Which reloading manual is the best overall ? - The Firearms Forum

Grahajp · 03-24-2010, 04:03 PM

Understanding that a person needs more than one reloading manual for reference, etc... If you could just own one, the most comprehensive, which one would it be?

GBertolet · 03-24-2010, 05:15 PM

I would go with the Hornady manual as a first choice.

Skipper · 03-24-2010, 05:44 PM

Lyman 48th

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=823498

Bindernut · 03-24-2010, 06:01 PM

This question will get you about as many answers as there are manuals available.

Generally, common sense says that you should get a manual from the company that makes the components you're reloading.
Hornady manual for Hornady bullets, etc...
BUT...this can get real confusing since bullet companies, powder companies, and reloading equipment companies all have manuals.
When it comes down to the data inside, none of them are any worse than the others. They all develop their loading data in ballistic labs so even though one manual may show differences from others they're not "wrong" from the others.

For good starter manuals...the two already mentioned are probably my top recommendations too.
Hornady has a real nice graphic & text description of the hows and whys of what happens when you pull the trigger on a cartridge and the reloading process. This one is my favorite.
The Lyman manual is also a good beginner's source, as is the Lee manual. The Lee manual does get very opinionated at times about the reloading process...but the load data is just fine.

howlnmad · 03-25-2010, 09:14 AM

I gotta go along with Bindernut, a manual for a specific brand bullet is best. It makes me mad cuz I load a lot of Rem and Win bullets and have to use general info and go from there. Any other brand I load, I use their manual to start with and cross referance with Lyman and Lee.

howlnmad

Waldog · 03-25-2010, 10:35 AM

It's nice to have each manufacturers book. However, Lyman's new 49th is hard to beat. It has many different manufacturers bullets listed. The Lyman manuals are my GO TO FIRST books.

RandyP · 03-26-2010, 08:34 AM

Lyman's 49th, Lee's and Hodgdon's more than serve my needs.

Every reloader/shooter needs to choose what works best for them.

gdmoody · 03-26-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipper

Lyman 48th

+1 if I only had one, this would be it.

Sandman · 03-26-2010, 10:27 AM

I have Nosler and Lee. Both are very good, but if I had to pick one, it would be the Nosler.

mikld · 03-26-2010, 11:03 AM

For a reloading manual (how-to, not recipes) ABCs of Reloading is the one. For load data use one from a company that manufacturers the components you choose. I have 7 or 8 manuals laying around my shop, but Lyman's handbook and cast bullet handbook get used the most.

LDBennett · 03-26-2010, 01:42 PM

The only one that explains in pictures how a cartridge works and how the reloading processes relate to how the cartridge works is the Hornady manual. It is my contention that it is important to know how a cartridge works in detail in order to make the right decision when reloading them. The Hornady manual covers details like: the cartridge case is really a gasket and how it does that function.

But for reloading data I like the Hodgdon manual because I use their powders almost exclusively (love those ball or short cut powders that meter well through a powder measure). For match performance I often use Sierra bullets and their manual is good for match loads. Speer's manual is also very good.... I can't pick except I do think a new reloader needs to at least read the Hornady manual for the reasons stated above.

LDBennett

DGG! · 04-07-2010, 03:44 PM

There are many good manuals, many online. I have used Speer's manual for a long time because it covers almost everything. I'll try to find a link to another manual that I like and make another post (I don't really understand the edit/delete functions yet).

DGG! · 04-07-2010, 03:47 PM

I recently found a manual for an individual cartridge. I like the style. It includes the loads from all the major powder makers and bullet makers in one easy to read little book. Here is an example of the one I use for .45 acp reloading.

http://www.dillonprecision.com/conte...3929/catid/11/

JLA · 04-07-2010, 04:51 PM

Lyman 49th

Airdale · 04-07-2010, 06:31 PM

Only one? It would be Sierra manual hands down!

I would not suggest just one in any way.

10 Spot Terminator · 04-10-2010, 06:32 AM

Lyman 48th ,,, unlike the newer 49th they were still referrencing the most accurate load in a given bullet load and has proved to be uncanny for me as ending up to be the very same for my load workups nore often than not. I own at least a dozen good manuals but this one is my go to book .

wallager57 · 04-10-2010, 08:51 AM

Either Hornady or Accurate Arms, you can't go far wrong with any of them. There is so much data free online, I haven't bought any in years though

Airgarcia · 04-13-2010, 08:31 AM

Are reloading manuals recommended for all gun owners or those that produce their own ammunition? I'm a bit unclear on this...I want to be as educated as possible but I just bought my first gun yesterday, so I have a looooong way to go.

Tanker6 · 04-13-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airgarcia

Are reloading manuals recommended for all gun owners or those that produce their own ammunition? I'm a bit unclear on this...I want to be as educated as possible but I just bought my first gun yesterday, so I have a looooong way to go.

I've been a "shooter" for nearly 30 years, but I bought my first reloading manual last year when I decided to try my hand at loading my own. Never needed one before then. Just open a reloading manual next time you see one in the store and you'll understand.

Good Luck!

Airgarcia · 04-14-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanker6

I've been a "shooter" for nearly 30 years, but I bought my first reloading manual last year when I decided to try my hand at loading my own. Never needed one before then. Just open a reloading manual next time you see one in the store and you'll understand.

Good Luck!

It sounds like you're saying that reloading is the art of producing your own ammunition...not my cup of tea I'm sure. Thanks for the feedback....

Tanker6 · 04-14-2010, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airgarcia

It sounds like you're saying that reloading is the art of producing your own ammunition...not my cup of tea I'm sure. Thanks for the feedback....

I think that accurately states what "reloading" is.

Grahajp · 04-19-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

The only one that explains in pictures how a cartridge works and how the reloading processes relate to how the cartridge works is the Hornady manual. It is my contention that it is important to know how a cartridge works in detail in order to make the right decision when reloading them. The Hornady manual covers details like: the cartridge case is really a gasket and how it does that function.

LDBennett

Thanks once again for your valuable input. I picked up the Hornady manual, and it is a great manual for someone new to reloading and is interested in more than load data. I have only used Hogdon powders so far (due to budget constraints) and will buy the manual soon...rather than borrowing from friends.

03-24-2010, 04:03 PM	#1
Grahajp V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Central Oklahoma Posts: 66	Which reloading manual is the best overall ? Understanding that a person needs more than one reloading manual for reference, etc... If you could just own one, the most comprehensive, which one would it be? -->

03-24-2010, 05:15 PM	#2
GBertolet Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 48	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? I would go with the Hornady manual as a first choice.

03-24-2010, 05:44 PM	#3
Skipper V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: People's Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 337	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? Lyman 48th http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=823498

03-24-2010, 06:01 PM	#4
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,453	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? This question will get you about as many answers as there are manuals available. Generally, common sense says that you should get a manual from the company that makes the components you're reloading. Hornady manual for Hornady bullets, etc... BUT...this can get real confusing since bullet companies, powder companies, and reloading equipment companies all have manuals. When it comes down to the data inside, none of them are any worse than the others. They all develop their loading data in ballistic labs so even though one manual may show differences from others they're not "wrong" from the others. For good starter manuals...the two already mentioned are probably my top recommendations too. Hornady has a real nice graphic & text description of the hows and whys of what happens when you pull the trigger on a cartridge and the reloading process. This one is my favorite. The Lyman manual is also a good beginner's source, as is the Lee manual. The Lee manual does get very opinionated at times about the reloading process...but the load data is just fine.

03-25-2010, 09:14 AM	#5
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,569	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? I gotta go along with Bindernut, a manual for a specific brand bullet is best. It makes me mad cuz I load a lot of Rem and Win bullets and have to use general info and go from there. Any other brand I load, I use their manual to start with and cross referance with Lyman and Lee. howlnmad __________________

03-25-2010, 10:35 AM	#6
Waldog V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 155	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? It's nice to have each manufacturers book. However, Lyman's new 49th is hard to beat. It has many different manufacturers bullets listed. The Lyman manuals are my GO TO FIRST books. __________________ I'm the Christian conservative male CNN warned you about!!

03-26-2010, 08:34 AM	#7
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? Lyman's 49th, Lee's and Hodgdon's more than serve my needs. Every reloader/shooter needs to choose what works best for them. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP

03-26-2010, 10:27 AM	#9
Sandman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 552	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? I have Nosler and Lee. Both are very good, but if I had to pick one, it would be the Nosler.

03-26-2010, 11:03 AM	#10
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? For a reloading manual (how-to, not recipes) ABCs of Reloading is the one. For load data use one from a company that manufacturers the components you choose. I have 7 or 8 manuals laying around my shop, but Lyman's handbook and cast bullet handbook get used the most. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast. Last edited by mikld; 03-26-2010 at 11:06 AM..

03-26-2010, 01:42 PM	#11
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,717	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? The only one that explains in pictures how a cartridge works and how the reloading processes relate to how the cartridge works is the Hornady manual. It is my contention that it is important to know how a cartridge works in detail in order to make the right decision when reloading them. The Hornady manual covers details like: the cartridge case is really a gasket and how it does that function. But for reloading data I like the Hodgdon manual because I use their powders almost exclusively (love those ball or short cut powders that meter well through a powder measure). For match performance I often use Sierra bullets and their manual is good for match loads. Speer's manual is also very good.... I can't pick except I do think a new reloader needs to at least read the Hornady manual for the reasons stated above. LDBennett

04-07-2010, 03:44 PM	#12
DGG! V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 160	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? There are many good manuals, many online. I have used Speer's manual for a long time because it covers almost everything. I'll try to find a link to another manual that I like and make another post (I don't really understand the edit/delete functions yet). Last edited by DGG!; 04-07-2010 at 03:55 PM..

04-07-2010, 03:47 PM	#13
DGG! V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 160	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? I recently found a manual for an individual cartridge. I like the style. It includes the loads from all the major powder makers and bullet makers in one easy to read little book. Here is an example of the one I use for .45 acp reloading. http://www.dillonprecision.com/conte...3929/catid/11/

04-07-2010, 04:51 PM	#14
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? Lyman 49th __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

04-07-2010, 06:31 PM	#15
Airdale Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: N.W. Arkansas Contributor Posts: 750	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? Only one? It would be Sierra manual hands down! I would not suggest just one in any way. __________________ "The Utopian schemes of leveling [redistribution of the wealth] and a community of goods [central ownership of the means of production and distribution], are as visionary and impractical as those which vest all property in the crown.[These ideas] are arbitrary, despotic, and, in our government, unconstitutional." Samuel Adams

04-10-2010, 06:32 AM	#16
10 Spot Terminator V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Redmond Oregon ( middle of state refered to as Central Oregon ) Posts: 82	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? Lyman 48th ,,, unlike the newer 49th they were still referrencing the most accurate load in a given bullet load and has proved to be uncanny for me as ending up to be the very same for my load workups nore often than not. I own at least a dozen good manuals but this one is my go to book .

04-10-2010, 08:51 AM	#17
wallager57 Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 4	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? Either Hornady or Accurate Arms, you can't go far wrong with any of them. There is so much data free online, I haven't bought any in years though

04-13-2010, 08:31 AM	#18
Airgarcia Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, Florida Posts: 4	Re: Which reloading manual is the best overall ? Are reloading manuals recommended for all gun owners or those that produce their own ammunition? I'm a bit unclear on this...I want to be as educated as possible but I just bought my first gun yesterday, so I have a looooong way to go.