Reading the instructions

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · May 14, 2009, 07:31 AM

G'day. Just interested in how often you read reloading manuals? I don't mean for load data.
Do you highlight or underline things in your book?
I often see that people new to reloading are told to read the books a couple of times before they start. So how often should you go back over the information?
Is there anybody that has not read a reloading book for at least five years? Or do you only look up specific information?

Dragon55 · May 14, 2009, 07:36 AM

I actually have read everything in my Hodgdon manual except all the load data that pertains to calibers/gages I don't own.

madmo44mag · May 14, 2009, 07:41 AM

Read, underline, make notes, ect...

Every manual out there is written / edited by a different person and will always have a little different info within.
When I come across something that does not jive with my way or not in sink with another manual, I note it and come back and see whats up.
You never know when you may lean something new. Also review of know facts keeps them fresh in your mind.

dmazur · May 14, 2009, 08:26 AM

I've re-read the "how-to" section of the Speer manual several times. Not for specfic instructions, but for general understanding.

When I resumed reloading after a lapse of several years, I read mostly about reloading pistol cartridges because that's what I was doing at the time. More recently, I've started reloading bottleneck cartridges and I'm reading again...

I don't think I'm compulsive (but some may think so...), but I keep owner's manuals for everything and read them once in a while. Sometimes I stumble over something I missed the first time. Like a cartoon lightbulb going on.

Slamfire · May 14, 2009, 11:05 AM

Now that I know it all, (lol) I only read the loading data.

2DaMtns · May 14, 2009, 11:15 AM

I have had the Speer and Lyman manuals the longest, and I think I have read the basics in the Lyman twice and three or four times in the Speer. I just bought the Sierra manual last week and read through the basics last night. I don't think you can ever read it too much, especially when you're new to it.

Storm52 · May 14, 2009, 11:58 AM

Read, underline, make notes, ect...
Every manual out there is written / edited by a different person and will always have a little different info within.
When I come across something that does not jive with my way or not in sink with another manual, I note it and come back and see whats up.
You never know when you may lean something new. Also review of know facts keeps them fresh in your mind.

Agreed. My Speer and Lyman manuals are all dog-eared.

**Mike Irwin** · May 14, 2009, 12:24 PM

I use colored page flags (or tabs), the kind that you can write on.

I use Red for rifle reloading information, yellow for handgun, and other colors for general information I might want to refer back to.

TheNatureBoy · May 14, 2009, 12:33 PM

Often, to include highlighting and underlining.

Qtiphky · May 14, 2009, 02:15 PM

I read the Sierra Manual 5th edition twice. I read everything cover to cover, some of it I didn't understand and will eventually re-read and try and understand that stuff, but read it anyway. I really liked reading the history and development of each caliber listed.

GeauxTide · May 14, 2009, 02:21 PM

Before Loaddata.com came around, I bought Nosler, Speer, Barnes, Hornady, and Speer when they came out.

dipper · May 14, 2009, 02:40 PM

I have maybe a dozen manuals by different companies.
I refer to many sections of the manuals often.
A couple of my manuals have very detailed and comprehensive explanation of "advanced methods" .....casting your own bullets, lead hardness and different alloys, benchrest techniques, and many other interesting things.
I have another new manual coming in the mail now, and I'll read it cover to cover when it gets here.

May 14, 2009, 07:31 AM	#1
SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Location: Far Nth Wst QLD Australia Posts: 992	Reading the instructions G'day. Just interested in how often you read reloading manuals? I don't mean for load data. Do you highlight or underline things in your book? I often see that people new to reloading are told to read the books a couple of times before they start. So how often should you go back over the information? Is there anybody that has not read a reloading book for at least five years? Or do you only look up specific information? __________________ If you're not confused, you're not trying hard enough! When you're confused, I'll try to use smaller words!!!

May 14, 2009, 07:36 AM	#2
Dragon55 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 811	I actually have read everything in my Hodgdon manual except all the load data that pertains to calibers/gages I don't own. __________________ sailing ... A way to spend lots of money and go real S L O W

May 14, 2009, 07:41 AM	#3
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	Read, underline, make notes, ect... Every manual out there is written / edited by a different person and will always have a little different info within. When I come across something that does not jive with my way or not in sink with another manual, I note it and come back and see whats up. You never know when you may lean something new. Also review of know facts keeps them fresh in your mind. __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

May 14, 2009, 08:26 AM	#4
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	I've re-read the "how-to" section of the Speer manual several times. Not for specfic instructions, but for general understanding. When I resumed reloading after a lapse of several years, I read mostly about reloading pistol cartridges because that's what I was doing at the time. More recently, I've started reloading bottleneck cartridges and I'm reading again... I don't think I'm compulsive (but some may think so...), but I keep owner's manuals for everything and read them once in a while. Sometimes I stumble over something I missed the first time. Like a cartoon lightbulb going on. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

May 14, 2009, 12:24 PM	#8
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,382	I use colored page flags (or tabs), the kind that you can write on. I use Red for rifle reloading information, yellow for handgun, and other colors for general information I might want to refer back to. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

May 14, 2009, 11:05 AM	#5
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	Now that I know it all, (lol) I only read the loading data.

May 14, 2009, 11:15 AM	#6
2DaMtns Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Posts: 457	I have had the Speer and Lyman manuals the longest, and I think I have read the basics in the Lyman twice and three or four times in the Speer. I just bought the Sierra manual last week and read through the basics last night. I don't think you can ever read it too much, especially when you're new to it.

May 14, 2009, 11:58 AM	#7
Storm52 Member Join Date: March 2, 2009 Location: Shreveport, La. Posts: 85	Read, underline, make notes, ect... Every manual out there is written / edited by a different person and will always have a little different info within. When I come across something that does not jive with my way or not in sink with another manual, I note it and come back and see whats up. You never know when you may lean something new. Also review of know facts keeps them fresh in your mind. Agreed. My Speer and Lyman manuals are all dog-eared.

May 14, 2009, 12:33 PM	#9
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	Often, to include highlighting and underlining.

May 14, 2009, 02:15 PM	#10
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	Twice I read the Sierra Manual 5th edition twice. I read everything cover to cover, some of it I didn't understand and will eventually re-read and try and understand that stuff, but read it anyway. I really liked reading the history and development of each caliber listed.

May 14, 2009, 02:21 PM	#11
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	Before Loaddata.com came around, I bought Nosler, Speer, Barnes, Hornady, and Speer when they came out.

May 14, 2009, 02:40 PM	#12
dipper Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Posts: 895	I have maybe a dozen manuals by different companies. I refer to many sections of the manuals often. A couple of my manuals have very detailed and comprehensive explanation of "advanced methods" .....casting your own bullets, lead hardness and different alloys, benchrest techniques, and many other interesting things. I have another new manual coming in the mail now, and I'll read it cover to cover when it gets here. __________________ --------------------------------------------------------- "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees" EMILIANO ZAPATA SALAZAR