Reloading Startup Cost

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hondo 60

Hondo 60

Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2009
Messages
6,533
Location
Freeport, IL
Every now & then a new person will ask about startup cost.
Seeing we no longer have the expertise of rcmodel (May he RIP), I've put together the following.
Now I wonder what I missed...

Reloading Startup Costs


Reloading Manual - $15 - $40 An Absolute Necessity!!!!!

The good ones like Lyman’s 50th Reloading Handbook have a GREAT how-to section, as well as load data.

Lyman’s answers a LOT of questions & also has the widest array of reloading data.

The bullet manufacturers put out paper manuals that are for sale. If you use a lot of a certain brand of bullets, then their manual is a good buy. If you use all different brand bullets, the powder mfgs have data for free online. I currently have approximately 20 manuals. More can be good or it can be confusing.


Buy Once

Press $60 - $1000 (Lee on the cheap end), (Forster or Dillon on the hi end)

Dies $30 - $70 Lee on the cheap end, Redding or Dillon on the hi end

Calipers $15 - $100 the cheaper ones work fine unless you’re used to expensive tools.

Be careful some cheap ones only register 2 points past the decimal –

you REALLY want 3 points - .000 (thousands of an inch)

Scale – $20-$100+ to weigh powder charge, 2 types, electronic & balance beam (Lee on the cheap end) both work fine. You’ll probably be happier with a higher end scale.

Tools – adjustable wrenches, Allen wrenches, socket wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.


Consumables

Brass - Depends on caliber, $20-50 for 100 new pcs, “once fired” is a bit cheaper, but not much

Primers $25 - $50/1,000 Depends on brand & size – ie: “CCI Small Rifle BR4” can be $50, small pistol can go as low as $20 or less on sale.

Powder $25/lb Again, depends on brand /or type. Some are $18, some are $35 or more.

Bullets - Depends on caliber, but about $15 - $25 / 100 ct


Nice To Have

Tumbler – $50 - used to clean spent cases (can use soap & water too)

Media – used in the tumbler (I bought a 40lb bag of ground corn cob for $35)

Rotary Separator – about $50, used to separate brass & media, or you can do it by hand for free

Loading Block – about $15, used to place brass in before or after charging with powder.

Magnifying Glass – my old eyes sometimes need a bit of help

What tools do you have that you've found to be indispensable?
 
If you can't prime on the press you buys, you'll need a hand primer of some sort.
 
Case trimmers?
Primer pocket cleaners?
Swager?
Chamfer/Deburr?
Storage containers for completed rounds, for empty brass, bullets?
 
Walkalong said:
Amen brother, amen. :)
Click to expand...

I'm sorry... what did you type? I can't read the small font! ;)

Hehe... I now keep a small hand held magnifying glass by my bed, and I have a magnifying lamp on my reloading bench, which makes sorting brass and reading headstamps much easier. Sucks to get old! :fire:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UV41UR2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

81daWi11ITL._SL1500_.jpg
 
Just about every reloading equipment manufacturer puts together a package consisting of press, manual, balance, powder measure and accessories for a package price lower than what they can be bought for separately. I suggest that rather than presenting someone new to the hobby a laundry list, we point them to the packages and the places where they can be purchased at a discount.
 
don't forget separate shell holders. when I got my rcbs dies I was so mad I had to go back to the store 40min because they don't include them like lee. :)

as far as the media separator I use a large spaghetti strainer for corn cob and just shake into a large popcorn bowl then back into the tumbler. cost me $4 at the dollar store. case checkers to make sure you sized them right. :)
 
hdwhit said:
Just about every reloading equipment manufacturer puts together a package consisting of press, manual, balance, powder measure and accessories for a package price lower than what they can be bought for separately. I suggest that rather than presenting someone new to the hobby a laundry list, we point them to the packages and the places where they can be purchased at a discount.
Click to expand...

My brother, a late bloomer to reloading is 10 years my junior. Several years ago when he started an interest in hand loading I gave him the RCBS Master Rockchucker Kit for Christmas. Yes, the kits include a few things you don't need and lack a few things you need (calipers for example) but for me I saw it easier than doing the piece part thing. Gave him the kit, went over some basics and left him with a need list and a nice to have list. Within a few weeks and several phone calls he was happily rolling his own. The kits do have their merit and advantages.

Ron
 
Hondo 60 wrote:
Yup, kits are a great idea!
I will add that to any future postings of this issue.
Click to expand...

I could almost hear you say that with John Wayne's voice. Spooky.

Thanks for including that in your list.
 
If you're weighing charges on a scale you better get a powder trickler.
Click to expand...

You know, I've been reloading since 1977 and I still don't have a powder trickler.

First, thank you, I now have something to add that to my Christmas list.

Second, up to now I always kept a shot measure from a Lee Load-All filled filled with powder and I would just tap my wrist like I was putting powdered sugar on baked goods to get the scale's tray up to the proper weight. I was doing this just the other night. Once the skill is mastered, it is surprising effective. That, how to use a mortar and pestle and how to properly roast peppers was about all I learned from cooking school, but the skills transfer easily.
 
...don't forget separate shell holders.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Avoid needless frustration by reminding people who includes shell holders with their dies and who doesn't.

Also point out that shell holders are interchangable; a Lee #19 shell holder will hold a 9mm Parabellum case just as well as a Hornady #8 shell holder. Also, point out that the numbers are unique to the manufacturers.
 
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)
 
hdwhit said:
and I still don't have a powder trickler.
Click to expand...
I do because I found it in a throw away pile, but rarely used it. You can come up with home made alternates. They are handy though if you like to weigh exact charges and not just throw charges. Most people have no need.
 
The thing is that this is all a matter of opinion & likely the new person is going to ask their own question again. Which they should so we can give advice that fits them better.

I'm not against a reloading manual but they are dated & I have started getting my information from online resources myself.
 
kingmt said:
I'm not against a reloading manual but they are dated & I have started getting my information from online resources myself.
Click to expand...

Reloading recipes aside, most printed reloading manuals have lots of valuable, timeless information on reloading available for the new reloader. Many of these manuals are from manufacturers that sell bullets and reloading equipment so they have a vested interest in their products being used correctly and safely.

While most information of can be found on line, much of it is posted in hodge podge fashion not easily found, user friendly to the novice, or all in one place.

While I prefer to have printed manuals in my book shelf so that I can look at multiple pages from multiple manuals open at the same time, I could see some would like to be able to down load an electronic version of the manual much like folks who down load a novel to read on their tablet.

I feel at least one manual for reference for more than just reloading recipes is important for a new reloader to have.
 
Last edited:
Again I'll state in not against it. I bought one & read it years ago when I started. I use the data as they listed it.

I've moved on from reloading to handloading & with so much information online I don't even know where that book is. I'll usually look for some online data that is close to what I'm using for a starting point but there usually isn't a exact match so I have to adjust it to my needs.

There is also books in libraries do buying one isn't a must. However some people really like books & that is OK also.

I'm just saying they aren't a must have.
 
Press $60 - $1000
Click to expand...

One might get by with a Lee classic loader (<$30) and primers, powder and bullets, to reload cases they have already fired, and the instructions it comes with. If you started there with such a basic setup, you certainly wouldn't be the first.

On the high end, "consumer" equipment can run around $5000 for a single caliber. If you started there you would be on a much shorter list of folks that have but not alone. Will also certainly have a much steeper learning curve ahead of you too.
 
A good reloading manual (Not a data manual) is very valuable. Sure, you can glean the info online, but you have to wade through a lot of bad info as well.

You can get a kit that will serve you well for around $150.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/121744/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press-kit (Add manual)

Then can can add things as needed. You can spend a fortune if you want to buying "better" (Sometimes true) stuff and fancy gadgets.
 
I have a powder trickler but never use it. I stole momma's 1/4 tsp measuring spoon to trickle with. It can add and subtract.
 
James, I have one of those magnification light rings mounted on my bench as well. I also have an eye loop. Sometimes I need to use both. Ditto on it sucks to get old
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
Please point me in the direction of a ¾ oz. 20 gauge load
Replies
15
Views
5K
oneounceload
O
M
  • Locked
Reloading costs
2
Replies
37
Views
1K
The Bushmaster
The Bushmaster
T
  • Locked
Need Advice ''Deal or No Deal''
Replies
16
Views
536
dcloco
D
J
  • Locked
reloading 9mm cost effective?
2
Replies
27
Views
3K
germ
G
B
  • Locked
List of products for my reloading start up kit
Replies
13
Views
1K
Bad Penny 03
B
Back
Top