Help with reloading manuals

36general

36general

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First off, sorry for the newbie question.

I am going to start reloading, for the first time, probably after Christmas. So my question is, what reloading manuals or books should I start reading now? I know there are a number of different reloading manuals, but are some better than others? Or is it personal preference?

I will mostly be reloading .38, .357, .44, .45. Maybe some .223 down the road. I shoot roughly 300-500rds a month and have been saving brass for a while. I am very mechanically inclined and have been called "anal" on a number of occasions :) So I'm not too worried about mechanical issues, but I love information and would like to be well prepared when I start reloading.

So I'm asking the experts here and look forward to reading what you guys have to say.

Thank you!
 
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For the basics of reloading, get "ABCs of Reloading" and/or "Handloading for Handgunners" on Amazon.
If you are shooting lead bullets, get the Lyman or RCBS Cast Bullet Handbooks.
For lots of load information, get Richard Lee's 2nd reloading manual.
Hornady and Speer produce excellent manuals.
You should have all you can find and read them all.
 
I like the Hornady manual, Hodgdon's website and load data center, and the Loadbook One Book/One Caliber series. If you aren't familiar with Loadbook, each book (around $7) has load data from several different sources for one particular caliber.
 
Besides plenty of data....

Besides plenty of data make sure the manual has a complete 'how to' section. Speer has a great how to portion but their data is made only around Speer Bullets. Lyman Reloading Handbook 49th edition has a good 'how to' section also and I feel that the data is a bit more 'universal' plus they have lead bullet data.
 
If I could only have one reloading manual, it would be the latest Lyman Handbook, and regardless of how many manuals I could have, the Lyman book would still be the first that I got. The others are also good, but not as universal as Lyman. I also have a set of the Pet Loads books by Ken Waters that were (are?) published by the Handloader Magazine people. Ken goes into a lot of detail on how he developed his loads, and the firearms he used in testing those loads.
 
Best price tends to be Lyman (paper cover) and it has excellent educational information and really shines for reloading lead bullets. However, I guess my favorite overall is Speer, it too has good tutorial information and seems to contain a greater variety of information and advice for loading individual calibers. Their published load/velocity information for the handgun calibers seem to be a bit closer to what one can expect than what you find in some other manuals.
 
I have been reloading since the early 1960's. Please trust me on this. NEVER rely on just one reloading manual. Remember, bullet manufactures give loading data for just THEIR bullets. Lyman, and especially Lee, give a much wider bullet choice. I have always upgraded to the latest edition when they come available.
ALWAYS cross reference your loads between at least 2 sources. I failed to do that and blew primers, extractor, and ejector in a Savage FTR (.308 Win.) The load was 2.5 grains UNDER maximum in one edition, and 2 grains OVER maximum in a later edition of the same bullet manufacture. I failed to cross check the load.
 
as most have said - get the Lyman & if there is a brand of bullet you use a lot get their manual as well
 
All the advice here is great and the manuals mentioned are great and reading the how to section will help you a lot. Seeing that a lot of what you plan to reload is pistol ammo he two biggest no-no's are missing powder in a shell causing a squib where the bullet goes in to the barrel and gets stuck and the second which is a double charge which will cause the round to damage the pistol at best and maybe cause personal injury in the worst case.

So when you set up your loading routine always put a check in before loading the bullet into the case by looking into all the cases in the reloading block to make sure all have powder and that there are no double charges. This is important because pistol cases hold way more powder then is needed or stated for the correct charge. In a rifle case if you double charge the powder it will over flow the case and is easily seen.
 
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You can read ABCs of Reloading on Google Reader for free. Personally, I think it's good to have a book from the manufacturer of (at least some) bullets you are going to use, in my case Hornady (and Sierra). Lyman's is reputed to be good and more universal; no need to buy the Lee book, its info is a long advert for Lee equipment and the loads are copied from other books.

When it comes time to load, remember that the powder manufacturers have all their data on line.

So, for example, you might choose to read the ABCs, own the Hornady and maybe also the Lyman, and go online to reference the powder manufacturer's data giving you 3 or 4 diverse sources for load info.

Check the equipment mfgers' web sites - they have videos/primers for reloading and using their equipment. Also use youtube videos just to watch how stuff works; it will help you choose equipment to your taste and interest. Just note that many times it's best to leave the sound off to avoid getting bad advice and/or a headache - just watch the video :)

Welcome, stay safe, have fun.
 
Indeed.....

fyimo said:
So when you set up your loading routine always put a check in before loading the bullet into the case by looking into all the cases in the reloading block to make sure all have powder and that there are no double charges. This is important because pistol cases hold way more powder then is needed or stated for the correct charge. In a rifle case if you double charge the powder it will over flow the case and is easily seen.
Click to expand...

Very good advice. When using fast powders that only take up a little space it can be VERY hard to tell that there is a double charge. A double charge of Bullseye will turn a gun into scrap.
 
Thank you everyone for the helpful advice, this forum is great!
I went ahead and ordered the Lyman 49th ed., ABC's of reloading and the Speer manual. Since I was in a book buying frenzy, I also bought the SCSW finally.
This should be enough reading to send me to the eye doctor :)
 
Again...WOW! You fellas are full of great advice and knowledge. I am researching reloading and now am shopping on a popular book selling site for books. Looks like I'll be purchasing the Lyman and a couple others. Reading all your comments kinda of concerns me in that the more I learn the more I realize there is a TON more to learn!

I am still trying to get a handle on it, but reading here is a huge help. You fellas rock! As I read I make a list of more things I need to search and read about. Sheesh, I thought reloading was just pouring some powder in a shell, stuff a bullet in it and then go shoot it. Surprise!! Not quite so simple.
 
427mach1 said:
...the Loadbook One Book/One Caliber series. If you aren't familiar with Loadbook, each book (around $7) has load data from several different sources for one particular caliber.
Click to expand...
Seems like one of these for each caliber, along with one general manual (Lees, Hornady, hodgdon, Lyman, etc.), would be a good way to go.

427mach1 - do you know somewhere specific a guy can get the Loadbooks for $7 each? 'Cause on their website they're $12 each plus shipping.

EDIT: Nevermind - Midway has 'em for $729 each...
 
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I'm 61 and just got in to reloading about a year ago. I've shot for 50 years though - most of it BP. Don't worry about a "newbie question" . . . everyone has to start at some time. The "danger" is in those who don't ask questions.

The "ABCs of Reloading" is (I believe) a "must read" for someone starting out.

I cast my own bullets so my interest is mainly in finding loads for what I'm casting. That said . .

I have the Speers #14 manual . . . it has some data for lead in the 38spl and 9mm that I load.

I have a RCBS Jr. 2 and 3 (two single stage presses) that I de-prime on with a universal de-primer and then I load on a 4 hole Lee classic turret. I recently purchased the newest Lee manual as well since it had a little more in it on loads for cast.

Each manual is going to "promote" their product . . . but you sift through that and each of the two manuals I've mentioned give a lot of good and valuable basic information on reloading. I'm sure that other manuals do a well.

Since I cast, my next purchase will be one of the Lyman manuals as I'm always looking for information on cast bullet data. Regardless of the data I see published, I also go to the site of the powder manufacturer for the particular powder I'm using and check what their loading data is.

If you are purchasing bullets to use in your reloading, then look for the data on that particular bullet. There are a number of good forums with reloading threads as well.

You are going about it in the right way - lot's of reading, asking questions and getting one or more manuals to start building a "reference library". It's important to have the knowledge and understanding of the reloading process before you start . . . that saves dangerous side effects like improper powder charges, the wrong primers, etc. Don't let it all scare you . . . you'll get it all figured out. Good luck and be safe . . and enjoy!
 
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