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Which reloading manual(s) to buy?

Rack Ops
Assume someone has basically zero reloading knowledge (I don't). I don't even know enough to know where to start.

Are there any books out there that are considered to be "The" source for gaining that knowledge?

I've found several free things online that discuss bullet weights, various loads, etc but nothing that goes all the way from beginner to advanced.


I'd like to read as much as I can before I start putting rounds in the chamber. Thanks for any suggestions
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Comments

21 comments

Date Votes
  • JustC
    Nosler,..sierra etc. I read them both, and had an experienced loader walk me through it.
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  • goldeneagle76
    Lymans, ACB's of reloading
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  • bpost
    The Lee manual has a lot of compiled loads but for learning the Hornaday manual is hard to beat.
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  • divecop
    Besides the books, it would be extremly helpful if you have an
    experienced reloader to help you get started. Once you get started
    be prepared to expend large sums of money and time but enjoying
    every minute of it. Especially at the range. It does save you money
    in the end.
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  • Rack Ops
    quote:Originally posted by divecop
    Besides the books, it would be extremly helpful if you have an
    experienced reloader to help you get started.

    I don't know anyone who reloads [:(]

    'cept you guys [;)]
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  • reloader44mag
    quote:Originally posted by goldeneagle76
    Lymans, ACB's of reloading
    +1 on the Lymans...Its what I learned on 20 some years ago, I bought a 48th edition recently....same great stuff more loads and still some of the best step by step instructions.....It was around $30.00 .......Not saying the other brands arent as good or better but, the Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook is hard to beat if you are wanting to learn, and get started reloading your own....Good luck.
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  • Cubslover
    ABC's of Reloading is a must have...

    Also the Nosler and Hornady manuals.
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  • jtmarine0831
    Nosler, Sierra, Hornady, etc..! They more the better![;)]

    After you get a couple you will notice that different ones recommend different powders and compile their data with certain bullets. If you have more info from different sources you will have a wider selection of data to go off of to find what bullet, powder, prime, etc. that your particular rifle likes. Another great source of data is the bullet and powder manufacturers. They usually compile vast amounts of info while testing their bullets and/or powder so thet should be able to offer a good place to start. To much info is not possible when it comes to handloading.

    I personally use Lyman's Handloading manual for pistols and revovlers, Speers #13, Nosler #5, Lee's second edition, and individual caliber data from Accurate powders, Alliant, IMR, Hodgdon's, Winchester, and also Sierra bullets, Barnes, and Berger. This info is usually available on the internet or you can email the different manufactorers and they will supply it to you.

    Hope this helps a little and welcome to all the fun![;)]
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  • spurgemastur
    quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
    Assume someone has basically zero reloading knowledge (I don't). I don't even know enough to know where to start.

    Are there any books out there that are considered to be "The" source for gaining that knowledge?

    I've found several free things online that discuss bullet weights, various loads, etc but nothing that goes all the way from beginner to advanced.

    I'd like to read as much as I can before I start putting rounds in the chamber. Thanks for any suggestions


    I'm just beginning to reload and I say +10 to finding somebody experienced to walk you through it but......

    ....since you don't know any such persons, and since you're a total beginner, you probably wouldn't recognize 'advanced' if you saw it anyway.

    Go out and buy three reloading manuals from reputable components manufacturers (or that are recommended by folks here) and start by reading all three. Then load a bit. After a while you'll start to get a sense of what you mean by 'advanced.' Or at least you'll gain enough knowledge to read the forums and ask dumb questions that will lead you to an understanding of 'advanced.'

    Oh, by the way: I don't know advanced from my backside either....I'm just getting used to the mechanics of safely putting together cartridges that I'm confident will be safe to shoot.
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  • 46270
    if you want a copy of lee loader for your computer let me know.
    it works good
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  • CHEVELLE427
    get more then one .there like the weather station don't like what you see change channel,

    i have 7 books and they all have different min/Max loads on some rounds.

    start low and work up from there.ask lots and lots of [?][?][?][?][?]
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  • bgjohn
    quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
    quote:Originally posted by divecop
    Besides the books, it would be extremly helpful if you have an
    experienced reloader to help you get started.

    I don't know anyone who reloads [:(]

    'cept you guys [;)]


    Go to the range and make friends. Somebody out there reloads.
    JM[:)]
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  • jtmarine0831
    quote:Originally posted by CHEVELLE427
    get more then one .there like the weather station don't like what you see change channel,

    i have 7 books and they all have different min/Max loads on some rounds.

    start low and work up from there.ask lots and lots of [?][?][?][?][?]



    +++++1 on asking a lot of questions![:D]

    Someone out there will know the answer and if not there should be someone to point you in the right direction to someone that does![;)]
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  • FrancF
    quote:Originally posted by CHEVELLE427
    get more then one .there like the weather station don't like what you see change channel,

    i have 7 books and they all have different min/Max loads on some rounds.




    +10000
    The basic steps to reloading are the same, but the data can swing drastically. However I have found some great loads playing with "SAFE" mid level averages and working up and down from that point from 3 to 5 books.

    This includes Bullet & Powder reload manuals.
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  • Rack Ops
    I'm searching for the ABC's of reloading, but I'm getting several results back....

    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-1008056-9219968?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=ABC's+of+reloading

    Which one is it?
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  • FrancF
    quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
    I'm searching for the ABC's of reloading, but I'm getting several results back....

    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-1008056-9219968?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=ABC's+of+reloading

    Which one is it?


    The first 2 would be good to start with. Lymans reloading manual is also good (The one book that I trust if I have questions or need a bench mark load to start from, but not buy any means the final answer).

    Edit: Need to Add-

    If I say anything- Reloading is easy, and some of the best info in the reloading world is in this very forum-http://forums.gunbroker.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=9
    Reloading Veterans are there! I have been doing it for over 20 years and I am still learning tricks from the old guys.
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  • Rack Ops
    Ok, I was under the impression that "Lyman's ABCs of Reloading" is one book.

    Told you I didn't know anything [:)]
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  • jtmarine0831
    quote:Originally posted by Rack Ops
    Ok, I was under the impression that "Lyman's ABCs of Reloading" is one book.

    Told you I didn't know anything [:)]


    We all started the same way, I just wish when I first got started that I would have had all the WONDERFUL help that I have found on here![;)]
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  • Rack Ops
    I placed bids on two books....ABCs and Lyman's 48th edition

    We'll see how that goes
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  • reloader44mag
    Rack Ops.....For a beginner, those two books will suit you just fine, for the actual "act" of reloading, once you get the hang of it then start messing around with different combinations.. just my opinion Have fun and read & reread......It is addicting.
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  • jtmarine0831
    quote:Originally posted by reloader44mag
    Rack Ops.....For a beginner, those two books will suit you just fine, for the actual "act" of reloading, once you get the hang of it then start messing around with different combinations.. just my opinion Have fun and read & reread......It is addicting.


    Addictive is an understatement!

    I started 3yrs ago with the Speer #13 manual and now I also have Lee's Second Edition, Nosler #5, Lyman 3rd editon Pistol and Revolver, High Power Rifle Accuracy, The Handloaders Manual to cartridge Conversions, and hundreds of pages of load data from bullet and powder manufacturers that I have printed off. Not counting countless books on anything and everything to do with shooting, reloading, gunsmithing. I have turned in to a "BLACK HOLE" for information about everything. It's almost as good as Sex! [:D]

    And just wait til you get into the software.
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