hand loading

Chris -
Welcome to reloading! You're right, it is a GREAT hobby just by itself.

• IMHO the place to start is with reading. You might look in you local library, or even simply read the permanent posts at the top of this forum. I can highly recommend the Lyman 49th Reloading Manual, or Lyman's ABCs of Reloading. However, if you can score a 20 year old Hornady, Speer, Sierra, Lyman, or other main line reloading book on Amazon, then they all have great descriptions of the process which hasn't changed since your dad was a young man.

• I am also firmly convinced that the BEST deals in reloading equipment are in the used variety. Great equipment has been around since 1970, there's tons of it, and it's almost impossible to wear out. With that you can score some high-end equipment at entry-level prices. Check out your local CraigsList everyday for 2 weeks and some will show up.

• If you must have "new", then Lee is the low cost leader by far. Check out prices on MidwayUSA, MidSouth Shooters and Graf & Son. However, no "complete set" is complete. And just like your stereo, in the end you'll have more invested in accessories (CDs) than you will in the press (amp & speakers).

Hope this helps!

First and foremost - two or more reloading manuals.
I personally like Lyman's (49th is the most current) and Modern Reloading by Richard Lee. check your library if $$ real tight
Some like the manuals put out by the bullet manufacturers like Hornady, Speer, Sierra, Nosler etc.

A reloading press - either a hand held or a bench mounted.
A set of dies for your caliber
a Calipers to check the overall length
A scale to measure the gun powder

and the consumables - brass - primers - powder & bullets.

MidwayUSA & Midsouth Shooters Supply are great online stores for everything.
I like Missouri Bullet Company's bullets

I'd suggest a local store for powder & primers. If it's shipped there's a $20+ hazmat fee added to the total (plus the regular shipping charge)

OK highroaders what am I forgetting?

Lyman "Reloading Handbook: 49th Edition" Reloading Manual Softcover $20
"ABC's of Reloading, 8th Edition" Book by Bill Chevalier $16.99
Lee "Modern Reloading 2nd Edition" Reloading Manual $13.9
Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index Deluxe Kit $109.99
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 40 S&W, 10mm Auto $33.19
Due to certain factors about the .40S&W, I would recommend that you buy 100 virgin cases from Starline. 100 for $18
Rainier LeadSafe Bullets 40 S&W, 10mm Auto (400 Diameter) 155 Grain Plated Flat Nose $16/100
Winchester Small Pistol Primers #1-1/2 Box of 1000 (10 Trays of 100) $29.99
Accurate No. 5 Smokeless Powder 1 lb $17.99
After your first 100, you will still have powder and primers left and your equipment will last years. Recommend that you buy powder and primers locally to save the HazMat shipping fee.
As said, you can buy used, but when you are first starting out, getting everything you need in one kit is really nice.

i will start looking for some of the books first

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Smart move. I like people that are bright enough to seek advice, and then take it. You'll make a good reloader.

Chris, as someone who started reloading about a year ago, heed my warning. You cannot do a little reloading, it is like being a little pregnant. I started out thinking I was going to reload .223 and that was all I wanted, really. Now I load for that, .308, 357 Sig, .40, and when I buy my .380 that too. It is not about saving money for me as much as it is just another aspect of a sport that I love to do.

Read a lot, do a lot of homework before you make any decisions, make some list, check some places, change your mind, make more list, check more places. No kit is perfect, they all lack things that someone considers important.

Check flea-bay, craigslist, backpage, and gun shows if they have an in your area. garage sales can yield gems too but I am too lazy to get up that early on the weekend. How I am going to do it this weekend for the state midrange hi-power match I have not figured out yet. Why can't they start those things at noon anyway, but I digress.

There are so many people on here that have forgotten more than I will ever know, it is a completely invaluable resource.

Check your public library and see if they have a copy of Lyman's 48th Edition Reloading Handbook (Lyman is up to 49 now, but your library probably won't have that one yet)

You'll know you have the sickness when you start thinking about buying new guns just because you want to reload a new cartridge.

good video's here: www.ammosmith.com

If anyone should find themselves in meager circumstances as I did when starting out, there is a very bare bones way to try reloading. When I lived in a 1 bedroom apartment, I loaded .45 acp using this method.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwr0FyJOk-4

I've been reloading for just over a year as well. The one book I really like is the Sierra 5TH edition reloading manual. You should go through this post about recommended equipment for new reloaders. I started out with a Lee Breech lock kit. If I had to do it over I wouldn't have gone with the kit since I ended up replacing the scale and powder measure and some of the other items. I would have gone with the Lee classic cast press and bought everything else separately. Be sure to get calipers. As you will find measuring Over All Lenght is very import.
For minimum to start, manuals and :
Press Lee Classic Cast $85 or Turret press $95 new - check ebay for used.
Carbide pistol dies - (no lube needed) Lee deluxe pistol 4 die set $40
scale - get a good balance beam scale - redding rcbs 505, $75 new. I got a redding through ebay for almost 1/2 price, in excellent shape. Lee scale is around $22 and is pretty accurate but a pain to adjust.
calipers - $25
Small pistol primers,
bullets
brass
powder
Good luck.

If anyone should find themselves in meager circumstances as I did when starting out, there is a very bare bones way to try reloading. When I lived in a 1 bedroom apartment, I loaded .45 acp using this method.

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That would get you started, but would be discouragingly slow. It wouldn't cost much more to get a Lee Reloader press (cheap "C" style press that should be more than adequate for pistol cartridges) and a set of dies. You can use the scoop that comes with the dies instead of a scale and powder measure, although that will limit your powder choices.

The bare minimum to load 40? Well that is easy, depending on how much you want to put into it. If you want to do it cheap and simple, get the Lee Reloader press, a set of Lee dies, the Lee safety scale, & the Lee Auto Prime. Now you need a loading block, good lighting, a log book for notes, ammo storage. Don't forget the safety glasses and at least 2 manuals(more is better).

Bolt the Reloader press to a 2x6 then C-clamp it where you want to load. Turn off the fan or ac cause any air movements from them will disturb the scale. Lee's website has videos on how to set up their dies & presses, if it isn't clear or doesn't seem to work well, ask here for help.

I went to my local Gander mountain to look around they had a few reloading books but they are way to high there. I work nights so its kind of hard to get to my library I will get there one of these days.

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However, if you can score a 20 year old Hornady, Speer, Sierra, Lyman, or other main line reloading book on Amazon, then they all have great descriptions of the process which hasn't changed since your dad was a young man.

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Amazon lists a 1980 Speer #8 for $4.00. If you can't afford that then you can't afford reloading!

Safety glasses , good comfortable 1 that you`ll wear more than laying around !!!

Good beam scales ,that you understand how to use !

Dies , different co. provide different features such as powder thru & extra parts , attachments & adjustability.

Good solid Iron press , plenty under benches not being used due to upgrading to progressive machines!!

Read enuff to make an informed decision & compare data .

If a person was to be patient & watch the WTS adds & ask A WTB add now & then he could wind up with top shelf tools at basement prices !!!!

"Lyman's 48th Edition Reloading Handbook (Lyman is up to 49 now,"

I've long held Lyman's loading manuals in highest esteem...until now. The #49 is a sad effort compared to all previous editions. I bought it mail order without seeing it first, wish I hadn't wasted my money. It has a minimal amount of loading data and the usually excellant lead-in articles are mostly pointless fluff.