Question to y'all

[azhobo]

My youngest son will be getting into reloading on his coming retirement. I sent him a book for beginners, and now want to also send him a book that's a little more advanced, likely from one of the major suppliers, Hornaday, Lyman, etc.
I know this won't get many answers that will agree, and that's OK, but how about some input on which one would be the best, remembering that he already has a beginners book.
Thanks gents, and regards to all,
Bob

 

[USSR]

azhobo,

I would suggest you search on the NRA's website for a local NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor offering classes. I am one, and I can tell you that he will learn much more with hands on instruction than he will from any book.

 

[toad67]

The thing with getting a book from a major supplier, is that they all give the same basic info as others, but the load data is specific to their products, not other companies stuff. So, for example, if you get a Hornady book, there won't be anything for Barnes or Nosler in there. The most general book that I've seen is the Lyman book, it covers more variety than most, but still, not a huge assortment of new/different info.
Are you looking for more instruction, or some load data too?

 

[rockquarry]

The NRA class might be worthwhile if it's convenient , but information in the load manuals is plenty adequate; much better than a lot of what you find on the Internet forums and YouDupe. However, I'd get at least two paper manuals; might be some procedures treated from different perspectives in different manuals.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

The first book I got was a Lyman.
I still reference it every now and then.

 

[bedwards]

Lyman has been my go to although Hornady is a good one also. I have some old NRA ones bought at estate and yard sales that are good to read also.

 

[Skeet 028]

Back in the mid 60s to mid 70s I taught reloading classes...mostly shotshell as it was shotgun country. Classes were not large but wothwhile for people that really listened. I did some metallic classes too but since my business was reloading until I was old 'nuff to get a FFL shotgun stuff was 1st. ...from 75 till the 2000s I didn't have time for doing classes...My only real problem was some blew up their old twist barreled doubles...no matter how many times I said don't shoot them.. I had one fellow I would not sell reloading supplies to. he used green Dot in 12,16,20,28 and yes even 410...hunting loads and target loads...He was a farner....missing the fingers of his left hand...in a corn picker...He lived a bit dangerously

 

[JimFr]

Lyman manual
Lee manual (Richard Lee)

 

[rwsmith]

I find the Lyman, which also has a good reloading section to be more 'universal' than the dedicated books by other component manufacturers. When I used Speer products almost exclusively, I use their book. Now I reference it only occasionally and have about worn out my Lyman book. The Lyman also has plenty of lead bullet data. I like old data, and Lyman books can be found online in PDF.

 

[M1A4ME]

The manuals from the bullet makers are mostly about reloading their bullets. Nothing wrong with that and I have several.

The Lyman manuals are mostly about reloading and contain a lot of good information. They use bullets by most bullet making companies. Lyman publishes data on shotgun shell reloading, general reloading, and lead bullet reloading (I think I have one of those). It's sort of like the old car repair manuals. You'll find some nice/needed info in one manual that won't be in another manual.

On line you can find reloading info from the powder making companies, too.

A variety of reloading data is nice to compare. It won't always agree as changes in components (one brand to another) like brass, bullets, powder, etc. can make pressure/velocity changes.

 

[gwpercle]

Good reloading manuals are a must... and preceeding the data sections are informational chapters . These answer a lot of beginner questions and have good photo's . I learned a lot from these chapters when I was starting out .
For reloading cast , coated or plated bullets get him the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition ... I load a lot of lead bullets.
Next is the Hornady reloading Manual and then the Speer reloading manual ... latest editions are best .
Not everything will be in one book ... you want three or four and the informational chapters in the beginning are worth every word ... Read them all and keep them on your reloading bench !
Load Safe,
Gary

 

[mtgianni]

Search used book sites and get 3-5 manuals. Tell him not to look at the load data just the reloading operations.

 

[Model19man]

The NRA class might be worthwhile if it's convenient , but information in the load manuals is plenty adequate; much better than a lot of what you find on the Internet forums and YouDupe. However, I'd get at least two paper manuals; might be some procedures treated from different perspectives in different manuals.

I think having a mentor would not be a bad thing. I bought Sierra #8 when I first started reloading because it was new and available at the gun show I was at. I bought Bullseye powder and used a pound of it for reloading 357 Magnum. A mentor might tell him that the powder is not clean for example - something I did not know.

 

[380shooter]

azhobo,

I would suggest you search on the NRA's website for a local NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor offering classes. I am one, and I can tell you that he will learn much more with hands on instruction than he will from any book.

Been reloading for years and I couldn't agree more.

 

[stansdds]

Lyman's manual was the first manual I bought, after that, I did add additional manuals to my collection. That was almost 4 decades ago and Al Gore had yet to invent the internet, so books were the only means of obtaining how-to instructions and reloading recipes. They Lyman manual is still a great resource as it covers a huge number of cartridges and provides data for cast lead and jacketed bullets.

 

[azhobo]

Thank you to each of you, much appreciated. My books will also be going to him, and I've had the Lyman book for many years. I also have a selection of the specific data for each caliber booklets, which are tattered and dogeared from heavy use.
I like the idea of finding a class, pretty sure he'll be coming back home to Tucson. I'll see what I can find, and recommend he follow up.
Thank you all again,
Bob

 

[Hal H.]

azhobo,

I would suggest you search on the NRA's website for a local NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor offering classes. I am one, and I can tell you that he will learn much more with hands on instruction than he will from any book.

I agree. I am one of those people who learns best hands-on. Once you have loaded some straight-wall and bottleneck cartridges you should be good to go. As far as manuals, I have 6 or 7 different ones that I use based on my choice of bullets.

 

[Dave Haynes]

There are a lot of pitfalls with reloading. It is best taught by a mentor . I have about 5 reloading manuals Lyman , Speer, Hornady You will get something out of each. Powder limits were much higher in some of the early books. The best thing you can do is make some assumptions about what projectiles you are using vs what the book says. I trust jacketed, lead and weight as the guidelines. I almost never load to max. Weighing everything is the key to avoiding problems, but things that you know vs what the student doesn't are most important. Like having 8mm mauser rounds around M1 Garands etc. Stress that a double load of Bullseye will blow a S&W sky high etc. Don't scare the student educate him to be careful and precise. Paying attention to details is a lost art today.

 

[ken158]

Another vote for Lyman

 

[Phenix]

My youngest son will be getting into reloading on his coming retirement. I sent him a book for beginners, and now want to also send him a book that's a little more advanced, likely from one of the major suppliers, Hornaday, Lyman, etc.
I know this won't get many answers that will agree, and that's OK, but how about some input on which one would be the best, remembering that he already has a beginners book.
Thanks gents, and regards to all,
Bob

The Lyman general handloading book, and the Lyman Cast Bullet books are my current favorites. Generally, cast and jacketed bullet powder charge loads lister for handguns can be considered interchangeable.
RCBS has always done a good loading manual too for jacketed bullet loads.
With the vast increase in relatively new powders flooding the market now due to the discontinuing of several traditional powders like Bullseye, Unique, and others, some of the thinner manufacturer-specific publications from companies like Vitavhouri (sp?), Universal, Hodgden, etc. could be helpful.

 

[stansdds]

Generally, cast and jacketed bullet powder charge loads lister for handguns can be considered interchangeable.

You might do that, I would not! Jacketed bullets have a higher coefficient of friction than even the hardest cast lead alloy bullet.

 

[SASFixer]

I find the current Hornady reloading manual to be a good source of information, both beginning and advanced.

 

[rwsmith]

Oh, and show him that the powder manufacturer's websites have data. It's a good supplement, but not as good as having a couple of good books.

 

[taz666]

My youngest son will be getting into reloading on his coming retirement. I sent him a book for beginners, and now want to also send him a book that's a little more advanced, likely from one of the major suppliers, Hornaday, Lyman, etc.
I know this won't get many answers that will agree, and that's OK, but how about some input on which one would be the best, remembering that he already has a beginners book.
Thanks gents, and regards to all,
Bob

Depending on how far down the reloading path a guy intends to go would determine how much brain power they'd need to devote to the hobby. Beyond what they'll find in reloading books are a multitude of techniques and methods that can be used to further improve cartridge performance.

Powder choices, reloading die choices and tweaks along with associated equipment, bullet choices and the actual reloading regiment/technique. I think, in this day and age, there is a lot to be gained by experiences posted on various websites. Good information can be found posted by professionals as well as the beginner. It does take some time and effort to wade through the "misinformation" but that is possible while applying a little common sense.

A wise man I grew up with once told me that is all comes down to common sense ... no matter what you decide to do. He wasn't wrong.

 

[Dave Haynes]

Depending on how far down the reloading path a guy intends to go would determine how much brain power they'd need to devote to the hobby. Beyond what they'll find in reloading books are a multitude of techniques and methods that can be used to further improve cartridge performance.

Powder choices, reloading die choices and tweaks along with associated equipment, bullet choices and the actual reloading regiment/technique. I think, in this day and age, there is a lot to be gained by experiences posted on various websites. Good information can be found posted by professionals as well as the beginner. It does take some time and effort to wade through the "misinformation" but that is possible while applying a little common sense.

A wise man I grew up with once told me that is all comes down to common sense ... no matter what you decide to do. He wasn't wrong.

Common sense is a product of experience and education.....little of which is common today...

 

[bedwards]

Another thing about the Lyman and the Lyman cast books is they give a asterisk for the potentially most accurate load.

 

[stansdds]

Another thing about the Lyman and the Lyman cast books is they give a asterisk for the potentially most accurate load.

I don't know that there is really anything to that. It has been my experience that firearms vary tremendously when it comes to what load is most accurate.

 

[Marcruger]

My youngest son will be getting into reloading on his coming retirement. I sent him a book for beginners, and now want to also send him a book that's a little more advanced, likely from one of the major suppliers, Hornaday, Lyman, etc.
I know this won't get many answers that will agree, and that's OK, but how about some input on which one would be the best, remembering that he already has a beginners book.
Thanks gents, and regards to all,
Bob

The Lyman book is excellent. Great safety protocol.

 

[Rule3]

Lyman, Speer Hornady

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[azhobo]

There are a lot of pitfalls with reloading. It is best taught by a mentor . I have about 5 reloading manuals Lyman , Speer, Hornady You will get something out of each. Powder limits were much higher in some of the early books. The best thing you can do is make some assumptions about what projectiles you are using vs what the book says. I trust jacketed, lead and weight as the guidelines. I almost never load to max. Weighing everything is the key to avoiding problems, but things that you know vs what the student doesn't are most important. Like having 8mm mauser rounds around M1 Garands etc. Stress that a double load of Bullseye will blow a S&W sky high etc. Don't scare the student educate him to be careful and precise. Paying attention to details is a lost art today.

I'm pretty sure I already insulted him when I told him that reloading isn't something that should be done when you have a wife that features a crisis every hour. I suggested that reloading may not be the thing for him. I may regret my big mouth!