I have never reloaded before and would like to get started in it because of the high prices I am paying for ammo. Where should I start, What type of equipment should I get, Any good beginner books out there. Any Ideas or suggestions would be helpfull

Well, some might suggest getting a progressive press for reloading pistol rounds, and while they're definitely quicker, I'll take quality over quantity all day long when it pertains to ammunition. I have a single stage RCBS Rockchucker that I use primarily for my rifles but I also use it for my .45 ACP as well.

I bought this press as a kit. It came with pretty much everything you should need to start reloading, except stuff like dies, primer pocket cleaner, etc.... I'd check e-bay for presses. They seem to have a nice selection of them most of the time.

As far as reloading data goes, I would get the latest, most up-to-date manual that you can find. It'll have most of the newer powders in it and that should be helpful. I'm not sure what type of bullets you'll be shooting for your .45 but I shoot lead cast bullets that I get from http://www.keadbullets.comas they're affordable and of good quality. Reloading pistol ammo isn't very hard at all and it'll definitely allow you to fine tune your ammo so you can get the most out of it when it comes to accuracy.

I don't know if your anywhere near a Cabelas, but I believe I saw RCBS Starter kits for less than a $100.00

I sure wouldn't start with a progressive! They can be touchy and complicated for someone just starting the game.

Also, the 45 auto is not the easiest cartridge to reload for. Most auto pistols are difficult and some can be devilish. Which is NOT to say you should do this. The problems you will encounter along the way are just part of the learning curve and when you can make ammo your 45 loves and feeds reliably, you'll be ready to load anything. A single stage RCBS would be a great starting point. Many happy reloaders never go beyond this point.

Word of advice. Get a TAPER CRIMP die for the 45ACP when you buy your press. Would suggest Unique as best powder for your .45. Let us know if we can help.

As far as price of the rounds what Im I looking at forsavings compared to the winchesters i buy at 100 rounds for $29

A single stage press is a very good way to start. Unfortunately, a reloader will outgrow it if they want to reload pistol ammo often. I tried reloading 9mm on a single stage press but it got to be too time consuming and not worth the time put in, especially considering that 9mm was only $5-6 a box at the time.

I would start with a cheap press such as a lee challenger so that you don't have too much money stuck into it- the press is more than enough needed to reload pistol rounds- no need to spend $100 on a single stage press here. Learn the process, work up a few loads, determine how much you are going to shoot. If you ar eonly going to shoot a few hundred a year, the single stage press will probably serve your needs. If you are going to shoot alot, you'll want to move up to a Lee or Dillon progressive. The Dillon is much more expensive but will work very nicely right out of the box, the Lee will take some tinkering and adjustment, but will do the same job for a fraction of the cost.

As mentioned above, Unique works well for the .45, as does WW231 and Bullseye.

Your comments are very spooky. That is exactly what I was going to say. I definitely would not recommend a new reloader start out with the 45 Auto. Tom.

I reload with the basic single stage press. Once I get my powder dispenser set, I load 10 cases, check weight and continue. If there is a problem with the weight, I only have to dump 10 cases. For my 45ACP I picked up 5 boxes of Federal's American Eagle ammo. I got a good deal at $12.69 a box and now have 250 cases to load, all the same manf and lot. The way I figured it adding up the cost of all the components, I got these 250 cases for somewhere around $5 which was darn cheap.
As for a press, you can't go wrong with a RCBS press. And it will last a lifetime. As for info on loading, a good reloading manual usually explains the step by step process. And of course you always have us guys to answer questions.

By far the vast majority of reloaders do NOT have progressive presses. And they are perfectly happy without them. If you shoot lots of ammo and basically always the same load and bullet.........then a progressive is the cat's whiskers. For everyone else a progressive press is probably not the answer. I didn't think I could live until I got a progressive press. I bought two of them...both Dillons and both fine machines. After about a year I realized I'd rather be loading on my old Rockchucker. I sold the Dillons and stuck the Rockchucker back on my bench. I load a few thousand rounds each year but I still just enjoy this press. I change around too much to ever be happy with a progressive. When I go out to load one day, I may build some 270s. When I go back out that night I may be thinking about my .357 and want to load some of them. It's just whatever mood I'm in. And reloading is fun to me...not a race.

Point is, get to know reloading and WHO you are before investing the big bucks in a progressive press. When the time comes, you'll know if you need to worry about progressives or not. And there will be a good one waiting for you at Dillons if that's what you want.