Weekend Project...

[Johan]

I got all of my stuff in and built a re-loading bench this weekend.





Got a question though, what is the acceptable tolerance of the COL? I re-loaded a few 9mm rounds with LEE dies. I was getting about + or - .004, also my powder measure would be + or - .1 grain, is that normal?

[emilio]

very nice! looks way sturdier than my shantytown reloading room. did you use existing plans, or is it of your own design?.

+/- .1gr is fine for most reloading and reloading gear. i'm not sure about expected tolerances from loading dies, but +/- .004" should be safe for any practice/plinking ammo. perhaps switch from the Lee friction-lock lock rings to some set-screw lock rings?

- emilio

[Darklyte27]

neat

[Revoman]

Nice work!

I agree with emilio, that seems well within normal tolerances.

[Johan]

cool, thanks! No plans just shot from the hip. I went to home depot sat. morning and bought lumber, screws, a skill saw and a square, I already had a drill. I need to get another piece of plywood for a shelf on the bottom. Now I can go shoot again!!!

[wildhawker]

Nicely done! Welcome to Calguns!

[sytfu_RR]

Nice work, I recently did the same, and am very glad I did so myself, I can build it any way I see fit, and the cost was under $60 for mines anyways.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Cool set-up.

Your table does not seem too deep, and it is also pretty high.

So if I may, a suggestion:

Purchase 2 or 3 "L" brackets. Then find the studs in the wall behind your table. Now fasten your table to the wall studs using the "L" brackets.

The more stable your table is (reducing all movement), the more consistant your powder flow will be. This will make a noticeable difference. (I did the same thing when I built my own office set-up).

In Christ: Raymond

[RugerNo1]

Everybody with their fancy special made Benches for reloading. Wait, I made My own Glue Laminate bench for myself with 6 inch legs.

All Joking aside. Great job, but now you need to fill that bench with a few pounds of powder and as many primers as you can (of course don't forget brass and bullets).

[swerv512]

Got a question though, what is the acceptable tolerance of the COL? I re-loaded a few 9mm rounds with LEE dies. I was getting about + or - .004, also my powder measure would be + or - .1 grain, is that normal?

1. Depends how you're measuring COAL. There is usually a slight manufacturers tolerance in bullet dimensions. If you're measuring COAL from case base to bullet tip, it may well vary a couple thousandths. if you're using another method, say ogive measurements, you'll probably see a better consistency.

2. Powder measure accuracy depends on a couple things: pull consistency and powder type. i cant get even close to +/- 0.1 gr with each pull. my method is to get close and then use the trickler...

[Johan]

L brackets are a good Idea, I'll have to do that! I have 8lbs of titegroup and 18K of small pistol, so I should be set for a few weeks.

1. Depends how you're measuring COAL. There is usually a slight manufacturers tolerance in bullet dimensions. If you're measuring COAL from case base to bullet tip, it may well vary a couple thousandths. if you're using another method, say ogive measurements, you'll probably see a better consistency.

2. Powder measure accuracy depends on a couple things: pull consistency and powder type. i cant get even close to +/- 0.1 gr with each pull. my method is to get close and then use the trickler...

Yea I was using my calipers from the base to the tip of the bullet (Hornady 115 fmj enc) What is the ogive method, or where can I look it up? I was just getting annoyed because I'd have the die set right to 1.125 then I'de check one and it would be at 1.121 all the way to 1.129 I ended up playing around and got them all within +/- .001 but that was a PIA and kinda defeats the purpose of haveing a progressive press.

Like I said I'm using titegroup and hodgon lists the max load at 4.8Grains. I'm loading at 4.2 with an ocassional 4.3 or 4.1, so either way I feel its well within the safe zone. I also got the RCBS Lock out die which worked well so far.