Reloading Book Recommendations?

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Tilheyra

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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.
 
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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...
 
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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.
 
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.
 
I started with Speer #9...

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

Tilheyra said:
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.
Click to expand...
\

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.
 
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...
 
mikld said:
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...
Click to expand...

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.
 
mikld said:
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...
Click to expand...

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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