I have been researching reloading (specifically 9mm) for some time now. Before I spend the approximate $500 for all the equipment, I would like to ask for tips or at least point me in the right direction before I spend my cash.

I was leaning towards the Lee 4-hole turret and accessories, probably a Cabala's tumbler, etc.

One of the best reloading for idiots pages I have seen is by Tanner Smith.
http://www.reloadingforbeginners.com/equipment.aspx

Often imitated, never duplicated:
Amazon.com: the abc's of reloading
And since you're local, you might check out Aumiller in Westerville (Westerville Road and Main Street) or Vance Outdoors on Cleveland Ave. They have several loading machines in stock. Dan Aumiller has Lee stuff if that's the way you want to go and Vance's carries both RCBS and Hornady.

Here is one of the most important tools I can recommend.

Be sure and spend the extra few $ and get the classic turret. The main casting is iron vs aluminum, and the linkage is beefier. The difference in price is not that much. I have the classic turret, and love it. Very smooth, easy to use, lots of options.

Don't do it!

That $500 will be just the start. I started back in 1972 when I bought a Lee Loader for a 30 Carbine to save money. Back then I shot a couple of boxes a year.

In 1974, I bought a single stage Rockchucker. Then my shooting was up to maybe 100-200 rds a year.

Today, I have a whole room dedicated to reloading. I shoot a couple of thousand rounds during a slow year. There is several thousand dollars worth of equipment in that room.

In 1976, I married a women that figures a day at the range beats a day shopping anytime. She shoots at least as much as I do. In the past five years, she has bought more guns than I have. My daughters bring their families home to visit and expect to go to the gun club and shoot dads ammunition and guns. I bought a NRA Life Membership for my grandson when he was born.

I hate to think what that first round or .30 Carbine has cost me.

Words of wisdom right there.

A couple years ago.


Now.

Good perspective... Here's the deal though. We all know how difficult 9mm is to find currently, and I purposefully bought a new 9mm to go with my others to "keep the ammo supply simple." Backfire! Last year I went to the range about every other week, nearly 250 rounds per month and loved it. Now my wife is getting into shooting more and soon wants her own handgun.

At $20 a box, we can afford to enjoy it. Let alone if we find ammo. I bought a Shield less than a month ago and have only put about 60 rds though it.

I wish I could find someone who reloads and would sell me ammo at a reasonable price rather than sinking $500 bucks into it before I even make one round but that is easier said than done.

It isn't just the factory made ammo, reloading equipment and components are a... well not easy to find either. 9mm dies are hard to find, powder, primers and bullets are also hard to get too. Go to MidWayUSA, Grafs, Natchezss, Cabelas, MidSouth Shooter's Supply, Powder Valley Inc, and look at what they have for primers and powder. Doubt any have small pistol primers in-stock. They might have some random odd ball powders in-stock. I don't see any 9mm Luger dies at MidwayUSA, Cabelas, and Grafs.

JeepMD is fortunate enough to live in Central Ohio. Primers are a challenge but everything else is available locally.

Before buying anything get Lee's Modern Reloading and the Lyman Manual. Someone already mentioned the ABCs of reloading - get that one as well. Read them.
Now a word about equipment. If you can find a place or someone around you were you can try things out it will help you a lot. I purchased a Lee Single stage kit for &100 with the Lee 9mm dies. I have single staged about 6000 rounds of 9mm - a turret would be faster - and if you go that route you should be able to run it as a single stage.
A cast press will feel better - smoother and more solid feeling - my aluminum one has been fine though.

Some swear by other brands - and I have had the opportunity to play with a Redding and I really liked it - but there is good value with Lee and it can produce fine plinking/range ammo.

Primers are definitely a challenge to find, but not impossible. Keep checking the various websites, and check around locally (I get my powder locally so that helps with hazmat fees).
I picked up some 40 S&W brass off of a guy at a local gun show last weekend pretty cheap.
I was just able to get an order of Berry's plated bullets from Cabela's the other day, so my stock of bullets is good.

Just keep checking, stuff will be back in stock eventually.

Recommendations for a Starter Progressive Press

Need Opinions on Progressive Presses

You might also check out midsouthshooters.com for equipment, I can't say about supplies. Good prices and excellent customer service.

I would hold off on the tumbler for a while unless you are shooting found range brass. Start with the press and a good measure and scale. Disable the turret function until you have loaded 200 rds and know that they work. By that I mean to decap and prime 50 rds at a time, charge 50 cases and load and seat 50 bullets. Do that on four occasions so that you are familiar with each step. Check each for fit and function. Fire them to ensure you know what you are doing. You now should know enough about the process to know what to watch for with a turret press.

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Front sight and squeeze

I will throw this idea out there and perhaps it will help but nothing ventured nothing gained. When I was real young and lacked anything but Lyman or Ideal hand loading tools there were a couple of old timers who would let me load my own ammo on their presses. Mind you they knew me and I had done everything from decap to trim for them but nevertheless this is a possibility.

Years ago I used to let fellow competitive shooters load 38 bullseye ammo or 45 IPSC ammo on my Star presses. They have to feed em of course but these presses are set up and idiot proof and turn out the loads everybody wanted to shoot so I couldn't see any down side to helping some guys out. Perhaps if you can find somebody like this and prove you are safe and can load they may let you run their presses. ?

Good luck

Tell me about it. I'm looking to start reloading 9mm also, but plan to cast my own bullets. I'm in good shape on powder, so-so on primers, and in good shape as for as lead goes. However, getting the dies is proving difficult.

My brother-in-law is looking for 9mm luger dies. I called him early this morning as I saw Cabelas had Hornady 9mm carbide dies in-stock, only problem was they were the roll-crimp version not the taper. Checked a couple hours after I called him and they are not showing on the website anymore.

One set left: Not sure if you can use these, you didn't specify, check them out.
Graf & Sons - RCBS 9MM MAK. CARBIDE 3 DIE SET TAPER(E), S/H #16

Back in stock in May:
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm Luger

Those dies at Grafs are for 9mm Makarov, not 9mm Luger. Wonder how many people are figuring that out who bought during panic buying.

Ya, agreed and also wonder.

That's why I said he did not specify.

Sent from my Nexus 7

Like others above said, first thing to do is see if there is a buddy or friend at the LGS that can show you the ropes and get you started; perhaps even use their gear. I didn't have that at all when I started, and I started in 2009 too, during that shortage. Got all the gear but components were scarce. It was a slow going process to get started. Then, I switched agencies, moved out of state, etc.

If you have the funds, I'd definitely go with a progressive press. Wish I had. I'm still on my Rockchucker and hope to go to a Dillon 1050 in the near future.

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Cheers, Charles
SWCA #2442

I started with a Hornady LNLAP which led to the Hornady case prep center...2000 bucks later I still dont have all the goodies but I did pick up an old rock chucker with powder drop and 223 dies for 100 bucks a few weeks ago so you might try finding some used. Outdoorstrader.com has used reloading equipment.

Um, no. Ever so slightly a Federal Offense.

Making ammunition is kind of like making beer or wine. Unless one has a license, it's strictly for personal consumption only.

A couple of thoughts from someone who is still in the learning stage. Brass - 9mm is very easy to get. There is a ton of 9mm brass on the floor at the indoor range whenever I go. I always ask the person shooting to the left of me before I sweep up, but always go home with more 9mm brass than I came with. .38 is more of a challenge.

Tumbler - as was stated before, not a necessity. I have been hand washing my brass, including range brass, in vinegar/detergent for the past year with good results. Get one of the Lee primer pocket cleaners for a couple of bucks. They do a great job of cleaning the pockets. '

Lead - For 9mm you will need to make sure you have the right alloy lead. Straight lead won't cut it, unless you add tin, or tin and antimony to harden it, and make it fill the mold properly. My buddy and I gave up on casting for 9mm last year. I think the biggest problem we had was the lack of a proper alloy. If you have wheel weight lead, you are probably good to go. FWIW my buddy and I are trying casting again, now that commercial bullets are so hard to get. Also, I am shooting .38 now, and it is much more friendly to cast bullets than 9mm.

I'd buy a single stage press like a Rock Chucker. You'll find it handy even has you advance to a progressive . Great tool to learn on . Great tool to have for all kinds of reasons.

Casting and shooting a nine is a 300 series college class. Revolver and rifle are easier to start with and understand what the bullets are doing than a 9 or 40. This is due to the pressure that the rounds operate at, the short case length and semi auto action seating.

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Front sight and squeeze