to the right of the 4 hole on a small table and my reloading manuals and dies are all stored behind the chair in a horizontal file cabinet. I've got a Lyman 6 hole that I haven't set up yet cause I'm gonna have to build a new bench to be able to add it.
I can do everything from that chair once I get the brass, powder and bullets I'm gonna use laid out.

 

[Bwana John]

For fabricating pokers, scratchers, pushers, probers, pickers…. I like to use bicycle spokes.

good high quality steel, in different diameters, and long enough for custom work.

 

[CQB45ACP]

For fabricating pokers, scratchers, pushers, probers, pickers…. I like to use bicycle spokes.

good high quality steel, in different diameters, and long enough for custom work.

But what do the playing cards slap against as the wheel’s turning?

 

[Bwana John]

But what do the playing cards slap against as the wheel’s turning?

Mine still works, I cut the spokes out of your wheel.

 

[jmorris]

I wish I could take credit of this accessory, but it's the genius idea of someone brighter than me. It is a continous flow of even 12 volt power to the RCBS Charge Master from a portable 12 volt booster.

Be careful with this mod, especially if your sticker is gone and your transformer is lost. They all look the same but I think they have used 3 different operating voltages, I have two of them myself.

 

[Armored farmer]

Its not uncommon for me to have a couple of mec 600jr shotgun shell loaders and a Lee single stage cartridge loader set up at the same time on the bench for long periods.
I take my air compressor and blow everything clean. Maybe a drop of ballistol here or there....then cover each with an old pillow case. Everything stays clean and dust free until next time.

Not as creative as some of your ideas, but it works good for me.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I haven’t used it yet but I got this baby utensil drying rack from the thrift store. I’m going to use it to dry brass after the hot soapy vinegar treatment

 

[Skgreen]

4X Magnifier from Harbor Freight = $2

Rectangle Magnifying Glass

Amazing deals on this Rectangle Magnifying Glass at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Walkalong]

Heh! That’s awesome!

 

[CQB45ACP]

Mine still works, I cut the spokes out of your wheel.

Seemed like something was up. Thought it was stealth mode.

 

[EMC45]

I've also used a round 1/4in dowel rod (or a chopstick even) with a struck pencil mark on it to check powder depth of cases when loading pistol powder in rifle cases for cast bullets.

 

[WestKentucky]

But what do the playing cards slap against as the wheel’s turning?

Another reason to dumpster dive is exactly what I needed this morning.

 

[dobedo]

We all have either makeshift or odd items that we use during the reloading process. Such as the bent paper clip.
Let’s see what you have on your bench and what is it used for. Some of us may learn something.

Mine are some make up brushes, I use them to sweep up any spilled powder, or dust off any grains of powder that sometimes trickle / fall onto the powder scale. Comes in very handy.


View attachment 1199485

I use a Variable AC transformer to my drill to control speed hooked up to my case trimmer it beats the crank when doing lots of cases.

 

[entropy]

What? Cheerios, an unusual reloading item?

Unusual to some, but the Trapshooters who reload reading this will know how they are used.

For the rest of you, Cheerios can be used for correcting stack height with some loads, and they can be put in wads for 1 1/8 oz. loads when throwing 1 oz. of shot. (Or 7/8 oz. loads when using 1 oz. wads, or 3/4 oz. loads when using 7/8 oz. wads)

When you do this remember not to bring the wad ram down all the way after you put the Cheerio in, or you will get it stuck in the wad ram, (not fun!) or if you're lucky, completely crush the Cheerio, thus negating any advantage of putting it in the shell.

 

[Jonny2guns]

I use a Variable AC transformer to my drill to control speed hooked up to my case trimmer it beats the crank when doing lots of cases.

I have a transformer just like that sitting in my basement.

 

[DustyRusty]

If you find a transformer like that, take care of it, maintain it, it's a great tool if your aware of it's uses.

 

[Varminterror]

I'm not certain I have anything odd in my reloading room which isn't something that other folks are already doing. I see a few things in this thread that I do, or have done in the past, but I think almost all of my tricks are pretty well known in our world. I'm certain I have a very unique reloading process - or relatively certain I have a FEW unique reloading processes for different types of ammo - but really only because I've combined a large number of common variables together in a relatively unique way, and I've bought gear with different objectives in mind than some other folks... But overall, it's all gear that I expect most reloaders will have in one form or another.

I'll have to start keeping notes as I load ammo this spring - I'm sure there's SOMETHING in there which is "odd," but I think everyone else uses SOMETHING which is at least serving the same general purposes as every tool I use.