Need HELP to do a Reality check for reloading in RENTAL apartment with TIGHT SPACE.

L

luckey

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Hi Guys,

Thanks in advance for taking time to read this. Some background information first,

Currently I am running around 5000 rounds/year and estimated it will reach 10000/year in around a year timeframe. So, I guess reloading is on the agenda.
To save time on reloading, I am looking at a progressive reloader, such as Lee Load Master or Dillon XL650 with caliber change kits as I am shooting 9/40/45 now and will expand to 38/357(Sig/Mag) and 44 Spl/Mag. Given the round count, this setup should get the money back in no time anyway, so it makes sense to me.

Now, here is the catch. I live in a RENTAL with Limited SPACE. So, two things need to be considered,

1. RENTAL does subject to landlord inspection from time to time. While it does not violate any rules in my apartment, the last thing I want is to have the words spreaded in the building that I have guns. :)
2. LIMITED SPACE means if I set it up permanently somewhere, it will be awkward for me to move around.

Given I am going to buy the high speed machine(expecting 4-500RD/HR rate once I am good at it), for 10000 rounds, technically I will only need to use the press one month per year. So, is it realistically easy to set it up to use for the month and take the main components apart, store away without having to change any configuration on the dies and powder measure? Does any brand specifically have smaller foot print compared to others that can be stored in a big box and put it into storage? I do want auto bullet and brass feeders if possible. from the online pictures, dillon is huge compared to load master. Not sure if the pictures are the same scale.

Really appreciate for any suggestions.
 
With that kind of volume you will actually be loading every few weeks unless you have a huge stockpile of brass. Regardless you're going to need some space for ammo and components as well as peripheral equipment like decent lighting, a scale etc. Being too cramped makes it difficult to enjoy what you are doing.

At the least you will need a large closet or you could find and reinforce a big wardrobe. That might enable you to set up and leave everything. Just close the door, throw a lock on and no one ever has to know what is inside.
 
Laminate 2 piceces of 3/4 inch , good one side plywood sized appropriately.
Attach to one of these:
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30240348/
bekvam-kitchen-cart__19722_PE072900_S4.JPG

Attach reloading gear to that.

I've got a Breech Lock single press and and a Pro 1000 set up that way. Lives tucked away, pull it out when needed.
 
this is a great idea. Is there some kind of locking on the wheels so that it won't move as I am using the press?

dinsdale said:
Laminate 2 piceces of 3/4 inch , good one side plywood sized appropriately.
Attach to one of these:
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30240348/
bekvam-kitchen-cart__19722_PE072900_S4.JPG

Attach reloading gear to that.

I've got a Breech Lock single press and and a Pro 1000 set up that way. Lives tucked away, pull it out when needed.
Click to expand...
 
I have a Rock Chucker press mounted on a grinder stand I bought from Candian Tire. It has 3 legs that lay flat on the floor and a telescoping central column. I pulled off the plate that was attached and replaced it with a piece of half inch flat iron; makes a great mount. Sturdy, stays put, but is easy to move around. Cost was under $70 on sale, as I recall.
good luck
 
like this? www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-bench-grinder-stand-0556868p.html#.VT_2EiGqpQA

I can fix a piece, maybe two of thick plywood, and then mouont the press on it. it looks pretty strong. how heavy it is with the press? still easy to move without any wheels?


Therion said:
I have a Rock Chucker press mounted on a grinder stand I bought from Candian Tire. It has 3 legs that lay flat on the floor and a telescoping central column. I pulled off the plate that was attached and replaced it with a piece of half inch flat iron; makes a great mount. Sturdy, stays put, but is easy to move around. Cost was under $70 on sale, as I recall.
good luck
Click to expand...
 
I began reloading in rental apartment. Dillon 550 is actually compact enough to be mobile, but not the 650 with case feeder.
Go Dillon all the way and make your life easier! ;)
If you can "occupy" medium sized closet - do it. You can install sturdy bench inside and have the press mounted permanently or at least at the same place every time with all the mounting holes marked. Bench itself might be narrow but stable, attached to the walls. This itself beats tripods, you really need some leverage for progressive machine.

s>
 
I do have 5000 ammo with me right now, also will pick some from range trips. So large quantities is not an issue. Thinking by the time I ran through 4000, I will start loading, with a progressive, say I can only do 300/hr, I can definitely finish 4000 within a month easily to make the next cycle.
The space, however, it's an entirely different issue. No enough closure for the setup you mentioned. Has to be tow away. Since mostly are cast iron, I am even thinking to put it on balcony covered with a drop sheet, except the torrent, powder measure and tubes that cannot stand the elements.

vagrantviking said:
With that kind of volume you will actually be loading every few weeks unless you have a huge stockpile of brass. Regardless you're going to need some space for ammo and components as well as peripheral equipment like decent lighting, a scale etc. Being too cramped makes it difficult to enjoy what you are doing.

At the least you will need a large closet or you could find and reinforce a big wardrobe. That might enable you to set up and leave everything. Just close the door, throw a lock on and no one ever has to know what is inside.
Click to expand...
 
If you have a sturdy bench to work at and space to house components you can make it work, don't forget the noise of case cleaners! I don't think the expectation of pulling it out, setting up, pounding out 300-500 and then putting it all away again is practical but definitely can be done say for a weekend. If you are just getting into reloading 300-500 takes a bit of time to get to that kind of speed and maintain safety, especially if you take the press apart every time!

I'm short on space so can't keep a full time space but I usually setup and take down for weekend/week sessions. 650 takes up a lot of room and stores under the bed when not in use, Lee Loadmaster fits under the desk in a box or both can stay out (just take off case feeder, powder measure and bullet feeder tubes) and most people have no idea what it is. Had a service tech in who asked what it was, I asked him what he thought it was and he said a juicer. I said yeah my wife is a health nut and he laughed... Just have to keep all your components and finished products put away and go for it!
 
I'm in the rental game myself and while you would have to check your local act. Generally landlord has to give you 24 hours notice of entry. So you could put your supplies in a closet and lock them up. He/she likely won't look in there. I don't.
Is it an option to rent a storage unit to so this?
 
Use any workbench or surface you have, bolt it to the bench using carriage bolts and wing nuts. This way all you need to do is remove 3 or 4 wing nuts and you can pop the press on or off and put it out of the way. This also allows you to have a clean bench when not loading. I use this method and it works well in small rental apartments.
 
BlackDecker-WM425.jpg


Grab a Black & Decker Workmate bench from a garage sale or Craiglist/Kijiji etc. Lay a sheet of 3/4" plywood (slightly larger than the Workmate to give you some counter space) on top, drill your holes through the 3/4" ply and Workmate top to mount the press and fasten it down with some washers and wing nuts. Easy to take down after and stow in a closet.

eared-nut-64913-2379511.jpg
 
Last edited:
The little Ikea table and even the B&D workmate will not serve well as a reloading press stand unless they are secured to the floor or wall. They are both way too light and will tip and basically be a PITA unless secured or weighted down with lots of goodies. And once weighted down both are going to be anything but portable. You need to have the press mounted to something that is heavy enough to not move around or that is attached to the floor or walls.

500 to 600 rounds an hour also implies case feeders and possibly bullet feeders. Those things are all noisy as blazes even if they are the hand stirred models and not the powered ones. And in an apartment setting that might just draw the sort of attention you're trying to avoid.

With my Dillon 550 I can run off around 300 to 350 an hour without a panic like pace. And the setup I'm using is not really too noisy as I'm hand feeding both the cases and bullets. And this also includes stopping for a couple of minutes every 100 rounds to use the primer pickup tube and then transfer them to the press' primer magazine. Overall this is just about silent other than my fingers in the bin of empty cases and a little rustle picking out the next bullet.

For the setup there are options. Any chance you would have room for a classy looking armoire in the bedroom or as a "storage" unit in the living room? If so then behind the doors you could build in a compact reloading setup that is just a snap of the doors away from being invisible. But you need to figure that out for yourself. We don't know how much room or re-decorating options you have.

In any event do NOT stick a press on your balcony. Most of the parts are painted so those won't rust. But a lot of the parts are just bare steel on any of the presses and those will rust. Taking it all off between uses is just not an option. Also you're worried about the word getting out. But you're OK with reloading out on the balcony? Huh?

There's no doubt that when you want to do stuff like this in a tight apartment that you need to make decisions and you need to move stuff around and jump a few hoops to adapt something to make it all work. And much of that will depend on how resourceful you are and how many folks you know that have home shops that can help you out with adapting or making cabinets or other ideas for a working area.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom