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Old April 1, 2010, 07:37 PM   #1
flashhole
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Portable reloading ... pictures please

What do you take to the range when you want to work up a load? I want to make a portable reloading station I can take to the range. I have an extra Redding Ultramag press and am looking for options as to how to use it. Thanks in advance.
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Old April 1, 2010, 08:10 PM   #2
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That's a large, heavy, threaded die, single stage press.
It might work out OK... but as you didn't say what cartridge (or cartridges) or rifle (or rifles), I don't know if you need full length resizing or can get away with a shoulder bump die, or even just a neck die. If you can get away with a bump or neck die, the Ultramag is overkill.
You'll want to convert it so that it can be securely and easily clamped to a table or bench.

For benchrest, I use a Lynwood Harrell compact press if I need a shoulder bump, along with a Sinclair arbor press and Wilson dies for decapping, neck sizing only and bullet seating.

I use a Lynwood Harrell BR powder measure, and as I chart the powder (VV133) for weight, it's a simple matter to make charge adjustments without screwing around with a scale.
It's very easy to make powder throw charts when you have a quality measure. Even a Redding BR30 is very repeatable if used correctly.

All three pieces fit in a small Pelican storm case.

Go to Sinclair International and take a look at benchrest style presses, dies and powder measures... you'll get a better idea of what works well for people that only reload at the range and for competition.

Cheers,
C
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Old April 1, 2010, 08:17 PM   #3
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What about the lee hand press?



Doug
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Old April 1, 2010, 08:42 PM   #4
flashhole
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I load for rifles, 221, 223, 25-06, 7mm RM, 45-70. I'm looking for totable setups and already have the press so I don't want to purchase another. A lot of people think it is an overkill press but I reall like using it. I have all the dies I need, I just need a portable set up that can accomodate all the stuff. I have an extra Redding balance scale if I need it, all the brass prep hand tools, hand-held primer tool, caliper, trimmers, etc. but I need the setup that links it all together in a functional manner.
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Old April 1, 2010, 08:49 PM   #5
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Then get a Sinclair arbor press, Wilson neck die and assorted bushings, Wilson bullet seating dies, a BR-30 (or better) powder measure with a bench clamp... make some powder charts, leave the scale at home, and you're all set.
You can use the Redding U-mag for shoulder bumping or full length resizing as needed or when desired.

C
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Old April 1, 2010, 09:53 PM   #6
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I use a Lee Classic Loading Set when I go Elk Hunting. It fits in your pocket and weighs less than 2 pounds. I've gotten to where I can reload a 45/70 round in 30 seconds flat.

It all depends on what caliber you use also. If you decide to get one pick up a wooden hammer for leather crafts at your local craft store. They're only around $3.

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Old April 2, 2010, 12:44 AM   #7
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Black & Decker 550 lb Workmate works like a champ!! Study, solid, folds easily.
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Old April 2, 2010, 01:26 AM   #8
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The biggest problem outdoors is the wind messing with you scales. I have an extra fancy delux way to use my powder scale in the field. I take an ordinary cardboard box that is any where near the dimensions of 12" long x 8"wide x 6" high (a little bigger is ok, but not too much bigger); cut a hole in the side so my hand can barely go through, as a tiight fitting arm restricts the air flow. I place a piece of plexi-glass over the top, and then I can see to work my scale, pan and trickler in a windless environment.

At the range, I C-clamp my Hornady Lock-N-Load Progressive right to the shooting bench at the range and use it for load development.

A sawhorse with a 2 x12 top and 2 x 4 legs (reinforced at a wide angle) will also works as a sturdy field loading bench.

On my Perennial Pilgrimage for Prevaricating Palaver and Prodigious Pulverization of Pusillanimous Prairie Poodles, there is sometimes a distinct need for a field reloading process. When I have my Pickup shell in place, I install home built storage compartments on the sides of my pickup bed, which are separated with a reinforced , 3 piece folding sheet of a ¾" 4x8 plywood, which is used as a bed, with items stored in, on and under it. I clamp the Hornady Lock-N-Load Progressive right to the end of the plywood bed and load shells during the evening or at leisure times with the shell closed (as long as it is not too hot), so as to have a windless environment.

I have also used a B&D workmate as a portable shooting/reloading bench with an adjustable shooting stand clamped into it.
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Old April 2, 2010, 09:04 AM   #9
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Have a 2" reciever?

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Old April 2, 2010, 09:34 AM   #10
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Yes I do have a receiver. Did you make the stand yourself?
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Old April 2, 2010, 02:46 PM   #11
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I used to bolt the press to a 2 X 18 plank / then clamp the plank to a portable workmate bench .....

When I lived in apt's --- and had no room to store things / my press stayed on that plank ( when I wasn't using it / I unloaded all the components / put a big pillow case over it and stored it on a shelf.

like someone else said - put your scale inside a cardboard box ( a beam scale) and it works out ok.
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Old April 3, 2010, 05:33 PM   #12
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jmorris

That is a sweet set up.
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Old April 3, 2010, 09:47 PM   #13
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Midway used to sell a portable loading bench that slipped apart/together. Base looked like something under an old diner table. Found a used aluminum RCBS press at a gun show. Prospective buyer said it was aluminum, dealer said it wasn't. I saw the value of an aluminum press and bought it for $30 to settle the argument. Put it on the little table and use it now and then.
A tall-sided box helps when measuring powder but do it away from the firing line and choose your day carefully. I bring my cases to the range already sized, trimmed and primed so all I have to work on is powder charge and seating depth.
Sorry, no pix.
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Old April 4, 2010, 06:41 AM   #14
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GunNut - does that work for you, bringing a stock of preformed cases? That opens up the option of only using a hand press. I like to FL size my 221 and 223 because my guns have very tight chambers. That's why I'd like a regular press on a firm mount. jmorris' receiver mount is pretty slick.
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Old April 6, 2010, 05:12 PM   #15
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Quote:
Yes I do have a receiver. Did you make the stand yourself?
Yes, it is just 2" box tube with a 1/4" plate welded on top. I drilled for the press bolt pattern and welded in bolts from the bottom to act as studs. With wing nuts it resuires no tools to put together.
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Old March 27, 2011, 03:15 PM   #16
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I resurrected this thread from a year ago because I just built my portable station. I can use it on any surface. All steel construction and it is sufficiently heavy and balanced that I can FL size cases w/o the press tipping. I still need to add the rubber mat when it arrives, two brackets to hold Akro Bins, and the mount opposite the press for my powder measure.

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Old March 27, 2011, 04:05 PM   #17
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flashhole,

What is the white material between the stand and the board?
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Old March 27, 2011, 04:21 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flashhole
That opens up the option of only using a hand press. I like to FL size my 221 and 223 because my guns have very tight chambers. That's why I'd like a regular press on a firm mount. jmorris' receiver mount is pretty slick.
I used to routinely FL size brass, up to 7mm Rem Mag on a hand press. There's plenty of leverage in a hand press to resize most rifle brass. I wouldn't use on for case forming operations, but FL sizing isn't a problem.
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Old March 27, 2011, 05:05 PM   #19
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Don, it's sitting on a small towel/rag so as not to scratch the table top. I used flat head screws on the underside with a recess for the head and they are flush with the bottom of the plate. The rubber pad that I want to use is in the mail, I'm using a 1/8" thick neoprene sheet with a durometer of 60-65 (equivalent to a truck tire). I will most likely use rubber cement to glue it on.
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Old March 27, 2011, 05:08 PM   #20
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flashhole,
Oh, OK, I thought the stand was through-bolted to the 'board'. I understand now!
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