A litle help deciding on which book!

[phylo]

I know everyone has an opinion which is why Im asking..

Think back to when you first started reloading.. Now think of all the books you have read on the subject since then. Now decide which would be the first and second book on reloading you would buy if you had to start as a noob again...

I have 2 Dillon presses on the way, a 550b and a 650xl and most of the stuff to load 223, 40, 9mm and 308. They will be delivered on Tuesday next week so Im starting to hunt for powder, primers and bullets, but I also need to get my hands on a few good books to help me out. I have a friend who has been reloading for about 12 years who will also be helping me out but would still like some good reading material..

Thanks for your input.

[fol4321]

lyman

[Javi]

I own the Lyman #49 & The latest Speer manual since it came with my press. I'm very happy to have more than one manual to get different data. Speer has some very interesting articles on ballistics n' such. I do highly recommend Lyman as it was my first manual and it really answered a lot of questions for me.

[EL_NinO619]

I would say (1)Lyman, Speer & Hornady are equal. Those little caliber specific books come in handy also.

[ar15barrels]

Lyman's chapters on the basics are a little easier to learn from than all the others I read and I have read all the major brand manuals.

[GeoffLinder]

Lyman and Speer (RCBS) are what I started with and still have.

When you are ready to advance to rifle reloading college, try this:

http://www.zediker.com/books/handloading/hlmain.html

[Divernhunter]

I have all of them and hands down the Lyman is the first to buy. The current one is the #49 edition. I have several older ones also. Speer/Hornady are good. If you plan to load Barnes bullets you need the Barnes manual as the data is different for the all copper bullets.

[slopoke]

My first picks would be the Hornady and Sierra books for load data. If it's to just learn about reloading, the ABC's of reloading is a good book for a beginner to learn about what reloading is and how to do it. It was the first book that I purchased prior to getting in to reloading.

If you are like me and I suppose a lot of reloaders, you will aquire multiple books for data. In all, I have the Speer, Lyman, Lee, Hornady and Sierra books.

[damndave]

I have the Lyman 49th and like it. Helped me understand the process when 1st starting.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

I'm one of the few people I know who really doesn't like Lyman's 49th. It seemed like I was always referring to the Hodgdon website, or other resources. For example: They don't even list 7.5 MAS in Lyman's 49th. They also don't have any load data for Autocomp powder, for any caliber. Plus, when comparing charge weights between Lyman's 49th and Lee's Modern Reloading, the Lyman manual is very conservative. I've seen the "Never Exceed" on some charges have a difference of about a grain on some calibers.

I'd get a copy of Lee's modern reloading. It's been a lot more useful to me...

[Bill Steele]

I think most will cover what you want. I have a number of books, but probably use my Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition the most frequently. It has the most load data I have found. In addition, the how-to section is very complete, including many subjects like downloading for lead in rifle, etc. that won't be found in most other books.

The downside to the Lee book is you get a constant sales picth for his products, but I think that is fair considering the numbers of truly innovative products the guy has invented.

[phylo]

I was leaning towards the Lyman 49th edition so that will be the first one I buy...

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions!

[CS Sports]

Lyman and Speer (RCBS) are what I started with and still have.

When you are ready to advance to rifle reloading college, try this:

http://www.zediker.com/books/handloading/hlmain.html

Glen Zediker's book is fantastic. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get serious about reloading for rifles.

I like the Speer, Hornady and Nosler books. I own pretty much all of the available books, with several editions of each, but those three are the ones I use most.

[J-cat]

Pet Loads by Ken Waters, though outdated, is excellent reading if you plan on using tried and proven classic powders.

[edrex]

I was leaning towards the Lyman 49th edition so that will be the first one I buy...

I recently got into reloading and this is the only book I own so far, but it has given me a good base of knowledge. When I am starting a new load I check the book, plus use Hodgdon's online data center and any info I can find for load data from the bullet manufacturer. Finding as much data as I can from reputable sources gives me an idea of where I want to start and max out. Any questions I've had about the actual process of reloading that weren't covered in the book I've found answers to here. One calgunner even spent an hour on the phone with me helping me get set up. The wealth of knowledge is amazing.