Goose
Ditto on the manuals. I don't imagine it really matters too much which press you get first, anything on the market is adequate to load 30-06. I'll agree with Stork, forget the premium bullets, too. They are designed for the super hot magnums and for large, heavy game. The Serria Gameking or Pro Hunter is more than adequate for anything up to and including Elk in the 30-06, and cheaper to boot. Stay away from their MatchKing bullets, the skin of the bullet is too thin for hunting penetration. They are made to punch paper as accurately as possible. Ditto for other bullet makers. Go with their basic hunting bullet, forget about partitions and bonds and other bells and such. You need a bullet that will enter and kill the animal at which you are shooting, and unless you are going to Alaska or Africa that typically means a deer. Any of the hunting bullets sold today will do that job. Hell, a cast bullet will, too!
You are pushing a serious budget, so get what you can afford. You can always upgrade later when you get more money, assuming the bug has bit. I started with the old Lee Loader, single caliber no press kit. I was 16, so you have a years start on me. You will want a press, dies, a powder scale, a set of calipers, and some way to trim brass to length. Trimming is perodic, so if you know any reloaders who can trim brass they are likely to let you trim yours when necessary. If you use moderate loads its only needed every five or seven loads, anyway. You will also need a pound of powder (choose by reading the manuals), a box of bullets, and a box of Large Rifle primers. I assume you have been saving brass. Price out what you need in several combinations, Lee kit, RCBS kit, etc. and let the numbers tell you the quality of equipment with which you will start.
Thsn have fun!
Wayne the Shrink
There is no 'right' that requires me to work for you or you to work for me!
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