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PA, I have been reloading for about 2 years now and you don't need a whole lot of stuff to get started. Take a look at stuff made by LEE Precision. I started with their stuff and it is great! Very inexpensive and darn good equipment. You can get started with everything you need (Lee sells a kit + dies) for under $250.00 including components for 1 caliber. The basic breakdown of equipment would be a press, powder measure, priming tool, case length gage, cutter and lockstud, and champfer tool. All of this is included in the Lee Anniversary kit. You also need dies(lee dies include shellholder)and a caliper. This and components(bullets, cases, powder and primers) will get you started reloading. You will only need to buy dies for each additional caliber you wish to load.

As far a safety, as long as you are careful and follow all the safety precautions there really isn't a whole lot of danger. Yes it can be time consuming but it is also addictive so you really don't mind the time. It's also a lot cheaper than factory ammo.

When I think of a "really nice scope" I think of Leupold, Swarovski, Zeiss, and some of the higher end Nikons, Burris, etc. If this is what you're talking about you can put a little less "nice" scope on your .300 and still start reloading. I don't think you will regret it.

In the new "Gunlist" a guy named Greg @ 1-800-522-3932 ext. 25 is selling his RCBS Reloading equipment: press, 505 scale, powder uniflow, the complete accessory pack includes everything needed to reload. (99% condition) for $175.00 OBO I would call this guy as soon as possible. Good luck.

I started reloading when I was 14 years old and don't remember the last time I bought a box of rifle shells . I was lucky that I had a neighbor to teach me the fundimentals because they didn't have all the videos that are available today to show you how . If you can watch a video and it will give you a good idea what is needed to start . The libary will also carry books on it if you don't want to purchase anything right away .
The scope also sounds like a great idea if you don't already have one . Good luck what ever you choose.

Dont forget a good manual. which most kits include I bought the RCBS rockchucker kit when I was 13 and its still cranking out loads 24yrs later. As said earlyer check out the lee kit it is nice for the money and has what you need to start out.

3DNWV