Reloading Startup Cost

[SARuger]

I started a year ago, with a LEE LCT kit from Midway for $164, still use all of it. A year later, I'm in about $1500 not including consumables.

Absolutely nothing I bought extra was needed, it was wanted for convenience. Get a good kit and enjoy your new hobby.

Manuals, if your gonna spend extra, load a shelf full of them! The more reference the better

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Not everyone agrees with the need of a single stage press but the value to me is there. That initial investment still pays. My advice to a newby...get it and keep it! Beyond that and a good scale and then a way to check the scale for accuracy.... many things can change as far as needs from my experience and perspective but these two things are a value for the long term.

 

[jmorris]

I think the fact that many here have wound up with more than the basic essentials is because this is a reloading forum.

I would expect someone that hangs out on a baking forum to likely have better baking equipment than I do (have you seen how much one can pay for a mixer?).

I have a friend that had a rifle he used for hunting and wanted a load that would fit in some certain parameters he had in mind. We worked up a load that did what he wanted and for Christmas that year I gave him a press, powder measure, etc so he could load them on his own. That was 16 or so years ago and he still hasn't spent a penny on reloading equipment. He doesn't hang out on reloading forums though and has been happy with his results from the start.

 

[kingmt]

I think the fact that many here have wound up with more than the basic essentials is because this is a reloading forum.

I would expect someone that hangs out on a baking forum to likely have better baking equipment than I do (have you seen how much one can pay for a mixer?).

I have a friend that had a rifle he used for hunting and wanted a load that would fit in some certain parameters he had in mind. We worked up a load that did what he wanted and for Christmas that year I gave him a press, powder measure, etc so he could load them on his own. That was 16 or so years ago and he still hasn't spent a penny on reloading equipment. He doesn't hang out on reloading forums though and has been happy with his results from the start.

Now that is probably the cheapest you can get started.

While what I have invested has been paid for many times over it isn't likely others can get the chance to buy & resale at the same that I did. I bought stuff before a great scare shortage & decided to replace most of my tools during that shortage. I didn't set a asking price. I just put it all up for bid letting everyone decide fit their self what it was worth. I placed my orders for new equipment on backorder. So basically all of my reloading equipment was paid for me & mostly bought me into casting also.

However this is about starting. There was no internet for me to price shop or people to ask. So I went to Walmart & bought a starter kit. I don't remember the price for sure of the RCBS JR kit but my first RCBS pistol dies were $18. My guess is I had less then $100 to start & it didn't grow much for at least 10 years.

I didn't start as cheap as could be started tho.

A Lee loader will give you everything you need for for certain firearms at about $30. A Lee hand press is about $35, dies starting about $19, shell plate $5 & dippers $10. All that is left is shipping. That should get most people started at the bottom dollar. However none of this is what I consider ideal. But I couldn't suggest what I consider ideal without knowing more about the person wanting to load.

 

[jmorris]

it isn't likely others can get the chance to buy & resale at the same that I did.

I agree the days of it being a pain to reach out to others when selling things are gone.

Instead of going to estate sales and such and finding great deals, people have made full time jobs out of niche buying and selling at auctions.

I have seen (and sold) things on eBay for more than they cost brand new. After the current POTUS was reelected and sandy hook I sold a 650 for over $1800 and it didn't start anywhere near that.

There are still deals to be had but I bet I "win" one out of a hundred and figure some that "win" must live in States where drugs are legal because of the prices they are willing to pay.

 

[kingmt]

There are still deals to be had but I bet I "win" one out of a hundred and figure some that "win" must live in States where drugs are legal because of the prices they are willing to pay.

I know what you mean. I usually just look at buy it now when on eBay & I quit selling on eBay because of the cost. I've almost quit buying on eBay because of the cost.