Startup Costs and Beginner Reloading Setups

In this guide, you'll find a comprehensive list of reloading equipment. This will include equipment that is both required and optional. While reloading is not an inherently inexpensive hobby, the cost associated with reloading ammunition can balloon based on your own personal wants and needs. It can be as expensive as you would like to make it, or reasonably priced. That said, it is possible to safely reload your own ammunition with just a barebones reloading bench setup.

With this in mind, we are going to briefly outline three potential ‘templates’ for a reloading bench. First, a budget-friendly group of supplies that will provide the safe bare-minimum for loading ammo. Then, a list of moderately priced items that will make the process more enjoyable and efficient without creating excessive costs. And lastly, some very advanced tools that will optimize your reloading experience -- this one will be ideal for experienced reloaders, but it is important even for a beginner to understand the possibilities within a reloading bench.

Startup Costs

Reloading your own ammunition is often touted as a way to save money on the cost of ammo. While it is true that handloading ammo is generally more cost-effective, there are sizeable startup costs associated with the hobby. The first question that many novice handloaders ask is: “How much is it going to cost to get started?” While it would be great to offer a cut and dry answer, that isn’t entirely practical.

The truth is, the startup costs associated with reloading vary depending on your own applications. Do you want to reload rifle ammo, pistol amoo, or both? How many different calibers will you be reloading? Further, how much time are you willing to spend on a single cartridge? If you are looking only to reload a single caliber for a single weapon, reloading is going to be much cheaper, for example.

Much of the gear associated with reloading simply makes the job faster and/or easier. This type of equipment is obviously not necessary to reload ammo, but most users find it very beneficial. But if you are looking for a barebones, “only-what-you-need” setup, you will find that the startup costs for reloading are fairly modest.

Ultimately, there is no single answer for ‘how much does reloading cost?’ But by outlining three levels of reloading setups, we can give prospective reloaders some idea of the investment required. In the entry-level setup, all listed components are required to reload your own ammunition safely.

Entry Level

Entry-level equipment and components are required to safely and efficiently handload ammunition rounds.

• Case Cleaner - Case cleaning can be performed with a simple lidded plastic container and standard household dish soap. Place the dirty cases in the tub with soapy water, and shake vigorously until the dirt and debris have been released from the brass. You can then air dry the cases. This will not achieve beautiful, shining cases, but it will get the job done for almost no money at all.
• Reloading Press - Arguably the most important tool on your reloading bench, a reloading press is used for many functions throughout the handloading process. A single-stage press can be purchased for around $150 and will be adequate for most novice handloaders.
• Die Set - Dies are steel-built inserts that work with your reloading press to perform a variety of functions. If a reloading press is a drill, the die set is like the bit. A good die set will include dies for the following functions: decapping and resizing, expanding, and seating and crimping. These can be purchased for around $50.
• Powder Scale - Charging cases with too much or too little powder is extremely dangerous. You’ll want to find a scale that is made explicitly for loading ammunition. Powder scales can be anywhere from $25 to $300, but expect to spend about $75 on a good one.
• Calipers - You’ll need a pair of reliable calipers at the very least to accurately measure the overall cartridge length. Sufficiently powerful calipers will cost around $40.
• Reloading Manual - Never reload ammunition without a reloading manual. Reloading manuals contain all of the data and recipes for each caliber, powder type, primer type, bullet type, and more. Expect to spend about $25 on a manual.
• Case Mouth Chamfering Tool – This will help you chamfer both new and used cases prior to reloading and bullet seating. You can purchase one for under $20, for hand use or in a cordless drill.
• Reloading Tray - Reloading trays allow you to keep cases separated during the various steps of reloading, and keep your loaded cases from tipping and spilling powder. Two trays will be enough to start, and they cost around $10 each.

Mid Level Additions

The below-listed components are optional, and should only be considered once you have purchased and/or used everything in the beginner setup. These pieces can be purchased in addition to the required components listed in the entry-level setup listed above.

• Automatic Case Cleaner - There are several types of fully automatic options for cleaning brass cases. For more information on the different kinds of case cleaning equipment, click here (link to the relevant section).
• Impact Bullet Puller - Bullet pullers are made to extract improperly seated bullets from cases without damaging either component. This can also be done with pliers, but you are more likely to damage the brass and/or bullet.
• Turret Style Reloading Press - A turret style reloading press allows the user to quickly move from between dies without removing the previously used die.
• Case Trimmer - You’ll only need a case trimmer for working with rifle cartridges. A case trimmer can be had for between $50 and $100.
• OAL Gauge - This tool allows you to measure the maximum chamber length for a particular combination of rifle chambers and bullets. These can be found for between $30 and $50.

High Level

The following are a few pieces of reloading equipment typically used by veteran reloaders. They should only be considered when you have purchased and/or learned to use all of the beginner and intermediate recommendations.

• Case Annealer - Advanced reloaders may choose to anneal the necks of their brass, which can lengthen overall lifespan, enhance consistency, and create optimal neck tension. Expect to spend around $450 on a high-quality annealing tool.
• Bullet Pointing System - Bullet pointing systems use dies to partially close the tips of hollow-point rounds. Many veteran reloaders find this can enhance accuracy when shooting large volumes of handloads. Bullet pointing systems cost between $200 and $300.
• Advanced Powder Scale and Dispenser - Advanced powder scales feature digital capabilities and can be programmed to perform a function. They can also automatically produce a charge every ten to fifteen seconds, which streamlines high volume reloading. A top of the range powder scale and dispenser can cost over $500.00.

At this level, the possibilities are nearly endless. Once you become a serious and experienced reloader, you may want to invest in neck turning tools, bullet comparators, concentricity gauges, and more.