Which Reloading Manual?

[Flux Capacitor]

Which reloading manual could I get myself that shows basic techniques to reloading as well as recipes for different loads. My buddys got a book of recipes. I searched on Amazon and turned up a lot of manuals but I am not sure if they are complete or if I need to buy all the manuals (i.e manual #1, 2, 3). ANy recommendtions would be appreciated

[Fjold]

The Hornady and Lee manuals both have excellent tutorial sections in the front chapters.

[williamd]

Always liked Lyman's. Most are fine as well as books specifically on reloading. Or, websites!

[sargenv]

I have Speer # 10, #11, a few Hodgdon manuals, one from Hornady, a few of the freebie powder manuals and a few of the other ones.

More info is good, get as many as you can, slowly if you like but the more info you glean the better. I even picked up one of the Ackley manuals from several years back. Lots of good info in those older manuals. Some have been disproven, some are still in use.

[Blue]

I've got a couple of Speer manuals and I think they're fine.

[rksimple]

I have a few Lyman, Speer, and Sierra manuals. They all do a pretty decent job of explaining things.

[yzErnie]

I'm laughing to myself. This thread has come a a perfect time for me too. I recently got a P226 in .40 and looked in my manuals for loading info. All of my reloading books are so old they don't even have the .40S&W data in them!!

[C.G.]

I have Lyman and Speer. Lyman is the better of the two.

[ar15barrels]

I always recommend the Lyman manual as the first manual to buy.
Follow that up with Hornady, Hodgdon, Sierra and Speer and you will have a decent data cross reference to work from.

[supersonic]

Even though most (excluding LEE) are bullet manufacturer- specific, as long as you are using the same type/weight/caliber of bullet & NEVER go above 1-2 grains BELOW MAXIMUM LOADS LISTED (actually, this should technically be done anytime ANY single component is substituted- IMO, that's a "personal comfort level" thing),you should be fine with any of the manuals. I've been reloading for about 4 years now, and - using the above method (I'm pretty comfortable using a different case or primer BRAND w/o reducing loads - THAT'S JUST ME, you should probably get your level of "comfort" up + experience under your belt before ANY thought of component deviation), I've loaded & shot over 10,000 rounds in 7 different calibers without ONE mishap. Anyway, the Sierra manual is pretty much "king of the hill" (has GREAT section dedicated to "Gas Gun Reloading"), and you can't go wrong w/ Nosler/LEE/Barnes(more hunting-oriented)/Speer and the NEW Hornady is outstanding. Note: FWIW, the Hornady & Sierra books have dedicated reloading data for service rifles (AR-15, M-1 Garand, etc.). There's a wealth of info out there & A LOT to learn, so take your time, make sure you understand each step of the process COMPLETELY, and have fun - it IS time-consuming, but becomes VERY addictive. Check in with us now & then to let us know how you are doing! And if you get to the point where you need a chronograph (you will!), PM me, as I have 2 and I'm trying to decide on which one to "offload!" Peace.

[ETD1010]

I have both editions of the LEE manual... awesome IMO. The newer edition has different powders in the back (and more bullet weights), so I can utilize both copies for a wider selection

[kstrongsyj]

I just recently got into loading and like the Lyman book. Speer #14 is my second book so far...

[otteray]

Lyman, Lee, and the free powder manufacture brochures.
These all have cast lead data (that's what I load) in addition to the jacketed stuff.
Old copies of Handloader Magazine, and I always keep my eyes open for old reloading manuals, as a cross reference, since the listed bullet weights seem to change in each new version of a manual.

[-hanko]

Lyman, Lee, and the free powder manufacture brochures.
These all have cast lead data (that's what I load) in addition to the jacketed stuff.
Old copies of Handloader Magazine, and I always keep my eyes open for old reloading manuals, as a cross reference, since the listed bullet weights seem to change in each new version of a manual.

Richard Lee's manual is a bunch better than his reloading tools.

In addition to Handloader, check Pet Loads by Ken Waters.

Most of the free manuals from powder makers are on the web.

-hanko

[tankerman]

Cross referencing is key.

I have,
Alliant
Hogdon
Speer
Lyman
Nosler
Sierra
Vihtavouri

Some are books others are freebies from manufactures
I also have a bunch of obscure 'old' caliber specific books.

Handloader is the best magazine period.