Best reloading handbook?

[Rick the Librarian]

Since I haven't asked a new reloading question in, oh, DAYS now, thought I'd better come up with a new one quick!

Does anyone have an opinion on the best or most easy-to-understand reloading handbook? I have an old one (Speer Reloading Manual, 11th ed.) which somebody kindly sent me a couple of years back, but wondered if I shouldn't get something more up to date.

Anyone have any specific recommendations or opinions? Saw Modern Reloading by Richard Lee at the gunshop yesterday, as well as 2-3 other "brands".

TIA!

[Dave in NGA]

I'm partial to the Lyman series of Reloading Handbooks. I started using them nearly fifty years ago and have found none better. I also have Speer, Nosler, Sierra, and several other brands on hand. I usually compare and contrast loads since there are differences. You can never have too much information!

[trutracer]

My two main books are Sierra and Lyman.

[jimb]

Lyman and everything else I can lay my hands on.......

[Rodd Knox]

Lyman and 1 or 2 others - take your pick. The all seem to have their strengths and weaknesses. For handgun I used to use the Alliant website for load data for the old Hercules line but now all it shows is data for Speer bullets which means the lead bullet data is kept low for swaged (soft) bullets. Lyman usually has data for hardcast.

[da gimp]

Lyman, Sierra, Hornady, Speer, & Snooky's BIG blue reloading book on Winchester lever calibres.

Ya can't have too many & buy a Dillon 550 semi progressive press, you can load enough .45ACP's in 1 hour to pay for it, leaving more time for shooting, collecting, trading , brunettes, etc.

da gimp

OFC, Mo. Chapter

[Rick the Librarian]

Brunettes???!!! Now you guys ARE trying to get me in trouble!!!:eek:

[sid]

The Lyman Reloading Handbook is easily the best of them all.

[da gimp]

unless you load for pre 1899 Win levers & single shots, then Lyman is 2nd best , Snooky Williamson's is the best for those obsolete cartidges, then either Sierra, Hornady, Lyman or Speer, I generally look @ all when loading. Try to find data for obsolete German drilling cartridges, & even some of the less common English, generally you find obsolete powders listed.

Rick, redheaded & blonde ladies are okay in a pinch, I don't mean to discriminate..........

da gimp

[Rick the Librarian]

My brunette (with some gray highlights) is plenty of woman for me!! Been married 10 happy years, this November! Even acts interested when I explain my reloading trials and tribulations!

From the gist of the conversation, it sounds like any of the major reloading books is acceptable. I'll try to acquire 1-2 to supplement my old Speer 11th ed.

[joem]

I have lyman and many others, but Lyman is my go to book.

[Sunray]

There really is no 'best' manual. However, powder and bullet maker's books only give data for their products. The Lyman book has more loads using more powders and bullet weights than any manufacturer's book. Far more versatile.
Lee doesn't do their own testing. Their data comes from powder and bullet maker's books.

[JohnMOhio]

Rick, just remember that each book such as offered by Hornady, Speer and Sierra are bullet specific according to that manufacturer. Also pay attention to the rifle/pistol that was used to base these reloads on. I have always followed bullet specific and referred to that manufacturers reloads. However I do cross reference that load to the other manufacturers just in case there is a misprint in powder load amount. I have an old Lyman manual that is at least 50 years old, but it does have some "favorite" loads which I compare to curent manuals as I understand powders of 50 years ago and today may have the same name but are quite different. I am sure others here will back me up on that statement.

[tmark]

Rick,

I started out with the Lyman Reloading Manual with the plastic spiral binding. Lyman doesn't manufacture bullets, cases, cartridges, nor powder but makes recommendations using these components from the manufacturers who do as far as bullets and powders.

All other manuals and brochures, especially from bullet and powder manufacturers, I cross-reference the data of these sources with Lyman. Many times, these "other sources" give only one powder grain measurement to a certain weight of bullet. What I like about Lyman is that they give a range of powder measurements for a certain grain of bullet from minimum to maximum to accuracy load to factory duplication load.

I find the Lyman Manuals allow for more versatility and choices for the reloader.

[Rick the Librarian]

FRom the general gist of the discussion, it sounds like Lymen is the most recommended. That sounds like my first one to buy. Thanks!:icon_salut:

[Timberwolf]

If I could only have one then it would be the Lyman, but I have maybe 8, including my favourite Sierra.

[RED]

The NRA published guide is the one I use most.

[Rick the Librarian]

I've got the NRA "introduction" manual, but it doesn't seem to have much specific to loads.

[Cadillo]

If you intend to load for rifles, I recommend Zedickers Book, "Reloading for Competition".

It doesn't contain loading data, but sure contains a lot of useful information.

You won't be disappointed with it.

Also, "Hatcher's Notebook", specfically his chapter on "Headspace" should be a must read for anyone loading rifle ammunition. It's not a loading manual, but what that man knew about guns and ammunition is astounding.

[Rick the Librarian]

Just ordered the Lyman 49th Ed. handbook from Midway. I shopped around and found some good buys but several of them had ridiculous shipping (for a single book). One had a copy for $19.00, but would ONLY ship it for $17.00 UPS Ground! As it was, I paid nearly 11.00 though Midway - $7.56 for shipping (which I also thought excessive for ONE book) and a $3 charge because the total was less than $25.00.

[Rodd Knox]

Those kind of shipping prices for books tic me off!!
Vendors could use USPS media mail for books and save their customers some money.

[JOSBER]

I am partial to Lymans. For reloading I also use " Load from a disk and QuickLoad software."

[talucah]

For service rifles I refer to Horaday's Service Rifle Load Notes. This booklet also contains the best ballistics tables that I have seen.
Bob

[Art]

For service rifles I refer to Horaday's Service Rifle Load Notes. This booklet also contains the best ballistics tables that I have seen.
Bob

The Hornady book does have very complete tables. It also has an extensive section in the 30-06 chapter on loads specific to the M1 Garand if you reload for that.

[Rick the Librarian]

I doubt if I'll be loading 30-06 for my lifetime - have a lot of CMP 30-06 stashed away. My plan, if I can get someone to show me how to reload for rifle, is to reload for the 30-40 Krag, .303 and maybe 9mm.

[carym2a]

OK I'm all caught up on my reloading and reading up on data changes, can we get back to Brunettes.:icon_lol: