reloading in the cold....would you?

[cloverleaf]

The time has now come for me to put my guns away for the winter. Too much snow soon to get around safely from the wheelchair . It would be nice to be able to do some reloading in my "off season" but the only space I would have to set up is out in the garage. Here in the great white north that can mean pretty cold. Obviously I wouldnt try it with temps below zero, but could I down to say 25 degrees or so. I could get the heater going and get it to freezing or above. I dont have a basement and the kitchen table is out if I want to stay married. is this advisable? Im concerned about condensation on equipt. and materials due to warm hands etc and cold temps. Humidity outdoors in the summer also keeps me from reloading for the same reason. This is the primary reason that some one else reloads for me, he has a basement but is also 250 miles away. thoughts are apreciated. Am I off base here? Thanks CL

 

[Bigwheels]

I once had the same concerns as you.I had to reload in the garage for a long time.I would have to choose days that were not windy because of drafts affecting my beam scale.But I never had any problem with my loads.I was sure not to breath on my equipment to keep the condensation off ,& kept my powder out there too,so it didn't go through temp changes,& start to clump up on me.I say,if thats where you have to do your loading,then have at it.I use Hodgon Extreem powders,& have never seen any change in my loads either.Even when I loaded the round in freezing temps,& fired them in 90* temps.No problems.

 

[Guest]

There should be little trouble with loading in the garage if you observe a few simple precautions. First, breath is corrosion, as mentioned above. Second, it may be best to store the powder indoors (in climate controlled areas) until you are ready to use it, or at least until and hour or two prior, as powder (and primers, too) are susceptible to moisture contamination. If you keep your equipment out in the garage, you should consider spraying or wiping it down with oil, nothing too much, just like you would keep on your wrenches and pliers to keep them from rusting in the garage. One other alternative is a portable bench, and setting up in an area with prior approval from the wife. There are a couple of great portable benches out there, but with your situation, they might be too tall. Check into making one, or having someone make you one out of some nice wood, and maybe your wife will let you keep it next to your chair in the den (or living room, or great room, or whatever you call it). Might make it where you could do some operations while watching TV, although I would limit that to things like depriming and resizing. Or priming if you use a hand primer. Good luck!

BTW, here is an idea for a bench:

http://communities.realguns.com/phpbb2/ ... php?t=1619

 

[Guy Miner]

I used to load in my garage - would crank up the little electric heater in the winter and just go with it... Never had any problems from doing so. Agree it's probably best to store powder inside where temp extremes are likely to be less.

If you want to load inside... Consider a different setup. My buddy was amazed when I got to his house, 150 miles away, to help him with his handloads. I brought everything I needed in a smallish cardboard box - including the little Hart arbor press that just sits on a table ready to use - no hole drilling required. This setup only neck-sizes, but it produces very, very good high-quality ammunition.

This is the kind of kit BR guys often use, bringing it right to the range with them. I can set it all up very quickly, load and tuck it all back in the box equally quickly.

Regards, Guy

 

[cloverleaf]

Thanks for the ideas guys!! I think Lee makes a small press like the one described as well. Now all I have to do is figure out a way to make the wifes upright Piano into gun cabinet and Ill have room for more artillery too! CL

 

[fredj338]

I've had no problems reloading in my garage for years in outside temps 20-120. Store your primers & powder indoors for max. longevity. You can build a very usefull reloading setup in a 3ft sq. coat closet, you don't need much room.

 

[Blammer]

yep, I would and did and do and would again if needed.

 

[kiddekop]

Since our garage isn't used for our vehicles and is more for storage in CA I built a reloading room in one corner .I have an electric heater for cold weather as it gets down in the teens at night in the foothills of the san bernardino mtns.

 

[Jeff Olsen]

The time has now come for me to put my guns away for the winter. Too much snow soon to get around safely from the wheelchair . It would be nice to be able to do some reloading in my "off season" but the only space I would have to set up is out in the garage. Here in the great white north that can mean pretty cold. Obviously I wouldnt try it with temps below zero, but could I down to say 25 degrees or so. I could get the heater going and get it to freezing or above. I dont have a basement and the kitchen table is out if I want to stay married. is this advisable? Im concerned about condensation on equipt. and materials due to warm hands etc and cold temps. Humidity outdoors in the summer also keeps me from reloading for the same reason. This is the primary reason that some one else reloads for me, he has a basement but is also 250 miles away. thoughts are apreciated. Am I off base here? Thanks CL

I have to do my loading in my unheated shop. My gear has picked up some corrosion on the outer surfaces, which does not make me happy, but what are you gonna do... I have no other option and I do most of my shooting in the winter. I do have a little heater I'll turn on if things are really cold.

It can be done.

-jeff

 

[Sharpsman]

Here's an easy solution:

MOVE TO TEXAS!! :lol: :shock: :lol:

Them damn Yankess can't cook anyway!! :?

 

[cloverleaf]

Any pronghorns in Texas? You find me a job and I'm packin' my bags. Tired of life in the "not so great" white north" CL

 

[Sharpsman]

Yep! They be Pronghorn in Texas! There's plenty of jobs; for those that want to work! :lol: :lol:

 

[Jeff Olsen]

Here's an easy solution:

MOVE TO TEXAS!! :lol: :shock: :lol:

Them damn Yankess can't cook anyway!! :?

Texas... can't do Texas. I grew up in New Mexico and thus have an aversion to all things Texan!



-jeff

 

[RMiller]

Lee hand press.

They are great. I usually do my reloading on the living room floor in front of the T.V.

Triple check the powder level in the loading block before seating bullets and everything is great.