Best Reloading Benches in 2021 – A Comprehensive Review

Advantage of Reloading Benches

Here are a few reasons why having a workbench is so crucial for your gun maintenance process.

It defines the work space that allows you to move around more comfortably and safely, especially when dealing with volatile chemicals (gunpowder).

It’s easier to sort out your brass casings.

A stable work surface lets you use your reloading presses optimally.

Keep things organized so that you can quickly locate the right tools and other items easily.

Buying Guide for the Best Reloading Benches

A quick search on the internet will reveal countless options of reloading benches available with their own uniqueness. Although you can build one yourself at home, purchasing a reloading bench from reliable manufacturers will save you plenty of time, money, and energy. Here are a few aspects you should pay attention to when picking up the best reloading bench.

Stability

Obviously, you must ensure that your bench does not move around or wobble when you’re working on it. Keep in mind that gun reloading can be a dangerous task when carried out on an unstable surface. For this reason, you need to make sure that you’re getting a bench that will remain still and at one point throughout your entire reloading process. Equally importantly, you should also pay attention to the legs and check that they are skid or slip-proof to make sure the bench is stable yet still movable.

Design

Not all benches are created the same. Some have a larger workspace while others are smaller. You need to ensure that the model you pick fits your available space. If you’ve limited space, you can opt for a foldable and do-it-yourself option that comes with loads of recommendations for you to customize them according to your needs.

Also, don’t forget to get one with ample storage for components and tools that you may need. For convenience, it’s recommended for you to find one that’s easy to move around in case you need to switch places.

Ease of Assembly

A good reloading bench should not take too much of your time to put together. If you’re not very handy with tools, try to find one that can be assembled within minutes and ensure the bench comes with a manual for you to refer to should you get stuck along the way.

Versatility

A good bench should not have a limit as to what it can let you do. Pick a versatile bench that will function indoors just as well as outdoors. You can also opt for one that’s easily customizable to match your tasks.

Portability

A good reloading bench should also be easily transported for those who need to move it from the house to the garage and so on. For portability, try to get one that’s lightweight but stable. There are several options available that come with lockable wheels for this purpose.

Durability

In terms of durability, ensure that you’re picking a bench that’s made of quality materials and will give you a good service life. Heavy-duty materials such as hardwood or steel are preferable. Make sure the frames are metallic and sturdy with wooden legs that are strong enough to withstand the passage of time.

Warranty

Check the warranty for the reloading station you’re considering. Some companies offer a one-year warranty, which should be sufficient. While installing, you should check to make sure all parts fit together and perform to your satisfaction.

Price

Reloading benches are available in a wide range of prices. Though it’s easy to find a cheap model, you ought to remember that you get what you pay for. Those with a tight budget may search for more affordable models, but make sure that the bench does not sacrifice quality for the price.

Review of the Best Reloading Benches

1. Lee Precision Reloading Stand

The best part about the Lee Precision 90688 Reloading Stand is its compact design. Created for reloaders with limited working space and designed for holding a reloading press, this is a great choice for someone looking for a portable reloading table that won’t eat up too much footprint.

It’s also interesting to note this reloading bench comes with a sturdy steel with it. Additionally, you’ll also find a sturdy powder-coated steel shelf with 2 bench receivers that provide ample storage for your extra presses or mountable accessories.

Other than that, you’ll also find a storage bin for components and tools in the reloading bench. The stand has a 3-leg design which provides high stability on any floor/surfaces. The legs even feature rubber tipping to prevent the bench from skidding, making it ideal for using it on a carpeted surface.

Also, you’ll find 8 mounting holes on each leg that lets you customize your stand with shelves and accessory racks. Another feature that you may find interesting is the patented, quick change Lee Bench Plate System that’s engineered on the steel top with pre-drilled steel base block designed to accommodate all metallic reloading presses.

The Ultra is the perfect fit if you only need one Lee reloading press. But if you need something other than Lee in the future, you may need to buy another one. You will also need to lay out your suppliers, cases, powder, and reloaded ammo as the Lee 90688 does not include additional storage space.

You would like this if:

1. You have limited space available.
2. You need a reloading bench that’s sturdy and portable.
3. You want a workbench with a customizable leg design that’s very stable on any surface and storage bin included.
4. You want a workbench with a pre-drilled steel base block for reloading press.

You might not like this if:

1. You want a collapsible reloading bench.

2. Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Reloading Stand

If you have limited space for your workstation, then the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Reloading Stand is another fantastic choice. This reloading bench even has a foldable tabletop and frame to be the ultimate space saver.

The Frankford reloading benches are among the few options with incredible convenience, especially for small spaces. The frame opens up to 34”x21” providing an extremely stable and rigid work station. Again, the frame is adjustable from 28.5” to 45”, allowing you to customize whichever position is best for you (sitting or standing).

The reloading table top can also be adjustable to provide a large surface area to fit all types of reloading processes. Construction-wise, this reloading bench frame is made of corrosion-resistant steel with two storage bins on the sides for holding components and other small tools that you may need for your task.

That’s not all though, the side shelves can even accommodate any freestanding trimmers, scales, and almost any reloading tool. Last but not least, we are very pleased to find that this reloading bench unit is easy to assemble and functions amazingly well.

You would like this if:

1. You want reloading benches that are ergonomically designed with adjustable height.
2. You want an easy-to-set-up reloading bench with plenty of workspace and storage bins for convenience.
3. You prefer sturdy reloading benches made from high-quality construction.

You might not like this if:

1. You want a reloading bench that will stay in place as the plastic caps on the feet tend to move around a bit.

3. Hopkins 90164 2×4 Basics Workbench and Shelving Storage System

Unlike other reloading benches on the market, we were pleasantly surprised to find that this Hopkins workbench is completely customizable with a do-it-yourself system that lets you truly customize it to your needs.

On top of that, assembling it is a total no-brainer with easy-to-follow instructions available and cut lists to make the process even easier. For installation, all you need is a powered screwdriver and a saw. Other hardware is included along in the kit.

This reloading bench also features quality construction with a sturdy 2×4 framing and advanced engineering integrated into the kit to make it stronger and more stable compared to standard reloading stands. In fact, each shelf on the workbench can hold up to 1,000 pounds of weight!

The 6 shelf links included lets you expand your shelving and storage needs. Interestingly, this custom reloading bench lets you add on valuable storage space to fit your project requirements.

More so, the materials used to construct this reloading bench are made of heavy gauge structural resin that’s impact and solvent-resistant to withstand rough conditions. As a bonus, the manufacturer even provides a limited 2-year warranty for long periods of quality service.

You would like this if:

1. You want a reloading workbench that can be assembled in less than an hour.
2. You want a truly customizable reloading bench with customizable lengths (width, height, and length).
3. You want a multi-purpose workbench with a versatile design and durable construction to hold up to 1,000 pounds per shelf.
4. You want a work bench with more storage space and plenty of space storage options to hold reloading supplies.

You might not like this if:

1. You want a foldable reloading bench.
2. You need something portable as this reloading table workbench can get quite heavy.

4. Seville Classics (UHD20247B) Ultra Lighted Workbench

The UltraHD lighted workbench is a great choice for those who want to revive their garage workspace. First off, the work surface of this reloading bench is made of durable hardwood that can last a lifetime of heavy use. The heavy-duty steel frame is also sturdy and corrosion-free for longevity.

This is an all-in-one workstation that comes with a pegboard and 23 pieces hook set for you to keep all your tools close and ready on the customized workspace. With a bright fluorescent light installed, this reloading bench even lets you work comfortably at night. Aside from that, the Seville Classics UltraHD lighted reloading bench includes 2 easy-to-slide stainless steel storage drawers with drawer liners to open and close the drawers quietly.

The steel frame workstation also has adjustable leveling feet to adjust the reloading bench to suit your own preferences. To top it off, this all-in-one workbench is super easy to put together.

You would like this if:

1. You want a reloading bench made from a heavy-duty metallic frame with leveling feet and adjustable height.
2. You want stainless steel drawers with easy-slide ball bearing glides.
3. You like to work at night as this comes with built-in fluorescent lights.
4. You prefer to have a large and extremely solid work surface with a cantilever shelf for miscellaneous storage.

You might not like this if:

1. You want a sturdy bench as the wheel locks may not stay locked.
2. You want a lighter and portable work station that’s not too heavy to lift.

5. Stack-On WB-402 Steel Reloading Workbench with Back Wall

This Stack-On reloading bench has a unique design with usability and comfort in mind. The tactical gun cabinet meets the safety standards for storing guns as set by the California department, providing the safest way to store your weapons.

One interesting fact is that this reloading station also comes with all the fastener hardware and instruction manual included to make assembling this bench straightforward and easy. The Stack-On also allows a shooter to customize their reloading workbench, much like the Hopkins one reviewed above.

This well-built unit has been designed to give you many years of good service. With 1 full inch of thick wooden surface, this work bench is sturdy enough and provides a large work surface to hold all the necessary reloading supplies.

For convenience, this bench also has a steel top shelf and 2 full-length bottom shelves for ample storage space. Included also is a peg board for you to hang any frequently used tools to ensure they’re always within reach.

You would like this if:

1. You want one with nice construction and plenty of storage space and compartments.
2. You want one that’s great for limited space.

You might not like this if:

1. You don’t want to deal with the 1” thick wood surface gouging easily.
2. You want a feet lever for adjustable height.

6. Stack-On SO382B Heavy Duty Steel Workbench

This workbench is one of the most affordable models in our review today. It is also a DIY steel work bench that provides a sturdy work surface for all your reloading equipment. Featuring a ¾-inch thick, heavy-duty MDF table top that’s fastened to the top rails with steel end panels, this reloading bench is super stable. In fact, the end panels are constructed from rugged steel I-beam for added strength and durability.

With the pegboard, you will even have additional space for all your tools and reloading supplies. There are also two large steel shelves for you to organize your tools. Since all the installation hardware is included in the package, you can rest easy knowing that assembling this reloading bench will not take up too much of your time.

You would like this if:

• You want a sturdy steel reloading station with a lot of storage space.
• You’re shopping on a tight budget as this is affordable enough to meet most budgets.

You might not like this if:

• You need a lighted bench to work at night.

Our Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt that getting a customized bench will offer you plenty of benefits as compared to a homemade one. However, choosing the perfect workbench is far from a walk in the park as there are various factors to take into consideration in order to pick the best unit in the market.

As mentioned above, any bench that is satisfactory in terms of durability, stability, ergonomic design, versatility, portability, and ease of assembly will not be far from a great bench. Hopefully, today’s article has given you enough information and knowledge to make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the best way to organize my bench?

The best way to organize your bench is to have stackable drawers of various designs and sizes. Much like a well-organized tool chest, drawers can be used to organize virtually all of your equipment needed for gun maintenance, including caliber dies, shell holders, powder measures, miscellaneous tools like trimmers, cleaning agents, ammo casings, ammo boxes, and safety glasses.