Newbie: looking for "the best" reloading manual

[kinger]

Hi,

I'm planning on getting into reloading (hoping for the appropriate Christmas presents! :-) ) and I'd like to begin by reading a good, thorough reloading manual. Is there any one of them: Speer, Hornady, etc. you recommend for a beginner?

Thank you,

Pete

[Val]

They are all pretty good. I would recommend that you eventually buy several of them so you can cross reference. For the first one I would recommend the Nosler manual. They have a most accurate powder tested with the most accurate powder weight. I have developed some pretty accurate loads on several calibers using the data. Start at a lower powder weight and work up checking for signs of pressure as you work up.

[GREYGHOSTt]

Hornady/Speer/Lyman

[rbwillnj]

The Lyman manual has a lot of basic how to information, as well as a lot of load data.   Don't know what kind of reloading equipment you asked Santa for, but if your getting a pretty complete set, there is a good chance that it will come with a manual.

[Graybeard]

There is no "best" reloading manual. And no reloader should have only one.

I consider the information section of the Lyman manual to be a MUST HAVE especially for a new reloader. The data section is good but not necessarily the best. It does have the most cast bullet data of them all if you'll be using those. I personally consider this one a must have manual.

I also suggest you own the bullet maker's manual for all brands of bullets you will use. Also the powder maker's manuals for all brands of powders you will use. Most have few annual soft cover manuals you should get and keep. Some also publish a larger hard cover manual but not all do.


I don't even think about loading for a new cartridge without consulting with three or more manuals. I want to see what powders all agree are really good or best for the round. I also want to bump them against each other to determine what is a safe starting and maximum load for the powder and bullets selected. Do not assume that a recipe is still safe in your gun just because it's listed in one manual. This is especially true when you are using a bullet of same or similar weight but different manufacture. The bullet construction as well as bullet weight determines what's a safe powder charge.

[Questor]

I like the Speer manual. It's thorough and it explains how to set up and use the RCBS equipment that comes with the Rockchucker Master reloading kit.  The velocities published very closely match the real world velocities that I get. Some manuals are way off.

After reading one like Speer for general background information, then get one that specializes in bullets or loads you are interested in shooting. For example, if you want to shoot Swift bullets, get the Swift manual.  The Lyman cast bullet manual is good too, but the velocity data is useless.

You will also need to decide what volume of reloading you want to do. If you're doing a lot of pistol shooting and need hundreds of rounds per month, then get a progressive press like the Dillon 550. Otherwise get a quality single stage press like the RCBS Rockchucker.  

The remark on cross-referencing is important because errors do occur and it is always good practice to do a reality check on load data. If two loads for the same powder and bullet weight vary greatly, there may be a problem with the data.

[ButlerFord45]

There is a best FIRST manual and that is the Lyman and the powder companys have their manuals on line and if you look around the websites while your there, there will be a form for filling for the free coies and they're all worth having.  If you compare loads in three or for manuals you'll find that there will likley be a trend toward one or two powder's being best suited or most accurate.  Which makes buying the first powder to try much easier.

[longwinters]

When I started 2 years ago I had only the Speer manual (it came with the RCBS Kit).  I now have Sierra, Nosler, Hodgen and IMR.  GB is right.  You should try to get at least a few and compare their notes.  If you want to find the best loads the quickest this is the way to go.

Long

[Dand]

My first choices are Speer  and Lyman and I'd strongly argue to get a minimum of  2 to start.  Then READ them both cover to cover.  After that I agree with GB, and the others.  I think I have at least 9 book size manuals (plus older versions of the main ones) and try to keep updated copies provided by the powder manufacturers.  Just ordered the latest IMR manual online Monday.


Also get a load log book to record each load you do - I'm happy with the MTM version but there are others - or you could set up a spread sheet if you are into computers.  But I'd enocurage you to print out permanent copies to consult later.  

Welcome to the fun of reloading.  I never get tired of it.

[Carl l.]

I have 17 different reloading manuels and I think Lyman is the best. Carl L.

[kinger]

Thank you all, for your excellent advice. I'm ordering the Lyman and the Speer today, and I'll pick up more as I go along. This'll give me some great reading material to peruse until Christmas! I'm hoping for the Rock Crusher Supreme package, I believe!

Pete

[Graybeard]

If you are going to get the RCBS package deal I think the Speer manual will come with it. I'd not buy it separately up front if you're going to get it in the package. Spend your money on another instead. I'd go with either the Nosler or Hornady in that case.

[roper]

Nosler has always give the "Most accurate load Tested" and "Most accurate powder tested" and Sierra has hunting load and target load and in 40yrs of reloading those loads normally are pretty good.  Lymans older manuals I loaded from to me are better than there latest.  I tried some of in  300wsm no luck.  I've always have bought the lastest in all reloading  manuals and do cross check which is helpful.  One of the best I ever owned is Speers#4 wildcat bought new in the early 60's and it's the only one that when you loaded from it and you chronograph that load you get that velocity even today.  Well good luck and welcome to the world of reloading.

[swecology]

The two that I consistenly use in my shop are Hornady and Sierra.  I'm hoping for the new Sierra manual and software for Christmas.  

I also have Nosler, Speer, and Lyman on my shelf, and hyperlinks to
Winchester, IMR powder, Hodgdon powder, and Alliant powder in my Favorites.  I've found those to be just as useful, especially while trying to set up for the new 7mm WSM.  Not many have load data listed for that caliber yet.

One thing about Sierra, over all the rest.  I have yet to have a load out of it that doesn't come out right the first time.  Hornady, Speer, and Lyman, I'll usually have to go and tinker with the loads for quite a while until I'm getting the accuracy and velocity I want.  Not with Sierra.  I will find the "keeper" load during the initial development, if I follow their recommendations for a hunting or an accuracy load in that caliber and bullet weight.  I like reloading as well as the next guy...but my patience becomes tested when it takes me 6 months or longer to fine tune a load out of Hornady.  Not so with Sierra.

That, along with the excellent advice and customer service at the end of Sierra's 1-800 #, makes it the best manual I have in the shop.

My $.02 worth...

Matt

[Jack Crevalle]

I think that the Speer manual has very good tutorial information (in addition to pretty adequate load data).

The NRA manual is a very good manual that contains just tutorial information, is not biased toward a certain manufacturer, and contains information that you won't find in other reloading manuals such as the NFPA fire codes and other national organizations reccomendations for safe storage and handling of powder and primers. Plus, last time I checked, it was $5. You might also go to www.nra.org and look for a metallic cartridge reloading course offered in your area.

[Leftoverdj]

There is a "best" manual, Ken Water's "Pet Loads". That and a handful of powder company giveaways will do most folks fine.

I am also partial to Lee #2. It is essentially a collection of powder company giveaways with some very useful info in the first half.

[GrampaMike]

There is a "best" manual, Ken Water's "Pet Loads".

This is also my favorite.

[Questor]

I prefer the newer manuals to Pet Loads. The newer powders are represented in new manuals.

[TennesseeNuc]

kinger,
If you get an RCBS master kit, it will have a Speer manual included.  After that, I would recommend a Lyman and a Hodgdon manual.  I think the Lyman manual has the most interesting reading of any of them.
Best,
TnNuc