Recommended Reloading Manual?

[popeye4]

For the introductory section, just about any of the major manuals will get you started (Lyman, Speer, Sierra, Hronady). Keep in mind that manuals written by manufacturers (Speer -> RCBS, Lee) might skew towards their own equipment, but methods should still be valid. Once you've learned the basics (or even if you haven't), I recommend Glen Zediker's "Handloading for Competition". Even if you don't ever load for highpower, it is a great read and full of useful insights on how to make better ammo (which is really why most of us stay in handloading). You can find it here: http://www.zediker.com/books/handloading/hlmain.html

[Divernhunter]

Lyman #49 to start with. If loading Barnes bullets get their manual as data is different for the solid copper bullets.

[BajaJames83]

Lee.
has the most data Ive seen in one book, but its always nice to have more than one to cross reference.

[scotchblade]

I have Lyman and Lee. But most of the time I wind up at the Hodgdon Reloading Center since they cover most of my current powders.

[milotrain]

For load data the internetwebaspheres is king. For reloading process the old books are hugely useful. Distilled and accurate.

[TacticalPlinker]

Buy them all. If you plan to use a particular brand of bullets most often, Hornady for example, go with that manufactures manual... Published load data from powder manufactures like Hodgdon and Alliant is also a good reference.

I have the Hornady, Lyman and Lee. The Lyman and Lee cover different brands of powder and bullets. Hornady covers only Hornady bullets but I still use it.

I like the Speer book, I want to pick one up when I see it next. Sierra is probably another suggestion because Sierra bullets are so popular.

Don't know much about the manuals from Nosler or Berger.

[Cheep]

I have several different manuals, my recommendation would be start with the Lyman. That manual covers all aspects of reloading, explaining many things in detail. And the Lee manual has tons of different loads.

[SoCal Gunner]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

[sargenv]

Also can't go wrong with some of the various powder manufacturer's Annual data manuals.. sometimes they have some oddball data that the larger manuals don't have.. I would suggest the Hodgdon, Alliant, and Accurate Arms annuals. I think these days Hodgdon covers IMR and Winchester so no need to get those manuals anymore.