Hi everyone. I am looking into loading my own ammo. What is the best book for beginners? I want to read up before I buy any equipment.. Thoughts please. Thanks

I would get the Lyman 50th edition loading handbook, and then the new Speer or Hornady manual.

I second the recommendation of the Lyman manual.

LEE loading book for your 1st . After that I like the latest Speer 14th edition . I have several Speer manuals going back years . But for your first I would have to say the LEE manual . Regards, Paul

I have many and most are good. I find a lot of them are better if you are using their bullets like Hornady or Sierra. While I like both of those manual the best for the first is the Lee like cowboy said above.

Lee’s Modern Reloading 2nd edition that came with my Classic Turret kit is what got me started.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

Thanks for posting so quickly. I primarily will load .357, .38 to begin with.

38 special has to be probably the easiest cartridge to reload . I would stay away from Titegroup powder though . Yes , it is a great powder for the 38 special but a 3.5 gr powder charge literally disappears in the case and would be hard to spot an over / double charge . It's a very very dense powder . For a fast burning powder in the 38spl I like Red Dot or Unique . Gives more bulk in the case so a double / over charge is more easily spotted . Have fun , take your time . It's a hobby not a race . regards, Paul

Ditto this.

The Lee book does and exceptional job of explaining the fundamentals in very clear and understandable terms for the novice.

ABCs of Reloading be Dean Grennell. Hands down the best Reloading book I ever read. I read it first before getting any equipment. And I re-read it every few years to keep me honest.

I would go to a used book site and get two or three outdated manuals. Read them all except the data pages. Then for rifles get the latest Hodgdon manual, for handguns the latest Lyman.

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Front sight and squeeze

The best one is the one you enjoy reading - the one that will inflame your interest.

I started out with, "The Complete Book of Practical Handloading" by John Wootters, copyright 1976. That book is full of statements that would be laughed at today. He advocated heavy, round nosed bullets for their brush bucking abilities. He also stated it's futile to try and load shotgun slugs or 22 and 25 caliber cast bullets.
But dang, I studied that book cover to cover and it fed my interest in the sport. I also read several books by the late Major George C. Nonte from the same time period. People just don't write like that anymore. I would suggest you do a search with your local library and get some books by some of those old-timers. One of my favorite passages by Nonte is where he talks about fondling and familiarizing yourself with your carry gun, the way you would treat a lover. People just don't write like that anymore. Political correctness forbids it. One of my gun-hating friends once called me a firearm fondler. I recalled that passage from Nonte and proudly proclaimed that I am!

Then get the Lyman manual for load data and procedures.....but that's some dry reading.

I agree. Choose a larger volume powder that fills most of the useful capacity of the cartridge. I chose HS6, slower burning than those above, however, it works for me.

I second the recommendation regarding the Lyman Reloading Manual as a good starting point. Then purchase the manuals corresponding to the types of jacketed bullets you will be loading, e.g., Nosler, Speer, Sierra, etc. You will soon have a nice sized library. The Lyman Manual also has data for loading cast bullets, and offers a separate manual containing additional data for loading cast bullets as well.

Same recommendation here.

Probably the most recommended "how to" text for reloading is The ABCs of Reloading. It will show you not only the "how to", but explain components and the equipment used. Once this text is studied, a reloading manual, Lyman's 50th, is the next book to get. Most reloading manuals have a good "how to" section, Hornady's manual comes to mind. While Lee's manual is a good read, entertaining, I haven't opened mine in a few years and there are many I would recommend before this manual...

What he said, and be sure to read them.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

I don't think there is one "best" reloading manual, but there are several really good ones. Books are cheap. Information is priceless.

Lyman is a good general load manual because it covers many types of bullets and powders. When you get into branded manuals like, Hornady, Speer, Sierra etc. they concentrate on only their bullets. A good source and generally at no charge is the load data that the powder companies offer, most have that data at their websites and covers numerous different bullet manufactures.

The NRA offers a reloading class taught by certified instructors, with an NRA certificate upon completion. It's a great introduction.
I also started with the Wootters book, and still refer to it often. I have the Lyman 48th and 49th manuals and just ordered the 50th today. There are very good articles on the basics of reloading pistol and rifle ammo.

I forgot about that one! I also agree about the Lee manual mentioned above, although I have the first one, not the new one.

Also recommend the Lyman.
I think it's the best one for beginners because it has so much in the first part of it that addresses beginners quite thoroughly.

The best book is the Speer book, quite scientific, quite exhaustive, great read and entertaining to study. Good in depth info on caliber, firearms, history, ballistics, tables like no other...I love it.

I'll have to vote for the Lyman. I have several. The Speer is good too. I also have the Lee but I didn't get a Lee early on and haven really looked at it other than to look at their data as a method of confirmation on what I was already doing or planing to do.

My only "reloading book" is a Speer #9 I bought in the '70s. I've never really encountered anything that wasn't explained in its pages. It's a bit long in the tooth and outdated now, at least load data wise.

If one manual is good, more is better. The internet had a lot of good technical info also, but one has to know enough to pick through the garbage to find it.

In addition to the NRA talk with the staff at ranges, LGS or shooting competitions in your area.
The books above are essential.
Read aloud!!!

Buy quality reloading gear.

AND: Have your local public library order the manuals.... but buy one as well.

This should keep you busy for awhile, a link to 20+ reloading manuals.
Manuales de recarga - Google Drive

Lyman manuals are good, but there are literally dozens of books about reloading. The Lee manual is OK, but the reloading data in it has been lifted from other sources. I have collected a large number of reloading manuals going back to the 1950s (mainly Lyman) as well as reloading pamphlets from all the bullet and powder manufacturers.

One especially good information source is the Shooter's Bible Reloader's Guide by R. A. Steindler (I have the second edition, 1968). Rather old, but very thorough in its treatment of equipment and procedures. However, it concentrates mainly on reloading rifle cartridges.

Something else you might consider. There is a publication called "Handloader's Digest" which is a reloading counterpart to "Gun Digest." I think it is now up to about the 18th or 19th edition. Most editions can be found on eBay or Abe Books, very interesting reading for the reloader.

I'm new to reloading also and read through several books, Lyman 50th, Hornady 10th, Lee Modern Reloading, Nosler Reload Guide, Shooter's Bible, and others. Found every one of them at my local library. Lots of invaluable information but, when it comes to actual load data, there are also contradictions from book to book, some slight and some had me scratching my head.

Before I actually started to work up any test rounds, I turned to the forums to get into the "weeds" with specific pistols and which powders, bullets and loads were the best for accuracy and reliability.

So far I've reloaded and fired about 500 rounds (combined) of 9mm, 45ACP and 38 super with 99% reliability. The only ones I had trouble with were 9mm using Hornady XTP (115gr) bullets. Those had the longest COL of my XTP test rounds and a few required a slight nudge into battery from my Shield. None of these were loaded to the "max" powder charge from any book and most were as accurate as any factory ammo I've used. Some have my groups tighter by about half so I'm not changing a thing with those.

Still working on dialing in the 38 Super and then I'll start on the 380s and 38/357s.

Another vote for the Lyman for a first manual.

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

"Still working on dialing in the 38 Super"

The .38 Super is a very versatile cartridge and I have been loading it for a long time. One of my favorites. My loads are fairly mild but it can be pushed to nearly .357 Magnum levels. I have done it - upwards of 1400 ft/sec in 9x23 cases.

Thanks for posting everyone. Great information. I found a Lee book cheap and will start there. My library is walking distance. I will probably take my time buying equipment. Will look for a good deal I cannot pass on. Thanks

In the link I posted above are free manuals that you can download. You should download:

The ABC's of reloading (lee manual 2004)
The Hornady handbook of relaoding #4
Lyman's #48th edition of reloading
Lyman's cast bullet 3rd edition
Speer #12 edition reloading manual
2014 reloader's guide to reloading
The complete handloader

These are only a few of the free to download manuals/books in the link.

The very best start out set up in my opinion is a Lee manual,lee hand press along with die set for your favorite caliber and components .I have loaded up to 7mm Remington magnum with mine with no problems .I would say it is the most inexpensive and best investment I have made in reloading equipment. With the Lee manual just the first few chapters of technical and safety information is worth more than the cost .I highly recommend Lee Precision products dollar for dollar a great investment.

FWIW and not to be confused with a text; reloading manuals' data will vary because the test labs did not all use the exact same components (components will vary slightly from lot to lot, and even bullets may vary from lot to lot) nor the exact same test equipment (some use actual guns, some use universal receivers with different length barrels). Some still publish CPU pressures and some use more modern/accurate PSI information. For a brand new reloader, I'd recommend a text dedicated to new reloaders before a manual (which may include a "how to" section). While I'm not a Lee Hater, I cannot recommend a Lee manual for anything more than an entertaining read...

Any of them.

Provided you read - no, study - the part at the front about "How to Reload".

And then read that "How to Reload" section a second time.

Then, sit down and reduce what you have learned into a set of steps we can call your "Reloading Procedures". I suggest you turn those procedures into a checklist and then use it every time you reload. No exceptions.

Remember, you are assembling tiny "pipe bombs" and if you ignore the guidance on how to do it safely, it can cost you - depending on the skill of the surgeon - an eye, a face, a hand, or an arm.

Reloading can be an enjoyable hobby that is done safely for years, but it can't be done both chaotically and safely. It can't be done drunk and safely. It can't be done high and safely.

My first loading book was a Lyman 45th edition. I used it a lot as it had cast bullet info and I bought their molds...........

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

I would be interested in what fault you find with the Lee manual and/or equipment.

__________________
USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

Latest Lyman manual 1st as your starter general purpose manual. Follow up w your favorite bullet manufacturer's manual for bullet specific data. Hodgon makes a magazine type manual that is inexpensive for a 3rd manual.

READ THE PART OF THE MANUAL ON HOW TO RELOAD A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT STARTING TO LOAD YOUR 1ST CARTRIDGE!

One will not be enough. ABC's would be a good start, as could several IF you actually read/study/follow the instructions. Beyond that, my most used go to's are Ken Waters pet loads vol 1&2, Lymans #49 & the cast manual, followed by the mfg's manual for whatever bullet you plan on using. VERY IMPORTANT for me (if possible) is a manual that uses the same gun as their test gun, that is the same as the gun I am loading for. EXAMPLE: if you are loading for a rifle with an 18" barrel & the manual is loading for a 26" barrel, the velocity info will be off. The interweb likely has lot's of info IF you find the right sight.

Yeah, me too.

While not as technical or detailed as many of the more advanced manuals, it seems to me that the Lee covers all the important concepts in a very easy to understand manner.

Which would seem to me to be exactly what the beginner needs.

Lee was my first, and having read numerous others since, I haven't found anything in any of them that contradicts what I learned in that first Lee manual.

Some of us learn by reading.
Some of us learn by watching.
Some of us just have to piss on that electric fence ourselves.

You sound like a reader.
A mentor will save you 100s of hours of frustration.
Nothing like getting to watch and then demonstrating competence.
Reloaders love to share.

This is not a hobby for the piss on the fence amongst us. "Let's just try it and see what happens" can lead to KABOOM.

Prescut

I was actually asking a question in another post. I'm a new re-loader and I'm shooting a S&W snub in 38 special I have RED DOT and can't find a recipe for 158 swc. Can you offer a starting point? shooting target and would like about 700fps

The OP asked about a reloading manual, which is a plus in my book. I see lots of posts about loads, why their gun blew up etc. If a person reads about reloading and then follows the instructions, he/she is money ahead.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Yes, by all means get a FIRST reloading book, just as long as it is not your LAST reloading book.

I would suggest the following three as your first FOUR reloading books:

1. Lee
2. Lyman
3. ABC's
4. Lyman's Cast Bullet

The Lee book has the best "voice" or really any voice. My first rounds were loaded on a Lee hand press and were the inspiration for me to go farther. Still have that press. Best $$$ investment for a new guy.

Read about the process and safety and WHY's. For a beginner, the load data is secondary. The Lyman cast bullet handbook is not just for bullet casters. I load mostly commercially produced cast bullets and it has helped me dial in or diagnose/avoid issues.

After that, loading books by bullet-makers & powder-makers.

When you think you have the load you want, look at other books to find the same/similar load and ponder. If it is different or there is no equivalent load to be found, that might tell you something. Sort of like Bible cross-referencing.