Looking to get started...

[gemoose23]

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!

Check out your local library.. When I started they had a bunch of reloading books and manuals that I was able to check out.

[LexLuther]

Look into this to get started with 12 gauge

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1247547974.4714=/html/catalog/loadall.html

It is cheap plastic but for $40 you can get started reloading great rounds for practice or shodfoting clays. If you work at it, you can load shells that beat the pants off the cheap wallmart loads for almost the same price. It is probably the easiest and cheapest thing to start reloading, no book, no scale, just the loadall and some supplies. Checking out the manuals at the library is a great idea.

[Revoman]

This may be a good resource for a newb..............

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230171

Sorry about the 'no link' but you can copy and paste the address into your viewer window.

This has two parts and is from another forum.......unfortunately.

[Lancear15]

I agree with joelogic... forget about reloading until you have a lot more money. Why waste your money on sub-par equipment when you will barely use it because you can't afford to feed the equipment. When you do have the money some day you will just want to replace the old crap stuff and it will all be a big waste.

[Sky_DiveR]

Check out your local library.. When I started they had a bunch of reloading books and manuals that I was able to check out.

+1 I was just going to suggest that. Read up and see if it's something you really want to get into. I know more than a few people who've figured it was "just too much work"... I get their spent brass by the way. You can always buy the ABC's of reloading book later. I lent mine out and never seen it again.

Better yet... Where are you located? I bet there is somebody close to you that can "show you the ropes" and break it down for you cost wise.

BTW: Starter kits aren't the end-all, be-all. You will still need alot more and better "stuff" the further you get into reloading... It's worse than the dreaded "Black Rifle Disease"

[LGB Loader]

Chk,

I think Impactco nailed it when he advised the Lee loader. even then, you are still pushing the $100.00 envelope.

If I was recommending anyone on a tight budget such as yours, (Hey we have all been there, when I was in college, I was so poor, I couldn't pay attention) I would do this.

start saving money for gear after your first most important purchase -

1st purchase:

Lyman's 49th (or used 48th) edition reload Manual or the ABC's book and read the front part of it till you can quote it. Then read it 10 more times.

Also watch you tube video's and lurk around here for a while. Then when you think you have it, start posting questions.

After 2 or 3 months of saving, hopefully you will have enough for this:

Lee Loader - $25 - 30 bucks for 1st most shot caliber firearm. they are caliber specific.
cheap reloading scale $40.00
Lee hand primer - $15.00
Cheap Calipers - Harbor freight $15.00

or...

buy the LEE kit here http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=423081 for $89.00 bucks.
pluse dies for each caliber you listed for aprox $30.00 each caliber.
Cheap Calipers - Harbor freight $15.00

then buy your components:
1 lb can of powder - $25 - $30 bucks
1 tray of 100 primers - $4.00 bucks ??
1 box of 100 bullets - $25.00
your 1x fired brass - (YOU ARE SAVING YOUR BRASS, RIGHT???)

This would be the cheapest route while still maintaining a good degree of safety. Don't skimp on not having a scale, you need this REPEAT!!! You need a scale.

And please don't be ruffled by what Joelogic said, there is a bit of truth to his response. You can spend thousands of dollars in tools without trying, not to mention double that in components / comsumables.

It is very addictive, indeed.

Cheers, Mate.

LGB

[Texas Boy]

Save even more money - find someone in your area who reloads and become friends with them. There are lots of guys out there who would be happy to introduce someone to reloading - esp a college kid who was scrapping pennies.

If you don't already know someone who reloads, start talking to people at your local range. Look for the guys picking up their brass, or shooting from a tray of bullets (not factory boxes).

[J-cat]

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!

Lee Hand Press
Lee Dippers
Shoebox

You can figure out the rest.