Reloading bench build...

[BoilermakerFan]

I've waffled on the RPR for a while. I'm probably going to go with the Savage MSR 10 Hunter in 338Fed instead of 6.5CM... I already have a Tikka T3 Forest in 6.5x55SE and a Savage 118 in 7RM so I'm wanting the thumper.

The bench I'm building for my basement is primarily for reloading... I'm using the heavy duty T-Track in my top too so I can swap out the presses when I need to.

 

[w6rat]

wow just found this forum. real nice reloading bench. real nice craftsman ship ...I do a lot of reloading but my bench and all looks plain hillbilly but gets the job done. real nice job.and nice pics... thanks

 

[TerryH]

wow just found this forum. real nice reloading bench. real nice craftsman ship ...I do a lot of reloading but my bench and all looks plain hillbilly but gets the job done. real nice job.and nice pics... thanks

Glad you like the bench build and welcome to Garage Journal!!

 

[cspcrx]

That's some precision loading. Love to see the groups.

I am going to rebarrel my LR260 to 6.5CM. The CM just has so many more options off the shelf as well as being a better case shape for an autoloader. Barrel is only 18.5 now so I am dropping lot of FPS so going to go with a 22inch as that seems to be the sweet spot for the 6.5 & 260 autoloaders with an extended gas tube.

 

[TerryH]

That's some precision loading. Love to see the groups.

I am going to rebarrel my LR260 to 6.5CM. The CM just has so many more options off the shelf as well as being a better case shape for an autoloader. Barrel is only 18.5 now so I am dropping lot of FPS so going to go with a 22inch as that seems to be the sweet spot for the 6.5 & 260 autoloaders with an extended gas tube.

I'm ready to see some groups as well! Once I double check for pressure issues today I'll load an assortment and get on with it ASAP.

I love the 6.5CM but unfortunately in F Class competition shooting a 6.5 puts you in the Open class with the unlimited budget guys. Shooters are just as good in F-T/R but the equipment restrictions help to level the field a bit. Unfortunately that class is restricted to .223 and .308.

 

[mbaulfinger]

Hi Terry, Nice bench and rifles. Was checking out your Flickr pictures of the Prod. Could you please tell us a bit about the mods you made to that gun? I'm specifically interested in the fore stock and the stock itself(maybe where you got them and if you had to make mod to the parts to make them fit). Those both look like aftermarket upgrades. Also interested in hearing any advice or thoughts on the moderator and the scope that you recommend for this particular gun. Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[TerryH]

Hi Terry, Nice bench and rifles. Was checking out your Flickr pictures of the Prod. Could you please tell us a bit about the mods you made to that gun? I'm specifically interested in the fore stock and the stock itself(maybe where you got them and if you had to make mod to the parts to make them fit). Those both look like aftermarket upgrades. Also interested in hearing any advice or thoughts on the moderator and the scope that you recommend for this particular gun. Thanks in advance.

Mark

Thanks! The Prod is ridiculous fun to shoot. I bought it as a well worn used stock gun for $225. I disassembled and cleaned everything. Installed new HNBR O rings, a stiffer hammer spring, worked on the trigger and did the B Staley O ring mod for the hammer.

The fore arm is a Magpul Moe MLOK AR15 part that's been modded to fit the Prod. It's actually mounted backwards from the way it goes on an AR. You have to remove the heat shields and mill out the inside a bit. I did that on my oscillating spindle sander. You also have to install some screws to keep the halves together as the heat shields were part of that retaining system. The stock adapter is from RAI and it allows a regular AR style buffer tube and stock to mount to the Prod. The moderator is by a company called TKO Air Guns and is a very nice piece. Works well. The Prod is super quiet.

I have it tuned for 24 shots at 16 fpe so not a power house but a good solid shooter.

I've actually changed some parts to FDE since I made the Prod album. I bought the custom pistol grips from a guy that makes them. They are actually wood. Few other changes. I'm probably not the guy to be recommending scopes. I love total overkill scopes on air guns. It's wearing a Accushot 8-32x56 SWAT now. lol...

 

[mbaulfinger]

Terry thanks for the information on your Prod build. Looks even better than in all black! Love your Benjamin Armada too!

 

[TerryH]

Terry thanks for the information on your Prod build. Looks even better than in all black! Love your Benjamin Armada too!

Thanks! I love the PCP guns.

 

[BoilermakerFan]

That's some precision loading. Love to see the groups.

I am going to rebarrel my LR260 to 6.5CM. The CM just has so many more options off the shelf as well as being a better case shape for an autoloader. Barrel is only 18.5 now so I am dropping lot of FPS so going to go with a 22inch as that seems to be the sweet spot for the 6.5 & 260 autoloaders with an extended gas tube.

I was doing a bit of research on the 6.5CM vs 260Rem. Came across a page where they started at a 27" barrel and chopped an inch off at a time down to 16-1/4"... the 6.5CM only loses about 14.5fps per inch so that's only 50fps or so. IIRC, that was for 140gr bullets. The 120gr lost a little more but it was still only 20fps or so.

I couldn't really see the point of the 6.5CM since it is so similar to the 260Rem, but after my research I think I would go 6.5CM over 260Rem simply due to a much greater availability of brass and factory loaded hunting ammo.

 

[TerryH]

I was doing a bit of research on the 6.5CM vs 260Rem. Came across a page where they started at a 27" barrel and chopped an inch off at a time down to 16-1/4"... the 6.5CM only loses about 14.5fps per inch so that's only 50fps or so. IIRC, that was for 140gr bullets. The 120gr lost a little more but it was still only 20fps or so.

I couldn't really see the point of the 6.5CM since it is so similar to the 260Rem, but after my research I think I would go 6.5CM over 260Rem simply due to a much greater availability of brass and factory loaded hunting ammo.

Agree. The 6.5CM gets an undeserved bad rap by many shooters. I will admit that there are days that the 6.5CM fan boys are a bit much to deal with but nevertheless, the 6.5CM is an outstanding long range round.

 

[mercracing]

You silly kids and your CM. 260 is where it’s at [emoji6]


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[TerryH]

You silly kids and your CM. 260 is where it’s at [emoji6]


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Lol... there's always one in every crowd.

 

[larry4406]

Nice job on the bench!

I like the simple dado supports you did for the HF parts bins.

Looks like your no newbie to wood working based on the appearance of your shop and dust collection system.

 

[mercracing]

Lol... there's always one in every crowd.

I kid, I kid. I have no beef with the CM. I’ll always be a 260 guy. I’ve been shooting it since just after Remington brought it out about 20 years ago.


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[TerryH]

I kid, I kid. I have no beef with the CM. I’ll always be a 260 guy. I’ve been shooting it since just after Remington brought it out about 20 years ago.


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I assumed you were kidding.

 

[TerryH]

Nice job on the bench!

I like the simple dado supports you did for the HF parts bins.

Looks like your no newbie to wood working based on the appearance of your shop and dust collection system.

Thanks! I have been woodworking for 17 years. Love to make things but don't have nearly as much time to do it as I would like.

 

[xj43850]

Really nice work
Two questions:
How deep is the bench top? Overall size?
What size is the press mounting plate? (The laminated wood plate)
Thanks and appreciate you posting your work

 

[TerryH]

Really nice work
Two questions:
How deep is the bench top? Overall size?
What size is the press mounting plate? (The laminated wood plate)
Thanks and appreciate you posting your work

Thanks. The top is 30x80. The base for the press is 18x16.

 

[BoilermakerFan]

Agree. The 6.5CM gets an undeserved bad rap by many shooters. I will admit that there are days that the 6.5CM fan boys are a bit much to deal with but nevertheless, the 6.5CM is an outstanding long range round.

My buddy sent me this a while ago... I will probably get a 6.5CM simply because I do love the 6.5mm and since it works in a short action autoloader...

Right now my LGS cannot get the Savage MSR 10 Hunter in the 338Fed and it takes standard barrels so I can always swap the barrel later but have the 6.5CR for now...

 

[TerryH]

My buddy sent me this a while ago... I will probably get a 6.5CM simply because I do love the 6.5mm and since it works in a short action autoloader...

Right now my LGS cannot get the Savage MSR 10 Hunter in the 338Fed and it takes standard barrels so I can always swap the barrel later but have the 6.5CR for now...

hahahaha... Problem is the meme way too true for lots of guys.

 

[BoilermakerFan]

hahahaha... Problem is the meme way too true for lots of guys.

Yeah, that's what kind of turned me away from it for a while, but after seeing that you don't lose too much velocity out of a 16" barrel, I'm thinking more about the Savage MSR 10 Hunter in 6.5CM. The MSR 10 LR is $500 more and I just don't see the extra cost... it has the Magpul stock that I don't like and a 2-stage trigger, but I plan to swap the trigger and stock on either one, so the Hunter just makes more sense. Then I can always rebarrel to 338Fed with an 18" or 20" barrel later.

Did you see Wilson Combat released the 458 Thumper? 3,000ft-lbs out an 18" barrel. I'm kind of intrigued by it. It's a lot like the Savage MSR in that it uses AR15 triggers and stocks but a custom shortened AR10 BCG. I'm hoping they will release the 458 Thumper barrels for AR10s in a year or so.

 

[dwysywd]

Re: Reloading bench and gun room build...

Terry, here is the .308 RPR


Sent from my bag phone

 

[C_F]

Re: Reloading bench and gun room build...

Terry, here is the .308 RPR

Does the walk-in freezer double as a gun safe?

 

[TerryH]

Re: Reloading bench and gun room build...

Terry, here is the .308 RPR


Sent from my bag phone

Very nice!

 

[dwysywd]

Does the walk-in freezer double as a gun safe?

Funny you should mention that. Actually it does. My family has owned and operated a butcher shop since 1912. My dad had that door and wanted it incorporated into the cabin. So that covers the space under the stairs from the front of the cabin. We are in the basement boars nest. I'm not done with the safe but I can post a picture with the door open to get an idea of the space. I'm insulting it with rigid foam and then spray foam. Once that's done then I plan to cedar line it and put some gun racks and hooks for hunting gear.


Sent from my bag phone

 

[BoilermakerFan]

That's cool! And most meth heads would just skip right past it!

 

[C_F]

That door is really cool, I'm sure that room will look great once you're finished.

 

[MrElectric03]

Very nice build, too clean though. Well need a picture in a few more months haha. thats about how long it took mine to fill up.

 

[TerryH]

Very nice build, too clean though. Well need a picture in a few more months haha. thats about how long it took mine to fill up.

My OCD would not allow it to be messy. It's a disease. lol... I do have a few more things on the wall now though.

 

[BoilermakerFan]

Practically all my shooting is steel or paper. I do love the RPR. 6.5CM is a great cartridge. The Tikka just looked like a bunch of fun and it is. Great shooter. Light and compact. Totally different feel than the others that are both big and heavy bench or prone guns.

Tikka...

I was scrolling back through the thread and I noticed you have the Boyds At-One stock on the Tikka. I'm looking at that stock for my old Savage 111 Side Mag Release action. How do you like it?

 

[TerryH]

I was scrolling back through the thread and I noticed you have the Boyds At-One stock on the Tikka. I'm looking at that stock for my old Savage 111 Side Mag Release action. How do you like it?

I like it. Big improvement in balance and fit over the original plastic stock. The action fit perfectly with zero mods necessary. I have Atlasworx bottom metal on it now. That fit the Boyd's perfectly also.

 

[BoilermakerFan]

I like it. Big improvement in balance and fit over the original plastic stock. The action fit perfectly with zero mods necessary. I have Atlasworx bottom metal on it now. That fit the Boyd's perfectly also.

Very cool. My Tikka T3 is in a Forest stock which is way to pretty to take out in the woods. But it's the best stock I have ever shouldered. I couldn't figure out what made it so different until I discovered it's LOP was 13.2" vs. 13.75" for most factory stocks in the US.

I love the idea of the AT-ONE with the swappable grips and fore ends. I will primarily hunt with my Savage since it's 7mmRM, but I like having the option to change it up for LR paper punching.

I also inherited a Remington 788 in Triple Duce that deserves a nice stock like the AT-ONE and I was thinking of the purple too. I really like the purple laminate.

 

[TerryH]

Few updates on the reloading room to report. My wife decided to relinquish her portion of the room and let me have full control. I love that woman. Quick trip to HF with coupon in hand netted me another 46" storage cabinet that now houses the annealer, tumbler and related paraphernalia. That frees up the existing cabinet for general gun work, cleaning etc...

I also took the plunge and added a Grizzly G8688 mini lathe. That required yet another trip to HF for a 4 drawer rolling cart that I modded to mount the lathe and hold all the related tooling and such.

I have also continued to add to the flag theme with some new pieces.

 

[dwysywd]

Terry, not sure what you're using the lathe for, but my buddy started making duck calls on his HF lathe, same one I believe, and it was out of center. Check your tolerances to make sure yours is true. He had 3 before he got one that was correct.

Btw, killer setup. I'm jealous. Mine is a mess. Gotta find time but I keep over committing myself to other projects.

 

[TerryH]

Terry, not sure what you're using the lathe for, but my buddy started making duck calls on his HF lathe, same one I believe, and it was out of center. Check your tolerances to make sure yours is true. He had 3 before he got one that was correct.

Btw, killer setup. I'm jealous. Mine is a mess. Gotta find time but I keep over committing myself to other projects.

Thanks! The Grizzly lathe is spot on.

 

[Responder]

Very late to this thread, but that is an awesome bench!! And the room is turning out great..

I take it that you built the workbench in the shop? Are there build details that I can get a link to?

 

[TerryH]

Very late to this thread, but that is an awesome bench!! And the room is turning out great..

I take it that you built the workbench in the shop? Are there build details that I can get a link to?

Thanks. I don't have any plans or anything for the main bench in the shop. Sorry. It was built before the digital age made the storage of such things as easy as it is now. Wish I did though. It is based on a bench that was in shop notes back in the early 2000's. It's all white oak. mortise and tenon construction. The top is 3 layers of 3/4" mdf with a white oak plywood top edge banded with solid white oak. It weighs nearly 800lbs. empty.

I do have some drawings for the reloading bench on my Flickr page. Here's the link to the build pics.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93396776@N06/albums/72157663547333758