Reloading is one of the most rewarding hobbies you can have. It’s not just about saving money, though that’s certainly a big part of it. Reloading also gives you the opportunity to tailor your ammunition to fit your needs and the specific situation in which you’ll be using it.
Plus, there’s something really satisfying about making your own ammo—it’s like making your own food or brewing beer. If you’re interested in getting started with reloading but aren’t sure how exactly to do it, don’t worry.
This guide will walk through everything from choosing equipment to setting up an efficient reloading bench in your garage or basement.
What is a Reloading Bench?
A reloading bench is a place to do your reloading.
A reloading bench is a place for you to sit and work, and it’s where you store your supplies. The bench itself should be sturdy but not so heavy that it won’t move easily when needed. It should also have some storage space underneath the top surface, allowing you to keep any necessary tools within easy reach.
The Perfect Location
The location of your reloading bench is very important. It should be close to the kitchen and bathroom, but far enough away from them so that you don’t disturb them when you’re working.
The bedroom should also be easily accessible but far enough away that the noise doesn’t wake up the people sleeping there. Your living room should ideally be located near your reloading bench—so you can relax with a book or watch TV while enjoying freshly loaded rounds from a reputed store like The Castle Arms.
Space Matters
Space matters when setting up a reloading bench.
You want to be able to work confidently and comfortably, so it’s important that you have enough space where you can set up your reloading equipment in an organised manner and do the brass cleaning without any hassle. A good rule of thumb is that the bench should be at least 36 inches wide and 18 inches deep (or 48″x36″ for metric users), but several factors may impact how much space you need.
Using a traditional single-stage press could take more room because of all the dies and other components that come with it. If your equipment has multiple components, make sure they’re placed together on the same side, so they don’t get lost or tangled up in any way.
Light Is Everything
When setting up your reloading bench, light is everything. It’s important to have bright, indirect lighting to see what you are doing in detail and clearly read the markings on any equipment or components.
Fluorescent lights should not be used because they cause eyestrain and headaches due to their flickering nature. Incandescent lights are much better as they emit consistent light over time and allow for better focus when reloading. If possible, try to get an incandescent lamp with a dimmer switch so that you can adjust the brightness depending on where it is placed in your workspace.
If possible, set up an automatic timer so that the lights will turn off automatically after a set period—this will save energy while keeping things lit enough for comfort!
Countertops, Shelves & Drawers
You’ll want to ensure that your reloading bench is sturdy but not too heavy. Most people use a countertop or folding table as their base, and many have found that the best height is between 34 and 36 inches high. You may need to adjust this slightly depending on how tall you are, but having it at least a few inches off the ground allows for easier movement when loading cases into presses.
It’s also important to consider storage options for your reloading supplies and tools. This can be done by adding shelves or drawers under the top surface of your bench, using wall-mounted racks and hooks (like those found in garages). You can also go with mounting magnetic strips directly onto the walls themselves so that everything has its place within easy reach.
The Electrical Part
You will need to have enough outlets to power your equipment. This is the electrical part of the reloading bench, so ensure you have everything wired up correctly and safely. If you are not experienced in wiring, don’t try it yourself; hire an electrician or find someone who knows how to do this safely and properly.
When placing outlets, be sure that they are easily accessible so that when you want to use them, they’re not hidden behind other objects such as cabinets or shelves. You’ll also want to consider where your plug-ins will go (the power strip) and how many plugs you’ll need on them.
In Conclusion
That’s it! You now have a fully functional reloading bench. It may seem like a lot of work to set up, but once you have it all set up and ready to go, it will be the most convenient place for you to reload your own ammunition before heading out to a gun range.