Loaded 250rd 9mm on my SDB being extra careful to visually check every single powder charge, after my kaboom last weekend.
What did you do in the reloading room today?
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BigWaylon
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As I mentioned earlier, I spent some time last weekend creating a dedicated reloading area that will also serve as a ammo closet. I'm going to put some pics up for a couple days to share the progress. It'll take more than one post, since I think I'm limited to 10 pics per.
A little background. I bought my press sometime around Dec '16, maybe Jan '17, and didn't really have anywhere to put it. I came up with a workable temporary solution. Attached it to a couple pieces of shelving board and then used two big clamps to attach that to the dining room table. I think this is the only pic that even somewhat shows it:
I started with 9/40/38/357 (yes, I bought separate dies for 38/357 so I could "set it and forget it"). Did a semi-setup with Don when I picked up the press, then a couple visits from @FatboyFlash and @Mike Overlay got me in business. Loaded up one box of .40, one of 9, and then a couple rounds each of 38/357. That ammo is still sitting here unfired almost a year and a half later. I've also bought .45 dies (because I finally bought a couple .45 guns), but haven't set those up.
I wanted a dedicated setup inside, and came up with a plan. We have one of those annoying small attic doors inside a closet in our bonus room. That closet was full of junk in tubs that had to be drug out the 3-6 times a year we needed attic access. So I figured I'd take over that closet as a reloading area, which would also cause me to keep the pathway clear to the attic. The bonus room served as my theater, and I had a pretty decent collection of media on some shelves I installed. Somewhere around 1300 CDs and 500 DVDs. Looked like this a couple years ago:
You'll also noticed I started putting random ammo on the end of the shelves. Also I'm fromt of the CDs and DVDs where there was room. And what you can't really see is all my silencer boxes are down on the bottom shelf, along with a HF tumbler and some more ammo.
Last December I finally decide to get rid of the CDs and DVDs. As a bonus, those shelves just happen to be slightly narrower than the distance from the attic access door to the wall, so I wouldn't need to buy all new material. Boxed up the CDs/DVDs and it sat that way until last weekend. Here's a pic partway through the process last December:
More ammo had found its home on the shelves along the way. That's the closet door on the wall next to it. So yea, I was really in the same corner working throughout the whole conversion. The closet was sparse. It's has a angled ceiling, one fluorescent tube light, and one wire shelf across the back wall. This was my canvas:
The plan was to build a bench on the right side. I had ~13" from the door frame to the wall, which should keep it out of the way. And also leave me room to slide a chair under the bench and out of the way. My mom happened to have a single stool/chair she wasn't using anywhere and so I snagged it and used it to determine the location of the bench. I posted this pic in the recently purchased firearm accessory thread, but here it is again:
A little background. I bought my press sometime around Dec '16, maybe Jan '17, and didn't really have anywhere to put it. I came up with a workable temporary solution. Attached it to a couple pieces of shelving board and then used two big clamps to attach that to the dining room table. I think this is the only pic that even somewhat shows it:
I started with 9/40/38/357 (yes, I bought separate dies for 38/357 so I could "set it and forget it"). Did a semi-setup with Don when I picked up the press, then a couple visits from @FatboyFlash and @Mike Overlay got me in business. Loaded up one box of .40, one of 9, and then a couple rounds each of 38/357. That ammo is still sitting here unfired almost a year and a half later. I've also bought .45 dies (because I finally bought a couple .45 guns), but haven't set those up.
I wanted a dedicated setup inside, and came up with a plan. We have one of those annoying small attic doors inside a closet in our bonus room. That closet was full of junk in tubs that had to be drug out the 3-6 times a year we needed attic access. So I figured I'd take over that closet as a reloading area, which would also cause me to keep the pathway clear to the attic. The bonus room served as my theater, and I had a pretty decent collection of media on some shelves I installed. Somewhere around 1300 CDs and 500 DVDs. Looked like this a couple years ago:
You'll also noticed I started putting random ammo on the end of the shelves. Also I'm fromt of the CDs and DVDs where there was room. And what you can't really see is all my silencer boxes are down on the bottom shelf, along with a HF tumbler and some more ammo.
Last December I finally decide to get rid of the CDs and DVDs. As a bonus, those shelves just happen to be slightly narrower than the distance from the attic access door to the wall, so I wouldn't need to buy all new material. Boxed up the CDs/DVDs and it sat that way until last weekend. Here's a pic partway through the process last December:
More ammo had found its home on the shelves along the way. That's the closet door on the wall next to it. So yea, I was really in the same corner working throughout the whole conversion. The closet was sparse. It's has a angled ceiling, one fluorescent tube light, and one wire shelf across the back wall. This was my canvas:
The plan was to build a bench on the right side. I had ~13" from the door frame to the wall, which should keep it out of the way. And also leave me room to slide a chair under the bench and out of the way. My mom happened to have a single stool/chair she wasn't using anywhere and so I snagged it and used it to determine the location of the bench. I posted this pic in the recently purchased firearm accessory thread, but here it is again:
BigWaylon
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I had stocked up on projectiles for the last year, and had several pounds of Titegroup, a pound of a couple others, and maybe 10K primers. My initial goal was to stick to a single primer and powder. So I also collected up brass, and made sure my .45 was SPP. I'd saved up the bottles my wife's kombucha comes in, cleaned them and removed the labels, and that's how I organized the projectiles. Looked like this:
Which meant that part of the plan was also to create shelves for those bottles. I was going to set it up this way:
1. Floor to ceiling shelves for ammo on the back wall.
2. More shelves on the left wall (over the attic access door) for ammo, with a shelf up top for powder and primers.
3. Projectiles on the front wall.
4. Bench on the right wall, a shelf over it for scales, and another shelf up top for powder and primers.
I also wanted to change out the light, and knew I'd want more lighting down near the press. Simple enough.
Step 1 basically done:
Step 2 basically done (no top shelf yet):
Step 3 in progress:
A couple more in progress pics:
Step 4 in progress:
Two small 12" strip LEDs (on their own switch) mounted under the shelves closest to the press. Two pics showing those, with the overhead light off to give you an idea brightness:
Which meant that part of the plan was also to create shelves for those bottles. I was going to set it up this way:
1. Floor to ceiling shelves for ammo on the back wall.
2. More shelves on the left wall (over the attic access door) for ammo, with a shelf up top for powder and primers.
3. Projectiles on the front wall.
4. Bench on the right wall, a shelf over it for scales, and another shelf up top for powder and primers.
I also wanted to change out the light, and knew I'd want more lighting down near the press. Simple enough.
Step 1 basically done:
Step 2 basically done (no top shelf yet):
Step 3 in progress:
A couple more in progress pics:
Step 4 in progress:
Two small 12" strip LEDs (on their own switch) mounted under the shelves closest to the press. Two pics showing those, with the overhead light off to give you an idea brightness:
BigWaylon
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Considered painting it, then said "meh". Haven't even filled in the holes where the wire shelving was at this point. Will eventually take care of that.
Started gathering ammo from my various hidey-holes. The stack of .40 Blazer Brass was all bought in the time from Obama being elected to getting in office. My first "scare" purchases. Kept clearing out the local Walmart whenever they'd get any in. Not sure if I found more or less ammo than I would've guessed beforehand.
Here's a collection of pics of the current situation. Basically done at this point. Just need to clear the room itself out of all the junk that was pulled out of the closet. And yes, part of the wall is painted black in that room. Take the rectangle that is made by the baseboard, the closet door, the entry door on the other end of the same wall, and a line drawn between the two doors even with the top of the door frames...and all that area was painted black many years ago. It used to have a huge (275lb) 57" TV sitting in front of it, from back when choosing between 4:3 and 16:9 was even a choice for HD. It now has a 70" 4K hanging on it. With the lights out, and the TV on, everything just fades away and you see the TV screen.
On to the pics:
Lucked out and the light fit just right. Built the shelf before I bought the new "overhead" light.
Going to need to come up with a seal (gap at the bottom) for that access door and a way to keep it closed. Normally containers stacked up against it handled that duty.
It's not near as spacious as some of the pics I've seen others post, but I made use of space and materials I had. Cost me a bit in wood, screws, anchors, angle brackets, etc...but not too bad.
The rulers for shelf trim idea came from another thread over in the DIY section. Since the projectile shelves are roughly 13" long, the 1' rulers worked great...and were 25¢ each, with holes already drilled in them.
Now I just need to start loading, and then shooting what I load! Gonna branch out to 50 Beowulf at some point. Straight walled cartridge that should be a money saver and fairly similar to loading pistol.
Started gathering ammo from my various hidey-holes. The stack of .40 Blazer Brass was all bought in the time from Obama being elected to getting in office. My first "scare" purchases. Kept clearing out the local Walmart whenever they'd get any in. Not sure if I found more or less ammo than I would've guessed beforehand.
Here's a collection of pics of the current situation. Basically done at this point. Just need to clear the room itself out of all the junk that was pulled out of the closet. And yes, part of the wall is painted black in that room. Take the rectangle that is made by the baseboard, the closet door, the entry door on the other end of the same wall, and a line drawn between the two doors even with the top of the door frames...and all that area was painted black many years ago. It used to have a huge (275lb) 57" TV sitting in front of it, from back when choosing between 4:3 and 16:9 was even a choice for HD. It now has a 70" 4K hanging on it. With the lights out, and the TV on, everything just fades away and you see the TV screen.
On to the pics:
Lucked out and the light fit just right. Built the shelf before I bought the new "overhead" light.
Going to need to come up with a seal (gap at the bottom) for that access door and a way to keep it closed. Normally containers stacked up against it handled that duty.
It's not near as spacious as some of the pics I've seen others post, but I made use of space and materials I had. Cost me a bit in wood, screws, anchors, angle brackets, etc...but not too bad.
The rulers for shelf trim idea came from another thread over in the DIY section. Since the projectile shelves are roughly 13" long, the 1' rulers worked great...and were 25¢ each, with holes already drilled in them.
Now I just need to start loading, and then shooting what I load! Gonna branch out to 50 Beowulf at some point. Straight walled cartridge that should be a money saver and fairly similar to loading pistol.
Combat Diver
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Loaded up 160 rds of .38 Special on the single stage press then remembered I have the conversion kit for my Dillion 550B, LOL. Always use the 550 for 9mm or .45. Then loaded up some Sierra .224 77 gr MatchKings/OTM. Trimmed all my 30-30 brass.
CD
Always use the 550 for 9mm or .45. Then loaded up some Sierra .224 77 gr MatchKings/OTM. Trimmed all my 30-30 brass.CD
I have a 20" 1:8 AR, and had good luck with 8208 and Hornady 75bthp.My first rifle reloads... I only had enough brass for a few. I hope they don't blow up! Lol for my 20 inch 1-8 AR.
Loaded 50rd of .300BLK 147gr supers on my Lee Turret.
I’m gonna try to load up a couple hundred this week if I can find the time.
I’m gonna try to load up a couple hundred this week if I can find the time.
Loaded up 100 rounds of 44mag. 23.5gn H-110, Zero 240 JSP bullets. (photo not taken - it is not as pretty as the 460 so why bother). Used up the rest of that pound of H-110.
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BigWaylon
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But I would dare say that amount dwarfs in comparison to what some people on here have. I'd bet there are more than a handful with a higher volume of 5.56 or 9mm than I have in 22LR.
But yeah...that's definitely more than Walmart has in the locked case some days.
I be ready to shoot them a week from Sunday.
I swapped out the flash hider on my 20" AR with a muzzle brake. Suspecting it may change the barrel harmonics, I loaded up a few test rounds, right around the last accuracy node I had. Will test them the next time I am at the range.
Took a bucket of 223 range pickup I have collected the past few months, wet tumbled (without pins) then swaged the primer pockets. Then I sorted by headstamps. Total of about 800 pieces, mostly LC brass. I will use these to test the new salt-bath annealing kit that I have on the way.
Took a bucket of 223 range pickup I have collected the past few months, wet tumbled (without pins) then swaged the primer pockets. Then I sorted by headstamps. Total of about 800 pieces, mostly LC brass. I will use these to test the new salt-bath annealing kit that I have on the way.
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Today, I received an order from Lee Classic for the classic turret. Index collar and two index nuts. After 50,000 plus reloads the nut was kaput. I probably did not need the collar but I ordered it anyway. Collar and 1st nut no cost, free. Second nut $,50. Not bad.
Clicker
Well-Known Member
Loaded 300 rds of 9mm subsonic, 147 LFN coated with Hi-Tek over Solo 1000. Plan to load several hundred more before a range trip on August 22nd.
Had a minor problem when the primer return pin (leaf) spring on my SDB broke but I robbed one off another SDB and rolled on.
Had a minor problem when the primer return pin (leaf) spring on my SDB broke but I robbed one off another SDB and rolled on.
Melted lead into 1 lbs blocks and have about 180 lbs ready to go in the new magma caster. Have the luber sizer ready to go. Cut hole in casting table and still need to sand the sides. I still have to mount a stainless container under table to catch sprue. Will have to design something that will allow me to remove the container easily. Then I will be ready to cast the little 530 gr bullets. I do have to help someone unload some 460 rounds this Sunday so he can reload some more. Someone has to sacrifice for a friend.
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Primed 300 .223 cases, but more important I installed another inline fabrication mounting station. Last week I added the plates the star sizer, the RCBS bench primer, and the cannelure tool. Nice to have all that stuff hanging on the wall.
Also installed target grips on a S&W M41, it is uncanny how well it fits and as a result it points like a laser.
Also installed target grips on a S&W M41, it is uncanny how well it fits and as a result it points like a laser.
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I just managed to NEED a reloading room....visiting my parents for the weekend... find out a devil dog brethren of my fathers is wanting his stuff to go...so I came home with a small tumbler, media, 2 lee single presses, a rcbs progressive, a herters super#3, a powder scale, 2 antique powder hoppers, a case trimmer, a bullet puller, 3 hand primer things, 45acp dies,38-357 dies, bunch of books and lots of decent brass. mostly 30.06. more dies and projectiles and powder were found later.... not a bad birthday score plus time with the family
Charlie R
You can't take ammo home!
Family and Reloading Rooms. The two are mutually exclusive. You do realize that don't you?
Like to see a photo....getting ready to do the same thing and could use some ideas!
Not really creative, but here is a shot with the high mount and the flat mount. I’m probably going to route the flat one into the bench at some point, but for now it’s on top with a spacer underneath to make space for the tab to slide into place. One thing is that the flat mount has to cantelever off the front of the bench by about 1.5” so you can access the hold down bolts.
Update on Lee Precision customer service. After installing new index collar and nut, I noticed that I was throwing powder flakes, just a few every stroke of the press. Got to looking and it seems that the neoprene wiper on the powder hopper was wearing and losing a little on the disc. Called Lee and they are sending me a new insert....free, no shipping, not taxes.
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so it appears I have acquired an RCBS ammomaster-auto progressive, set up for .45acp. minus the powder hopper among other things.... wondering if the old Lyman hopper can work on it
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Hi Guys,
I did some ladder workups in 10mm this afternoon using Titegroup & Bullseye for 175 gr coated LSWC (Lyman Load Data) and using Aliant 2400 & AA#7 for 180 gr & 155 gr TMJ-FN respectively (Speer Load Data). No BE-86 as I cannot find it locally. My go-to supplier is ordering some for me when he makes his regular monthly powder order....saves me the hazmat fee. Hope to get to the range and test it all out, soon.
Elmer
I did some ladder workups in 10mm this afternoon using Titegroup & Bullseye for 175 gr coated LSWC (Lyman Load Data) and using Aliant 2400 & AA#7 for 180 gr & 155 gr TMJ-FN respectively (Speer Load Data). No BE-86 as I cannot find it locally. My go-to supplier is ordering some for me when he makes his regular monthly powder order....saves me the hazmat fee. Hope to get to the range and test it all out, soon.
Elmer
Feel sorry for you guys that live in the city and don’t have room for even a press.
But look at the trade offs, McDonalds is just around the corner.
Knocked out 300 9mm’s just to have some fun time.
But look at the trade offs, McDonalds is just around the corner.
Knocked out 300 9mm’s just to have some fun time.
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Clicker
Well-Known Member
Knocked out another 400 rds of 9mm topped with my homemade 147 LFN bullets. Need to clean the lube off and box 'em up, I'm about out of these but it's way too hot to cast.
Tomorrow it's on to 5.56.
Tomorrow it's on to 5.56.
I adjusted the .308 die set to begin load development for the M1A and PA10 and likely my brother's RPR. Sort of.
The longest headspace of once fired brass from the M1A was .0015" longer than the inspection tag in the box and I didn't set the shoulders back any. I won't do that until it grows to the chamber limit. I'll just have to make sure the bolts lock up before I charge and seat.
I've got some 178gr. ELD-X and a few pounds of H4895 and IMR 4064, plus about a pound of IMR4895 and some 210s & BR-2, so I should be able to find something that works.
I'm hoping the ELD-X shoot well because I'm down to my last 20 rounds of loaded 180gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips that shoot lights out in my 700 30.06. I've been using that same batch for deer hunting I worked up 20 years ago for a moose hunt and I can't find or remember the recipe so I have to start from scratch again.
This weekend I'll load up ten rounds at each charge weight throughout the range and hopefully find a quick release shoe to mount the chronograph on the tripod and then next weekend empty the brass.
Hopefully I won't have to use the puller.
The longest headspace of once fired brass from the M1A was .0015" longer than the inspection tag in the box and I didn't set the shoulders back any. I won't do that until it grows to the chamber limit. I'll just have to make sure the bolts lock up before I charge and seat.
I've got some 178gr. ELD-X and a few pounds of H4895 and IMR 4064, plus about a pound of IMR4895 and some 210s & BR-2, so I should be able to find something that works.
I'm hoping the ELD-X shoot well because I'm down to my last 20 rounds of loaded 180gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips that shoot lights out in my 700 30.06. I've been using that same batch for deer hunting I worked up 20 years ago for a moose hunt and I can't find or remember the recipe so I have to start from scratch again.
This weekend I'll load up ten rounds at each charge weight throughout the range and hopefully find a quick release shoe to mount the chronograph on the tripod and then next weekend empty the brass.
Hopefully I won't have to use the puller.
Just have to know the right people.......won't say his name......I believe he has every powder.
I cleaned up the guns and deprimed all the brass from the range trip this morning.
I had a chance to test my first loads for the Garand. The lowest charge of H4895 cycled the gun just fine. I did not bother shooting the highest two charges, no need to stress the gun. Now I need to load up some production rounds.
I had a chance to test my first loads for the Garand. The lowest charge of H4895 cycled the gun just fine. I did not bother shooting the highest two charges, no need to stress the gun. Now I need to load up some production rounds.
I hope all you fellows got in the reloading room on this rainy afternoon. I did. Using CFE-Pistol powder, I loaded up a few 115 gr Hornady FMJs and then a batch of 115 gr Acme coated lead bullets. Had a great time and didn't even get wet .
Elmer
. Elmer