Considering reloading

[JBHorne]

Hello all,

I am considering starting to reload now that I am shooting .45, 9MM, .380 (EXPENSIVE!!!), .357, .308 rifle, and in the future .223.

My question is, I live in an apartment and don't have the room to set up a full bench and all. I would be interested in a progressive setup, but I would need something that can be put in a box and taken out one a month to make a few 1000 rounds at a time. Simply, I cannot leave my setup up all the time.

Is this even doable with reloading equipment? Could I have a bag with my scale, tumbler, and press in it and another portable compartmentalized case for brass, primers, powder, etc.?

Does anyone have any recommendations on setting up a portable station? Equipment suggestions?

Thanks!

[jonny4523]

You need a sturdy platform or table to bolt a press to. Especially when you are seating and crimping a round... you put a lot of torque on that press. The table has to be strong enough to counter that torque. So you'll need a good, strong, heavy table to mount to first of all. I have counter space in my shop with butcher-block counters to mount to.

If you want to be able to do several 1000s of rounds at a time, I'd high suggest a Dillon progressive press like the 650. eguns.com has them for $505 shipped right now. (but of course you're going to spend more than that when you add up all of the goodies and accessories for it. If you get a strong table, then you can bolt and unbolt a press as needed.

[JBHorne]

will a heavy coffee table work? like, seriously, it's an 800sq. ft. apt! lol

How much above and beyond the press would I need to spend. I'm guessing total setup costs ~$1000?

[jonny4523]

Well, starting with just the basics off the top of my head...

-dies for each caliber
-bullets
-powder
-primers
-tumbler
-tumbler media
-powder scale

And then there are so many other accessories that Dillon and other manufacturers make for presses you could probably spend the price of the press in accessories to make things easier and nicer. My justification for it all is that it will eventually pay for itself.

As far as the table goes, how heavy is it? Are you will to drill a hole in it to mount a press to? If it is solid wood with a decent weight to it, and you are willing to put holes in it, it'd probably work.

[JBHorne]

Originally Posted by jonny4523

As far as the table goes, how heavy is it? Are you will to drill a hole in it to mount a press to? If it is solid wood with a decent weight to it, and you are willing to put holes in it, it'd probably work.

That's a no-go on the holes. It's not my table, it belongs to the complex. It's a sturdy table though, 4ft x 2ft, steel legs, hard Formica top...it's definitely held quite a few dancing girls at once, so it's surely strong enough and will not tip over.

Any C-clamp options?

[John4538]

for your table go down to Lowe's or Home Depot and get one of the Black and Decker collapsable tables. When i got mine there were two types, a light duty and a heavy duty. get the heavy. I think it 's called a work mate. fold it up when not being used and shove it under the bed. Worked for years for me with no problem even using it on a carpet.

john

[JBHorne]

Originally Posted by John4538

for your table go down to Lowe's or Home Depot and get one of the Black and Decker collapsable tables. When i got mine there were two types, a light duty and a heavy duty. get the heavy. I think it 's called a work mate. fold it up when not being used and shove it under the bed. Worked for years for me with no problem even using it on a carpet.

john

Is this the one? How did you mount the press?

Workmate Project Center

[jfdavis58]

I did the workmate trick when I lived in an apartment. You want the Black and Decker site; the Workmate 225 or 425 unit. I scrounged a piece of laminated counter top from an apartment remodel--actually the piece cut out for a sink installation. But 3/4 inch plywood would also work.

Bolt a short length of 2by4 to the bottom of the counter-top; cinch that in the Workmate clamp. Bolt the press to the counter-top. A second scrounge got a second cut-out which I split for a small shelf, also bolted to the original piece.

If you use stack fender washers, locking washers and wing-nuts to attach the press it will set-up and tear-down in about 10 minutes. I had a Dillon 550 and an RCBS Partner side by side.

[agalindo]

Originally Posted by JBHorne

Is this the one? How did you mount the press?

Workmate Project Center

I use C-clamps to hold the press down on the bench.

[fredj338]

I have reloaded in every apt. I have lived in. My smallest setup was in a 3ft sq. coat closet. I built in a bench top w/ 2X12s & mounted my press to it. Put a lock on the closet door to keep your landlord out & away you go. You need very little room for a press & scale, that's about all you need on your bench top to reload w/ a progressive.