Reloading Book Recommendations?

[bananaman]

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

 

[gwpercle]

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

 

[Golphin]

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.

 

[AJ]

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.

 

[nbedford]

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.

 

[df06]

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.

 

[Golphin]

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

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.

 

[AJ]

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.

 

[CWS&W]

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

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

 

[SMSgt]

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.

 

[johnjohn]

I like Lyman.

 

[Revoman]

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.

 

[AJ]

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.