Pulling the trigger into reloading:

[Shootingblanks]

It was 10:30pm and I ran out of tap-con screws. Have to make a supply run tomorrow and finish a plan I thought of since I've got the rest of my components coming in two boxes on Monday.



It feels good to have a plan come togehter.

 

[tcoz]

FWIW, I used the slide bar auto primer feeding system on my T-7 for the first time last night and it works perfectly. It's so much better than inserting every primer by hand so make sure you get it when it's back in stock or order it from another supplier.
Like me, you might have read some people saying that they didn't like it, it didn't work for them, this or that wasn't lining up, primers were dropping on the floor, etc. If you set it up like the instructions indicate, it'll work.
One tip...if you load with both large and small primers, buy a second slider bar so you can have one already set up for each. The procedure for changing over is a PITA.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Manuals
*The current edition of ABCs of Reloading is JUNK. Any of the older versions are fine and just as relevant.
*Lyman #49 is excellent and has a good beginners section.
*The Lee book is too partisan towards their products.
*The Sierra book is badly dated. Hornady and Speer manuals are more up-to-date.

Presses and Stuff
*Anything made by Lyman and RCBS is just fine.
*Any maker's dies will work with your press. They are all good as long as they are American-made

Your Press Setup
*You need to rethink how the press is mounted on the bench. There is an inch or two of space between the front of the press and your bench, which means that the press is not entirely supported. If you try FL resizing rifle brass, that press will pull off the bench. Replace that 2x4 with a 2x6 or better, so the press-bottom is entirely supported, and the front of the press is setting against the front of the bench.

I also recommend you get rid of the wood screws as they will not be strong enough. Drill holes and use 3/8" or better steel bolts, nuts, and washers.

Your bench base is fine, but consider replacing the top with 2x10s and 2x12s as they are much stronger and will support the bolts. If you do that, you can use wood screws to attach the top to the bench, but what you attach that press to your bench should still be steel bolts.

A section of my bench:

 

[Shootingblanks]

The front holes on the press were drilled with a 3/8 wood drill bit into the front 2x4. I then went under bench and drilled a 1" whole partially into the 2x4 and it has a washer on top and a washer, lock washer and nut on the bottom. It would have been easier to just use a 3/8 lag bolt in two front bolts but had to work with what I had as the hardware store was closed. The two holes in back were drilled with a 3/8 wood drill bit and are afixed to work bench with washer on top, washer, lock washer then nut on bottom. I tugged on it and leaned back an pulled and it did not budge.



Come spring when the weather is nicer I plan on redoing that work bench. It was here when we purchased the house and I would like to build it sturdier with 4x4 post, two sheets of 3/4 birch plywood, polyurethane the top and anchor the front of the press into the 4X4 against the front of the bench.

I built this workbench in my garage and the birch polyurethane top has held up nicely.


Ready to install the rest of the components when they get delivered tomorrow after work and children go to bed.

 

[Shootingblanks]

Despite being shown by my friend how to reload, I was in at Kames Sports, a local outdoor sporting goods store, firearms etc, they had a sign for free reloading seminars for a rifle and pistol class presented by a certified reloading instructor. I have signed up for both classes.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Despite being shown by my friend how to reload, I was in at Kames Sports, a local outdoor sporting goods store, firearms etc, they had a sign for free reloading seminars for a rifle and pistol class presented by a certified reloading instructor. I have signed up for both classes.

Reloading is not brain surgery, but it does involve smoke and flame and things that go terribly fast. There is not such thing as too much knowledge.

Lost Sheep

 

[Oldhandloader]

Sir:
Please be aware that there is a substantial difference between loading straight wall pistol cartridges and bottle-neck high power rifle cartridges. I have been at this since 1974. For rifle reloading, get the RCBS PRECISION MIC Tool in your caliber and learn how to use it.
It will save you much grief.

 

[Metal God]

I personally would not have used the peg board . That area would be all shelves . Maybe 16" to 18" of peg board then the rest shelves . I just don't have that many things to hang like that . Especially when I use a tool box as I see you do .

When and if you make shelves . Keep in mind that some things weigh A LOT more then you realize . I incorporated an old book shelf to hold many things including projectiles and loaded ammo . I'm here to tell you loaded ammo and even just the projectiles them selves weigh quite a bit . 1000 - 230gr 45 bullets weighs 32lbs and that's a pretty small package to boot . It would not be unreasonable to have 100lbs on a shelf in no time . I found this out the hard way when I noticed my shelves were starting to sag with one being just short of breaking free . So keep that kind of stuff in mind as you put your room together .

 

[thomas15]

Well you are on your way with this obsession. Don't take the tips others are saying personally because it it obvious you are taking this seriously. I agree with the other poster about your press mount. From the pictures you posted it looks like your bench top is chipboard. I have an industrial workbench with steel legs and a chip board bench top that is about 1.25 inches thick. It is good enough for a workbench but not a handloading bench.

My handloading bench which I put together after loading for almost 2 years is (the bench top) made of two layers of 3/4 maple ply glued and screwed and with 2x3 glued and screwed underneath the edges and stringers running back to front. This is not overkill, I believe there is no such thing as overkill with respect to the strength of your reloading bench. If you benchtop is single thick partcle board consider gluing another layer of ply to it. You might also find that if your standing when you load that the press isn't high enough and your back will take a beating.

Having tried all of the easy and inexpensive methods of mounting my press I finally broke down and ordered a mount (inline fabrications ultra mount). Looking at your set up and your obvious love of having a nice well appointed work area, consider a press mount, you will get one sooner or later so may as well cut to the chase. You are going to love your T-7!

 

[SwaneeSR]

Nice work on your reloading room and bench and your garage workbench.

Since I live in the Great White North of Minnesota, my reloading area is squeezed into a small area of the basement utility room. The garage is a no go, and the basement is by large finishing living space.

You sir, have a great spacious reloading room. I am jealous.

 

[Shootingblanks]

Received these packages from UPS last night. Got everything unpacked and set up after children went to bed:


















Managed to tumble the brass, deprimed and size some 9mm and 45 ACP casings.







Ordered the Redding Slide Bar Automatic Primer Feeder System. It was back ordered and they had 10 available for sale today. Also ordered another reloading tray.

Next item to order will be 30-06 dies, shell holder and found a Forster Co-Ax Case and Cartridge Concentricity Gage with Dial from a private seller.

 

[OilyPablo]

Wow I thought I got the reloading bug! Looks like a green bug got you. I seem to have a rainbow of colors for my equipment. But wow wish I had that bench space.

 

[horsemen61]

Looks like a good start

 

[Metal God]

I'm so excited for you . Unpacking and setting up new stuff is so fun

 

[Gadawg88]

Just a friendly suggestion. You may want to consider moving the tumbler off your bench. Even though it has a closed top, you are going to get media dust, especially when you dump it. I have two of a different brand, one with corn cob and one with walnut, and both have sealed tops, but the area where they live still gets dusty over time. Not a huge deal, but I personally wouldn't want it on my bench. Just a thought.

 

[Shaq]

Great setup. Most handloaders start off with cheap presses & equipment. NOT YOU....you got the best turret press ever made. Love that spent primer tube. And that solid bench? I've seen handloaders screw their press on some flimsy desk. I can't stand to even watch someone pull the handle on their press & the whole damn press moves.

I have that same tumbler & it's great, especially with corn cob media & a capful of "Berry's Brass Bright." As someone else noted, the media tends to accumulate around the tumbler. I use the tumbler outside & I sweep the area afterwards.

I predict you'll probably end up with the Dillon media separator. It's much better; even their small one holds a lot more cases & it's very well built. And there is lots of clearance between the cage & the pan, so none of the media gets out during use.

Happy loading & shooting!

 

[OilyPablo]

Or just explore wet tumbling. Did you evaluate the differences?

 

[lightman]

You are off to a good start. Look around in Lowes or Home Depot at their selection of peg board hooks. They have all kinds of useful stuff! Also, look around at the various plastic food storage containers. If you are a coffee drinker, start saving the plastic coffee "cans". They make great storage containers for brass. Oh yeah, kiss your beer budget goodbye!

 

[thomas15]

I have the RCBS Trim Mate which I like very much. I found that replacing the tool heads with the ones that come with the Lyman hand tool was a great improvement. However you will not use the Trim Mate for pistol brass.

 

[Milt1]

You mentioned the Redding Competition 10X powder measure which I have and love. I'm not sure which powder measure you're going to buy but wanted to pass along that my 10X works best by filling the container to the very top. It throws very consistent measures when you "fill it up".

 

[Shootingblanks]

I ordered 500 att xtreme 115g rn 9mm, 500 qty 230g 45 ACP xtreme bullets and picked up 1k CCI #300 primers but Kames and Fin Fur Feather were both out of 1k CCI #500 primers.

Have to decide what powder that I'll be going with for the 9mm and 45 ACP.

I got the Redding competition 10x powder measure and the Redding scale.

Going to Home Depot and check out their peg board selection.

What's going to kill budget is I'm contemplating getting a KKM or Silencerco barrel for my G19.

 

[Milt1]

ShootingBlanks, on visiting this post again I realized that you are planning to load for the 30.06. I don't think the Redding 10-X will do that as it's primarily for pistol loads. You may want to check that out!

 

[Shootingblanks]

Multi one you are correct.

I spoke to Redding support and he mentioned might be able to half the charge and try dispensing it twice. However, he mentioned the rifle powder was different and may not work as well.

Deer season isn't till next winter and I've got time to save up for the correct powder measure and dies considering I've got two boxes of Federal 30-06. Interestingly I have some old brass that my father shot decades ago. Appears to be better brass than what is on market now.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

I like having separate powder measures for handgun and rifle, anyway. I have two RCBS uniflows, one with a small drum and one with a large drum.