Bullets everywhere.

[FX-05 Xiuhcoatl]

If it is really important, pull them all apart and start over. Since you don't know how much the cases weight you can't be sure what is inside. On the other hand, since it is just 50 rnds and they are all 'recipe' loads you might want to just go shoot them.

[bumpo628]

I would just shoot them and make some more.

[cpatbay]

If you haven't pulled bullets before, it's a good time to learn and set it up. You will need it ...

[bruss01]

Agreed. I've seen variations in weight of .223 cases of 3 or 4 grains or more. With .308 it'd probably be worse.

Pull them apart and reload them.

Plywood and 2x4's are a better option than particle board. PB has no strength, other than compression.

It may have been "over-engineering" but I glued together two slabs of 1" butcher-block (screwed and clamped, not going anywhere) to mount my press to. It's like the Rock of Gibraltar. Particle board, chipboard and plywood all have too much flex in them (IMHO) for a precision operation. They will easily sag under the weight of any significant amount of bullets or brass, let alone the weight of the press plus the downward force of your arm on the lever thousands of times, repeatedly. Go HEAVY on your next work surface, you won't regret it.

[gotsig]

When my daughter moved out, she left a 9 drawer wood dresser. Has worked perfect for me !!

[Whiterabbit]

depends on the value of your time vs the value of the bullets. I agree it'll take about an hour to d them over, including pulling and remeasuring etc etc etc. If that's less valuable (hour of time) than the cost of 50 bullets (representing the most expensive portion of your investment here) then I would pull them.

(for example if they were barnes copper you can be darn sure I'd pull them!)

If your time is more valuable, you've got some ammo for tin cans or steels at 100y.

[damndave]

Just use a bullet puller and reload them. Next time use some ply wood for the workbench top. Particle board is a nono.

[bruce381]

BTW. I hate particle board with a new found passion.
All above is good info thats kust sucks but i have to say.

a screwed 2x6 wood bench is your friend

[bruceflinch]

Good Luck OP!

[Bladeshark]

This is just my opinion, and what I would do under these circumstances. Shoot the 50 rds. as is to warm up, or plinkers. Load up 5ea in .2 or .3gr increments. 1/2 gr. increments (in my experience)may jump right over the sweet spot.

I mark all my loads with a red sharpee to track which load they were. It comes off in the tumbler after they're shot. For loads like you've got now or loads I'm not happy with I mark them with a "X" and use them as plinkers.

[popeye4]

I built my bench in the '70s with 2x4 frame and 2x8 planks on the top, put together with wood screws and carriage bolts so I could take it apart and move (which I did frequently in those days). I still have it, it is nuclear grade! There is a lot of force applied when resizing, it has to go somewhere (remember Newton?).

I would vote for pulling them down and recharging. You don't have to do all the case prep again, just charge and seat. I also like this bullet puller: http://www.hornady.com/store/Cam-Loc...Puller-1-Each/ It is effortless and leaves your bullets without marks. Kinetic bullet pullers also work, and they are great for working out your frustrations, but it is too much effort for me these days.

[Lead Waster]

Wow, sorry to hear your bench collapsed! Particle board is only good for Ikea furniture, although it DOES provide a nice straight/flat surface...it has no strength. Post a pic of your bench!

Plywood, on the other hand is very strong, You can use a piece of plywood, and top it with particleboard (or MDF) for a smooth top, then paint or varnish it to seal it from moisture because particleboard and MDF really don't like moisture (it makes it swell and get all screwed up!).

Anyway, post your bench and we can makie suggestions to strengthen it without having to rebuild a whole new bench!

[Bladeshark]

There is a lot of force applied when resizing, it has to go somewhere (remember Newton?).

The bullet puller was putting too much stress on my poor Harbor Freight oak bench so I finally opted for the little Lee stand just for the pulling. My fear is what happened to the OP.