.45 ACP Carbide Die set on Amazon - $35.99
Lyman Pocket Touch 1500 scale with powder pal funnel on Amazon - $23.99
Lee Reloading Press MD 90045 on Amazon - 49.99 (I chose the RCBS partner press for my first SS and it is $105 on Amazon right now)
Wen Digital Caliper on Amazon - $12
For roughly $122 you could have the hardware to reload 45 acp, and if you decide to load something else, you can just buy dies
You are also going to need bullets, brass, powder and primer
Bullets - .016 or .017 cents per bullet
RMR they are a sponsor here an doffer a discount for members, and they are good bullets. $90 per 500
Berrys will run you about $80 per 500
Powder - roughly $.02 per bullet
titegroup, cfe pistol, hp38, universal, longshot, w231, clays, titewad, hs-6, lots of powder will work.
Titegroup is efficient, but make sure you dont double charge - its about $30 a lb. and you can get about 1500 rounds out of a pound of powder for 45 acp (7000/4.5)
Primers - $.04 per primer at $40.00/1k - Not often in stock, you have to call your local reloading store every day and ask if they have any, until the day they do, then get to the store and get some.
I like CCI or federal but any Large Pistol Primer will work - primers are normally about $40 per 1000, if you can find them right now, I have seen anywhere from $40 at Scheels to $100 per 1k plus hazmat,
Load data 230 grain 45 acp
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=1&type=53&cartridge=1371&weight=1015,624&man=60,61,62&powder=1531,1569,1556,1527,1526,1544,1549,1487,1502,1503,1564,1565,1566,1507,1525,1523,1524,1508,1509,1528,1510,1533,1536&items=9202,9197,12038,3304,3311,3318,3323,3330,3337,14847,13483,13425,9201,9269,9199,7478,13871,13194,9268,9198,9200,9207,9204,12039,3305,3312,3319,3324,3331,11763,6795,3338,14846,13484,13426,9206,9203,9205,7479,13872,13195,9262,7480,7932
Brass - reload what you have or trade for some, or ask around and see if someone has some extras.
so you are roughly at $300 to get started, you could maybe knock that down $35-$40 with a whack a mole but why not get a real press instead for that little difference, as you can see the press is not the highest cost factor in reloading, and the more you reload the faster you get your ROI on the $50 or $100 press back.
rough ROI - and this was back when you could buy factory ammo for $23 a box and I was reloading for $9 a box so - For every 1000 rounds you load yourself, you are saving between $250 and $300 depending on the cost of parts vs store bought ammo. not counting your time or your used brass so the $35 you save on a whack a mole would be paid for in about 200-250 reloads and the press will allow you to reload more efficiently and a little bit faster.
Just my opinion - YMMV
Dave