I started reloading in the early 50's (last century,) because I couldn't afford a box of cartridges for the O3-A3 Springfield I got from the DCM for hunting. The first reloading setup I bought from RG Wells, which was identical to the Herter's, and I paid $26 for the whole setup, dies, primer swage, scale, powder measure and press. Still have that first bill and if I dug it out I'd know the exact beginning date. I was then able to shoot more for less $$ than a box of shells. Economics. Learned totally from experience as there wasn't much available in books or magazines, and there weren't many reloaders around.
I also joined a DCM club for benefit of the surplus ammo they provided, which gave me brass to reload. Surplus powder was cheap and primers and bullets were readily available. Factory ammo was awful then and even a novice reloader could do much better than the factory stuff. The handloaders were always at the top in friendly competitions.
