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Title: Building My First Reloading Bench with RCBS: Getting Organized and Educated
After ordering my RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit, the next step was setting it up in the right environment. Owning the equipment is one part of the process but having a safe and organized workspace and knowing how to use everything correctly is just as important. As someone new to hand loading, I learned quickly that reorganizing my existing gun room and building out the bench area was just as important as understanding the gear itself.
Reworking the Gun Room for Reloading
My gun room was already built inside the garage. It was secure, climate controlled, and already outfitted with the Lockdown wall organization system. Instead of starting from scratch, I focused on reorganizing the room to make space for a dedicated reloading table. The wall system made this easy since I could relocate tools, accessories, and storage panels to clear the area around the new bench.
Reloading requires focus and a clean environment, and the enclosed gun room was already ideal for that. By moving a few storage items around and positioning the new bench where it had the best lighting and workflow, I turned the existing room into a much more effective reloading space.
Mounting the Rock Chucker Supreme Press
The centerpiece of the new setup is the Rock Chucker Supreme press. The cast iron frame is heavy and designed for stability. I mounted it to the new table using heavy hardware. After marking and drilling the holes, I bolted it down tightly to eliminate flex or movement. Any wobble affects consistency, so securing the press was my top priority.
Once mounted, the new table felt purpose built. This small change made the entire room feel like a proper reloading workspace instead of just a gun storage area.
Lighting and Safety Considerations
The gun room already had general lighting, but reloading requires more precision. I added a bright, adjustable LED lamp directly over the press. Being able to clearly see inside cases, verify powder levels, and read the scale accurately makes a big difference.
I also placed a small fireproof cabinet in an unused corner to store powder and primers. RCBS stresses proper storage for temperature and safety reasons, and having a controlled gun room made it simple to keep components protected and away from heat sources.
Using the Lockdown Wall System for Organization
The Lockdown wall system became even more valuable once the bench was added. I reorganized the panels so case prep tools, funnels, calipers, deburring tools, and small accessories were stored cleanly on the wall instead of taking up bench space. Keeping the surface clear reduces the chance of contaminating brass or powder and makes the workflow smoother.
Learning the Process: RCBS Reloading 101
Before working with any brass, I spent time learning from the Speer Reloading Manual included in the kit. It walks through every step with illustrations and load data.
I also used the RCBS Reloading 101 resources online. They break the entire process into clear stages case prep, priming, powder charging, bullet seating, and inspection. Reading the guides while standing at the freshly organized bench helped everything make sense.
Starting Small with One Cartridge
RCBS recommends starting with one cartridge instead of trying to reload everything at once. I chose .308 and installed the matching dies and shell holder in the Rock Chucker press. The resizing die and seating die were easier to set up than expected once I followed the RCBS instructions step by step.
Case Prep at the Bench
Case prep was my first hands on task. Using the deburring tool, I smoothed case mouths. The brushes cleaned residue from inside the case necks. A small amount of RCBS case lube made resizing smooth and prevented sticking in the die.
This stage takes patience but helped me build confidence before moving to powder and primers.
Powder Measuring and Weighing
I upgraded to the ChargeMaster Link Electronic Powder Dispenser. It measures and dispenses charges automatically, connects through Bluetooth, and can be controlled from the RCBS Reloading App. Having it on the new table next to the press made the entire workflow efficient and accurate.
Priming and Bullet Seating
I also added the Automatic Priming Tool to the setup. It gave me a good feel for primer seating depth and helped avoid high or crushed primers. Once primed, I moved the charged cases to the press, set up the seating die, and slowly worked through seating bullets.
Seeing the first completed round come out of the press in my reorganized gun room was a great moment. Everything came together exactly the way it should.
Building Good Habits
RCBS emphasizes consistency and routine. I built habits like checking every powder charge with a flashlight, logging every load in a notebook, and wearing safety glasses at all times. The gun room layout helps with these habits because everything has a place and distractions are minimal.
Step by Step Checklist for Setting Up and Starting Reloading
Bench Setup
- Reorganize the existing gun room to clear space for a dedicated bench.
- Install a sturdy table capable of supporting the press.
- Add direct lighting above the press.
- Position a fireproof cabinet for powder and primer storage.
- Rearrange the Lockdown wall panels for optimal tool organization.
Mounting Equipment
- Bolt down the Rock Chucker Supreme Press securely.
- Place the ChargeMaster Link dispenser within reach of the press.
- Keep case prep tools and small accessories mounted on the Lockdown wall.
Organizing Workflow
- Use a loading block for holding and staging brass.
- Use bins for cleaned brass, primed brass, and completed rounds.
- Log all load data in a notebook.
Education and Safety
- Read the Speer Reloading Manual before beginning.
- Review RCBS Reloading 101 materials.
- Wear safety glasses at all times.
- Never reload when tired or distracted.
Reloading Sequence
- Inspect and clean brass.
- Lubricate and resize cases.
- Deburr and brush case mouths.
- Prime cases with the Automatic Priming Tool.
- Dispense charges with the ChargeMaster Link.
- Check fill levels visually before seating bullets.
- Seat bullets using the correct seating die.
- Inspect each finished round for consistent measurements.
Final Thoughts
Reorganizing my gun room and adding a dedicated reloading table made the entire RCBS setup feel natural and efficient. By improving the layout, mounting the press correctly, and learning through RCBS manuals and online resources, I felt confident starting my reloading journey. The room now functions as a true workspace, and each new cartridge I load feels like progress. I still have a lot to learn, but with RCBS equipment and a clean, organized gun room, I feel like I am starting off strong.
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