Outside the house reloading caves (pic request)

Is it humid in NW Arkansas? I tried reloading in my garage on the Mississippi coast and within 6 months all my dies and my press had surface rust. Not to mention that I was sweating like a prostitute in church.

Whatever you do, I recommend air conditioning and well insulated walls.

I friend is in the smae situation as you and and is considering a small steel building on a slab in his back yard, complete with power and AC.

Cargo containers are pretty rugged, and it wouldn't be that hard to insulate and climate control one. That being said, they sure aren't pretty. If I had one, I would bury it and make a true man cave.

My next option would be to buy one of the larger sized pre-built sheds. They make some pretty nice ones but they sure aren't very secure.

I wouldn't go for a van or bus, at least not a cheap one.

A bus would be awesome if you have the dough.

If a cargo container is truly an option, that is what I would choose, hands down. I have two of them already for general storage and they are awesome. Watertight, sturdy, nearly burglar-proof (I said "nearly"!). The twenty-footers have plenty of room inside and there is still enough light to see a bit in the back if the doors are open. A forty-footer would be very dark in the back. On the other hand, as a practical matter, for reloading you will want to rig it with electricity anyway, so...

Tim

Simple!! I'd get a shipping container, put a couple beds in it for the out-laws or whoever, and tell them to keep the hell out of my loading/gun room! If they want air condiitioning, I'd mention that there are hotels if they want go into town! Got to keep your priorities straight!

^^^^^ +1 ^^^^^^^^

I built a little 8x8 room in the corner of my garage.. Insulated, sheet rocked, electric heat, window, window unit air conditioner and a small dehumidifier. Better climate control than my house and all the privacy I need.

reloading room

I've used an 8x10 portable building for a reloading room/building since 1978 and it has served me well although quite cramped. I've got a new 10x20 building on order from the Derksen building people that have all the portable buildings for sale here in Arkansas that you see on the side of the roads.
I chose to used an outbuilding because it is away from everyone and when loading I have found out the hard way that you don't need any distractions while reloading ammo.
As you know the humity here in Arkansas is quite bad at times so you have to watch for that. I don't have any pictures because it is to UGLY to show to the public but I will say It has a full house Dillon 650 set up in it.
Reguards
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/VIETNAM/67/68/69
DAV

Krochus PM me an e-mail address and I'll send you photos of why I would pick a 20' container. I spent 20 years working for the U.S. Navy NAVSEA (ESSM) and we had 20' container you wouldn't believe. From Mechanics work shops, Boatswain's lockers, Offices to berthing.

what about your garage? If not applicable, get a nice storage shed. Used one for that out West - insulated it, ran power to it, had a heater for winter time......and most importantly, a hook on the INSIDE to keep the kids and wife out so zi could have some peace and quiet on occasion........

Build a 40X60 building and be done with it. You would have a great reloading room. Put in a freezer, spa/hot tub, workshop, ect. There is still plenty of spare room on the second level. Go for it.

Build a 40X60 building and be done with it. You would have a great reloading room. Put in a freezer, spa/hot tub, workshop, ect. There is still plenty of spare room on the second level. Go for it.

Click to expand...

It's simular and a little bigger.......

A well used but sound and functional 20-22 ft. camper trailer would make an ideal "loading cave." Many are for sale, cheeep, these days. Run power, water and phone lines to it, build a light roof over the top to help turn rain and sun and extend it out a bit for a covered porch/deck area. Most campers have heaters already so you only need to install a small window mounted AC.

Remove any unneeded walls and the bed, add a bench and go. Keep the dining area for a vistor's space. You would have cold storage for powder and beverages in the refrigerator, a good stove to heat coffee and snacks, a sink to clean your fingers, etc, and a functional potty if you choose to hook it up to a small tank. You would easily have all the comforts of home in a moderatly inexpensive and compact package.

A pair of cheap FRS radios or a Radio Shack intercom would allow you to tell momma you are hungry and will be in soon. Or she can call you to say the sinks stopped up, etc. (You know how women like to communicate.)

What's not to love about a compact camper/loading room that's all yours, inexpensively.

Keep powder in the refrigerator? Um, wouldn't that play havoc with the humidity of the powder? Not to mention condensation?

dubbleA, you dog, you just HAD to wag those photos in our faces again, didn't you? Dang nice setup, I'm jealous as hell. I hope you've added some safety railings to the stairs and landing though.

AFA powder in a refrigerator, only if it's a DEAD fridge and unpowered! JMHO. Welders use old fridges to keep their welding rods dry and safe.

Thats nice dubbleA. Did you put living quarters in there also?

Years ago and across the nation... I had a friend, who took a cargo container and buried it in a hillside,( well..bullldozed over it.) It stayed cool in the summer and reasonable in the winter. He stored smaller farm gear in it ,it was inconspicuous and secure. It is still standing and quite sound.

I'm still impressed with its durablity, and practicality.

I'd go for the cargo container. They sell insulated ones if you didn't want to do that yourself. Those things are indestructable. We use them for storage at remote sites, well houses, generator houses, etc.

Personally I'd buy a regular 40' one (last one cost me $1050 delivered, with new paint) and wall off 20-30' of it, insulate it and run power everywhere, with lots of outlets and lights. A couple of heaters (or AC depending upon your climate, mostly it is cold here...) and your set. And you can move it if need be. Still have some extra room for later, or to store outside stuff, etc.

http://www.tuffshed.com/products_details.cfm?ModelID=SBTR&TabID=photo

something like that could work out nicely. just make sure the wife doesn't turn it into a garden shed.

Great building dubbleA. Is that shooting station somehow connected to the building? That's a nice range, I'm a little jealous!!