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mitchntx wrote:Good data. Thanks.

Ok ... the question that always gets asked ...

Is there a checklist somewhere as to what equipment is needed?
How about a review of said equipment so that I don't buy junk?

what about a decent source for supplies. I've made note of a couple vendors mentioned in here.

I can recommend the RCBS Rock Chucker starter kit sold at Cabelas (http://tinyurl.com/73kadte" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) ... $50 rebate makes that a sweet deal right now.

It's a great way to start and learn. Many will recommend a progressive press for faster pistol cartridge reloading, and I don't disagree (planning to upgrade to one at some point). But I am glad I've cut my teeth on this press and many of the accessories (scale etc) are still usable even after you upgrade to a faster-operating press. Plus most experienced reloaders seem to still prefer a single-stage press for low volume, high accuracy rifle loads.

Edited to add: One gripe about RCBS - while their dies and all their equipment are generally first-rate, and their warranty/customer service is awesome (they've sent me free replacement parts on USED items I purchased off eBay), I find their die lock rings to be sorely lacking in strength/stability and have subsequently upgrade to tighter-locking Lyman and Forster cross-thread die lock rings (minor item - $4 part upgrade).

I'm new to reloading, but my initial experiences concur with what has been posted already.

IMHO, reloading 115-grain 9mm FMJ really isn't worth the effort as you're going to pay about 12 cents per round vs the 18-22 cents you're paying to buy new factory loads. Translates to saving about $3-$4 per box of 50.

But the cost benefits really show themselves when you start reloading bigger bullets and/or bigger calibers. Even loading 147-grain 9mm (an oft-used round for competition shooting because it can be loaded soft and still make "power factor" because of the extra grain weight) can be a savings because those heavier rounds usually go for 2-5 cents more per round retail for factory loads and can be hand-loaded for basically the same as 115-grain.

But the huge savings is in .45 ACP and other larger rounds. This is the whole reason I got into reloading. I can't afford to shoot much .45 at the $17-$23/50-round box retail prices (~ 35-45 cents per round). But I reload Berry's plated 230-gr RN bullets into reused brass for about for about $9/box of 50 (18 cents per round ~ 14 cents per bullet, 3 cents per primer, 1 cent or less per powder load). So that's a 50-percent or better savings ($8-$10 per box of 50) and I'm not even buying in bulk or casting my own bullets to REALLY save $$$$

My typical shooting sessions are 150 rounds or less, so saving about $10-$12 on 150 rounds of 9mm is not really worth the couple hours of my time (I only have a slower single-stage press right now). But saving $30 on 150 rounds of .45 becomes more worth my time. I once I upgrade to a progressive press and load same number of rounds in half the time it will be even more worthwhile.

Also I've found most of my reloads are at least as accurate as quality factory ammo, and some is noticeably more accurate. Especially once you start fine-tuning a load to a particular gun and barrel. Plus there's the added benefit of specialty loads - like the little "bunny fart" loads I've made in .38 special to fire out of my Airweight J-frame revolver so I can practice more before my hand starts to ache.