How much $$ to start reloading?

[T.C.]

How much of an investment am I looking at for a good (do NOT read "money is no object!"...but GOOD) reloading setup?

I'm considering reloading 9mm and 45 ACP

[berg]

You need the tools and the cartridge components. The tools you buy once, the cases last through several loadings, so the repeat expenditures are in the bullets and powder.

Here's a good place to start:

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

Components prices are here: http://www.grafs.com/metallic/

[Mstrty]

1000 dollars, gets you everything you need to reload your first 1000 rounds.
Reloading will not save you money. It will allow you to shoot more with your ammo budget.
Your second 1000 rounds will cost you 10c each (9mm) and 15c each (.45) +/- 5cents each.

[freakshow10mm]

Best bang for you money is the Lee Classic Turret kit from Kemp's gun shop. $200 shipped. Add a tumbler, calipers, and components.

Next step up is a Dillon 550 or Hornady LNL AP. Similar price but some differences. The Dillon 550 is a manual index progressive meaning you do an operation then manually advance the shells to the next stage. The LNL AP is a similar price as the Dillon 550 but is auto index (just keep cranking the handle) and is better with a case feeder than the 550 is with it's case feeder.

Step up from that is the Dillon 650. Similar features as the LNL AP. Very good with a case feeder.

The Dillon 1050 is the premier press for the handloader. Comes with case feeder, but only a 1yr warranty instead of the lifetime warranty. It's designed for small commercial handloaders. Key features over the 650 is a swaging station and you prime the case on the downstroke of the handle.

Press-Price-Rate of Loading
Lee Turret Kit-$200 250rds/hr
Dillon 550-$400 500rds/hr +20% with case feeder (pistol only)
Hornady LNL AP $400 800-1,000rds/hr with case feeder
Dillon 650 $500 800-1,000rds/hr with case feeder
Dillon 1050 $1600 1,000rds/hr

The 550 loads more cartridges than all other presses mentioned. The LCT priming system is quirky, the 650's can be a pain too.

[sv_1]

Check out the ammo forum, lots of info. A progressive is the best bet for loading lots at a time, but it's no big deal to load 100 at a time on a single stage.

You'd have to shoot a lot of 9mm to realize cost savings, but it is a great hobby and you can't put a price on happiness!

Anyways, it was like most projects for me- Take the initial estimate, double it, identify any remaining problems and throw money at them.

Buy used to save money. I got a dillon 550 for ~300 and spent ~100 getting it going for two calibers.

[tiko]

Buy a RCBS set for $340, some brass, bullets, primers and powders little at a time.

[hybridatsun350]

1000 dollars, gets you everything you need to reload your first 1000 rounds.
Reloading will not save you money. It will allow you to shoot more with your ammo budget.
Your second 1000 rounds will cost you 10c each (9mm) and 15c each (.45) +/- 5cents each.

[five.five-six]

yea, i got started, with used stuff for under $200, you can find primed brass (it's shippable) and load that

to start you need:

manual
mentor
press
die set
calipers
bullets
scale
powder dispenser
primed brass

[railroader]

I have used a Lee turret press forever. I would say realistically I can load about 150 rounds per hour. On 9mm and 45acp I use a 3 die carbide set. Then I run the 45s through a factory crip die. On the 9s I don't need to. Here's a good place to buy Lee reloading stuff. http://www.fmreloading.com/ Mark

[dfletcher]

I've been reloading since about 1972. I think you can get started today with a solid single stage press (Rockchucker, Lyman, Redding) and dies and a measure and powder dispenser and the odds & ends you'll need for about $300.00.

But after doing the basics for a while you'll develop preferences - carbide dies instead of lubing cases, a method of priming, maybe multiple seating dies instead of swicthing from RN to SWC configuration - so figure another $100.00 or so in additional stuff for those preferences.

[jimmythebrain]

One thing to keep in mind is the currently hard to find (and now expensive) primers.

Used to be that 1000 primers cost about $20 (18 months ago) now they are going for $30+. Then you have to get powder and bullets. These costs add up. I figure I save about 50% when I reload.

Figure up how many rounds you shoot a year, figure out the current cost of that number of rounds, then divide by 1/2 and that is what you could "save". But the reloading requires a press (70+ dollars), a powder scale, calipers, brass tumbler, set of dies, any reloading books, etc. Figure in the cost of equipment (that is reusable) and the value of your time and you will get an estimate of the time it will take to recoup the cost of the equipment...any savings will only occur after the cost of equipment has been made up.

Also, I recommend that you find someone who reloads and see if they will let you try it. You may find you like it, if so, then invest in the process. If you do not enjoy reloading, then just buy loaded ammo.

Try craigslist for reloading supplies. I have found some presses on that site. A solid single stage press would be fine bought used.

[Peter W Bush]

Buy either the challenger kit or the RCBS started kit. Comes with just about everything you need except a tumbler and a few little things. You DO NOT need $1000 to reload your first 1000 rounds. Its easier than you think to get started.

[ghost]

what do you guys think of the lyman "crusher" and "t-mag" reloading kits?or is it just better to piece it out instead of buying a complete kit to start out with?

[5hundo]

How much of an investment am I looking at for a good (do NOT read "money is no object!"...but GOOD) reloading setup?

I'm considering reloading 9mm and 45 ACP

If you're planning on starting out on pistol calibers, there's no reason why you can't get a Lee hand press and start there. I'm spacially challenged at the moment, so that's all I've got. I load for .40 S&W, .41 Mag, .45 ACP, .38/.357 Mag, .223/5.56 and 30-40 Krag.

I'll admit, the Krag loading is pushing the envelope of my press' capability but the .223 is no problem at all. It gets the job done... (for now)

Plus, a hand press is nice to have later for load development and experimenting with powder charges at the range. Plus, they're portable, so you can watch T.V. while you de-prime and size brass. That's a nice feature...

[chickenfried]

randall's sticky
his economy list is ~$400 and includes some things you wouldn't need for reloading pistol such as $130 competition rifle dies and a bullet comparator.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=158086