10 DIY Reloading Bench Plans To Build Today (With Pictures)
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Ed Malaker
- Last updated:
Reloading your ammo can save money and even help you shoot more accurately. It’s also a great hobby that can be rewarding and lots of fun. There are plenty of commercial reloading benches you can purchase to get started, but it’s easy to build one, and you only need a few supplies.
If you are interested in building a reloading bench but aren’t sure how to get started, you’re in luck. We’ll list several plans that you can build today. We will provide you with a picture and brief description of each project so you can get an idea of the difficulty and final appearance to see if it’s right for you.
The 10 DIY Reloading Bench Plans
1. Basic Reloading Bench from AR15
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The Basic Reloading Bench from AR15 is an easy-to-build project and only requires a few boards, screws, and washers. It comes with a complete set of plans that are easy to follow, and there are no angles to cut, so you can even build it with a handsaw.
2. Reloading Bench Plan from Redstone Projects
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
The Reloading Bench Plan from Redstone Projects is another easy-to-build reloading bench project you can complete in a few days. We put it on our moderate difficulty pile because the additional back shelf requires more effort and materials than the last project on our list. However, with patience, a new builder should have no problem completing this bench.
3. Reloading Bench Project from ZJS Tech
| Difficulty: | Advanced |
The Reloading Bench Project from ZJS Tech is a fun-to-build project that results in a versatile and attractive reloading bench. It requires you to cut some angles, so we put it on our advanced list. But if you have the tools required, it shouldn’t be too difficult. We like the pegboard on the back shelf because it makes it easy to hang tools or post notes.
4. DIY Reloading Bench Plan from My Outdoor Plans
Difficulty: Moderate
The Reloading Bench Plan from My Outdoor Plans is a moderately difficult plan similar to many others we’ve looked at. It’s incredibly versatile and requires simple materials like lumber, screws, glue, and stain. Experienced users should be able to finish this project in a day or two.
5. Orkan’s New Reloading Bench from Gun Hive
| Difficulty: | Advanced |
The Orkan’s New Reloading Bench from Gun Hive is an advanced build that fastens securely to the wall. There are no complicated cuts, but several drawers require plenty of work, so we put it on our advanced list. However, if you have good tools and plenty of patience, you can complete this project even as a beginner, and the result is one of the most stable benches on this list.
6. Portable Reloading Bench from Accurate Shooter
| Difficulty: | Easy |
The Portable Reloading Bench is the second project on this list from Accurate Shooter. It’s a simple project that is easy to build and only takes a few supplies. Most builders can build this project in a day or two, and the result is a lightweight, portable, and durable reloading bench that you can use anywhere.
7. Compact Reloading Bench from Outdoor Life
| Difficulty: | Easy |
If you need a reloading bench with a small footprint, consider giving this one from Outdoor Life a try. It uses a plain old Black & Decker Workmate as the base, and a sheet of sturdy plywood cut to order as the work surface. There’s no integrated shelving but does make notes about mounting your reloading press. Stackable plastic tote-like bins are your best bet as far as storing your various reloading components goes.
8. Budget DIY Reloading Bench from Cheaper Than Dirt
| Difficulty: | Easy |
You can pinch a few pennies on your reloading bench project with this budget DIY plan. It creates a long work surface with ample space for dies, powders, casings, and more. A few cuts are needed to make room for the aluminum U-rails in the design, but that makes your end result lighter and stronger. We also like the raised work surface because it reduces neck fatigue when working for long periods.
9. DIY Wooden Reloading Bench from How To Specialist
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
This straightforward reloading bench plan doesn’t have any fancy angles to cut, making it easier for inexperienced woodworkers. It makes a moderately sized workbench with neat shelves in the back. Perforated steel mesh along the back wall is optional, or you can furnish it with a full wall if you want to do some extra work.
10. Sturdy DIY Reloading Bench from Accurate Shooter
| Difficulty: | Advanced |
Weak bases make reloading ammo difficult, but this DIY plan from Accurate Shooter is rock-solid. It does require a wide array of tools and carpentry experience, so it’s not for beginners. The plan has detailed schematics for where you can put your reloading gear, but make a special note that you must place it on a perfectly level surface after you’re done.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several reloading bench plans that you can use to create a bench that perfectly suits the area you are working in. If you don’t have experience with woodworking, we recommend starting with one of the easy projects. These projects don’t require a lot of materials, and there aren’t any difficult angle cuts to make. You should be able to build them in a few days. Once you feel confident, we recommend trying one of the more difficult projects.
You might also be interested in: How to Build a Bench from an Old Tailgate: 4 Plans
Featured Image Credit: Sphinx2013, Shutterstock
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