Reloading for relatively cheap

shoota

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This might have come up a couple of times but thought I would mention it again.

Just to let everyone who is thinking of getting into reloading you don't have to break the bank, you really don't need that much money $$$ especially if you are just seeing if you are even going to like doing reloading in the first place. Did my first reloads last night here is a summary of my setup.

Lee anniversary kit $99
Lee 9mm 4 die set $49
Bullet puller $19
Tumbler package $49 (included media + polish)
9mm Pistol Maximum Cartridge Gauge $20
Reloading handbook $20

All stuff was bought new.
total approx cost of gear = $256

brass was free been saving mine for a while now, then obviously bought bullets,powder, primers prices on those will vary from place to place.

I don't do a whole lot of shooting so this setup was perfect for me and I might not have the most fancy expensive gear or the highest quality stuff but guess what? my bullets still go boom. :D

enjoy.
 
You really don't even need a tumbler right off the bat, so you could save that expense as well if you are unsure of your reloading future.

I think its great fun, makes you feel like a mad scientist working at your bench to try and make the best, most consistent rounds you can.
 
Shoota, were did you get your supplies from?

Took a trip to the states in the summer and got it mostly all at the Cabelas down there, the only things I didn't get from there was the bullet puller which I ordered online from Cabelas Canada (was new to reloading and didn't realize what an important thing it would be till later) and the cartridge gauge I ordered online from Lyman.
 
I don't do a whole lot of shooting so this setup was perfect for me and I might not have the most fancy expensive gear or the highest quality stuff but guess what? my bullets still go boom. :D

Reloading is as expensive as you want it to be. (I do recommend a set of calipers and a powder scale, thought Lee's dipper set will do).
If I recall the anniversary kit includes reloading manual as well.

Under $300 for pretty much everything you will need in a single calibre.
For you to save 50% on ammunition.

In 9mm @ $20/50 factory ammo, you can reduce that to $6-8 a box of reloads. That is 25 or so boxes of ammo to recoup the cost for the entire setup. The press will last for tens of thousands of rounds at least if maintained.
 
the lee kits are decent. ive been using it for a few months now but i dont really trust the powder measure and scale. i use the kit to load 9mm too and a bit worried about the consistency of the measure for such a small load.
 
Nice. I did it for even less.

My parents bought me the Lee 50th anniversary kit for Christmas. And, I don't tumble. I just polish on my cordless.

Components aside I'm into it for about $80. That's with a Lee pacesetter die kit for .308. Of course, now I want a collet die, decapper, ultrasonic cleaner, oh, and the fancy new scale/powder dispenser Hornady has just brought out for $250. I'm totally getting that, as the powder measure/beam scale really doesn't cut it.
 
Welcome to reloading! I've been using mostly Lee stuff since I started in 1985 and have no complaints. I have a RCBS 750 electronic scale that I really like, both my presses are Lee. I agree that a caliper is handy to have as well as a powder measure.
 
What you get when you spend more is speed...
If you're okay with spending a couple of hours to load a hundred rounds then fine... Go economy.

But if you don't have the time or would rather be shooting than reloading you'll probably end up spending more $$ on a faster set up.
 
Your carbon footprint will increase as you will be shooting a helluva lot more so neener neener! Oh and for that same reason you won't save any money but Botox injections may help remove your "Permagrin".
 
I'm still quite happy with my Lee Turret press. I reload handgun cartridges all the way up to 300WM rifle cartridges. All Lee dies and tools, except an RCBS scale and a Hornady Powder dump.
 
Just got finished setting up, prices include tax in Ont

Lee Cast Press 129.00
Scale and bullet puller 159.00
Lee one Die does it 22.00
primer pocket cleaner 20.00

Total 330.00 Borrowed the Lyman 49th manual from a friend to get started.

Cactus
 
I started last year to reload for deer hunting.

Lee Classic loader $16
Hard nylon tipped hammer $15
RCBS 505 scale (from EE) $50
Brass $0 (I had already saved some from my rifle)
primers (1000) $28
Sierra Game Kings $32
_________
$141

Filling my 2 deer tags with my own ammo..... PRICELESS

I received a Press for X-Mas, but I still think using the Lee Loader is fun.
 
i also started last year
i went the cheaper way and baught Lee stuff
and my reloads go boom everytime so i have nothing to complain about
 
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