41mag
Well-Known Member
For some of us, we just can't look out our back door, or drive 10 minutes and be ready to shoot. Yea it sucks to be us. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I got to wondering after reading through many post, do any of you work up loads at the range or at your shooting areas, or just mainly load up several batches and go from there?
If so what equipment do you use, how do you set it up, and what might your pre-trip proceedure be?
I have taylored some specific equipment that serves mainly one purpose, to load ammo no matter where I am. This is simply a RCBS Pardner press or Lee Reloader press, and Uniflow measure secured to a piece of 3/8"x4"x16" long flat bar that can be securly mounted to virtually anything I can get my c-clamps around. I have even used my reciever hitch on many occaisions. When I set up the flat bar, I did so in a manner that would allow me to use either press, as well as mount the Uniflow to either side or them. Basically I drilled and tapped mounting holes for each press at either end of the plate, then a set of holes to allow the mounting plate of the Uniflow to be attached directly behind the mounted presses from either side. This allows many mounting variations, depending on how it is attached to a solid surface. Most times this is the bench I am shooting off of, but as mentioned, it can be anything solid enough to hold it firmly in place with c-clamps.
Using the Uniflow I weigh up the charges from low to high on a scale, recording the stem setting with various powders. This allows quick reference and changes if things don't look good from the start.
The brass is generally prepped ahead of time but not always, as the tools are small enough to fit inside a small pastic box. There is generally enough time to prep 5-10 cases while waiting on the barrel to cool anyway.
I have a Lyman case trimmer that I used for years till my wife picked me up a RCBS power trim unit. It fits nicely inside the tub I use to haul my stuff around in and as with the press, is mounted to a board so that it can be clamped down for use.
Small items like pilots, shell holders and such are boxed accordingly in the little organizer type boxes. I take my cleaning stuff, a couple of primers types, several powders, and generally a couple of makes of cases. The dies are the same ones I use to load at the house. They are cleaned and oiled after every use both at home and in the field. No problems noted there. For convience, I use the Lee Universal shell holder kit, as well as the Lee handprime unit and the shell holder kit for it. A set of dial calipers to check out and record the measurments.
All things considered, I have probably $200 tied up in it all, however, some of it is also used as part of my regular stuff so it serves double duty. Other smaller items which are handy to have are, a couple of different sized and depth c-clamps, writing pens and pencils, several different colored markers, q-tips, small loading block, possibly a staple gun, thumb tacks, clothes pins, and duct tape, extra targets. Just about all of it fits nicely into a very travel ready plastic tub.
The bigger stuff like powder, and bullets generally go into a paper sack or cardboard box, and the cleaning rod or rods ride in the hard cases with the rifles.
For me this has saved me countless trips to and from the range to just check out a few loads and repeat the process, and more than paid for itself several times over. It allows one trip while conditions are right to check out several loads and even several rifles, in one trip. With the rising cost of gas nowdays as well as local shooting places becomming harder to find in some areas, I thought it might be interesting to see if others followed similar practices.
I picked up my start from watching several BR shooters who shot at the local range. Just hit me one day, man that would work for me too, and save a LOT of time and effort. So here is a pic of what I am referring to, if you have something similar to share post it up and maybe help out someone with a similar need.
If your intersted in setting up something similar, most of not all of the stuff you need can be had for a reasonable price if you shop around a little. As for the presses and powder measures, e-bay is one source, another is here, Lee Surplus Page
I also know from talking to the folks at RCBS they offer some equipment as well, it's worth the 800 call to check on anyway. I am not sure but would think that others have similar items.
Anyway it's just something to consider if you get some of those great shooting days, and you need to or want to try out several things with different components or rifles.
I got to wondering after reading through many post, do any of you work up loads at the range or at your shooting areas, or just mainly load up several batches and go from there?
If so what equipment do you use, how do you set it up, and what might your pre-trip proceedure be?
I have taylored some specific equipment that serves mainly one purpose, to load ammo no matter where I am. This is simply a RCBS Pardner press or Lee Reloader press, and Uniflow measure secured to a piece of 3/8"x4"x16" long flat bar that can be securly mounted to virtually anything I can get my c-clamps around. I have even used my reciever hitch on many occaisions. When I set up the flat bar, I did so in a manner that would allow me to use either press, as well as mount the Uniflow to either side or them. Basically I drilled and tapped mounting holes for each press at either end of the plate, then a set of holes to allow the mounting plate of the Uniflow to be attached directly behind the mounted presses from either side. This allows many mounting variations, depending on how it is attached to a solid surface. Most times this is the bench I am shooting off of, but as mentioned, it can be anything solid enough to hold it firmly in place with c-clamps.
Using the Uniflow I weigh up the charges from low to high on a scale, recording the stem setting with various powders. This allows quick reference and changes if things don't look good from the start.
The brass is generally prepped ahead of time but not always, as the tools are small enough to fit inside a small pastic box. There is generally enough time to prep 5-10 cases while waiting on the barrel to cool anyway.
I have a Lyman case trimmer that I used for years till my wife picked me up a RCBS power trim unit. It fits nicely inside the tub I use to haul my stuff around in and as with the press, is mounted to a board so that it can be clamped down for use.
Small items like pilots, shell holders and such are boxed accordingly in the little organizer type boxes. I take my cleaning stuff, a couple of primers types, several powders, and generally a couple of makes of cases. The dies are the same ones I use to load at the house. They are cleaned and oiled after every use both at home and in the field. No problems noted there. For convience, I use the Lee Universal shell holder kit, as well as the Lee handprime unit and the shell holder kit for it. A set of dial calipers to check out and record the measurments.
All things considered, I have probably $200 tied up in it all, however, some of it is also used as part of my regular stuff so it serves double duty. Other smaller items which are handy to have are, a couple of different sized and depth c-clamps, writing pens and pencils, several different colored markers, q-tips, small loading block, possibly a staple gun, thumb tacks, clothes pins, and duct tape, extra targets. Just about all of it fits nicely into a very travel ready plastic tub.
The bigger stuff like powder, and bullets generally go into a paper sack or cardboard box, and the cleaning rod or rods ride in the hard cases with the rifles.
For me this has saved me countless trips to and from the range to just check out a few loads and repeat the process, and more than paid for itself several times over. It allows one trip while conditions are right to check out several loads and even several rifles, in one trip. With the rising cost of gas nowdays as well as local shooting places becomming harder to find in some areas, I thought it might be interesting to see if others followed similar practices.
I picked up my start from watching several BR shooters who shot at the local range. Just hit me one day, man that would work for me too, and save a LOT of time and effort. So here is a pic of what I am referring to, if you have something similar to share post it up and maybe help out someone with a similar need.
If your intersted in setting up something similar, most of not all of the stuff you need can be had for a reasonable price if you shop around a little. As for the presses and powder measures, e-bay is one source, another is here, Lee Surplus Page
I also know from talking to the folks at RCBS they offer some equipment as well, it's worth the 800 call to check on anyway. I am not sure but would think that others have similar items.
Anyway it's just something to consider if you get some of those great shooting days, and you need to or want to try out several things with different components or rifles.
