I've decided to take the plunge! Here is the list of items i've come up with. Please chime in to let me know if I am missing anything or if anything is overkill. I will load for a 6.5 CM and 300wm. Lastly, I assume buy everything individually rather than a set as sets look like they have some unnecessary items. Thanks!
Press – I am leaning towards single stage. Turret seems overkill
Single stage "O" press is the place to start - RCBS Rockchucker or the Hornady equivalent are both good. You'll never regret having one
My recommendation will likely get some "poo poo's " here ... Lee Ultimate Die sets will come with Full Length, Dead Length Seater, Collet Neck Sizer, a Factory Crimp die AND a shell holder. I get handloads that average +/- 1.5 Thousands runout. I also have WAY too many other dies and types but if I was starting, the Lee Ultimate reloader sets are exactly what I would get.
Shell holder – 1 per caliber
If you get the Lee dies, they will include them.
If you get the Frankford Arsenal priming tool, they are included for use in the priming tool but won't work on a press.
Scale – Do I need with an electronic powder dispenser?
I love my electronic dispenser/scale but it is not a replacement for a beam scale - RCBS 5-0-5 is a classic and a power failure doesn't affect it ... you'll need it to double check an electronic every so often as you are loading.
Powder Dispenser – Ecteronic
I like my RCBS charge master lite - but - it doesn't 'replace' the need for the beam - it CAN replace a mechanical powder measure but not if you lose power ... IMHO a beam scale and a mechanical powder measure is the place to start - down the road, ADDing an electronic IS a nice to have.
A hard MUST have - I like mechanical ones - no battery to go dead and nothing that can get out of adjustment that you won't see. No need to go crazy expensive on this but also don't cheap out and by a $10 set ... target the $30-$50 range for this ... more if money doesn't matter.
Priming tool – (if not on press)
I have: RCBS hand primer, Lee hand primer, Frankford Arsenal hand primer ... I load small and large rifle primers and using multiple base sizes so I leave then set up for the 3 most common base/primer combo's I load for ... my favorite - hands down - the Frankford Arsenal. It is by far the best of those 3.
any of the basic ones will do fine for you. I have the RCBS that came in the Rock Chucker kit I bought years ago and it works great. I've now also added a Frankford Arsenal Case Prep center - as long as I have electric it is nice to have and it will trim, chamfer, deburr, clean primer pockets.
Flash hole deburring tool
I try to stick with brass high enough quality that this isn't necessary - I don't own one and get great results. Maybe I should add it to the mix and see if I can make itty bitty groups turn in the little itty bitty groups.
I have an RCBS lathe style - now as a backup if my Frankford Arsenal goes down or I lose power - If I could only have one, I'd get the lathe style.
Annealer – Really not sure if I need this??
I don't anneal ... have never needed to that I am aware of ...
I like Imperial Sizing Wax but Hornady also has a sizing wax that is good. I only use these if I am full length sizing or changing neck diameter (like to from from 308win to 7mm-08) ... when neck sizing with an expander ball die, I use the Hornady one shot. When neck sizing with a Lee Neck Collet die no lube is necessary - another huge plus to that particular die.
Other – Primers/bullets/powder
You've got the basics covered pretty well ... just remember, manual stuff doesn't require electricity to use it or have batteries that can fail and be a really annoyance. Personally, I think the more you do manually getting started, the better reloader you will be over time ... that's just my $.02 worth ...
Last comment I'll make ... I wouldn't count out the kits ... in particular, the 2 I like are the RCBS Rock Chucker kit and the Hornady LocknLoad single kit ... you get most of the above stuff that you need plus extras you'll probably find handy and as you learn where you want to upgrade on items in the future you will never regret having the 'extra' items - if I'm wrong on that you can always hawk em here in the reloading section and collect some cash.
