Originally Posted by Big Z

If you buy 150gr federal soft points when they're on sale for 10 bucks a box, and your only reason to reload is to save money, it's probably not your cup o' tea. I can tell you I save 25+ a box vs comparable factory loads in my centerfires. If you went ultra caveman basic, you could pay for your loading equipment with a bottle of powder, a box of bullets, and a pack of primers.

Or, and this is the more likely option, you could wind up like the rest of us reloaders. First, you try to save money starting up. You're nervous to try out your first load, but it works out great. Heck, that's the best your rifle's ever shot. You'll try a different brew next time, after some more reading. Before you know it, you can't help yourself every time you see a deal on components. "5 bucks off on powder? Wellllll I suppose I'll grab a few of those. 8 bucks off a 100 pack of bullets? Heck, I better just clean the shelf of these babies. I'll need them eventually anyways. Primers..only a few bucks a hundred, I spose I'll pick up a few of those, just so they're handy. Ooooohh, that tool would make things easier! Maybe next time, after I replace those dangerously bald tires. But I do have this sale voucher. It wouldn't hurt to have I suppose."

This is a math problem. There won't always be people willing to take the risk of loading for somebody else. I know I won't load for anyone other than myself and close friends. So figure out equipment cost of equipment you want, and your ammo cost vs factory cost to make your decision.

Originally Posted by homers brother

+1

There's a lot in Z's post here that I'm guessing many reloaders will identify with, and it suggests a bit of the "journey" that reloading can be. It's pretty common that your early interest will focus on saving money ("by reloading, I can afford to shoot more," or "the only way I can shoot those premium bullets is to load them myself"). We all have bald tires from time-to-time, not to mention a household budget officer that doesn't necessarily see the merit in that fancy new electronic scale/powder dispenser, even if it is on sale. However, for most of us, the basic tools described above (and fortunately included in most "kits") are all many of us will ever need.

If you shoot competitively or if you're simply obsessive with your hunting loads, you will at some point find yourself going to the next level with your reloading - maybe not so much in terms of the tools, but certainly by way of paying more attention to the processes. Reloaders at this level generally know a LOT about their loads, as well as their firearms - from physical specifications all the way to performance. Shooters with specialized military shooting experience may be familiar with the use of data books and manually recording and refining their shooting data. But, for others, the most efficient - and quite possibly also the limit of their refinement will be achieved by use of a chronograph, an exterior ballistics program, and possibly a wind meter with environmentals (Kestrel or other).

Find your balance. What are your goals in reloading, how much time and mental activity can you devote to it, and what kind of budget do you expect? Recognize that what these are today will evolve tomorrow. Start out with the basics, work on your understanding of the forces at work and the measurements involved. Go as far as you feel necessary to achieve your objectives - you'll learn far more about what you and your rifle are capable of than most people will ever imagine.