Recommended reloading manuals

[cruddymutt]

New to reloading and was just getting ready to order a Speer reloading manual (#14) but read a few bad reviews about "lawyerized loads" and the load data being geared only towards Speer products. Not knowing exactly what components I am going to use or what calibers I may eventually load for, what manuals are recommended?
Ive already been given a few "pet" loads for a couple of calibers I definatly want to load for (.45 colt and 30-06 M2 ball) but would like to check them against written data.

[Horton Fenty]

I would recommend both the Lyman manual and the Sierra manual. The Lyman one covers a wide variety of components and has plenty of lead load data which will be useful for loading 45 Colt. The Sierra is the best written and best laid out book in my opinion. They list stuff out in velocity columns rather than just a min and max value. Sierra bullets are very popular, very good quality, and reasonable priced. The reloading section is well written and includes a lot of extra info on reloading for semi-auto rifles that other people just don't cover. Another great read is Ken Water's Pet Loads. Not so much for getting data from directly, but for reading his thoughts and comparing his results with the newer publications.

[Divernhunter]

First and foremost the Lyman #49 manual for info and loads. If you buy a RCBS kit you will usually get a Speer manual. If you plan to load Barnes bullets get their manual as data is different for Barnes bullets. Hornady and Sierra are also good. I have all the above in multiple years and others(lee/Swift and such). For data go to the powder manufactures web sites and bullet manufacture web sites also.

[ejhc11]

If you shoot a lot of C&R the Hornady Reloading manual has loads for M1 Garands, Mosins, Mausers, Enfields, etc... They are tailored to Hornady bullets but I like them.

I've been pretty happy - my loads for pistols and rifle have been consistent and accurate.

[NiteQwill]

Lyman, Lee, Sierra, and Hornady.

[robert101]

I like Hornady becasue of the reasonable prices on bullets. Don't forget that each powder manufacturer has some published data as well. I use a lot of Alliant and Hodgen powder because of the data available on the web: check them out.

[Colt562]

Lyman, Lee, hornady, ABC's of Reloading

[cruddymutt]

Thanks everyone for the info. I plan on using Unique (I think thats Alliant) for 45lc and IMR (unsure of the number right now) for my Garand. The pet loads my friend gave me call for those powders.
As for projectiles I have no clue yet. Looked at cast for the 45lc in a 250gr flavor but no idea on 30-06 yet except 147gr.

[M27]

I have Hornady and Lyman. Hornady is good and I like it because it gives velocity ranges not just max and minimums. I like the Lyman because it gives a lot of heavy for caliber and light for caliber loads. 115gn in 380 is one of my favorite 380 loads and you will never find it on a shelf.

I also use these often

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

[MIAMIbaseballer]

Lyman and sierra..... internet has a lot of load info too. M27 just listed a few good websites....