Books on reloading data

[DeepCover]

I have Lymans 49th Edition. Any other suggestions for must read reloading books? I am trying to acquire as many books with different load data options as possible.

Thanks in advance.

[Divernhunter]

If you plan to shoot barnes bullets be sure to get their manual as data is different from regular bullets. Other good manuals are Hornady/Speer/Sierria(sp)/Nosler. Some recommend ABC's of Reloading but I found it to be a waste of money myself. Also check online with powder and bullet manufactures for data.

[CCrawford]

Not to fully repeat what Divernhunter said but it would be helpful to explain which areas you are interested in specifically so recommendations can be made. Lyman is as good a starting point as any. Any of the major bullet/reloading companies books (Barnes, Berger, Hornady, Lee, Nolser, Sierra, Speer, Swift) will have basic reloading instructions and steps to follow.

Most reloading books cover a couple of extra topics in each edition that are off the 1, 2, 3, steps instructions. Berger being a mostly match bullet company covers target shooting more and the G1 vs. G7 Ballistic Coefficient issues. Speer 10th Edition covered Metallic Silhouettes because it was popular when the manual was published. Nosler typically has more info on hunting bullet issues. Sierra has both match and hunting as topics to go with their Match King and Game King lines of bullets. Some cover COL or COAL (Cartridge Overall Length) or CBTO (Cartridge Base to Ogive) in depth and explain about bullet jump and seating depths, while others say do not exceed X length. Some manuals discuss specific gun powders and what was available on the market when the book went to print, other do not. Some have many pages of company history and/or personal histories of writers, owners, etc., other briefly touch on it. Do you need any shot shell info? Few metallic books have that data anymore, but the "Free" flyers from the powder companies usually have both sets of data covered.

Most major powder companies offer data at their web sites or publish flyers or PDFs.
Hodgdon (IMR and Winchester as well)
Alliant
VihtaVuori
Ramshot
Accurate
ADI
Nobel Vectan
Norma
PB Clermont

You can refer to this reloading manual caliber coverage website for caliber specifics.

There are also many, many reloading websites or firearms websites that offer data and special information to specific shooting games, sports, disciplines, etc. Let us know what you want to do and the members can add reading material to the list.

Enjoy,
Criss

PS Check your local library as well, sometimes you get surprised with what they have or can get from other ones.

[dpitts]

I am a total reload newbie too. One book suggested to and that I am in the middle of is Richard Lee's "Modern Reloading" second edition. It's explains things very clearly. You get the vague idea from the book that Mr. lee is very proud of his products. :-) It is a good book none the less.

[Bill Steele]

I am a total reload newbie too. One book suggested to and that I am in the middle of is Richard Lee's "Modern Reloading" second edition. It's explains things very clearly. You get the vague idea from the book that Mr. lee is very proud of his products. :-) It is a good book none the less.

I agree with everything said here.

The Lee 2nd Edition has a lot of informative information I have not found in any other book, like downloading well beyond start loads, lead loading in rifle, etc. In addition, it probably has the largest selection of loads per caliber, so you can find a starting place for a powder or bullet weight/type you might not find in any other book.

I load a lot of Hornaday bullets, so I like the Hornaday manual. It is pretty conservative on 308 loads, but makes up for it by being really stout with a few of the handgun calibers I load...

Having a bunch of books is a great idea, I have learned something from each one I have gotten, many times stuff that goes against all the conventional wisdom you might find in online forums.

Also, you started with a really good one.

Have fun, good luck.