The cost of starting to reload

**foister82** · 07-02-2009, 10:59 AM

ABC of reloading - $20ish
Reloading Press - $140ish
Case Trimmer - $100ish
Deburring Tool - $14
Powder Scale - $50?
Micrometer - $20
Powder - ?
Primer - ?
Bullets - ?
Brass - Free from range and friends

I'm trying to get a general cost setup of getting started with my own reloading. Several of my friends have been collecting brass from their shooting excursions as have i... I know the first start is the ABC book which i am gonna read thorughly before i even start with the other materials, but im interested in start up cost. I have a friend who's willing to fund my starting expenses and materials to reload a good number of rounds for him.

How much did it cost you to start off with your reloading?

**DAdams** · 07-02-2009, 11:42 AM

through the exercise recently, and still don't have everything I "need" I will take an estimated stab at my present outlay.
I have not pulled the handle yet, that is to say I have not loaded a single round. I'm not in any hurry, it has taken me two years of "putzing" and going it alone to get everything I needed. Much of this is due to my lack of diligence, the marketplace (scarcity/leadtime) of components and raw materials and recent demand increase in loading/reloading interest. Thanks Mr. President.

Based on a Hornady LnL Progressive.
Necessary items to reload: .45, .38/357, .223.

I still need to spend another $100 or there abouts for a tumbler and media for same. Probably another $100 in odds and ends.

I will hazard a guess....$1000 to 1200. in round numbers.
I have probably enough materials to do 500-1000 rounds of said rounds.

Not bad for a hobby that gives back.

I did it to learn something new.
Something to do now that I have a basement and winters.
Good investment in today's social condition.

Hornady could do themselves a favor by including a list of things that are:
Necessary to continue after the purchase of the basic press.
Nicities, but not necessary.
Luxuries.

I spoke to a factory representative who sent me a list of things I needed. Nice since it took me a year of stumbling around myself to get to that point.

There are some good videos on You Tube, take them with a grain of salt of course, but most of the people know what they are doing.

**gregintenn** · 07-02-2009, 12:08 PM

Powder - ?
Primer - ?
Bullets - ?

Powder 18-22 per pound
Bullets 10-30 per 100
Primers PRICELESS!!!!!!

**DAdams** · 07-02-2009, 12:16 PM

the setup. I don't go at much lightly....
Like I said, I now have a basement/shop and TN winters to devote to loading/reloading.

The Room

Parts/Components

Loading Bench

Bench is covered with black 1/4 inch Starboard.

Stuff

**Good_Steward** · 07-02-2009, 12:44 PM

wow, dadams. it looks so . . . .so . . . . .civilized.
All nice clean, and new looking.

nice setup!

As far as start up costs, I couldn't begin to tell you. I didn't keep a running total for fear that the wife would find out EXACTLY how much we have invested. I don't ask her how much she pays for clothes / shoes, and she doesn't ask about my guns / reloading / fishing and hunting equipment. Our marriage just works better that way.

**DAdams** · 07-02-2009, 12:55 PM

The someday retirement man cave. I have suffered w/o a basement living in FL for 20 years...it's tough to load in a garage when the feels like temp is 102 and the humidity is 98%.

Well Put...the foundation of a sound relationship:

Quote:

I didn't keep a running total for fear that the wife would find out EXACTLY how much we have invested. I don't ask her how much she pays.....

Gregg Sayeth:

Quote:

Primers PRICELESS!!!!!!

I have them all but small rifle. I going to Atlanta next week...maybe, just maybe.

**foister82** · 07-02-2009, 04:37 PM

nice

my stepdad got me started with reloading several years ago... but he had his equipment mounted to a little table that could be moved around. Kinda scary considering it could fall over with all the little primers and powder

**Good_Steward** · 07-02-2009, 08:45 PM

dadams, I once read a line that has really stuck with me:

"My greatest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell all my stuff for what I told her I paid for it"

Here's a few pics of mine already posted on here

Reloading bench photos

**Garufa** · 07-02-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foister82

ABC of reloading - $20ish
Reloading Press - $140ish
Case Trimmer - $100ish
Deburring Tool - $14
Powder Scale - $50?
Micrometer - $20
Powder - ?
Primer - ?
Bullets - ?
Brass - Free from range and friends

If you're just getting started, don't need a trimmer, micrometer or deburring tool.

Avoid range brass if it's .40 cal. Might be from a Glock.

You can find a Lee kit for $100 or so that has everything to GET YOU STARTED. Lovingly hand-crafting every load comes later, unless you've got a lot of time on your hands.

Bullets, powders and primers....that's a whole different thing!

**Currently** · 07-02-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garufa

[/LIST]
Avoid range brass if it's .40 cal. Might be from a Glock.

Mind clueing me in why you say that?

Enquiring mind wants to know.

What about other caliber Glock spent brass?

07-02-2009, 10:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
foister82 Will Work For Ammo Joined: Jun 2009 Where: Johnson City, TN Age: 27 Posts: 204	The cost of starting to reload ABC of reloading - $20ish Reloading Press - $140ish Case Trimmer - $100ish Deburring Tool - $14 Powder Scale - $50? Micrometer - $20 Powder - ? Primer - ? Bullets - ? Brass - Free from range and friends I'm trying to get a general cost setup of getting started with my own reloading. Several of my friends have been collecting brass from their shooting excursions as have i... I know the first start is the ABC book which i am gonna read thorughly before i even start with the other materials, but im interested in start up cost. I have a friend who's willing to fund my starting expenses and materials to reload a good number of rounds for him. How much did it cost you to start off with your reloading?

07-02-2009, 11:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
DAdams TGO Freshman Joined: Jul 2009 Where: Loudon, TN Posts: 22	Having Gone through the exercise recently, and still don't have everything I "need" I will take an estimated stab at my present outlay. I have not pulled the handle yet, that is to say I have not loaded a single round. I'm not in any hurry, it has taken me two years of "putzing" and going it alone to get everything I needed. Much of this is due to my lack of diligence, the marketplace (scarcity/leadtime) of components and raw materials and recent demand increase in loading/reloading interest. Thanks Mr. President. Based on a Hornady LnL Progressive. Necessary items to reload: .45, .38/357, .223. I still need to spend another $100 or there abouts for a tumbler and media for same. Probably another $100 in odds and ends. I will hazard a guess....$1000 to 1200. in round numbers. I have probably enough materials to do 500-1000 rounds of said rounds. Not bad for a hobby that gives back. I did it to learn something new. Something to do now that I have a basement and winters. Good investment in today's social condition. Hornady could do themselves a favor by including a list of things that are: Necessary to continue after the purchase of the basic press. Nicities, but not necessary. Luxuries. I spoke to a factory representative who sent me a list of things I needed. Nice since it took me a year of stumbling around myself to get to that point. There are some good videos on You Tube, take them with a grain of salt of course, but most of the people know what they are doing. Last edited by DAdams; 07-02-2009 at 11:53 AM..

07-02-2009, 12:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
DAdams TGO Freshman Joined: Jul 2009 Where: Loudon, TN Posts: 22	Here is the setup. I don't go at much lightly.... Like I said, I now have a basement/shop and TN winters to devote to loading/reloading. The Room Parts/Components Loading Bench Bench is covered with black 1/4 inch Starboard. Stuff Last edited by DAdams; 07-02-2009 at 12:50 PM.. Reason: photo change

07-02-2009, 08:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
Good_Steward TGO Member Joined: Apr 2008 Where: Signal Mountain Age: 34 Posts: 322	dadams, I once read a line that has really stuck with me: "My greatest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell all my stuff for what I told her I paid for it" Here's a few pics of mine already posted on here Reloading bench photos Last edited by Good_Steward; 07-02-2009 at 08:48 PM..

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07-02-2009, 12:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
gregintenn TGO Member Joined: Apr 2009 Where: Lafayette, Tennessee Posts: 383	Powder - ? Primer - ? Bullets - ? Powder 18-22 per pound Bullets 10-30 per 100 Primers PRICELESS!!!!!!

07-02-2009, 12:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Good_Steward TGO Member Joined: Apr 2008 Where: Signal Mountain Age: 34 Posts: 322	wow, dadams. it looks so . . . .so . . . . .civilized. All nice clean, and new looking. nice setup! As far as start up costs, I couldn't begin to tell you. I didn't keep a running total for fear that the wife would find out EXACTLY how much we have invested. I don't ask her how much she pays for clothes / shoes, and she doesn't ask about my guns / reloading / fishing and hunting equipment. Our marriage just works better that way.

07-02-2009, 04:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
foister82 Will Work For Ammo Joined: Jun 2009 Where: Johnson City, TN Age: 27 Posts: 204	nice my stepdad got me started with reloading several years ago... but he had his equipment mounted to a little table that could be moved around. Kinda scary considering it could fall over with all the little primers and powder