I'm hoping to get all of my reloading equipment for x-mas, but my parents and grandparents want to know exactly what I want. Thing is, I'm not so sure myself. I'm pretty sure I want a digital scale to start with, and I want a case deburrer, and a progressive press.

I'm hoping to reload everything from my stubby .45 acp's and .44 mags clear up to the lengthy .416 rigby's, are most progressive presses going to be able to take this kind of case length range?

I guess I just need to leave it open other than that, what all do I need or what should I get right off to make it easier for a beginner?

Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!

If you are just starting, I would VERY strongly advise AGAINST getting a progressive press. Start with a single stage press and get VERY familiar with each individual step of the reloading process before moving up to a progressive press. It will also be a lot cheaper. It will be a lot to control each step more in-depth with a single stage press.

As far as what you need to get started, it doesn't really require a lot to get started. Here's a list of what I started with a few years ago.
Single stage press
Dies for each caliber to be loaded(Lee dies come with shellholder)
Powder scale(in my case it was not digital)
Primer pocket cleaner
Case length gage
Cutter w/ lockstud
Case deburring/champfer tool
Powder funnel
Dial caliper(to measure case & cartridge dimensions)
Loading tray(to hold cases while loading)
Components for each caliber

Case tumbler is optional for case cleaning or you can use a liquid cleaner.

This may sound like a lot but it's really not. I spent less than $300.00 total. That included all components (I only load for one caliber right now). You can elaborate or substitute on this list but I think this would be a basic list and it will allow you to start reloading right away.

I also would advise against the progressive press to start. RCBS offers some good introduction kits, that includes everything except dies and shell holders. Bloodnativ gave you some good advice but he forgot to mention a manual and a magnifying glass. Always inspect your brass before and after loading it. The mannual will tell you what to look for, ie pressure signs etc. good luck

Thanks Jed. I did forget those. Too lazy at the moment to go to the garage to look. I was recalling it all from memory. I've never used the magnifying glass to inspect cases but it would be a very big help. Guess I could be pushing my luck by not using them, huh? I going to get my catalogs out right now and order a pair. Manuals are a must have. Lee has a very good one. There are some others but titles escape me at the moment. I think Lyman has one too. They cover everything. Get as many different ones as you can find and read them over and over. Then read them some more. Refer to them often. Good luck.

what works better than a maginfying glass is an Optivisor... hands free, and you can get different magnification lenses... more expensive, though.. about 20bucks...
I agree... don't start with a progressive. If you are pretty sure you might want to go with one later, then you might think about an RCBS Rockchucker... then add the piggyback progressive attachment later. I'm not sure how well they work, but it's an option. I don't think most progressives will handle the larger rifle rounds... most will only do up to about 308 size... because most people don't shoot that many rifle rounds, unless it's in a .308, .223, or 7.62x39... something like that.
It's too easy to miss a step, like charging a case.. or worse, double charging a case with a progressive.... trust us...learn on a single stage, get the basics down WELL... then decide if you really need a progressive. Another downside to progressives is that it is somewhat time consuming changing calibers. Here's a thought... try one of the turret presses.. like Lee.. you can set up your die set for a caliber, then just rotate it to perform each operation.. it's not as fast as a progressive, but it's not as slow as a single station press... it can be used just as a single..do one operation, such as sizing, on all your cases, then the next operation on all the cases, etc... OR you can take one case and do all three operations on it before going to the next case... gives you a little more flexibility....
MAN, I'm long-winded tonight... I'll shut up now..... good luck with your choice...

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana

I would suggest a single stage like all the rest of the posters . I have both but only use the progressive on pistol or shotgun rounds .

RCBS- rockchucker press
Digital caliper
Digital Scale

there is no subsitute for quality

a dillon 550 would allow you to use it as a single stange until you are comfortable with the reloading process. that would be my choice, barring no spending limit

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

Are most single stage presses going to be able to handle long cases as well as short ones? Like I said, I'll want one press that I can reload all of my brass on, which includes .45 acp, .44 rem. mag, 7.62x39mm, .308,.22-250, 6.5x55 swe, 7.62x54R, .270, .30-06, and the long @$$ .416 rigby. Are almost all single stage presses going to be able to handle the large C.O.L. difference that I have?

I have a Speer reloading manual, Vol. No. 7 or 13, I forget now that I'm typing, I'm also looking at a couple others at the gun shop I frequent, but I forget what ones I really liked (know them by sight, not name). How well do you guys like the Speer? I really like it compared to what I've seen, but I haven't dug around a lot, I've read it cover to cover 6 times now, and I'm grazing it again now.

I've been looking at some of the packages that Cabela's has, there's one in there for only like 80 that's called the Cabela's special or something, it comes with a manual scale, single stage press, and a couple other gadgets. ANyone have any advice on it or one of the other packages?

What other stuff will I need besides the press, scale, glass, calipers, dies, shell holders? Like case tumblers, or deburrers, or any of the other 1500 things I see in the magazines? What about priming tool, is it easier to buy a hand priming tool or do it in the press?

Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!

I would also recomend a single stag press, it will be easier for you to learn on. I have a bunch of reloading manuals and use the Sierra the most. As far as a primeing tool I use a Lee. It is easy to use and costs about $20 plus you can put about 100 primers in it at a time. One thing though get familiar with all the equipment and the process before you start. If you have a question on something stop and ask questions DON'T guess. Reloading isn't hard but be sure you are doing it right. Also take your time,never short cut anything.
Goodluck, wait until you see what the difference is between factory and handloads.
Have fun.