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11/25/2008 8:29:14 AM EDT
I am just getting started in reloading and am looking for recomendations on manuals. Any info would be great
11/25/2008 9:08:37 AM EDT
[#1]
As Taken from the FAQ's sticky at the top of the forum:

Q: Which reloading manual(s) should I buy first?

A: The first manual you should buy is the "ABC's of Reloading" by Bill Chevalier . As soon as possible, every hand loader should buy every manual he can afford, and borrow the rest. The following is a Must Read list, especially for beginners -
* Speer Reloading Manual,
* Hornady Handbook (in particular the 7th Edition manual published in 2007),
* Hodgon No. 27 Data Manual,
* Modern Reloading by Richard Lee,
* Metallic Cartridge Reloading by M. L. McPherson,
* Lyman Reloading Handbooks,
* Nosler Reloading Guide #5,
* Loadbooks USA Reloading Manuals (these are caliber specific), and
* Sierra "5th Edition Rifle and Handgun Manual of Reloading Data" Book

I also recommend The P.O. Ackley Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders. Every manual contains tidbits of information that might not be covered in another manual, and for this reason old manuals, particularly the Lyman manual, are valuable additions. AeroE

The reading portion of reloading is as important as the actual hands on physical portion. In fact some would venture to state that the reading portion is more important. The reading portion gives you all the do's and don'ts, why's and how's, some history of the cartridge etc. All of the recommended books above and most any others have some very pertinent information preceeding the actual load data for your particular cartridge. Don't miss out on this information. mack69
11/25/2008 9:11:40 AM EDT
[#2]
i guess reading the stickys would be a good idea to start with.
11/25/2008 10:26:25 AM EDT
[#3]
I own most if not all reloading manuals currently in publication.

My personal recommendation for beginners are

Lyman's Reloading Handbook 48th or 49th edition

ABC's of Reloading, 8th edition

Lee Modern Reloading, 2nd edition


These 3 books have more data for more cartridges, bullets, and powders than any others offered. All of these books have a good portion of the text dedicated to the actual reloading processes as well as some information on bullet casting.

Once you have acquired one if not all of those books, you can expand your reference library by getting some 'specialty' reloading books, like the books by Hornady, Nosler, Speer, Sierra, Swift, Vihtavuori, Hodgdon, etc. which basically specialize in load data for their products exclusively.
11/25/2008 11:43:20 AM EDT
[#4]
Agreed. Buy them all.
11/25/2008 6:22:49 PM EDT
[#5]
If you know the brand of bullet you are going to reload, buy that manufacturers loading manual.

If you don't know, I suggest Hornaday bullets and manual.

You will end up with Hornaday's, Sierra's, Speer's and maybe a couple of others.
11/25/2008 7:21:52 PM EDT
[#6]
I always get the best info from the Speer manual but I usually compare that to the manufacturer's on-line load data.  I've pretty much quit updating my other manuals.
11/25/2008 8:00:05 PM EDT
[#7]
I like the regular Lyman manual for general use. I like the Lyman cast bullet book for all its special goodness.
      Speer has some good reduced power rifle loads no one else seems to have.
Sierra's loads seem to be an easy starting point for accuracy ( In my experience)
     All the books are generally the same but each has a few kernels that the others don't
11/25/2008 8:16:26 PM EDT
[#8]
The Hornady & Nosler kick butt.
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