Stevew

Most sources recommend starting out with a single stage press. There are probably more Rock Chucker Supreme kits sold. It is a fairly complete kit. You will still need dies (Bass Pro Shop has good prices on dies). Down the road you will need a caliber, brass cleaner, case trimer. Be advised primers can be harder to find than ammo, but it is getting better. I would start out by buying a few reloading manuals (be advised when you buy a kit most of the times it comes with a manual). Manuals by bullet manufactors are specific to thier bullet.

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Glock 22, GP100, S&W mod 60, Colt Delta Elite, Colt Govt 380, Ruger Single Six, Ruger Bearcat, Colt New Police

jem102

The Lee kits are an excellent way to get started. You won't be disappointed and you can up-grade from there if you really get into it.

carstensxd45

Since I only shoot 45acp, I got a Dillion Square Deal B for about 350.00, the tumbler, media, scale for the powder, all in all about 500.00 total. Had already been saving brass, get my slugs from Stonewall Bullet company. can produce 100 rounds of 45 acp for about $9.00 savings of about 30.00 per hundred. My first year I saved enough to pay for my equipment about 6 times over. Get into reloading and you will save and shoot more!!

alnitak

I've been using a Lee Handpress for about five years now, and load for 9mm, .38/.357, .44spl/.44mag and .45-70. Shooting only a couple hundred rounds a month, it is perfect for my needs. In other posts, I've described my process, steps and tools required. As has been said earlier, if you reload for handguns, many of the accessories aren't needed (like the case sizer and burr removal tool -- I only use them for the .44mag's). I like the touchiness of the handpress, and can work in 15-20 minute stages. All together, I probably spent less than $120, and maybe less than $100 getting started (not counting the vibratory cleaner and media). Check out ebay for reloading equipment lots. You can generally get everything you need at once for 1/3 to 1/2 the price of it new.

Basic reloading equipment includes:

Handpress ($20-$25)
Dies ($25-$30 per set)
Dipper set ($12-$15)
Scale ($25 for an electronic, double that for a balance beam)
Lee Autoprime and shell holders (about $20)
Plastic funnel ($3)

I use empty ammo boxes and the plastic/styrofoam inserts for loading trays and storage.

Supplies are bullets (lead cast are $60-$80/1000), primers (nowadays, about $40-$60/1000) and powder (about $25/pound). I consider brass free -- either from the factory loads I shoot or picking up range brass.

Search on my other threads here if you want details on the process or other optional equipment (bullet puller, caliper, etc.)

Archie

Rightwinger, are you planning on loading

* mostly rifle,
* mostly pistol,
* mostly shotgun, or
some combination of the above?

If you load primarily pistol and only one or two calibers, a Dillon Square Deal will suit you very nicely. If you load only rifle calibers, a single stage RCBS or Lee or Hornady or anything will do well for you - unless you blast away three or four hundred rounds an hour.

I have a Dillon XL650 and I load both pistol (by the bucket) and rifle in some volume as well.

Bottom level economy set up is going to run in the $400 range, depending on your taste and desire. Be sure to check out the "Equipment and Accessory" columns of all the gun and reloading forums you read. There's lots of used and slightly used stuff that are still very functional.

Oh. Get a good reloading book - Lyman's 49th is excellent - and read up on the basics. That will give you a better idea of your level of volume and needs. Dillon has an on-line website with prices and all sorts of attractions; I believe most of the other reloading manufacturers do as well - Lee, Hornady, RCBS and so on.

As you are doing now, do your homework before you get out your checkbook.

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Anyone Worth Shooting Is Worth Shooting Well