Equipment To Get Started Reloading Rifle Ammo For Less Than $230

WeR0206 · 2025-10-22T14:00:20-0400

I just put together a video covering this:

I’d recommend not spending too much money at first to see if you stick with it. Reloading ammo can be tedious detail oriented work so it’s not for everyone but at the same time it can save some money, be very rewarding, tune ammo to your rifle, and mainly enables you to shoot more. Start with a simple single stage press and if you stick with it you can start upgrading in certain areas

Below is an example of all the equipment you’d need to reload 223 Rem/5.56 NATO:

Press: Lee Breech Lock Hand Press (# 90685) ($45)
- Upgrade: Lyman Ideal C Frame Press (# 7726500) ($105)
Die Set: Lee Pacesetter 3 Diet Set (#91932) ($35) (includes full length sizing die, seating die, factory crimp die, powder scoop, shell holder, and 3 smart lock bushings)
Sizing Lube: Lee Resizing Lube (# 90006) ($4) or Redding Sizing Die Wax (# 21022) ($8)
*Optional: Lyman Headspace Gauge (# 7832323) ($25) (not needed, just check the sized brass in your actual chamber)
Case Prep & Trimming: Lee Universal Case Conditioning Kit (# 90950) ($8) + Lee Case Length Gauge & Shell Holder (# 90114) ($5) (Total: $13)
- Upgrade: Lyman Case Prep Multi Tool (# 7777800) ($25)
*Optional: Military crimp remover (needed if reloading NATO brass): RCBS crimp remover small (# 90386) ($20)
Priming: Lee Ram Prime for Breech Lock Press (# 91612) ($15)
- Upgrade: RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool (# 90201) ($65)
Calipers: Midway 6” Digital Calipers (# 524715) ($15)
Comparators: Whidden .330 Shoulder Bump Gauge ($23)
*Optional: Whidden .224 Bullet Comparator ($23) (mainly needed when seating OTM bullets that have variation in the tips)
Reloading Tray: Frankford Perfect Fit #2 Reloading Tray 2 Pack (# 1183635) ($11)
Powder Funnel: Satern 22 Cal Powder Funnel (# funnel22cal) ($15)
Scale: Smart Weigh GEM20 ($33) or RCBS 502 or 505 Beam Scale ($50 on Ebay) + RCBS Scale Check Weights (# 98991) ($35)
*Optional: Frankford Powder Trickler (# 903535) ($20)

Total: $229

Kickin45 · 2025-10-22T18:28:43-0400

Great info.
I think you have to add for brass, powder, primers and projectiles.
Can’t reload without any one of those.

WeR0206 · 2025-10-22T19:08:32-0400

Kickin45 said:
Great info.
I think you have to add for brass, powder, primers and projectiles.
Can’t reload without any one of those.

Thanks! Yes good point, components can definitely be costly, unless one collects their brass at the range, that's one piece that's "free." Although my post was largely focused on the bare min equipment a person needs to get started, not necessarily everything needed to actually build ammo which would include components. I just edited the thread title to be more accurate.

LawnMM · 2025-10-22T22:04:06-0400

RCBS makes a kit with most of what need, I started with one like 15 years ago. I upgraded lots of things over the years but it was plenty to get started and I still have the press and the beam scale is in a box somewhere.

I think it was like $200ish and change.

Edsel · 2025-10-22T22:18:01-0400

The Lee Hand Press is my only depriming tool.

Not sure I would use it to introduce someone to reloading rifle brass.

It’ll turn an enjoyable pastime into something outright painful.

Pistol brass, you can probably get away with it…

WeR0206 · 2025-10-22T22:18:29-0400

LawnMM said:
RCBS makes a kit with most of what need, I started with one like 15 years ago. I upgraded lots of things over the years but it was plenty to get started and I still have the press and the beam scale is in a box somewhere.

I think it was like $200ish and change.

Yeah that’s a good point but most of the time those kits are well north of $300-400 and they usually come with a shitty scale, shitty universal reloading tray, shitty universal funnel, no calipers, no shoulder bump gauge, etc….but you can prob still find some on sale less than $300 and upgrade over time as you did. I guess my post is more of a custom kit that mainly needs an upgrade on the press and you’re almost set after that.

WeR0206 · 2025-10-22T22:21:00-0400

Edsel said:
The Lee Hand Press is my only depriming tool.

Not sure I would use it to introduce someone to reloading rifle brass.

Pistol brass, you can probably get away with it…

I loaded 223 with mine for a while but you def cant do large batches with it and your arms get tired as fuck especially during FL sizing but it’ll get the job done if on an ultra tight budget or very limited on space. That’s why I included the $100 Lyman ideal as an alternative if people want to avoid the hand press

Edsel · 2025-10-22T22:23:26-0400

WeR0206 said:
I loaded 223 with mine for a while but you def cant do large batches with it and your arms get tired as fuck but it’ll get the job done if on an ultra tight budget. That’s why I included the $100 Lyman ideal as an alternative if people want to avoid the hand press

I just finished depriming a few thousand 9mm cases I got for free through a promo from Dillon.

You should see the awesome pecs on this senile old coot…

…that being said, my fingers and wrists are screaming.

WeR0206 · 2025-10-22T22:25:07-0400

Edsel said:
I just finished depriming a few thousand 9mm cases I got for free through a promo from Dillon.

You should see the awesome pecs on this senile old coot…

…that being said, my fingers and wrists are screaming.

Oh damn! That’s a lot. I usually stick with batches of 50 and call it a day

Youll def be sore the next few days for sure

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