Looking to get started...

[Chk Chk Boom]

Hey guys, I know there are so many threads out there about starting and learning how to reload and such, but I was hoping you guys could point me in the right direction for me. As of now, I'm a poor college boy making 8.50 an hour at a bakery and I don't have the funds to be able to buy a ton of nice equipment. I looked into reloading as a hobby and was hoping one of you (or several ) could point me in the right direction.

First things first, speed and output aren't a very big concern to me right now. I just want to try it out and since I don't get to shoot all that often (once every month or so) I would like to have a lot of ammo to shoot rather than the relatively little I can afford. I figure even if i can only do 30 rounds an hour or whatever, then in a month I'd be able to have 100-200 rounds to shoot.

Anyway, I have about $100 bucks to spend initially to (hopefully) get me started. I want to either get a setup that can load .30-30 and .30-06 or 12 gauge. Though next month I will be willing to invest another $100 or so, I was wondering if it's possible to get the equipment NEEDED for reloading with $100 and then I can extra stuff RECOMMENDED with another $100.

Thanks guys!

[Chk Chk Boom]

Also, feel free to school me in my naivety. I don't even know if it's possible to get started for that cheap so please just point me in the right direction.

Also, though I know this isn't the ammo & reloading SALES section, if any of you veterans have old equipment that may suit my needs and can make me a deal, please let me know

[EBR Works]

This might be your best inexpensive solution:

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/cleeloader.html

Also spend under $20 and buy this book first:

http://www.amazon.com/Abcs-Reloading-Definitive-Novice-Expert/dp/0896896099/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247458942&sr=8-1

[Chk Chk Boom]

How does that work? Is it essentially a handheld press?
And thanks for the book recommendation, I'll probably go pick that up sometime. Does it have data/powder loads and suggestions as well?

Also, what do you think of something like

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=121744

Thanks!

[k1dude]

How does that work? Is it essentially a handheld press?
And thanks for the book recommendation, I'll probably go pick that up sometime. Does it have data/powder loads and suggestions as well?

Also, what do you think of something like

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=121744

Thanks!

I've read a few posts in threads where this is kit is recommended:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=423081

It's also a little cheaper than the one you linked.

[joelogic]

Find a different hobby.

[Chk Chk Boom]

Thanks k1dude! Can you tell any noticeable difference between the two (besides price)?

And why so negative joelogic?

[Triple R Munitions]

you need to know what you are going to stat off doing first. you need powder, cases, primers, and cant forget the bullets....lee dies are great. good to get you feet wet. then you need a reloading manual. that should be NUMBER ONE on the list.

[smokingloon]

Thanks k1dude! Can you tell any noticeable difference between the two (besides price)?

And why so negative joelogic?

The initial cost of acquiring the equipment needed to reload can be expensive. I was lucky enough to have a friend with a RCBS single stage press and other tools needed to get met started. Even than, I spent over $100 to get all the other things necessary just to get started. That is not even including the cost of the consumables.

Buying powder, primer, and projectiles are usually bought in bulk. Buying a little here and there could cost more than just buying the ammunition at a store.

[Chk Chk Boom]

Would you recommend either of the starter Lee kits mentioned above? Also, can you tell me about how many .30-06 cartridges I would be able to make with 1lb of powder? Moreover, is the only way to buy powder/primers online? Or are there local places that sell it as well? Thanks!

[Triple R Munitions]

lee starter kit sounds good. they are a reliable setup, from what i understand. i started out with lee dies and still use them today, besides my RCBS.....what type of rd are you trying make for you 3006? there are lots of loads.... turners has powder and primers.. when in stock. try powder valley

[EBR Works]

Would you recommend either of the starter Lee kits mentioned above? Also, can you tell me about how many .30-06 cartridges I would be able to make with 1lb of powder? Moreover, is the only way to buy powder/primers online? Or are there local places that sell it as well? Thanks!

1 pound = 7000 grains. For example, if your powder charge is 48 grains per round, you'll get 145 rounds from one pound. The charge amount will depend on the type of powder you are using, bullet weight/type and model of rifle you have.

[Beelzy]

That $100 will do nicely for the two or three Reloading Manuals you should
buy and read first to see if reloading is for you.

If not, at least you will have awesome reading material for the Library.

Reloading ammo is one hobby that can KILL you or others if done improperly.
It's not like brewing your own beer.

Not to sound like a hard arse, but too many folks don't take Reloading ammo
seriously and do the most dangerous things. Like the chap in another thread
here who was reseating SPENT primers back into his cases. He's lucky the
new primers didn't "fight" with the old primers and Kaboom!

[Chk Chk Boom]

Thanks guys for all the help and suggestions. I didn't realize that $200 is practically chump change in the grand scheme of reloading. For now, I think i'm going to take Impacto's advice and buy the ABC's of reloading and maybe even the classic reloader just to get started.

Thanks!

[joelogic]

I am not being negative just honest. No offense, but $200 is chump change in a lot of hobbies. Blame what or whoever you want but $200 is a pair of shoes today. 8lbs of powder $150 or 1 lb of pound $35. 1k .223 bullets $90 or 100 .223 $15. Primers 1k $40 but you have to buy 5k or the hazmat kills the deal. .223 brass $70 per 1000. Reloading is about the art of accuracy not just trying to save money. If factory ammo cost $.35 each and if you reload it for $.15 you save $.20 per round. However to pay off my reloading gear I would have to shoot 15k rounds. Thats a lot of shooting.