reloading .38/.357s

more_bullets · January 10, 2013, 09:48 PM

I am just getting into reloading for my revolvers. I want to do this safely and properly. I have nearly all the equipment I need (mostly from my grandpa) But I need a good reloading manual. Any ideas?

CajunBass · January 10, 2013, 09:52 PM

Any of the big ones are good. Lee, Lyman, Sierra, RCBS...Probably others I can't think of off the top of my head.

Dan-O · January 10, 2013, 10:09 PM

Are you looking for recipes, or instruction on reloading itself?

If you're looking for recipes I'd recommend the powder manufacturer's websites. If you're looking for instruction I'd go with a Lyman manual.

Hammerhead · January 10, 2013, 10:23 PM

This Q belongs in the reloading forum, might get locked.
The Lyman manual is the best IMO. I also like the Hodgdon annual magazine and the Hornady manual.

Hal · January 10, 2013, 10:33 PM

If I could only have one manual it would be Lyman.

more_bullets · January 10, 2013, 10:34 PM

Sorry. At the time I wasn't aware of the reloading forum...thanks for the suggestions!

Deja vu · January 10, 2013, 10:48 PM

Google Hodgdon. They are a major maker of powders and have an online reloading manual. Just a little word of advise they tend to run a little bit hotter than other reloading manuals.

Tortuga12 · January 11, 2013, 03:37 PM

I've found that between the Lyman manual, and the little manual that comes with my Lee dies, I'm pretty well set.

BigJimP · January 11, 2013, 06:34 PM

Hodgdon powders are my primary choice in .357 mag and other calibers...a powder like Hodgdon Universal is readily available in most areas....and its a good powder.

I also like the typical 158 gr bullet in a .357 mag....look at Montana Gold for one source, very high quality product.

Johnny Falcon · January 11, 2013, 11:31 PM

Acquire as much reloading literature and manuals as you can afford, and read as much as you can before you begin reloading. I HIGHLY recommend reading The ABC's of Reloading, in addition to your manuals.

That said, I find reloading for .38 Special and .357 Magnum to be quite enjoyable, and relatively easy. I like to load the 158 gr. lead semi-wadcutter of various makes, and have had success with every powder I've tried thus far. I've used Clays, Trail Boss, and Power Pistol.

The 158 gr. cast bullet out of a .38/.357 at mild velocities (800-1000) is very fun to shoot, and it is a capable load.

jmortimer · January 12, 2013, 01:22 AM

If you are using Lee Precision equipment Modern Reloading by Richard Lee would be #1 and then Lyman's 49th. Otherwise you could reverse order.

warningshot · January 12, 2013, 04:53 AM

Do not be afraid to buy a old reloading manual from the 1980s or 90s at the used book store. I see them used for ~$5.00 all the time. Eventually you want to buy a current year manual; but if you are loading for a common caliber, .38 Special, 9mm, 45acp, then last years info. will do just fine for a year or two.

kimbers rule · January 12, 2013, 07:21 AM

I realy like speers number nine. The most informative one I've found yet though is Hodgeons annual manual. They go for 7-8 bucks and have alot of cool articals it them. They also have more data than any other book.

NUKE HUNTER · January 12, 2013, 09:27 AM

im a beginner also and i like the lymans too. its easy to read and has good pictures. the loads are pretty good also. the lee's is all about how their product is better. too much lee lee lee, not for me me me.
good luck and be safe

jmortimer · January 12, 2013, 10:19 AM

^ If you use Lee Precision equipment that is a good thing. The section covering some of the history of reloading is good and the price is right. No one man has done more for more reloaders than Richard Lee. The haters may not like that fact, but Lee Precision will continue to be #1 based on price/value. Anyway, as I mentioned, Lyman's 49th is an option, or better yet, get both.

biganimal · January 12, 2013, 08:21 PM

I own over 15 different manuals, some are thirty years old and some info is the same now. One can never have too many manuals.

January 10, 2013, 09:52 PM	#2
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	Any of the big ones are good. Lee, Lyman, Sierra, RCBS...Probably others I can't think of off the top of my head. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

January 10, 2013, 10:48 PM	#7
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	Google Hodgdon. They are a major maker of powders and have an online reloading manual. Just a little word of advise they tend to run a little bit hotter than other reloading manuals. __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

January 12, 2013, 08:21 PM	#16
biganimal Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2001 Location: south carolina Posts: 435	I own over 15 different manuals, some are thirty years old and some info is the same now. One can never have too many manuals. __________________ Other than That, Mrs Lincoln, How was the play?

January 10, 2013, 09:48 PM	#1
more_bullets Member Join Date: January 10, 2013 Posts: 67	reloading .38/.357s I am just getting into reloading for my revolvers. I want to do this safely and properly. I have nearly all the equipment I need (mostly from my grandpa) But I need a good reloading manual. Any ideas?

January 10, 2013, 10:09 PM	#3
Dan-O Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 969	Are you looking for recipes, or instruction on reloading itself? If you're looking for recipes I'd recommend the powder manufacturer's websites. If you're looking for instruction I'd go with a Lyman manual.

January 10, 2013, 10:23 PM	#4
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	This Q belongs in the reloading forum, might get locked. The Lyman manual is the best IMO. I also like the Hodgdon annual magazine and the Hornady manual.

January 10, 2013, 10:33 PM	#5
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	If I could only have one manual it would be Lyman.

January 10, 2013, 10:34 PM	#6
more_bullets Member Join Date: January 10, 2013 Posts: 67	Sorry. At the time I wasn't aware of the reloading forum...thanks for the suggestions!

January 11, 2013, 03:37 PM	#8
Tortuga12 Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Posts: 211	I've found that between the Lyman manual, and the little manual that comes with my Lee dies, I'm pretty well set.

January 11, 2013, 06:34 PM	#9
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Hodgdon powders are my primary choice in .357 mag and other calibers...a powder like Hodgdon Universal is readily available in most areas....and its a good powder. I also like the typical 158 gr bullet in a .357 mag....look at Montana Gold for one source, very high quality product.

January 11, 2013, 11:31 PM	#10
Johnny Falcon Member Join Date: August 18, 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 66	Acquire as much reloading literature and manuals as you can afford, and read as much as you can before you begin reloading. I HIGHLY recommend reading The ABC's of Reloading, in addition to your manuals. That said, I find reloading for .38 Special and .357 Magnum to be quite enjoyable, and relatively easy. I like to load the 158 gr. lead semi-wadcutter of various makes, and have had success with every powder I've tried thus far. I've used Clays, Trail Boss, and Power Pistol. The 158 gr. cast bullet out of a .38/.357 at mild velocities (800-1000) is very fun to shoot, and it is a capable load.

January 12, 2013, 01:22 AM	#11
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	If you are using Lee Precision equipment Modern Reloading by Richard Lee would be #1 and then Lyman's 49th. Otherwise you could reverse order.

January 12, 2013, 04:53 AM	#12
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2009 Posts: 995	Do not be afraid to buy a old reloading manual from the 1980s or 90s at the used book store. I see them used for ~$5.00 all the time. Eventually you want to buy a current year manual; but if you are loading for a common caliber, .38 Special, 9mm, 45acp, then last years info. will do just fine for a year or two.

January 12, 2013, 07:21 AM	#13
kimbers rule Member Join Date: November 3, 2012 Location: State of Jefferson Posts: 95	I realy like speers number nine. The most informative one I've found yet though is Hodgeons annual manual. They go for 7-8 bucks and have alot of cool articals it them. They also have more data than any other book.

January 12, 2013, 09:27 AM	#14
NUKE HUNTER Member Join Date: August 22, 2009 Location: dutchess county, new york Posts: 85	im a beginner also and i like the lymans too. its easy to read and has good pictures. the loads are pretty good also. the lee's is all about how their product is better. too much lee lee lee, not for me me me. good luck and be safe

January 12, 2013, 10:19 AM	#15
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	^ If you use Lee Precision equipment that is a good thing. The section covering some of the history of reloading is good and the price is right. No one man has done more for more reloaders than Richard Lee. The haters may not like that fact, but Lee Precision will continue to be #1 based on price/value. Anyway, as I mentioned, Lyman's 49th is an option, or better yet, get both.