Reloading While Sitting?
Quote from Reloader on January 11, 2009, 6:09 pmI just got a new XL650 which I'm in the midst of setting up. My basement has a low ceiling, and my existing benches are high enough to work at comfortably while standing, which means the top of my casefeeder is going to be a good bit over my head. The only existing bench I can mount it to has a beam running above it, and there's only a few inches of clearance.
I'm thinking about building a low bench for the press so that I can operate it while sitting. Then I can just stand up to check or fill the casefeeder. What I'm wondering about is the forces involved in running the machine, especially for full length sizing .308 rifle brass.
Do you have to put enough of your weight into the process that I will just end up popping up & down out of a chair? All of the chairs I have in the shop at the moment have casters, and swivel. I can just imagine myself rolling & spinning around every time I work the handle. I suspect a chair with a fixed seat & good non-slip feet is going to work better, but I'd love to hear some first hand experience. The handle is a good bit longer than on my old Rock Chucker, so I'm assuming the force will be lower. On the other hand, I'll be doing 5 things at once with the XL650 handle, which could largely negate the extra leverage.
I'd also like to know roughly at what angle the force is at a maximum. For example, if you look at the press from the left, I'd guess it's around 3:00. I want to be pushing down using my weight at that point, which says the press should be fairly low. On the other hand, I'll need it high enough so there's room for my knees someplace... I may be that the handle is long enough that I can sit back a bit & it won't be an issue.
Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I just got a new XL650 which I'm in the midst of setting up. My basement has a low ceiling, and my existing benches are high enough to work at comfortably while standing, which means the top of my casefeeder is going to be a good bit over my head. The only existing bench I can mount it to has a beam running above it, and there's only a few inches of clearance.
I'm thinking about building a low bench for the press so that I can operate it while sitting. Then I can just stand up to check or fill the casefeeder. What I'm wondering about is the forces involved in running the machine, especially for full length sizing .308 rifle brass.
Do you have to put enough of your weight into the process that I will just end up popping up & down out of a chair? All of the chairs I have in the shop at the moment have casters, and swivel. I can just imagine myself rolling & spinning around every time I work the handle. I suspect a chair with a fixed seat & good non-slip feet is going to work better, but I'd love to hear some first hand experience. The handle is a good bit longer than on my old Rock Chucker, so I'm assuming the force will be lower. On the other hand, I'll be doing 5 things at once with the XL650 handle, which could largely negate the extra leverage.
I'd also like to know roughly at what angle the force is at a maximum. For example, if you look at the press from the left, I'd guess it's around 3:00. I want to be pushing down using my weight at that point, which says the press should be fairly low. On the other hand, I'll need it high enough so there's room for my knees someplace... I may be that the handle is long enough that I can sit back a bit & it won't be an issue.
Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Quote from Reloader on January 13, 2009, 5:33 pmI don't think you would have a problem with .308, because you have to lube them to size them. With lube on (I usally mostly due 30-06), the pressure is minimal. So I don't think you would be comming out of your chair. I fact sometimes I sit and reload. Now unlubed large Pistol brass, can be a strain.
You can see a pic of my setup in the 550 section under "reloading bench"
I don't think you would have a problem with .308, because you have to lube them to size them. With lube on (I usally mostly due 30-06), the pressure is minimal. So I don't think you would be comming out of your chair. I fact sometimes I sit and reload. Now unlubed large Pistol brass, can be a strain.
You can see a pic of my setup in the 550 section under "reloading bench"
Quote from Reloader on January 23, 2009, 8:37 pmI load .45 & .223 sitting. I have never had a stand up setup. I used to use a RCBS Rock chucker with a piggyback II & now I have a Dillon XL650 and I have never has any problems. My chair is a computer chair with casters which presents no problem at all. The only time I stand up it to fill the hopper on the case feeder. (Does that make me Lazy?)
I load .45 & .223 sitting. I have never had a stand up setup. I used to use a RCBS Rock chucker with a piggyback II & now I have a Dillon XL650 and I have never has any problems. My chair is a computer chair with casters which presents no problem at all. The only time I stand up it to fill the hopper on the case feeder. (Does that make me Lazy?)
Quote from Reloader on April 2, 2009, 7:31 pmFor what it's worth. I can reload rifle (.223 and .308) while seated on a bar stool for hours, but for large pistol I have to stand to get proper leverage or I end up with an aching back. But, then I am an old f--- and not as flexible as I used to be.
For what it's worth. I can reload rifle (.223 and .308) while seated on a bar stool for hours, but for large pistol I have to stand to get proper leverage or I end up with an aching back. But, then I am an old f--- and not as flexible as I used to be.
Quote from Reloader on November 29, 2009, 12:46 amHey G, I've loaded about 65,000 rounds, and only ONE was while standing, just to see what it's like. Loading while seated is the only way to go! If you don't clean your brass well enough the 454 casulls can get a little tough, but if you have a big lunch you can power right through them!
Hey G, I've loaded about 65,000 rounds, and only ONE was while standing, just to see what it's like. Loading while seated is the only way to go! If you don't clean your brass well enough the 454 casulls can get a little tough, but if you have a big lunch you can power right through them!