Must-have book for beginner to reloading?

Triggernosis · Post by **Triggernosis** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:01 pm

What book(s) would you recommend for a newbie to reloading? I'm getting ready to place an Amazon order and thought I'd start reading up on the subject before I start purchasing equipment.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:13 pm

Triggernosis,

I'd suggest the Lyman #48 loading manual, I believe that's the most recent one.
The Speer #14, and maybe the latest Hornady manual.

Each of these has a great deal of information in it. Each will elaborate on different things so by reading all of them you get a more in depth view of reloading practices.

There are many others, but these are my favorites and come to mind first.

Joe

Retro · Post by **Retro** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:15 pm

ABC of reloading, 5th Edition by Dean Grennell, might as well make this a sticky since I say the same thing every time.

R

Comal Forge · Post by **Comal Forge** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:23 pm

The first one I bought (back in the 1970's) was the Speer publication followed closely by Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook. The only disadvantage to the older books is that they don't list some of the new powders that have emerged in the past few years. Hornady, Lyman and Speer all are good choices.

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:09 pm

I started with the Lee manuel . Easy to read and straight forward . I also liked that most loads listed pressure info that most books don't. You will always add more reloading books. Start with Lee's and go from there.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:13 pm

1st answer: The one that goes with your loading equipment.

Lee with Lee
RCBS with RCBS
Lyman with Lyman.

Then get "Metallic Cartridge Reloading" by Mic McPherson.

Then get one of everything else.

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:17 pm

Here's a pretty decent website in the meantime:
http://www.three-peaks.net/reload.htm#process

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:12 pm

The Lee manual has more useful information and more information to grow into than any other I've seen.
Anything written by Dean Grinnell is a must, too.

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:54 pm

Lee and Lyman might be the best two for a beginner.

All of the above-mentioned are good. Lee has more
lead bullet loads, and some good explanations.

2571 · Post by **2571** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 5:30 pm

. . . the site I rely on for relading info after re-loading by the seat of my pants is:

http://www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/reload/reload.pl

Ask anything -- no one will make you feel ill-at-ease. Nobody goofs around with advice. No politics, either.

Good luck and be prepared for an addication.

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:34 pm

Modern reloading, second edition, by Richard Lee is an excellent place to start.
A lot of the equipment information is Lee specific and I think it may be a bit out of date on some load data but other than that it gives a very thorough explanation of the reloading process from start to finish.
So far I have managed to get along with that one manual and the online information from the various component manufacturers like Alliant, ADI, etc. A second manual with more up to date load recipes would definately help.
Dont forget the guys on here, they are a wealth of wisdom and some of them have been at it since before I was born ( They have grey hair or no hair left at all

)

victor · Post by **victor** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:36 pm

I have an extra Hornady reloading manual,third edition. Its yours if you want it.no charge.pm me.

Vic

1886 · Post by **1886** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:56 pm

Check Mic McPherson's musings. 1886.

Levergun · Post by **Levergun** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:08 am

this is so funny how we all have our preferences.

I have so many different books.....One of my favorites is an old book by Phillip Sharps.

the problem now a days is that powders have changed so much that you almost have to buy a newer manual.

I like to use manuals by the bullet Manufacturer. This way you get an unbiased load data. Bullet type and weight is the same. So if you have a manual that shows different loads with different powders, that is the way to go.

So I reference loads from the data of the bullet I am planning on using. This way they are testing and loading the same bullet I want to load and list the different powders they got their results from.

I shoot alot of Sierra and speer and hornady bullets. So I use their manuals the most. But I cross reference alot of data as well because I cast alot of bullets as well.

That all being said, for a beginner, I suggest the Lyman Cast bullet manual and the Lyman 28th edition.

There is alot of good info on www.reloadbench.com

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:22 am

+1 for Lyman

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:35 am

+1 for Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd edition. Does not hold any prejudice to any manufacturer and had probably the largest scope. Very good tutorial on pressure vs. velocity. My scond reference would be the Lyman.

Idahoser · Post by **Idahoser** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:47 pm

You'll end up with all of the above recommendations. Just start with any one of them and you'll be fine.

Download all the free ones too.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:41 pm

It is my opinion that one can never read enough on the subject and that no matter how much one reloads one is always learning.

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:03 pm

Lee used to give a C press away with thier manual if you order it from them.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:14 pm

sore shoulder wrote:Lee used to give a C press away with thier manual if you order it from them.

http://leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/bro ... ersaryPack

LEE ANNIVERSARY PACK

FREE PRESS

We have a special offer for the beginning reloader. The Anniversary
pack has "Modern Reloading" that will teach you how to load ammo that is more accurate than factory on your first try. It also includes a free Reloader Press, a full size reloading press that accepts all
standard dies. (however, if you load 50bmg on it you could break it... it's best for "normal" cartridges.)

Lee Anniversary Pack $34.98 90700 Serv.Parts

Peter M. Eick · Post by **Peter M. Eick** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:50 pm

I would say any of the good basic reloading books is a useful start. Sierra has a good manual and it covers the basics without pushing too much of one brand of reloading hardware.

Looking over my bookcase, I now have 5 full shelves of books on or about reloading. It is very hard not to keep buying them and reading them. Every book has taught me something useful and some are great!

mac45 · Post by **mac45** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:35 pm

Then get one of everything else. Wink

You really can't have to many.
Add Pet Loads by Waters to the list

reddnek · Post by **reddnek** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:41 pm

Another vote for Richard Lee's excellent book. also get ABCs of reloading ,and a one book /one caliber book for what you're gonna reload. Remember you can never have too many reloading books!!!

Triggernosis · Post by **Triggernosis** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:39 pm

Thanks, gentlemen.

Vic: PM sent.

Must-have book for beginner to reloading?

Must-have book for beginner to reloading?

technically OT but . . .