Loading data books

[D.A.V.I.D.]

So I'm getting a Dillon press given to me and am gonna be loading 45acp 357mag and 9mm. I'm not gonna start actually loading for at least a couple months, gonna buy powder, 9mm dies, primers etc in that time. Want to know If there's a specific book I should get in that time to start trying to familiarize myself with everything about loading.

Want to prepare myself as much as possible to safely reload. Any suggestions you guys have would be appreciated. Thanks

[Red9]

Not sure if .357 is good for first timers. The press is about as good as it gets. Check one of members here as you will need extra conversion kits, powder drops, tool heads.
Love my Dillon 550. 9, 40, 38 and 223.

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[HBDano]

I have the latest edition of pretty much every loading manual as well as all from the powder manufacturer's in a binder. One of the reasons is because each loading manual covers different powders, with overlap, but many times I'll go through a couple manuals to get 2 sources of loading data for a specific caliber/powder combination. They almost always give slightly different information.

If I was going to get just one, especially for learning what your doing but also because it seems like it's a must have on the loading bench I would say the latest edition of the Sierra Manual. The Lyman manual seems to consistently give higher minimum and maximum loads, and it also has some good education content. I'm also partial to the Hornady manual.

With the calibers your loading, all the manuals are going to have data for them, but I think having a couple plus the powder manufacturer's data is valuable.

I hope that helps,
Dan

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[D.A.V.I.D.]

Not sure if .357 is good for first timers. The press is about as good as it gets. Check one of members here as you will need extra conversion kits, powder drops, tool heads.
Love my Dillon 550. 9, 40, 38 and 223.

Sent from my LG-M210 using Tapatalk

Yeah I was told the same thing from the family member I'm getting it from. He's got everything for 45acp 357 and 44 mag. Don't even have a 44 but am gonna start with loading 9, get comfortable with that then go up from there.

[D.A.V.I.D.]

I have the latest edition of pretty much every loading manual as well as all from the powder manufacturer's in a binder. One of the reasons is because each loading manual covers different powders, with overlap, but many times I'll go through a couple manuals to get 2 sources of loading data for a specific caliber/powder combination. They almost always give slightly different information.

If I was going to get just one, especially for learning what your doing but also because it seems like it's a must have on the loading bench I would say the latest edition of the Sierra Manual. The Lyman manual seems to consistently give higher minimum and maximum loads, and it also has some good education content. I'm also partial to the Hornady manual.

With the calibers your loading, all the manuals are going to have data for them, but I think having a couple plus the powder manufacturer's data is valuable.

I hope that helps,
Dan

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I believe he has the Sierra and Speer manuals I'm getting too, but these are from the early/mid 80s so I know I need something more current.

[wbunning]

Ditto on having several manuals. I use Lyman, Lee, Hornady, and Sierra as my primary sources. They all have great introduction to loading info in them, which you'll want to read through before you get to far. Study their load data and see of you can't find just one or two powders that will get you started with 38/357 and 9mm.

[D.A.V.I.D.]

Just ordered the most current from Lyman and Hornady

[tonyjr]

[cavemanlrrp]

Just ordered the most current from Lyman and Hornady

With two new books and the ones coming you'll be in good shape. Read them all. Pick up more along the way. I think I have 9 with one loaned out.

Have fun and start low and work up. Hotter is seldom better.

Best
caveman

[Bigedski]

You can never go wrong with buying reloading books, I have quite a few in fact I buy at least one every time I go to a gun show.
You can never have to much information, Lee does a good job of lying out the fundamentals. I have a lot of spear books, Before I start a new Caliber I look at each book and compare them all then I proceed.
I have to admit I have not had to work up a new load in quite some time, I mostly shoot .45acp, 9mm, .308 and .223/5.56 and have my goto loads for each but I like to read so If I find one I don't have I will usually buy it provided I have some cash left.

[tonyjr]

One thing you will find handy is a notebook .
I started with a 1/2 inch one and now have 5 .
Pet loads were in it , then I started putting throwaway ads about powders , bullets in it . Then I started getting parts , manuals on presses [ Lee hand loaders , hand press , single stage , load master ] , then info sheets on the sonics , receipt , vibrator , deprimer , reprimer the list just goes on .
My pet loads has a sheet for who borrowed what [dies , books , spare reloading charts [ I make my own ] and who I buy from .
Where did you get that ? I just look in book and the receipt is there with cost , address and part number .
I do buy different color notebooks and put what I can in plastic sheet protectors .
It is far better to ignore info than to say " I wish someone had took me that ' or where did I read that

[micro911]

For the jacketed bullets, I used Sierra Manual. For lead bullets, I used Lyman. I had good results.

[robert101]

Other posters have answered the manual suggested options. Might I also suggest that you purchase calipers, case gauges, powder scale, and various other supplemental components for precise measuring and setup.

[HBDano]

One thing you will find handy is a notebook .
I started with a 1/2 inch one and now have 5 .
Pet loads were in it , then I started putting throwaway ads about powders , bullets in it . Then I started getting parts , manuals on presses [ Lee hand loaders , hand press , single stage , load master ] , then info sheets on the sonics , receipt , vibrator , deprimer , reprimer the list just goes on .
My pet loads has a sheet for who borrowed what [dies , books , spare reloading charts [ I make my own ] and who I buy from .
Where did you get that ? I just look in book and the receipt is there with cost , address and part number .
I do buy different color notebooks and put what I can in plastic sheet protectors .
It is far better to ignore info than to say " I wish someone had took me that ' or where did I read that

I totally agree here... I use composition books because the pages are difficult to do out and will use them at the range to take notes in. I also use this great Reloaders log book I found on Amazon for $10 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/147...?ie=UTF8&psc=1... It reminds you to log all the data for your loads. I use it in conjunction with my digital chronographing data. I always like having a paper copy!

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[tonyjr]

I have a few log books .
I want my on info and make my own . Most sheets either have to much or not enough .
I only use CCI primers and Hodgdon powders [ mostly ball ]
I want the names / #'s on dies - big difference between say Lee decapper and RCBS .
Crimp type , weather a brass or nickel case , [ this becomes important to me with split cases ]
I only use jacketed pills -
My sheets are mainly for new powders - right now it is Hodgdon's CFE .
I do have sheets for different 38's , 45's , the 308's / 762 - to name a few .
I make copies and keep in sheet protectors . I always take copies to range , not the main notebook . Notes are put into computer and printed with dates and results .
Since I don't hunt anymore [my nephews like their semi autos ], I don't worry about making pin wheels anymore so loads are not made up for leaves , rain , uphill / down hill