do you reload while sitting or standing? Why?

[SSN Vet]

going through the thread with reloading bench pictures posted again and noticed that most seem to use a higher bench, meant for standing.

I'm currently reloading at an old desk, while seated in an office chair.

This is a relaxing posture for me, and reloading is a relaxing hobby/liesure activity for me.

However, if I'm "pulling the lever" for more than an hour or so, I will get a crick in my neck.

What are the pros and cons of your set up?

 

[rcmodel]

I load standing up and my bench is the right height for it.

I just can't get proper leverage on the handle while setting down at a lower bench.

I do have a 36"? high metal stool that I use sometimes. That allows me to sorta set, but still be standing enough to run the press handle.
And I only use it when loading pistol that doesn't require a lot of power to FL size.

rcmodel

 

[Wedge]

I sit in a regular chair and set my bench up accordingly. I used an old office desk before and found it to be about 3" too low. My latest setup is just right for me.

 

[K3]

I alternate between sitting and standing.

 

[MMCSRET]

Mine is set up the same way RCModel has his. Different operations, different techniques. But I do have one press mounted on the Midway portable stand so I can move it around and one lubrisizer is mounted on a small low table that is portable, the other lubrisizer is stationary.

 

[amlevin]

Depends on Press I am using

I stand while loading with my Dillon 650 and sit when using the single stage.

On the 650 I am busy adding brass to the casefeeder, powder to the measure and transferring finished cartridges to storage containers. Also, the stroke of the lever is such that I do it best while standing.

For those rounds I carefully craft by hand I use my old RCBS RC-II and it works just fine while I am sitting on a stool.

 

[Jim Watson]

I am a lot like Amlevin.

I sit at my single stage because I am likely to be there a while loading target rifle ammo,

I sit at my 550 because I put it on the sitting height bench with the Rockchucker.

I stand at the 1050, MEC, and AutoCHamp so I can lean into the handle on those progressives.

 

[WayneConrad]

Stool, medium bench. I custom built my bench to a height between that of a desk and a high bench. A low bench would force me to stoop if I were standing; a high bench would be difficult to work at if I were sitting, since I am short.

The stool provides my back some relief when I am at the bench for a while.

 

[bensdad]

I mostly sit. Depends though. I actually sit on the floor with my back against a big wooden chest to do primers. I stand for powder. Sit for the rest of the process (resize, expand, seat/crimp).

 

[chbrow10]

I use a powder dispenser and I stand so that I can visually inspect that I have the right amount of powder in the case in my turret press. The press is mounted on a high workbench.

 

[brentwal]

Standing, I drive a service truck about 150-200 miles most days.

 

[freakshow10mm]

I load on a Dillon 550 on a strong mount sitting on a 35" tall bench. My son (2yo) sits in my chair and watches me load, so I have to stand.

 

[lordgroom]

Leverage, comfort, and the height of my bench= standing

 

[philbo]

My progressive presses are set to be used while standing. It gives me better leverage and if I'm too tired to stand then I'm probably too tired to maintain proper attention to all the details going on to be reloading... so if I get tired standing, that's when I know it's time to take a break.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I get set up for the job at hand and sort of lean back against a high stool while working. alternate standing some. reason - I have lower back problems, bad.

 

[wingman]

High bench and chair however I do stand at times due to back problems.

 

[snuffy]

If I had to stand to load, I wouldn't load! All operations are performed sitting. My 650 is easy to operate from the sitting position.

I'm on my feet, moving parts in my assembly job at work. The chance to sit and load is a relief, very relaxing. That said, I don't load if I'm tired, never right after work.

To each, his own I guess!

 

[jim147]

I used to sit at a low bench but moved my setup to a high bench in a/c for the summer. Now I like to stand so I can see the powder drop in every case instead of pulling some out to check here and there. I am tinking about getting a bar stool so I can sit part of the time.

 

[jim147]

edit

 

[Walkalong]

I built my reloading bench out of scraps from an entertainment center someone threw away. I had to add a couple of pieces of new wood. The top is 37 inches from the floor.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Ergonomically, what you want to do, regardless of sitting or standing, is to keep your head, neck and spine vertical as possible to minimize strain on your muscles. This can be accomplished sitting or standing, but generally, for the home reloading operation, this is more easily accomplished (from a build standpoint) using a tall bench with a simple "bar" type stool that keeps one in a standing position, but supported by the stool.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Skpotamus]

My bench is high enough that with the stool I have, I can reload standing or sitting. I've found I prefer reloading while I'm standing though.

 

[jfh]

I have a high bench and a low stool. Actually, the stool is adjustable, but with aging eyes, a I like to be down lower near the case for vision, and the higher reach to the operating handle is preferable.

Jim H.

 

[cpttango30]

Depends on what I am reloading. If I'm loading 45acp then it is standing as if you sit down you can't reach the handle on my 550b. I sit for loading rifle as the press is lower and i like the scale at eye level.

 

[elkhuntingfool]

I really depends on my mood and how many I'm reloading. If I'm experimenting with seating - then I stand- don't know why - just do. Probably because I seat, put the cartridge in the rifle and eject it to make sure it fits correctly. Once I've found the correct seating, then I sit down and crank them out - on a single stage

I also reload shotgun so my 9 year old and I will sit and crank those out as well. She'll drop the powder and the shot while I move the hull around. Daddy/daughter time.