initial investment cost for a set up.

mikeystew

mikeystew

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i've probably spent enough money in the past month or two on ammo to have afforded a decent reloading set up. i think???
what would it cost me starting out with nothing for a reloading set up to load 30-30 for a start. apx...
i already have a couple hundred cases that i've been saving for the day i take the plunge into reloading, aswell as a bench and good caliper.
im thinking lee since it seems to be the affordable route and i dont want to get my wife all in a huff that im spending more money on my guns. but i dont want to buy crap either. just some equipment on the lower end of the cost range. im wondering if theres a kit? something that comes complete with press, scale, vibrator, media, dies etc.. and then of course powder, bullets, manual... sheesh
also, would it be worth it to source all the equip used on the ee? or would it be a pain to find compatible gear?
 
Lee makes two kits. 50th Anniversary Kit and Breech Lock Challenger kit. Neither comes with dies or a tumbler. Not unusual. Neither do any other kits.
You could rummage around the Exchange forum. Buying used isn't a terrible thing. Takes a lot of abuse to damage reloading kit. Buy RCBS if you buy used though. Their warrantee covers used kit. Lee's does not.
 
Lee probably makes the least expensive starter kit, but I have the RCBS rock chucker kit and have no complaints at all!! It was a christmas present from my wife so I don't know the exact cost but should be about $400. The only thing the kit doesn't include is a tumbler and case trimmer. I asked for this kit because that is what I started relaoding on with my uncle so I was familiar with it.

RCBS makes good equipment and I have had great warranty from them. I lost those little rods for the hand priming tool, all I had to do was call up RCBS and they shipped me 2 sets free of charge. Great service from RCBS no questions asked.
 
You may want to consider that you might not save much money either. Since I started reloading, I started shooting more. My savings is zero, actually less than zero since I just bought a progressive.
 
i just bought a second press to complement my dillon 550b
a lee reloader's press, 23USD from natchez. Used strickly for crimping... it's C press, well... a C press is a C press, there's nothing like a good ole O frame press.

But still, to get started, those lee presses at 25$ they're worth the dollar but natchez has a 8,99 handlign fee +shipping. I had a big order so I made it be worth it. Higginson powders and I think mysticplayer can also hook you up

that is if budget is tight
but as sunray mentionned, it's pretty hard to beat the lee 50th anniversary kit. I almost bought it only for the accessories, it's well worth it, to me it would feel like the press is an added freeeeebie!
 
thanks for the info fellas. looking at the WSS webpage they have the lee kits for $140-$160. i figure after the tool investments, the cost of consumable suplies will run me about $0.35 - 0.40 per round using bulk winnie bullets. which is about half the price of the federal powershock i shoot now.
being said, as onagoth states i would be apt to shoot more, so instead of burning 10 rounds after a long .22 plinking session i'd burn 20 or more. then it would turn into 30-30 plinking sessions. and then there is the time to load factor...
It sounds great but on paper im not sold. if i shot competetively sure, if i insisted on 1/2 moa sure... otherwise it seems more like a hobby than being frugal.
unless someday i get bit by the cast bug:} im already saving any bit's of lead i find for that day, but thats alltogether different. i figure i'd be looking at more like $0.5 - $0.10 a round then. then it would be worth the investment in my eyes. im cheap and i like the idea of all day .30cal sessions that dont require selling my stereo at the pawn shop is all.
 
One thing to consider is if you get into the accuracy game you may actually be shooting less. You'll focus on making " quality " shots ( for lack of a better word) at longer and longer distances rather than blamming away during plinking sessions.

I realize that money is a major concern as it is with most of us but reloading in the long run will save money. It also gives you a solid supply of ammo to access when the store bought stuff is hard to get or prices get crazy.

Setting yourself up with the components for a few thousand rounds is a way to save money in the future as prices go up. ( And they will go up :mad:)
 
..... Well, if you're looking strictly at the cost savings benefits, you're going to be disappointed. The savings will take a long time to amortize the initial cost of setting up. And to the mix, because you'll have a ready supply of ammunition YOU WILL SHOOT MORE. Considering the high quality of Factory Ammunition, and that tends to remove the other old incentive to reload. Where reloading comes into it's own is firstly it is a very satisfying pastime on it's own, when the Weather or Family commitments preclude Range Time. You can wring the last bit of accuracy out of your rifle, with carefully tailored hands loads, plus you can tailor the bullet for what you intend it for. ....... There's nothing wrong with buying used, lower priced, and therefore, the initial savings vs cost period can be amortized over a shorter period. ....... Handloaders tend to be somewhat frugal by nature, and you can sometimes keep the costs down by trading and shopping carefully. Most Powder manufacturers for example, offer free loading data sheets, plus Gun Shows and even Flea Markets and Used Book Sellers, sometime have older Reloading Manuals, which while seldom used are still worth having for the odd occasion and for reference. ...... Casting your own Bullets is another avenue to explore, and lead can often be "scrounged " for free. ..... But to answer your question, shopping carefully, not counting the materials to build a Bench, around "$400, should get you started. Birthdays, Christmases etc. also are times when your "Gift ( Wish? ) List" helps ! ....... I'm partial to RCBS gear, for an number of reasons, but there's no reason why you can't mix and match items ! ..... Buy extras as you actually need them, helps to keep the costs to a manageable level as well. ....... Good Luck and it's fun Hobby in itself ! .... David K :)
 
David K said:
Considering the high quality of Factory Ammunition, and that tends to remove the other old incentive to reload. :)
Click to expand...

Actually, improved accuracy is still the most valid reason to reload for rifle, though in ignorance of the IP's situation, I suspect this may not be as much an incentive with the 30 30 round.
 
Here is my 2 cents on reloading economics:
If you shoot less than 200 center-fire rounds a year,not worth it.
If the ammo you shoot is common and inexpensive(7.62x39,.223,.308,.3006,.243,.270,
7mmRem mag,.300WinM,.22-250,.30-30)not worth it.
It is worth it if you shoot Weatherby's,short mags or less common milsurps.
To just do it because you wish to do something worthwhile and cool + can afford it,worth it.
 
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