A Christmas present to myself -- my reloading bench and kit

[The Kurgan]

Well, after 2 weeks, I have finally assembled all my reloading equipment and bench. A rather large initial investment, but I don't really care if I get my money back. I look forward to "handloading" for my two favourite rifle calibres: 308 Win and 7x57. I don't really forsee myself reloading in any large quanity, but rather to get my Savage 10BA and custom 7x57 lightweight sporter to shoot dime size holes.

BTW, I cannot believe how rock solid and smooth the Lee Classic Cast Press is !! I was a bit worried with all the RCBS vs Lee vs whatever threads. The builit-in primer tool is also excellent. I doubt I will be using my Lee hand primer tool much.

Here's a few photos of my humble set-up:

My first 3 handloads:

308 Cartridge #1 -- once-fired Hornady brass, full length resized, 38 grains IMR 4895, Hornady Match 308 Win 168 Grain BTHP, Winchester large rifle primer (primed using Lee press)

308 Cartridge #2 -- new Sellier & Bellot brass, 39 grains IMR 4895, Hornady Match 308 Win 168 Grain BTHP, Winchester large rifle primer (primed using Lee Auto-Prime XR priming tool)

308 Cartridge #3 -- new Sellier & Bellot brass, 40 grains IMR 4895, Hornady Match 308 Win 168 Grain BTHP, Winchester large rifle primer (primed using Lee press)

 

[The Kurgan]

BTW, if you are looking for a good inexpensive, but solid bench to mount your press, I purchased the Canadian Tire gumwood work bench as in the photos. $100 + tax and money well spent. It makes a great reloading bench. I shopped all over for a decent work bench, and the metal ones that I found at Canadian Tire and Lowes, etc. are way too flimsy and cheaply made. This one is well constructed, comes with heavy duty fasteners, plus two brackets to mount it to the floor. Another neat feature is the wood vice/clamps. They are perfect to hold the Lyman case trimmer without having to screw it down. I also have another nearby desk that I will use for my case tumbler cleaner and ultrasonic cleaner, etc.

 

[Rooky]

Looks good, do you happen to have a link to that bench on the ctc website?

 

[Bassmaster]

Hey Kurgan..
Nice set up, congrat's. Personally it all looks too shiney....
Start crankin' 'em out.....give your bench some character of its own
Merry Xmas....

 

[IMagius]

Nice setup, and I love that bench ... will definitely have to look into it's availability here.

Any chance you can find a part number or something on your bills for that table? The only thing I can find is a single review of the Mastercraft Rubber Wood Workbench - which looks the same as yours, but there is no listing for the actual bench itself.

http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045...aft-rubber-wood-workbench-reviews/reviews.htm

Found it listed in a couple flyers as well, but if you click the lnks, it takes you to saw horses

 

[The Kurgan]

There were three left at my local CDN Tire. They are apparently not a "regular product" so once they're gone, they may not be getting more.

I saw it in a flyer and decided to have a look.

Trust me, it is a nicely made bench made with a decent hardwood. Not much that comes out of China turns my crank, but this product is exceptional.

 

[Kevan]

Nice looking setup Kurgan.... awesome pictures.
You will enjoy the press, they are very clean to use and strong too !

Merry Christmas from monsoon country !!

 

[alexik]

Very nice

How much does a setup like that go for ballpark?

 

[blacksmithden]

Congratulaton, and welcome to the sandbox of reloading. I started out small too. Things can progress quickly when you drive by the toy store 4 to 6 times a day. It's just too easy to stop in and pick something else up ! LOL !

 

[The Kurgan]

Very nice

How much does a setup like that go for ballpark?

Well, I'm not much of a bargain shopper, and I don't have a whole lot of time to go from store to store to get the cheapest price, but I think I did o.k. The total cost, including the bench, was $1279.32. Everything I purchased I got for between 10% and 13% off. I bought all the gear from Al Simmons and Markham LeBaron.

Al Simmons:
Frankford Arsenal "Quick-N-EZ" case tumbler
Hornady GS-1500 digital scale
Hornady digital caliper
Lee Classic Cast Press, heavy duty, single stage
Lee 308 Win shell holder
Lee Deluxe die set for 308 Win (full length sizing die, neck sizing collet die, dead length bullet seater)
Lee "Perfect Powder" measure/dispenser
Lee Auto-Prime XR priming tool
Lyman case preparation kit
Lyman Reloading Handbook, 49th Edition
Turbo Tumbler media ("corncob green")
MTM Case-Gard Universal loading tray (fits all sizes)
RCBS "Case Slick"
IMR 4895 smokeless powder
Hornady Match 308 Win 168 Grain BTHP
Sellier & Bellot 308 Win cartridge cases
Winchester large rifle primers
Total:
$580.15

LeBaron:
Lyman 1200 DPS 3 digital powder dispenser
Lyman "Turbo Sonic" ultrasonic case and steel parts cleaner + solution
Lyman universal case trimmer
RCBS stuck case remover
RCBS "Quick Change" powder funnel kit
Total:
$586.18

Canadian Tire:
Gumwood bench
Total:
$112.99

 

[alexik]

Well, I'm not much of a bargain shopper, and I don't have a whole lot of time to go from store to store to get the cheapest price, but I think I did o.k. The total cost, including the bench, was $1279.32. Everything I purchased I got for between 10% and 13% off. I bought all the gear from Al Simmons and Markham LeBaron.

Al Simmons:
Frankford Arsenal "Quick-N-EZ" case tumbler
Hornady GS-1500 digital scale
Hornady digital caliper
Lee Classic Cast Press, heavy duty, single stage
Lee 308 Win shell holder
Lee Deluxe die set for 308 Win (full length sizing die, neck sizing collet die, dead length bullet seater)
Lee "Perfect Powder" measure/dispenser
Lee Auto-Prime XR priming tool
Lyman case preparation kit
Lyman Reloading Handbook, 49th Edition
Turbo Tumbler media ("corncob green")
MTM Case-Gard Universal loading tray (fits all sizes)
RCBS "Case Slick"
IMR 4895 smokeless powder
Hornady Match 308 Win 168 Grain BTHP
Sellier & Bellot 308 Win cartridge cases
Winchester large rifle primers
Total:
$580.15

LeBaron:
Lyman 1200 DPS 3 digital powder dispenser
Lyman "Turbo Sonic" ultrasonic case and steel parts cleaner + solution
Lyman universal case trimmer
RCBS stuck case remover
RCBS "Quick Change" powder funnel kit
Total:
$586.18

Canadian Tire:
Gumwood bench
Total:
$112.99

Awesome man!
That's decent
I'm gonna start with that CT bench in January

 

[The Kurgan]

Congratulaton, and welcome to the sandbox of reloading. I started out small too. Things can progress quickly when you drive by the toy store 4 to 6 times a day. It's just too easy to stop in and pick something else up ! LOL !

Yeah, I'm sure my kit will grow over time as well

 

[The Kurgan]

Hey Kurgan..
Nice set up, congrat's. Personally it all looks too shiney....
Start crankin' 'em out.....give your bench some character of its own
Merry Xmas....

No worries... starting tomorrow night
I am going to make a bunch of different variations to see what my Savage 10BA likes.

 

[kamlooky]

And humble you should be.......
If your shooting resembles anything like your ability to organise your work area,
heck, your groups should follow suit.
Nice set up, great photos and fantastic post.
Cheers and keep us posted with the targets to follow.

 

[hk33ka1]

Very nice bench and set up !!!

 

[bedrock]

What are the dimensions of the bench?

 

[randas]

PS you need to make more than one round of each load you want to test

 

[zippy_the_wonder_chimp]

sweet pics

Great setup. My fave item: the fire extinguisher

A great idea in any home, actually.

 

[Tiggrot]

That is rather tidy and organised.

My bench looks like a bomb went off...

Excuse the awful pun.

 

[NShunter1254]

Difference between my bench and yours
You have lots of neat stuff under your bench whereas I might have a bench somewhere under all that stuff.