Best first reloading manual/handbook?

[DaFadda]

Originally Posted by Gatorade

Da , please hear my confession. I own no reloading manuals. I learned by reading instructions that came with each set of dies and a couple single caliber load phamplets. Later I found info online and load data from magazines. A few issues of Reloader but no manuals. No thick bound books. Once I emailed a powder manufacturer. Almost any load data I need has been found online. I load for over a dozen different calibers and only very early with .300 BLK and .41 SPC have I not found what I needed within a few online searches.

Every time I think about buying a manual I look at the thousands of loads I will never use. I could go through a whole manual and need maybe 15-20 pages of it and even then all the same info is online.

Call me a sinner but I just don't see the need for thick dusty manuals. Unless there is the loss of the internet and even then I have notes about all my load data. I think I'm good.

Wow... I've heard confessions before, (try sitting in an Airport terminal for two or three hours while wearing a collar and suit, I only did it once. Won't ever do it again. There are a whole bunch of men and women cheating on each other out there in the real world!) but I have never had to absolve someone of the sin of not owning a reloading manual.

I have the one that came with my RCBS Rockchucker Supreme kit (Speer #14). It has served me well. I can certainly attest to the fact that I don't need the other 400 or so pages, but hey... I got it as part of the kit.

But we're not here to talk about me. You have asked for confession/absolution, so before I give absolution, there must be penance. For your penance, I require that you write a short note on this thread singing the praises of . Doesn't have to be long, but it should be heartfelt.

Good luck!
Da Michael

[sdmc530]

Dillon also has an app with a "good" data collection.

[Gatorade]

Oh is solid gold in my book. He has a since of humor that I share most of the time but above and beyond that he is a stand up husband and father. He served our country with honor and his son has followed in his footsteps. El is good people fighting the good fight in beautiful but nutty Cali.

[sdmc530]

well this a very good question that will give you many answers!

Here are some more popular manuals in no particular order:
1. Hornady
2. Sierra
3. Speer
4. Lyman 49
5. Barnes

I also use loaddata.com as well

When you get them dialed in you can then use a chronograph and get speeds and really dial them in. That is where some real fun starts!

You will get more ideas but the Lyman manual is a really good one for a start.

[pitor]

Thanks, so far these suggestions are on par with what some "Internet experts" suggest as the 5 best reloading handbooks. I'll start with the hornady since they're running a special on Amazon, $13.99

ETA: I cancelled the order because I found the Lyman for $21 on Amazon as well. I'll start with the Lyman, seems to have raving reviews

[TLE2]

Are you looking for a "how to" or just reloading data?

[pitor]

Originally Posted by TLE2

Are you looking for a "how to" or just reloading data?

Good question. Both

[AFJuvat]

Originally Posted by pitor

Good question. Both

In that case, I am doubling down with the Lyman manual.

A couple of hints about reloading manuals.

The ones put out by reloading companies feature their equipment, but bullets and powders from several manufacturers.

Those put out by bullet companies only feature their bullets

Those put out by powder companies only use their powders.

[skosh69]

Originally Posted by AFJuvat

In that case, I am doubling down with the Lyman manual.

A couple of hints about reloading manuals.

The ones put out by reloading companies feature their equipment, but bullets and powders from several manufacturers.

Those put out by bullet companies only feature their bullets

Those put out by powder companies only use their powders.

That's pretty much what I said in my text to you.

For $14, that Hornady 9th edition would be a good starting point. Get it, read it and if you don't like it, Amazon has a great return policy.

[coatessey]

If you are looking for load data for pistols there is the reloading guide for pistols on Amazon. I picked one up for $14. It has 554 loads for 45 acp, 92 loads for 45 +p, 564 loads for 9mm luger, 125 loads for 9mm luger +p.