Some of my posts on the OK . . .ready to start reloading . . . thread have been referenced here in previous posts. Since I was also new to reloading, I was asking the same questions and getting a lot of good advice. Here is what I ended up doing, starting from zero experience and having no equipment:
I purchased the Hornady Lock and Load Classic Reloading Kit from Cabelas. There were a couple of reasons. At the time, Cabelas price was $299 with free shippping (it is now $319 plus shipping -
http://www.cabelas.com/presses-dies-hor ... it-3.shtml), and buying a kit was cheaper than buying everything piece-meal. Plus the Hornady Classic Press included in the kit has good reviews. I selected Hornady because I was going to be reloading Hornady brass for the 450. Also, Hornady was (and still is) offering "free" bullets with the reloading kit. The Bushmaster 450 are not part of the offer, but if you call them, add the correct number to the free bullet offer form, and pay an additional $5 (may be higher now) per box, you can get 5 boxes (250 bullets) with the purchase of the kit.
I purchased Hornady dies from Midway. They had the best price at the time, $64.99 or thereabouts. I also got another 50 "free" bullets with this purchase.
I also bought some bits and pieces that seemed necessary or advisable, based on advice from the board:
A Franford Arsenal digital caliper to check case length, mouth diameter, and cartridge overall length.
A Franford Arsenal bullet puller (which I have used during my die set up exercise)
An RCBS primer pocket cleaner brush set
Two additional Hornady die bushings (you get three with the kit and need a fourth for the fourth die - they come in 2, 3, and 10 packs)
Two Hornady #1 shell holders (not included in the kit) one for the press and one for the primer tool
A Frankford Arsenal Quick N EZ case cleaning kit (tumbler,media, case cleaner and separator)
Hornady degreaser (also not included in the kit) for cleaning the powder measure and dies)
A pound of Lil Gun powder, a box of small rifle primers, my free bullets, and some recovered brass and I am good to go.
In addition to Cabelas, I bought from Midway, Brownells (and their Sinclair company), Natchez and Sportsman's Guide. I made several calls to Hornady tech support and got advise on some unclear points. I also studied several how-to videos on the Ultimate Reloader website -
http://ultimatereloader.com/.
The total cost ex consumbable was around $500, and I should break-even about 350 cartridges based on Hornady's retail price for factory loads (and while my "free" bullets hold out), more if I buy elsewhere for less.
But of course, I am doing it for the fun of it.