[BlackEagle]

First, Welcome to the forum from the across the pond. You've stumbled on a great place to be. There's lots of expertise here and people are quite happy to share their experience and knowledge.

One of the first things you should do is read up on reloading. There are a number of resources...I have the Lee reloading book; others have the ABC's of Reloading. If you are near anyone who reloads pick their brains and try to get them to show you what they do.

Jack404 has posted a stickey at the top of this part of the forum that has a link to a gold mine of material he has collected over many years. Some of it should help you.

I too started on a tight budget.
If you are patient, and keep your eyes open you may find some used equipment. That's how I got my press.

The savings varies with the caliber and type of round you are reloading. I save about 50% on my .357 reloads and about 30% on my .223 reloads.

However, the real bonus comes from being able to tailor your ammunition to your gun to get maximum precision/accuracy. You get a special satisfaction when you squeeze the trigger, the gun goes bang, and the bullet hits the x ring consistantly, knowing that "I made that". You are in control of the ammunition, not the factory.

You also control how much ammunition you have when you want it. It doesn't matter if the local store is out or not...if you have the components, you can make your own ammo and don't have to wait for the store to restock.

I have my reloading bench in the kitchen, because it is the only room without carpet, and it's on a desk that measures about 18"X40"; I'm not a heavy reloader (only about 3000 rounds in the last couple of years or so) so it serves the purpose well enough.

I have found that reloading can be a relaxing process.