First Attempt
I reload my own ammo and decided to make a custom reloading tray for working up test loads.
I will get into the details a little later but want to show you my first attempt.
My first attempt started as a 4” x 4” x 3/4” PVC block with pockets cut to hold various sized rounds.
This one will hold 25, .44 caliber cases.
You can download my drawing file here:
The process for creating these trays was very simple. I start by cutting a 4” x 4” block out of the 3/4” PVC I picked up at my local home center.
Note that these can be mad from other materials as well.
I then use one of my CNC machines to mill pockets that will hold my 44 magnum brass.
Note that the pockets could also be cut with a small forstner bit and a drill press.
Once the tray has been sanded and all burrs removed, it is a simple matter to load the brass.
Raising the Bar
I decided to take the tray to the next level and added some bullet pockets. These would allow me to have the bullets I plan on adding to the cartridge ready.
The stock I used was a piece of PVC 5” x 6” x 3/8”.
The case pockets are .34” deep. The bullet pockets are .2” deep.
The four case pockets in the front are used to hold some spare brass or bullets. They can also be used to allow you stack the trays.
You can download the eps file for this tray here: Tray 2 eps file
I have also made available a complete set of drawing files in various formats. I have also included a couple PDFs that can be used to mark locations for making the trays with a drill press.
If you don’t have the means to make these trays, please contact me. I would be glad to make you a set for a nominal fee.
I also added some pockets on the bottom of the tray, as shown here. All were .02 thick. The were added to make stacking the loaded trays easier.
These are not really needed if you plan to use the tray holder shown below.
The Process
lets look to see my work flow for making this tray.
The first thing I do is cut my 3/8” stock to 5” x 6”. Of course this could have been cut on the CNC but this saves time and waste.
Note that any 3/8” or thicker stock could have been used. These are made from PVC sheet I purchased at my local home center.
MDF or solid wood could have just as easily been used.
The stock is mounted on one of my CNC machines. In this case a KRMx02.
Notice the waster board that the stock is mounted on. This is not needed as nothing is cut through on the tray. It is all just a series of pockets.
I used VcarvePro to create my tool paths from the drawing. Once the tool paths are completed, I load the Gcode into Mach3.
I cut the pockets.
Tool: 1/4” two flute up-spiral end mill
DOC: .125”
Feed: 50IPM
RPM: 18000
Cleanup
The PVC will require the burrs to be removed.
I use a fine sanding sponge to remove them.
The finished tray.
The Bottom
Once the top has been cleaned up, I mill the .02” deep pockets into the bottom.
Operation
Using the tray is simple, I add my cases and bullets to the appropriate pockets.
Shown here are 38 special cases and 105 grain cast bullets.
To stack the trays, I move two of the cases to the front and place a second tray on top.
One More Thing
I decided to make a tray holder to hold the various trays. The tray holder consists of an 8” x 6.75” x 1/2” piece of stock.
It has a 1/4” deep pocket to hold the loading tray.
The tray holder here is made from 1/2” MDF.
The tray holder allows me to add removable labels to help keep track of the loads I am testing.
Here I have a tray loaded with 38 special cases and 158 grain powder coated bullets.
The first five will be loaded with 3.5 grains of Tightgroup powder. The next will be 3.6 grains. Then 3.7, and 3.8 grains. The last set is 3.9 grains.
I marked the bullet points of the last set because these are .1 grains over the max in my Lee loading manual. Just to give a reminder when I get a chance to shoot them.
Using the Tray and Holder
This is the process I use when I am working up loads.
I normally start on the last row. I take a case from the tray…
… and load it into my turret press.
The case is then sized and a primer loaded into the press.
The primer is pressed into the case.
Once the primer is loaded, I use the case and primer and zero my scale. When I work up loads for testing, I tweak the load to with in .02 grains. If I am loading target ammo, I will skip this step and go from primer loading on my press directly to the powder charge.
The case is moved back to the press and powder is added.
Note that this die also flares the case slightly to make adding the bullet easier.
The case is then moved back to the scale and the trickler is used to bring the charge to the required load.
The case is returned to the press and I select a bullet to load.
The bullet is placed in the case.
The bullet is seated using the seating die.
The case is crimped using the factory crimping die.
Once the round is complete it is returned to the reloading tray.
25 rounds completed and ready to fire.
Conclusion
Several rounds ready for testing.
I keep two sizes of trays. My 38/357 tray is good for anything up to 357 magnum. My 44 caliber tray is good for any shell that has case rim smaller than .46”
Before closing I want to talk about improper primer seating. Shown here are two cartridges that have primers that were not seated properly. These will jam the revolver cylinder.
If you give the tray a little shake you can easily spot the cartridges that have primers that were not seated properly as they will tend to lean to one side.