Getting into handloading, is this a good deal?

[stitchclimber]

Alright so I want to start reloading. I know that I should read a couple of good books on the subject before I start, but I have a guy offering to sell me some of his stuff and I need to know if its a decent deal or not.

here's the last email I got from him:

"i have an extra set of used reloading equipment that i am looking to sell most of it is RCBS i have everything you would need to get started press, trimmer, powder measurer, scale and all the other small stuff, also have some dies for 357 and about 200rounds of brass. i am asking $125 for everything so let me know if your interested."

What do you guys think? I'm hoping to reload .357, .38spl, 9mm, 45acp, 40 S&W, .223, .308, and 30-06 eventually.

Also, I saw this list on midway as a must for a beginner reloader, do you guys think its accurate? would you add or take anything away from it?

Recommended Products for the Beginning Reloader
(Rifle & Pistol)

1. Reloading Manual: Accurate Arms, A-Square, Barnes, Hodgdon, Hornady, Lapua, Lee, Lyman, Nosler, Sierra, SPG, Speer and Vihtavouri.
2. Press: Single Stage, Turret or Progressive
3. Dies
4. Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them)
5. Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler: Media, Polish, Sifter, Bucket and Clear Lid
6. Frankford Arsenal Loading Block (caliber specific)
7. Frankford Arsenal Case Lube (you won't need if using carbide dies)
8. Case Neck Brush
9. Dial Calipers: Stainless Steel or Electronic
10. Case Trimmer
11. Frankford Arsenal Deburring Tool
12. Primer Pocket Cleaner
13. Primer Tray
14. Priming Tool (if the press doesn't come with a primer attachment)
15. Powder Scale
16. Powder Funnel
17. Powder Trickler
18. Powder Measure (nice for faster powder charges)
19. Frankford Arsenal Bullet Puller
20. Frankford Arsenal CB/Plastic Ammo boxes and labels

Components: MidwayUSA sells everything you need to reload.

[SwedeSteve]

It seems to be a fair price. The list is a good one.

[runfiverun]

that is a fair price
and that list will do most of what needs done.
was there a case trimmer in there? there is you will have to add very little to up and going.

[Midas]

While not everything on that list is absolutely necessary, it seems to have all of the basic requirements.

[samuel]

I am not real fond of all Frankford accesories but they are ok.I would use other brands.Just my opinion,good list. sam.

[gandog56]

Wish he would have said if the scale was a balance or a digital one.

[stitchclimber]

I can email him... which is better? digital?

[deadman03]

i dont like that he isnt specific in what everything is, but it sounds like a realy good price for RCBS stuff. i prefer Lee stuff because its cheaper, but i dont think it matters unless your buying new.
for a reloading manual i would recommend Modern Realoding (second edition) by Richard Lee, it has tons of listings, and is only 13.99 @ midwayusa.com right now, but its on backorder expected 5/18/08.
hodgdon has a helpful website it use if you are using there powder.

p.s. digital is a lot nicer and faster, but a balance scale is much simpilar and is much less likely to fail or be inacurite. but if its a good digital scale there should be no concern.

[Cyrille]

for a reloading manual i would recommend Modern Realoding (second edition) by Richard Lee, it has tons of listings, and is only 13.99 @ midwayusa.com right now, but its on backorder expected 5/18/08.
hodgdon has a helpful website it use if you are using there powder.

p.s. digital is a lot nicer and faster, but a balance scale is much simpilar and is much less likely to fail or be inacurite. but if its a good digital scale there should be no concern.[/quote

I have a balance scale and a digital scale I use the digital for weighing my homecast bullets and the balance one to measure smokeless powder loads, I load the Holy Black by volume.

[big boomer]

Start with a balance beam type scale wait till you have several years reloading before getting a digital scale they are more complex.

[GlockMeister]

I'd recommend checking out Midsouth Shooters Supply, Reloading, Air Guns, Optics, Muzzleloaders & Shooting Supplies. They have really great prices. And they'll match certain other places pricing on certain items. Good luck.

[gandog56]

Originally Posted by stitchclimber

I can email him... which is better? digital?

Digital is a lot easier, a balance is probably more accurate. But is being +/-0.05 grain better worth the extra effort? I find it not so. But I have the Pace scale and high speed dispenser set up.

Originally Posted by big boomer

Start with a balance beam type scale wait till you have several years reloading before getting a digital scale they are more complex.

Are you nuts? A digital is way easier to use.