imported post
Check out e-bay for wheel weight bars. Also, look for lots of reloading equipment. People often get out of the hobby and sell everything you need for 1/3 of what it would cost you individually.
All of the powder sites have recommended load tables. Just check online.
Get a good book or two and read before you start. There are a number of questions to ask before you start, like, How much ammo do you need to load monthly? Do you have an area you can dedicate to it (with abench and permanent press set up) or not (look at the Lee handpress)? What calibers and how many? (Dillon Square-B is good for pistol calibers but not rifle)? Lifestyle (e.g., can you devote an hour or two at a time, or need to reload in 15-20 minute increments because of kids, sitting in front of the TV, etc.)? Etc? There are some good beginner's threads on the sites mentioned above, as well as DefensiveCarry.com in the reloading section that go into these questions and responses/recommendations.
Cast is fine, especially for .38/.357, .44 spl/.44 magand leverguns. I also use cast for .380 and 9mm, though I have used Berry's plated bullets as well with good results.
Most recommend starting with a single-stage press (or even a handpress -- which is what I still use years later) to learn and then moving to a turret or progressive press later. You will always be able to use the single stage (e.g., as a dedicated deprimer/sizer or to load that odd caliber).
Don't think you're going to save money. The intial investment will be between $100 and $500 to get everything you need (depending upon type of press, # of calibers, etc.). You will be able to reload more cheaply (e.g., at $7/box of 50 9mm instead of $15-20/box), but you will also shoot a lot more, basically evening things out. So think of it as not saving money (and you don't if you count your time as well as the component costs), but as a new hobby and a way to expand your enjoyment of the shooting sport (and the amount of ammo you can afford to put downrange).
Get a vibratory cleaner to clean the brass. Don't even bother with the homemade recipes and techniques -- believe me, I've tried them all (from solutions with vinegar, salt, water and dishwashing detergent, to steel wool by hand, to putting the brass in a pillow case in the washing machine -- and every other optionin between). Just save yourself a lot of grief and spend the $60 for the Frankford Arsenal kit from Midway.
A basic list of the required components you need is:
reloading manuals (one or two good ones)
press (handpress, single-stage, turret or progressive)
scale (digital or balance beam, though many prefer balance beam for starters)
priming tool (I use the Lee Auto-prime) and cardtridge holder
powder dispenser (I use the Lee dippers; if you go with a dedicated turret or progressive press they have powder dispenser attachments)
set of dies for each cartridge (I prefer the 4-die carbide sets from Lee for pistol cartridges...love the Factory Crimp Die)
Optional:
Caliper (to check OAL)
case length sizing tool, debur tool, and primer pocket cleaner (the hand version of each about $5 from Lee; more expensive ones are available)
bullet puller (the plastic impact kind is about $15)
powder trickle flow dispenser
case lube (for rifle cartridges or if you don't use carbide dies)
powder funnel
Supplies:
primers (about $35-40 for 1000)
bullets (about $60-80/1000 cast)
brass (you already have that; each can be reloaded 10+ times)
powder (about $22-$25/lb; depending upon the caliber each pound will load 350-2000 rounds ... just an FYI, each pound has 7000 grains; as an example, 9mm will use 3.5-5 grains per round, while .44 mag will use 17-20 grains; this varies by powder type and bullet weight)
