I offer my canned response regarding what a new reloader needs to get started (with my recommendations):
First, read lots of books and manuals:
The ABCs of Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1440213968The Beginner's Guide to Reloading Ammunition
http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Reloading-Ammunition-Apartment/dp/148207379XLyman 50th Edition Reloading Manual
http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-50th-Edition-Reloading-Manual/dp/B01N76GD2FLee Precision - Modern Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Modern-Reloading-Format/dp/B000N8OKAUAnd watch videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmith/videos?flow=grid&view=0&sort=dat=58s
And conduct other research:
http://rcbs.com/Resources/Introduction-to-Handloading/Step-by-Step-Reloading.aspxhttp://ultimatereloader.com/Equipment: Start out with a single-stage press. A single-stage press will force you to focus on each step. You should master each step before you attempt to combine them into a single-pull of the lever. Further, turret and progressive presses add complexity and points of failure that single-stage presses don’t have. You will always have a use for a single-stage press on your reloading bench, and you may find that you never need anything more than a single-stage, so get a good one
The Bare Minimum:
□ Books & manuals (You can never have too many books and manuals)
□ Reloading press* (Single-stage - RCBS Rock Chucker)
□ Scale* (Balance beam scales; pref. Ohaus, RCBS, Lee, etc.)
□ Priming tool* (Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Priming Tool)
□ Case lube* (Imperial Sizing Die Wax)
□ Funnel*
□ Calipers ($10 eBay Stainless .001")
□ Shell holders (Lee Universal Shell Holder set)
□ Dies (for the specific cartridges you will be loading)
Near Essentials:
□ Bullet puller (Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Impact Bullet Puller)
□ Primer crimp remover (Dillon Super Swage 600)
□ Case trimmer (Lee Deluxe Quick Trim)
□ Chamfer/deburring tool*
□ Case headspace gauge (L.E. Wilson; for each cartridge you will be reloading)
□ If loading .223/308 for AR platforms: Small base sizing die(s).
Note: If you need them, you need them; regardless, highly recommended, particularly if reloading for semi-autos.
Very Nice to Have:
□ Powder measure*
□ Loading block*
□ Plastic cases for your loaded rounds
Other stuff to make your job easier:
□ Hornady Lock-n-Load bushings (adaptable to many presses)
□ Digital powder measure (RCBS Chargemaster; 1500 or Lite)
□ Brass tumbler (Rotary/wet: Cheap - Harbor Freight Dual Drum; Best - Extreme Rebel 17. Once you go wet, you never go back)
* Included with most starter kits (RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit)
Note: The RCBS Rock Chucker is probably the best-selling single-stage press ever made. The other tools in the kit are also top quality and, no matter how far you “advance” in the reloading game, you will always be able to use every component in the kit and they will outlive you. It is a little more expensive than some of the other kits but remember that this is a lifetime investment; it is not money wasted but a solid foundation to build on. RCBS customer service is as good as any.
Things you do NOT need first rattle out of the box:
A Dillon Super 1050 or XL650 progressive press (yes, they really have been recommended as a first press) no matter how hard the blue fanboys try to convince you that your life will be miserable and wasted, and your crappy reloads will kill you if you settle for any other inferior "junk".
A Forster Co-Ax single-stage press. The Co-Ax is a great press but it has some frustrating limitations that the Rock Chucker doesn’t. Converted to use the Hornady LNL bushings, the Rock Chucker can do everything the Co-Ax can do for less money, and then some.
