I am still a long ways off from reloading my own ammo, but I would like to build my knowledge in the meantime.

What books on reloading would you all recommend for learning at least the basics of reloading, safety considerations of reloading ammunition, or other relevant topics?

The Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading is one that comes up frequently when I search, but I know there are many other books out there, and I am interested in knowing what you all use.

I like the Lyman books. I have and use number 49, but 50 is the newest one. If you are going to cast or load cast bullets , they have a book for that also.
David

Hornady and Lyman are the two books I have trusted for 40+ years.
IMO, the best info comes from Handloader magazine published by Wolf publishing.

Here are some you can download free to keep you entertained before you start reloading. Some are older but still very relevant.

Reloading Manuals

My recommendations for a new reloader;
The ABCs of Reloading. A very popular text on the "how to" of reloading. Methods, safety and equipment needed are included. Good basic beginners' text.

Lyman's 50th. Good generic reloading manual with a good "how to"/info front half and load data for both cast and jacketed bullets.

A manual published buy the manufacturer of the jacketed bullets you choose to reload. Hornady bullets, Hornady manual. Nosler bullets, Nosler manual, etc. In addition to the info in the front half, specific data for the specific bullets you are using (OAL, charges, etc.).

Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition. If you choose to shoot cast lead bullets (also used for PCed and Hi-Tek coated bullets). I think the 3rd Edition is new caster friendlier than the 4th, if you can find one.

This is a good start for our reloading library and most reloaders have many more. IIRC I have 9-10 and liking old books I have a few "vintage" texts/manuals...

The Lee Manual is sometimes recommended, but it is the last manual I go to. The front half is an informative, entertaining read, but I've found the data to be sketchy. Lee does no testing and the manual is compilation of data from powder/bullet manufacturer's testing. Not all bad, but many much better choices...

I am a Lyman 45th and Speer #11 guy.............

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Back in '75, I found the Speer manual to provide all I needed, even though reloading is always an ongoing learning process.

Another vote for the Lyman 50th edition if you're only going to get one. It's the one I used by far the most. It's also good to consult the powder manufacturers reloading sections on line for bullets or powders you can't find in the Lyman or Hornady manual.

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What could possibly go wrong?

The ABCs is old but good and I liked Lee also. Don’t forget about YouTube, lots of good basic info and some people learn better from watching than reading.

Now I have Speer 14 and a Lyman 49th as well as the casting edition. There is a lot of loads on the internet from the powder manufacturers. The 'How To' is the most important part. Some things have changed in 40+ years. The used to recommend a loft of pillow stuffing for reduced loads, now they tell you NOT to do that. I continue to learn to this day and am surprised by how much I DON'T know. Whatever you think, safety is everything.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I would go with the Lyman 50. I think 48 is available as a download if you search. Read it all except the data twice until you understand the process.

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Front sight and squeeze

for vintage re- loads i use lyman and speer.

The more the better! Everything you find will contribute something to the brainpan.

Bullet manufacturers offer manuals featuring their bullets. Powder makers offer manuals featuring their powders. Most, if not all, will have step-by-step instructions and some trouble-shooting advice.

I have a couple dozen from multiple sources. The most useful and most frequently relied on are the Lyman Handbooks, a genuine treasure chest of laboratory-tested results with components from just about every conceivable source, as well as cast bullet data that can't be matched anywhere (IMO).

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I think that the Sierra Manual is the best one on the market. They have a great variety of bullets and list many powders and loads. Since I shoot mainly sierra bullets, this is my main reference. I also use manuals from hornady, speer, and the yearly magazine format from Hodgdon.

Wow! You have a plethora of information here! Thank you so much for giving me access to all of these manuals!

You're welcome. Someone passed the link on to me when I first started and I'm happy to do the same.

I might suggest joining the NRA too. I just received an email with their upcoming classes in OK for the next few months. There are a number of reloading classes being offered in the Tulsa area (Tahlequah) and the OKC area. They supply the equipment and supplies.

Just my opinion; New reloaders should stay away from YouTube reloading videos. Yes there are some good, but a new reloader doesn't have his BS filter tuned up to see the bad and filter it out from the good info. And while I'm at it, my Rule #1 is I pay very little (no) attention to what I see on any forum, pet loads web site, or YouTube. Also ignore load data I hear from any range rat, gun counter clerk, good intended friend or gun shop guru. I get 95% of my load data from published reloading manuals and some from reliable powder manufacturers'/bullet manufacturers' web sites. I recommend this for new reloaders too...

Very good advice.

While there are no stupid questions, there are many basic, first-grade level questions that are frequently asked on Internet forums, all of which are covered in the front of most paper-published handloading manuals. Reading and understanding this information remains the best way to learn handloading, even if it's slower than an ill-conceived and incomplete YouTube video by an "expert" with questionable credentials. Same for much advice from other sources. Stick with known reputable sources only.

This is a good policy overall. There are good ones however. In fact there are some very good videos. I have learned a ton about revolvers, gun care, metallurgy, and general how to stuff from Gunblue. If I had to pick one guy to learn from, I'd pick him. His videos are long, but he knows what he's talking about. Another guy who puts out a lot of good reviews on reloading products is gavintoobe at ultimate reloader. If you're looking to get a press, he has a nice comparison video of 12 different reloading presses.

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What could possibly go wrong?

I look at data online from sources like Alliant. Also have Lyman #49. Bob

Speer ( latest edition )
Hornady ( latest edition )
Lyman 50th Edition ( has limited cast and jacketed data)
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition (extensive cast bullet data only )

Every manual has several " informative chapters" before the load data that cover just about all aspects of the reloading process ... some cover one subject a little more than the other ... Study These Chapters !!!
I have 50+ years experience reloading and these are my main "Go To" manuals ... Too much data and information for everything to be in one book ... I advise you to get all 4 ... one at a time is fine but in the end you want all of them . You will have a wide cross section of proven and tested data and be able to cross check data .

Most of the you tube experts are idiot's ... avoid them ... I watched one blow up a revolver by his "lack of reloading knowledge" ... then blame the gun !
Gary

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NRA Member

i have many but a must have is the Lee manual because it covers many bullets from different manufactures and a lot of different powders. It also has a good beginner instructions as well. The Hornady and Sierra are great for using their brand bullets.

Can't have to many manuals. The oldest that I have came from my Father, who used them in the 1950's.

The oldest manual "The Complete Book of Handloading" by Phillip Sharpe was just used. A friend needed loading data for a .219 Zipper and this is the only manual that had what he needed.

Attached Images

Loading Manuals.jpg (155.3 KB, 21 views)

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Lyman
NRA Handloading Guide
Speer #6
Speer #10
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook
Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook
Hornady Manuals 2003 & 2018
Lee Manual - recent
Hatcher's Textbook of Pistols and Revolvers - published about 1937. Has data on factory loads at that time. I have often used it to work up loads for my early fixed sight revolvers like the S&W 32 Hand Ejector.

I recommend at least two manuals. One manual may not give you data on the components that you have. A second manual, or a third, reduces that issue.
For the first manual, I’d get a. Lyman, #50.

I have some old manuals as well. I would be careful with them as I found some very hot loads in some old ones compared to recently published manuals. Some say the powders have changed some over time as well. But like anything start low and check everything on the way up.

Nowadays I think some of the manuals are written with the possibility of litigation in mind. Not saying the older loads are not pretty warm, they are. But as with anything start lower and work your way up while watching for signs of over pressure.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Though most YouTube is untrustworthy gunblue is great. He is very meticulous and he knows what he's talking about. He will not give you data or specific numbers but he will give you a good method of working

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I don't think the OP was particularly looking for load table data, more like reloading procedures and methods. That info in the old manuals stills applies today, even it the load table data does not.

I like Lyman.

Over the years I have acquired a bunch of manuals Lyman, Lee, Hornady. My favorite is Speer I started with one and now have three.

Take your time and comprehend the process of reloading. Also no distractions when you do start reloading.

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Goal Life Member
Traveling Man

The oldest manual that I have "The Complete Book of Handloading" by Phillip Sharpe was just used. A friend needed loading data for a .219 Zipper and this is the only manual that we had collectively that had what he needed. he has more manuals than I do, just not as old.

See my Post # 24 for pictures.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.