Lee Classic cast press- Are as good if not better than RCBS or Redding presses that cost 2-3x as much.

Lee Dies- In standard common calibers are good enough to get the job done (I've had a few issues with dies in oddball and obscure cartridges- die makers don't always get the specs right). For more obscure chamberings, I buy Redding.

Ohaus beam balance- These are branded by different reloading companies, most notably RCBS- they're worth their weight in gold or at least worth their weight in intact body parts.

Imperial Sizing Die Wax (now owned by Redding)- best sizing lube out there. Period. A $5 tin will last a very long time.

Lee case trimmer- for about $10 you get a trimmer that works very efficiently- add about $4 for each additional case length guage for different cartridges. Skip the zip trim and chuck the shell holder up in a drill.

RCBS chamfer/debur tool- Better than Lees, cost about $15 and will last a lifetime.

Lee perfect powder measure ($30)- it looks like a flimsy piece of crap but its the only measure for under $150 that will accurately and consistantly measure IMR powders. (You'll probably be using IMR or other hard to meter stick powders in .308, .243, and especially 30-06.

As far as saving money or breaking even- its not going to happen, noway, nohow.