Reloading Startup Cost

When I first started reloading, I went to walmart and picked up the RCBS master reloading kit, which included a rock chucker supreme II press, and all the little do dads, scale, loading block, lube block, lube, chamfer and deburr tool, powder measure, powder funnel, reloading book , hand primer for large and small primers. I supplemented this with a Lee Classic Turret press, and a set of 45 acp dies.

This was a very good basic starting point, and it made sure I had the necessities on hand. Amazon has both of these kits available today

This is the RCBS master reloading kit
https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Chucker...105&sr=8-1&keywords=rcbs+master+reloading+kit

And this is the Lee classic turret press kit
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precisio...1188&sr=8-2&keywords=lee+classic+turret+press

There is overlap between those 2 kits, so you could pick one kit, and just get the other brands basic press instead of buying both kits and having overlap on extras.

I am a strong advocate of having a turret press and a good single stage press like the Rock Chucker, as over time you will run into many situations where that second press comes in extremely handy. I tend to use the single stage quite a lot during brass preparation. When I bring brass in to start prepping, I like to size and decap as my first step, and then come back to the turret press when I am ready to load (I hand prime all my cases - personal preference)

Once you have a basic set up like that, Then the second round of purchases kick in over time.....

additional powder charging options like lee pro auto disc, double disk kit, Case Gauges for the calibers you load, additional turret plates, powder riser, powder through expanding dies, rifle riser die, Lee Quick trim deluxe and dies, digital scales, military primer pocket reamer, loading blocks, storage boxes. The list goes on forever

Cabelas has the RCBS supreme master (super de duper) reloading kit on sale right now for $200 after you mail in the $75 rebate and free shipping.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS-reg-Rock-Chucker-Supreme-Master-Reloading-Kit/1324071.uts

Interesting that you listed the manual first and I couldn't agree more, that was the very first thing I got.

If I remember correctly, I found a powder trickler too light and moved around too much when trying to add powder to the scale. Using two hands was not convenient.

Like others, my trickler is somewhere in my reloading room but it would take a serious search to find it.

Like Nature Boy, I use a "spoon" for trickling powder but I use an old, otherwise unused Lee powder dipper.

For weighing every charge, I like the automatic powder measure/scale combo. Mine is a Pact.

Don't forget the ABC's of Reloading. That was a good read 10 years ago or so when I read it. Probably get a Kindle version now I guess.

Jeff H said:

Don't forget the ABC's of Reloading. That was a good read 10 years ago or so when I read it. Probably get a Kindle version now I guess.

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^^^This!^^^

I have read that book several times through, and I learn something every time I read it. There are some old article reprints at the end that are interesting from a historical perspective, and give some insight, but for me, the first 2/3 of the book is a MUST READ!

I would place the loading block in the Buy Once category. I tried loading on a single stage without one. Once.

Jeff H said:

Don't forget the ABC's of Reloading. That was a good read 10 years ago or so when I read it. Probably get a Kindle version now I guess.

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Let me expand. Far to many reloaders buy load manuals and go straight to the load data bypassing the front of the book. There is a wealth of knowledge in those pages and you would do well to read it all.

That's absolutely true, Arch. The data might become outdated, some day, but not the knowledge in the front half of the manual.

ArchAngelCD said:

I usually tell new reloaders they can be well set up for $300. Of course you can load for less and a lot more but a good setup is right around $300.

(That is a Lee Classic 4 hole turret kit with Lee dies, a tumbler, manual and a few odds & ends)

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I think a better figure to toss out is $500.00 which might buy some consumables.

You might get it for less and you can spend a whole lot more but if the potential handloader doesn't flinch at $500.00 then we continue the discussion. It is my opinion that starting with good stuff and having everything from the get go, not having to improvising is far better than improvising when you really don't know what your doing. I don't think throwing a low price is all that good, there are a lot of misc. things that we need/want that are not apparent at first. This not exactly the cheapest hobby there is.

thomas15 said:

I think a better figure to toss out is $500.00 which might buy some consumables.

You might get it for less and you can spend a whole lot more but if the potential handloader doesn't flinch at $500.00 then we continue the discussion. It is my opinion that starting with good stuff and having everything from the get go, not having to improvising is far better than improvising when you really don't know what your doing. I don't think throwing a low price is all that good, there are a lot of misc. things that we need/want that are not apparent at first. This not exactly the cheapest hobby there is.

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Kempf has the Lee Classis 4 Hole Turret press kit for $204 which includes the press, turret, Drum Powder Measure, Auto Prime priming system, Powder Riser, a set of dies and a few plastic ammo cases.

A manual will cost you $20 or $10.94 if you are willing to but the past Hornady #9 manual. I suggest the Lyman #50 as a first manual. A tumbler will cost you $35 and up. That leaves $40 for other small tools so I think $300 will do it.

Some people don't have that kind of cash to start up. I know I didn't & my whole point of reloading was so I could afford to shoot. I didn't enjoy reloading with that kit but I enjoyed shooting so I used it. Later in years I bought things that made it easier & I enjoy it more with nicer tools but I still reload so I can afford to shoot. Feeding 6 shooters firearms takes a chunk of change.

I have a buddy happy with his Lee hand press.

I bought the cheap kit from Lee a few years back when I started,It came with press, powder measure ,large,and small on press primers,pocket cleaner,champher deburr tool,and the cheap beam scale.I'm thinking it was about $70,or$75 bucks...I did buy a trickler,and trimmer...You will need to steal a pair of tweezers from your wife

What would be nice, and I have seen it once somewhere before, is a thread that lists what you need by budget. Maybe some have $100 to get started and see how they like it, or that's all they can put into it including consumables. A list of what is available to make your own setup and stay within budget would be super helpful, say you have a $300 budget, same thing. Maybe you don't have a budget, want the best, but only load for 1-3 calibers and only a few hundred rounds a year, what does it make sense to buy?
A list of basic questions the prospective Reloader needs to answer before expecting a lot of feedback, like what is your budget, how many calibers to load, purpose of said ammo, quantity of ammo per week/month/year to load, previous experience reloading or a mentor available, time available to dedicate to loading, space available, and a few others.
What we could do is make up a list of what you need just to get started, what is helpful and can be added later, and what is just nice to have if you have the disposable income. For those of us on the lower income side, a list of tips and tricks to save money. Stuff we could convert to be used in this hobby from items cheaply sourced, like a cut down case with a wire wrapped handle for a powder scoop for example. Tips like melting lead into the bottom of your powder trickler so you can use it one handed, helpful hints like how to make your own loading blocks from scrap wood.

I don't want to sound against buying expensive tools. Some people have both the money & some handle time in someone's press. Those know better what they might want. I'd just hate to see those with less money read this & get discouraged.

I myself wish I'd started with what I have now but I did at least sell most of my first tools & stuff I didn't want anymore fit more then I paid for it. My best guess is after everything was said & don't I have about $200 invested in reloading for 9 calibers & casting for 4 different projectiles. That even includes my melting pot & sizing dies. So I've been pretty lucky.

bullseye308 said:

What would be nice, and I have seen it once somewhere before, is a thread that lists what you need by budget. Maybe some have $100 to get started and see how they like it, or that's all they can put into it including consumables. A list of what is available to make your own setup and stay within budget would be super helpful, say you have a $300 budget, same thing. Maybe you don't have a budget, want the best, but only load for 1-3 calibers and only a few hundred rounds a year, what does it make sense to buy?
A list of basic questions the prospective Reloader needs to answer before expecting a lot of feedback, like what is your budget, how many calibers to load, purpose of said ammo, quantity of ammo per week/month/year to load, previous experience reloading or a mentor available, time available to dedicate to loading, space available, and a few others.
What we could do is make up a list of what you need just to get started, what is helpful and can be added later, and what is just nice to have if you have the disposable income. For those of us on the lower income side, a list of tips and tricks to save money. Stuff we could convert to be used in this hobby from items cheaply sourced, like a cut down case with a wire wrapped handle for a powder scoop for example. Tips like melting lead into the bottom of your powder trickler so you can use it one handed, helpful hints like how to make your own loading blocks from scrap wood.

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There was a thread at one time like this. I bet the member is still here that makes his own dippers by welding a paper clip to a cas spent case trimmed or filled with lead for his preferred amount.

A decent bench or table top: $0 - $700.

Even though I started with a Lee Hand Press, I still needed a flat, non - porous surface for a scale and all of my other reloading things.

I've since graduated to a Classic Turret press, so I cobbled a bench together with a bunch of stuff sitting in my garage. Cost $0. But I've been tempted to build a much nicer one or just buy something ready to go.

If not already mentioned THR's Reloading Library of Wisdom is a good bundle of informational help.

Ron

I know it has been mentioned a few times in this thread, but consumables are such a high percentage of the overall cost, they must be included in the calculations, yet in most posts like this, they are left out of the initial startup numbers other than to say "you will also need the consumables".

If we start at a starting cost of say $300 for the hardware items, before being to assemble a single round, you also have to buy some materials.

If we start with 9mm rounds to make it easy, for 1000 rounds you will need:

-1 lb of powder ($30 average)
-Box of SPP ($32)
-1000 plinking bullets ($75)
-Used brass

These are just some rough numbers for plinking rounds. Yes, I know you can get some things for less money, there are sales, etc., plus there are more expensive bullets, etc.

So a new reloader would have to add about $140 or so to the cost of the hardware just to get started with 9mm (1000 rounds).

If they are loading something like .223 rounds to start, the cost of the powder and bullets goes up, so for 1,000 rounds of .223, you might need:

4 lbs of powder ($100)
-Box of SPP ($32)
-1000 plinking bullets ($100)
-Used brass

Now we are up to $230 or so for 100 rounds of .223 on top of the estimated $300 for the hardware.

It is just something to keep in mind when budgeting for that first startup setup, otherwise, you have a nice car sitting up on jacks with no tires, and you spent all of your money on the car!

I bet the member is still here that makes his own dippers by welding a paper clip to a cas spent case trimmed or filled with lead for his preferred amount.

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I'm not the guy in question but I am cheap enough that I have made my own dippers.



That also reminds me of the least expensive way to get into reloading, own black powder firearms. Most come with everything you need except components.

To be honest you don't even need a press to start loading. I started with a Lee Loader, Sierra manual, scale and trimmer. I used a friends calipers, and case trimmer. Did this for 1.5 years while living in an apartment.

The Lee loader was an interesting tool. Neck sized, knocked out the old primers, seated new ones, and seated bullets. I still have the tool though it hasn't been used for 36 years. Honestly I think I spent $30 to start reloading. Course that was a long time ago.

Joed - My brother started reloading 45 with the Lee Loader in the late sixties. Of course being the little brother, I helped. Still have it. For depriming, not many things are quicker. For everything else, boy is it SLOW. It is portable - if you have two rocks and components, you can reload.

I graduated to an RCBS single stage. I thought I was in heaven. I have since upgraded to a pair of Dillon 650's. I still have the RCBS, and recently bought a Rock Chucker to go with it.

One thing I would add to the list - a friend who has reloaded. The knowledge transfer can be a great help (or he can teach a lot of bad habits)