What are the Best Reloading Reference books?

[forestswin]

I'll assume, everyone should start with the ABC's of Reloading.
as was recommended to me. Next, I went with Lyman's Pistol & Revolver Handbook because I am only loading for handguns for now. I subscribe to Wolfe's Handloader magazine - a good reference
What other books do you all recommend?? Please recommend any "HOW TO" books also... such as, the use of a chronograph when doing load development or resources on ballistics and trajectory.

 

[smithnframe]

Get a current edition of Cartridges of the World. If you plan on casting bullets then the lastest Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook is in order. The Lyman 49th edition of their reloading manual is also a must have. One good thing about the Lyman manual is they use many different manufacturers of bullets along with cast.

 

[lmcgust]

I have several for cross referencing and comparison. But if I had to buy only two, I would buy Sierra for rifle and Hornady for handgun.

Regards,
Guy-

 

[David LaPell]

Pet Loads by Ken Waters,
the current Lyman reloading manual
The Art of Bullet Casting

 

[H Richard]

The loading manual published by the mfg. of the bullets you are using. They seem to know best what push's their bullets best.

 

[Moonman]

Hornady Manual, Spear Manual, Lyman Books,

Handloads.com

The Powder Manufacturers web sites.

The Bullet Manufacturers Web sites.

Cast Boolits.com

GOOGLE "The Encyclopdia of Bullseye Pistol" wonderful info there.

Brian Enos has a Forum along with his web site and also sells Dillon Reloading stuff,
very knowledgeable folks there too, along with this GREAT site.

Bullseye L (LIST) an on-line Forum about Bullseye Shooting and related info.

Handloader Magazine.

American Handgunner Magazine.

Have a GREAT TIME reading and studing, and a better time SHOOTING.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a big fan of Lyman manuals. I own and use their 46th Edition, 47th edition and the newest 49th Edition. I also have the 3rd and 4th Edition Cast Handbooks from Lyman. There are other very good manuals available like Sierra, Hornady and a few others but I favor Lyman manuals.

 

[blujax01]

If you're not totally fed up with them EBay is a good source.
Won an auction last year and scored a few older editions of Speer, Sierra and Lyman for cheap. Like $20 shipped for all three.

 

[44Steve]

Hi ,Steve here. I would start With pet loads , try to find the latest printing date, to get all the updates ,then get a script to handloader magazine. all so get as many big brand loading manuels Speer ,Hornady , sierra and more ,and keep them up to date.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're not totally fed up with them EBay is a good source.
Won an auction last year and scored a few older editions of Speer, Sierra and Lyman for cheap. Like $20 shipped for all three.

I refuse to spend one red cent with Ebay but you can find deals there. BUT, you can find just as good deals on used books on Amazon.com. I bought older Speer manuals off Amazon for only a few dollars and Shipping is very cheap especially compared to Ebay. (those gun haters!)

 

[Jellybean]

I have about thirty or so "reloading manuals" in my library now, and while they do offer some differences they are still pretty much a "read one you read 'em all" proposition.

Other than that, my favorite loading books are:
Principles and Practice of Loading Ammunition, by Earl Naramore.*
Complete Guide to Handloading, by Philip Sharpe.
Modern Handloading, by George Nonte.*
Handloading, an NRA publication edited by Wm. C. Davis Jr.
Hatcher's Notebook, Julian Hatcher.*
Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders, by P.O. Ackley.
Propellant Profiles, by Wolfe Publishing (various versions)
The Benchrest Shooting Primer, from Precision Shooting Magazine.
The Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions, by John Donnelly.
*These men wrote other good books too, which may or may not pertain to handloading.

There are several ballistic programs available, both for sale or for free download from the internet. Also some loading manuals had them at one time. A good book for trajectory data for factory ammo is "Ammo and Ballistics" by Bob Forker, available in several editions.

As far as using your chronograph for working up loads, the instruction manual is always a good place to start.

Happy trails.

 

[blujax01]

I refuse to spend one red cent with Ebay but you can find deals there. BUT, you can find just as good deals on used books on Amazon.com. I bought older Speer manuals off Amazon for only a few dollars and Shipping is very cheap especially compared to Ebay. (those gun haters!)

Thanx, Angel. You are correct as usual!

 

[Rule3]

I have about thirty or so "reloading manuals" in my library now, and while they do offer some differences they are still pretty much a "read one you read 'em all" proposition.

Other than that, my favorite loading books are:
Principles and Practice of Loading Ammunition, by Earl Naramore.*
Complete Guide to Handloading, by Philip Sharpe.
Modern Handloading, by George Nonte.*
Handloading, an NRA publication edited by Wm. C. Davis Jr.
Hatcher's Notebook, Julian Hatcher.*
Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders, by P.O. Ackley.
Propellant Profiles, by Wolfe Publishing (various versions)
The Benchrest Shooting Primer, from Precision Shooting Magazine.
The Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions, by John Donnelly.
*These men wrote other good books too, which may or may not pertain to handloading.

There are several ballistic programs available, both for sale or for free download from the internet. Also some loading manuals had them at one time. A good book for trajectory data for factory ammo is "Ammo and Ballistics" by Bob Forker, available in several editions.

As far as using your chronograph for working up loads, the instruction manual is always a good place to start.

Happy trails.

Where ya been??

 

[forestswin]

thanks all!! I want to build up my library. Seem the more I learn the more I find out how much more there is to learn. Jellybean you've given me my night time reading material for months. I'm addicted!

 

[BisleyBlackhawk.45]

Modern Reloading by Richard Lee, Speer reloading Manual (later issues the better) and the Hodgdon Reloading annual magazine. Bisley

 

[Jellybean]

Where ya been??

Hi Rule3, I was taking some troll-free down time, and dealing with lifes little surprises.

 

[Rule3]

Hi Rule3, I was taking some troll-free down time, and dealing with lifes little surprises.

Yes, life has it's way of throwing stuff at ya.

 

[KLYDE]

The loading manual published by the mfg. of the bullets you are using. They seem to know best what push's their bullets best.

H Richard, could not have said it better. I have the specific manufacturers book for EVERY brand of bullets I load. Hornady, Speer, Nosler, Sierra and Lyman. In comparing the different books you will see marked differences in powder charge weight for the same weight, but different brand, bullet. I also have the Lyman book for the cast loading. Can never have TOO MUCH info when it comes to reloading. Mike

 

[forestswin]

H Richard, could not have said it better. I have the specific manufacturers book for EVERY brand of bullets I load. Hornady, Speer, Nosler, Sierra and Lyman. In comparing the different books you will see marked differences in powder charge weight for the same weight, but different brand, bullet. I also have the Lyman book for the cast loading. Can never have TOO MUCH info when it comes to reloading. Mike

I posted this reference book request because of exactly this point. I expected that the bullet manufacturer, Oregon Trail, would have the best load data for their laser-cast bullets. But their maximum charge weights are under the starting weight for hard cast lead bullets in other references and recommendations from forum members here.

Please see my post for "Range Report Laser-Cast 158 lswc and Bullseye" its still active.

I am sure this won't be the only time I'll be dealing with contradictory information, so I want to learn whats going on before I proceed. I emailed Laser-Cast today to see if they offer some more information

 

[Dale53]

If anyone is interested in casting their own bullets, then you MUST download Glen Fryzell's book. I downloaded it, printed it out and had it bound at Staples. It is a DANDY! Real world experiences with lots of hunting information. Did I mention that it is FREE? Glen decided to offer it to the "Brethren" free of charge!
From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide For Handgunners, Table of Contents - Fryxell/Applegate

When the page comes up look up at the top left hand side for the PDF version of the book - that's what you want to download.

Dale53