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New house, New reloading space, more bench space...how to set up?

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    New house, New reloading space, more bench space...how to set up?

    I never thought it would be this difficult! I started reloading on a 6' bench that I built from reclaimed 2x12's. Aft you might guess, I outgrew that pretty fast, so I built a new bench, 10'x2' and converted the original bench to a gunsmith bench. Now, I've bought a new house, and it came with a garage conversion, complete with 24' of bench space in an "L" shape with 12'on each leg of the L. It's got outlets all along the bench and florescent lighting above. It's actually nearly prefect, only complaint is I'm going to have to add some shelves or cabinets above to store components in.

    I started trying to get it set up this evening, and I'm at a loss! I was going to set up one leg of the L as a gunsmith/bow/arrow work area, and the other leg as a loading area, just like before except bigger. My problem is where to put the reloading presses. I've got a Rockchucker that handles most of my loading, and a Lock-n-load AP that I'm still learning to use efficiently for pistol and 223 ammo. I also have an older model RCBS single stage press that I picked up at auction but I've never set it up. I'm debating on whether it's worth it to have an extra single stage or not. I had thought of seeing it up as a case prep pressand using the RC as the bullet seater, so I don't have to swap dies, our I thought of setting one press up as my 308 press, which is my most commonly loaded caliber, and using the other one for my low volume loading.

    My current thinking is to put my case prep area in the corner of the L, then set up my powder charging area to the right of that. After the powder area, I'll have my RC press. Then further to the right, near the end if the table, set up the progressive press. This is basically how I had it before, but reversed.

    What do you guys think? How would you arrange your setup? Would you bother with the second single stage press, and if so, why?

    #2
    Uhh. Idk. But I'm in for some educated answers. Maybe they'll help me too cause I'm almost in the same boat.

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      #3
      Luke... Ditch the gear and I'll pick it all up. Problem solved! I can't wait to see the new casa bro. Congrats. Sorry no help on your delema! Lol

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        #4
        Put the press in the far right side of the bench.

        Powder just to the left of that.

        And case prep up to the left from that.

        Sounds like you have plenty of room on the bench, so gap the presses if you can a bit, so you can place ammo trays on the table between.

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          #5
          No help whatsoever from me. I've got a 20' bench I struggle to find room on. 2 progressive presses, single stage press, shotgun press, vise, casting station, about 2' for smithing work, grinder, etc., etc. Good luck in your quest. One thing I will suggest is to surface your bench with dry erase board. Use it for notes and such when loading (example- powder dump is currently set to drop 10.8gr of A1680) and it is simple to replace after it gets abused.

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            #6
            Originally posted by Texasgamehunter View Post
            Luke... Ditch the gear and I'll pick it all up. Problem solved! I can't wait to see the new casa bro. Congrats. Sorry no help on your delema! Lol
            Good luck with that one buddy. I can't wait for you guys to come up and check it out, I've got a 2.5 car garage, a separate storage building for hunting gear, the man cave is going to be massive when I finally get it all set up. There's a spot to park my camper when it's not in Mason, and plug it in. The dogs have nearly 2 acres to run on. Tree house with slide and zip line for the kids to play on. I'm loving it.

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              #7
              Originally posted by AtTheWall View Post
              Put the press in the far right side of the bench.

              Powder just to the left of that.

              And case prep up to the left from that.

              Sounds like you have plenty of room on the bench, so gap the presses if you can a bit, so you can place ammo trays on the table between.
              I think that's my final plan. Progressive on the far end, then my good Rockchucker to the left of that. Then I'll do my powder station and brass prep areas to the left of that. Considering putting the other single stage press somewhere with a universal decapping die in it, or possibly using it to resize 223 into 300BO brass.

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                #8
                That sounds amazing bro. I'll call you next time we are in town.

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                  #9
                  New house, New reloading space, more bench space...how to set up?

                  Definitely set the progressive away from all the single stage stuff cause you won't need most of it.

                  Without seeing the setup and what you have it would be hard for me to say what I would do.

                  Based on what you posted I think I'd start my case prep stuff on the far left side of the left leg and go like this left ----->right.

                  * Tumbler/sifter/ultrasonic cleaner
                  * Single stage press for decapping/resizing only
                  * Case prep center (whatever your case prep may involve)
                  * Powder dispensing area
                  * Single stage press #2 for seating (and crimping if you do)
                  * Progressive press area

                  I'm sure I missed something but that's what I envision just while sitting in this meeting I'm in.

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                    #10
                    If it were me, I'd set it up very similar to what you have now. You'll be surprised how much you'll be looking for stuff if you rearrange it.

                    I've moved my shop 3 times in the last 9 years. I try to put everything in the same place as it was before.

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                      #11
                      Man up and take over the kitchen area. There's usually lots of counter space there. Lighting is generally good, lots of places to plug stuff in, plenty of sharp knives, all that. And the beer is right there in the fridge when you need a new one.

                      Be sure to video when you tell the little woman what your plan is. They always have such cute responses for situations like that.

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                        #12
                        Nah, I may actually have more counter space and plugs in my man cave than the kitchen.

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