A box of Winchester .300 wsm is around $32.00 in Arkansas, so I was wondering if it'd be cheaper to remake my shells or just buy new one's from Walmart because of the price of metal. Oh, and if reloading is cheaper, what type of reloader should I use?
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Although shotshell reloading doesn't have any great payoffs, rifle reloading does. Lets say an average powder charge for a 300 wsm costs you 20 cents, a primer - 3 cents, I'll assume you havebrass saved up so 0,and a bullet - 20 cents. You're going to be paying about 10 bucks for a box of shells, saving you over $20 every 20 shells. That will pay for a Lee Anniversary Kit and dies in about 100 cartridges.
It is safe to say that it would be much cheaper for me to buy factory ammo as opposed to reloading. Since I like to reload, I find myself trying different rounds, etc. and ultimately shooting many more shells than if I did not reload. But for me, that is half the fun, so yes, reloading does make sense in my case.
If you are the type that does not shoot more than 1-2 boxes of ammo per year, I would not bother with reloading, unless you simply enjoy doing it.
If you already have access to the stuff needed, then in the long run, you would save money. Depending of course on how much your time is worth to you.
But to start loading, and having to buy everything yourself, you are going to have to reload a WHOLE mess of bullets before you start saving money.
Think on it like this:
RCBS Partner Press: $80
300 WSM dies: $35
Case Trimmer: $80
Assorted small deburring tools and brushes: $30
Primer: $40
Scale: $70 (for a cheap one)
Case Lube: $10
Tumbler and Media: $60
Caliper: $20 at least
Primers: ~ $25/1000
Bullets (varies greatly): 180gr Sierra Gamekings (inexpensive, yet very good) $22/100
Cases: I'll assume you have some already
Now, add that up, and see what sort of cost per round you will have. Of course the more you load and shoot, the more you save. If you know somebody who reloads currently, your best bet is to buy the dies and some components for them, and have him do it, or show you how on his equipment. Before I started reloading, I had a good buddy of mine who reloaded do my 30/06 loads for me. I paid right around $50/100, and good LORD those things shot out of my rifle! Handloaded ammo is always more accurate, if you take your time and work up a load your rifle likes. But, don't really think about doing it to save money, because you really can't save much anymore unless you buy used equipment (which is just fine). But you will get a superior product, and it is sort of fun too.
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RCBS Partner Press: $80
300 WSM dies: $35
Case Trimmer: $80
Assorted small deburring tools and brushes: $30
Primer: $40
Scale: $70 (for a cheap one)
Case Lube: $10
Tumbler and Media: $60
Caliper: $20 at least
Primers: ~ $25/1000
Bullets (varies greatly): 180gr Sierra Gamekings (inexpensive, yet very good) $22/100
Cases: I'll assume you have some already
You sure did take the expensive route I still use everything in my Anniversary kit, but upgraded the press to a Classic Cast and use the old one for whatever. The kit cost me $70, and had me on my way with somedies and components. All for what you listed for $280 + dies and components, plus it had both a safety scale and powder throw. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, no no. But I am saying that reloading doesn't have to be expensive for the single stage loader. Like I listed, if I were to buy 100 cartridges of similarfactory ammovs. the amount I got the components, dies, and kit for, the price for the factory was going to be more! My accuracy has gone up another notch, too, despite the small investment it took.
Wait a minute...a few months back I would have agreed without question that reloading will reduce your shooting bill alot..but lately I've been re-supplying my stash..WOW, have prices shot up...in some cases almost double the cost just a year or two ago..HOLY COW..I was pricing a box of Sierra 150 HPBT's...$39.99..almost double, V-maxes..were $13.99 now $25 a box..powder is way up and primers are almost non-existant for some types.. TRUE..I only shot them, and always will, but COST...is now a factor...
Yeah.. Prices have gone up...
I save money if I reload using conventional bullets, But,
If I reload with Premium Bullets, (eg MRX TBBC TSX) I'm not saving anything when I compare them to a box of Fed Premiums..
Accuracy still has the advantagewith reloading and the pleasure I get from shooting my handloads is still worth it.....
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I got everything I needed to put out that first bullet complete for around $300, that's with 2 presses too. Mine is a combination of Lee, Lyman and RCBS. I suggest you don't scrimp on your dies. The Lyman Universal trimmer is as easy to use as one can be and it does a great job. The Lee safety scale and perfect powder measure is adequate but I see myself getting a lot better setup for that in the future such asa RCBS Chargemaster 1500 combo.I bought aLyman Turbo Pro Auto Flo that separates the media from the cases at ebay for an exceptional prices. Bought a set of RCBS dies for my Rem. 300 saum and a carbide 3 die set for my 45 acp at really good prices too on ebay too. I buy my corncob and walnut media at our local pet smart for a lot cheaper than you can buy it at the gun shops or catalogs. I found out that with the HAZMAT charges you have to pay to buy your powder through place like Mid South, Midway, Loc Stock and Barrel, etc, etc it is quite a bit cheaper to buy it at my local gun shop and avoid the Hazmat and regular shipping charges. Bullet cost will be up to you. You can buy the most advertised most expensive or you can buy something like Core Lokts for about half the price if they will shoot good out of your gun and Core Lokts are still getting really great reviews from most shooters who have tried them. I have several different various loads with Core Lokts 180 gr loaded now top try waiting for it to cool off some here. I will also try some Nosler partitions and some Hornadys until I find the one I like best but if I can find a load that shoots really good out of my gun with Core Lokts that is whatI will probably shot just because I can get them for around $16.00 per 100 and they are a very good tried and tested reliable bullet.
.300 wsm?
I still use everything in my Anniversary kit, but upgraded the press to a Classic Cast and use the old one for whatever. The kit cost me $70, and had me on my way with somedies and components. All for what you listed for $280 + dies and components, plus it had both a safety scale and powder throw. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, no no. But I am saying that reloading doesn't have to be expensive for the single stage loader. Like I listed, if I were to buy 100 cartridges of similarfactory ammovs. the amount I got the components, dies, and kit for, the price for the factory was going to be more! 
