Let’s face it: there are plenty of pros and cons to reloading your own ammo.

For one, it can help you save money, especially if you shoot a lot. But, the task of reloading ammo requires a designated space–something a bit more outfitted for handling all of your gun-related gadgets and gizmos than the mere kitchen counter.

With ample storage space to house your supplies, and a large surface area to work on, there are many neat ways to customize your reloading bench.

Although highly utilized by firearms enthusiasts, they are also great workspaces for hobbyists, DIYers, and virtually any crafting project.

So, whether you have a reloading bench already or are eager to start building one, consider the following tips for equipping the ammo reloading workstation of your dreams.

Get (or build!) a heavy-duty work table.

Whether you have a capable workbench already, are thinking about building one from scratch, or are interested in purchasing a brand new unit, securing a heavy-duty tabletop for ammo reloading is a top priority.

If you lack woodworking abilities, no need to fret. There are a plethora of work tables with pre-made pieces that require little-to-no assembly.

Here are some work table options with:

• Multiple drawers Harbor Freight - 60 In., 4 Drawer Hardwood Workbench
• Adjustable height - Sam's Club - UltraHD® Adjustable Height Heavy-Duty Wood Top Workbench
• A large surface area - Max Tool - Grizzly T10157 Heavy-Duty Oak Workbench with Steel Legs

For obvious reasons, your work table will be where all of the magic happens. It will be the foundation for you to efficiently reload and load your ammunition, organize your ready-made ammo, and store it safely.

Durability is key!

Choose the optimal workbench location.

Find a suitable area, indoors or outdoors, where your reloading bench can live. Similar to your worktable, the spot you choose should be durable too; and ready for any possible accidents that could happen.

It is important to establish a dedicated area where you can store ammunition supplies such as gunpowder and primers, which are volatile and require safe handling at all times.

Given that the process of reloading ammo contains many stages, you should try to make sure you have adequate space for completing each task.

Additionally, it might be a wise decision to set up your reloading bench with some permanency so you don’t have to be constantly re-adjusting and resetting the workspace. This will be a huge time-saver!

Pro tip: to reinforce the sturdiness of your station, bolt the bench to the wall or floor, which will prevent unnecessary movement from your work table.

Built-in shelving is a MUST.

Given the many varieties of bullet boxes, powders, primers, and tools that need to be readily available at your workbench, utilize as many storage compartments as possible. These supplies take up more room than you may think, requiring constant access.

If you are shopping for workbenches, choose a unit abundant with storage options such as drawers, shelves, or tabletop containers.

Similarly, for all of you ambitious craftsmen who decide to build your own, consider designing a workbench layout that includes all three. After all, having too much storage is better than not having enough.

Veteran hand-loaders would suggest building the largest bench you have room for.

It’s also important to mention that if you fail to store your supplies properly, it can be detrimental to your powders. You don’t want them to go bad or have them unintentionally mix.

Finally, keep the area next to your reloading press free of any obstructions. When it comes to the highly volatile physics and chemistry hazard that is live ammo, maintaining a clean and tidy workstation is paramount for safety.

Customize!

Most likely, you will be using this reloading bench for a while, so why not make it perfectly suit your ideal project conditions?

Here are a few customization ideas:

• Raise or lower the tabletop according to your height
• Adjust your lighting conditions to ensure there is plenty of light to work in
• Attach a powerstrip with extra outlets for plugging in any power tools or devices
• Set your press machine placement to fit your dexterity (left-handed or right-handed)
• Install some hooks on the side of your workbench to hang additional tools
• Label storage compartments to keep your supplies organized

Start reloading.

Being able to take care of your ammunition from the convenience of your own home allows you to have full control over all of its maintenance.

Although there are many ways to configure your workbench, investing in the durability, location choice, storage options, and customization of your overall setup will make ammo reloading your new favorite activity.

Once you’ve got your reloading bench arranged and ready for action, we’ve got the big brands and bigger bullets for you to “have your cake (bench) and eat (use) it too”!