Recommend Some Good Reloading Books

redrick · February 3, 2013, 06:12 PM

I am going to start reloading after pricing .45 colt ammo.

Can ya'll recommend some good starting books with the authors and editions.

I looked at the ABC'S of Reloading , there were about 3 different authors of that book.

Right now I am leaning at getting in line for a Lee Classic Turret Press and use it as a single until I get a feel for it.

chris in va · February 3, 2013, 06:21 PM

I understand the Lee book is good.

Really though it would be a good idea to have a mentor that can show you the ropes in person. There are a lot of tricks to learn that the books don't tell you about.

m&p45acp10+1 · February 3, 2013, 07:13 PM

Lyman Pistol & Revolver 3rd Edition is a good one.

It was my first manaual 4 years ago. I still use it for data to this day. I do have a Lyman 48th that was given to me by a friend a few months ago. The newest is the 49th. It has lots of good info in it though it seems more rifle oriented to me. For hand gun loads the P&R is a great one.

redrick · February 3, 2013, 08:52 PM

Thanks M&P, thats the kind of information that I am looking for.

TXGunNut · February 3, 2013, 09:11 PM

Lee, Lyman and Hornady are my favorite sources. Richard Lee promotes his tools but I happen to like many of them so it's a good asset. Lyman has an excellent basic book and I like their more specialized books as well. Steve Hornady makes excellent tools, cases and bullets and happens to write a good manual to show us how to use them. I have other manuals and older versions of some and they all get used on a regular basis.
I'd start with no less than two, preferably three, depending on your area of interest. I did pretty well for my first few years with the RCBS manual but additional manuals give you a much-needed broader perspective when developing specialized loads. Some manuals don't like certain powders or bullet designs but if you have more than one manual you can likely find a good starting point for most any reasonable combination of components.

tmd47762 · February 3, 2013, 09:36 PM

I have and like both Lee and Speer manuals, each has its own strengths and weaknesses. That said, I intend to buy more. One can never own too many reloading manuals.

Kevin Rohrer · February 3, 2013, 11:03 PM

Lyman #49 is the book all others are measured by.

Any of the ABCs of Reloading prior to 9th Edition is fine.

jmortimer · February 3, 2013, 11:10 PM

"Modern Reloading" by Richard Lee should be your first choice if you are going to use Lee Precision equipment. Lymans 49th good second manual to get. That should do it. I would only get ABCs if you have $$$ to burn.

2ndtimer · February 4, 2013, 01:23 AM

The recommendation of a mentor is great advice. I have a bunch of Reloading Manuals and they all have something to offer. I started with the Speer No. 9 and went from there. I think the Speer manual does a fine job of laying out the basics of reloading. While it may be overkill, I have Speers 9 thru 14, Noslers 2 thru 7, Hornady 3, 4 and 8, Lyman 48 and 49, and an older Sierra. I have lost a couple loaned to friends over the years, too. I don't think you can have too many, and I certainly suggest you have at least 2. It may not be as critical now that so much data is available from manufacturers on the web, but it is still nice to cross reference loads, particularly when something unexpected happens. (and it will, sooner or later)
My favorite is probably the Nosler manual, followed by the Lyman. I like and use them all.

Cheap 870 · February 4, 2013, 07:56 AM

My favorite is probably Speer's followed by Hornady's.

jj320 · February 4, 2013, 07:57 AM

Just found a book on amazon called reloading for handgunners by Patrick Sweeney have not read it . has anyone else read this book

rlc323 · February 4, 2013, 10:59 AM

If you have the Kindle (the wife does) and Amazon Prime you can borrow The ABC's of Reloading free for a month. This is the 2010 version by Rodney James, $15.99 paperback, $12.99 Kindle purchase.

Good book to start out with.

February 3, 2013, 06:12 PM	#1
redrick Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,041	Recommend Some Good Reloading Books I am going to start reloading after pricing .45 colt ammo. Can ya'll recommend some good starting books with the authors and editions. I looked at the ABC'S of Reloading , there were about 3 different authors of that book. Right now I am leaning at getting in line for a Lee Classic Turret Press and use it as a single until I get a feel for it.

February 3, 2013, 07:13 PM	#3
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	Lyman Pistol & Revolver 3rd Edition is a good one. It was my first manaual 4 years ago. I still use it for data to this day. I do have a Lyman 48th that was given to me by a friend a few months ago. The newest is the 49th. It has lots of good info in it though it seems more rifle oriented to me. For hand gun loads the P&R is a great one. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 3, 2013, 09:11 PM	#5
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,860	Lee, Lyman and Hornady are my favorite sources. Richard Lee promotes his tools but I happen to like many of them so it's a good asset. Lyman has an excellent basic book and I like their more specialized books as well. Steve Hornady makes excellent tools, cases and bullets and happens to write a good manual to show us how to use them. I have other manuals and older versions of some and they all get used on a regular basis. I'd start with no less than two, preferably three, depending on your area of interest. I did pretty well for my first few years with the RCBS manual but additional manuals give you a much-needed broader perspective when developing specialized loads. Some manuals don't like certain powders or bullet designs but if you have more than one manual you can likely find a good starting point for most any reasonable combination of components. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

February 3, 2013, 11:03 PM	#7
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,049	Lyman #49 is the book all others are measured by. Any of the ABCs of Reloading prior to 9th Edition is fine. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

February 4, 2013, 01:23 AM	#9
2ndtimer Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Kennewick, WA Posts: 293	The recommendation of a mentor is great advice. I have a bunch of Reloading Manuals and they all have something to offer. I started with the Speer No. 9 and went from there. I think the Speer manual does a fine job of laying out the basics of reloading. While it may be overkill, I have Speers 9 thru 14, Noslers 2 thru 7, Hornady 3, 4 and 8, Lyman 48 and 49, and an older Sierra. I have lost a couple loaned to friends over the years, too. I don't think you can have too many, and I certainly suggest you have at least 2. It may not be as critical now that so much data is available from manufacturers on the web, but it is still nice to cross reference loads, particularly when something unexpected happens. (and it will, sooner or later) My favorite is probably the Nosler manual, followed by the Lyman. I like and use them all. __________________ NRA Endowment Member

February 3, 2013, 06:21 PM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I understand the Lee book is good. Really though it would be a good idea to have a mentor that can show you the ropes in person. There are a lot of tricks to learn that the books don't tell you about.

February 3, 2013, 08:52 PM	#4
redrick Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,041	Thanks M&P, thats the kind of information that I am looking for.

February 3, 2013, 09:36 PM	#6
tmd47762 Member Join Date: April 30, 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 96	I have and like both Lee and Speer manuals, each has its own strengths and weaknesses. That said, I intend to buy more. One can never own too many reloading manuals.

February 3, 2013, 11:10 PM	#8
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	"Modern Reloading" by Richard Lee should be your first choice if you are going to use Lee Precision equipment. Lymans 49th good second manual to get. That should do it. I would only get ABCs if you have $$$ to burn.

February 4, 2013, 07:56 AM	#10
Cheap 870 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 159	My favorite is probably Speer's followed by Hornady's.

February 4, 2013, 07:57 AM	#11
jj320 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2013 Location: hobart,in Posts: 119	Just found a book on amazon called reloading for handgunners by Patrick Sweeney have not read it . has anyone else read this book

February 4, 2013, 10:59 AM	#12
rlc323 Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2013 Location: Forgottonia, Il Posts: 217	If you have the Kindle (the wife does) and Amazon Prime you can borrow The ABC's of Reloading free for a month. This is the 2010 version by Rodney James, $15.99 paperback, $12.99 Kindle purchase. Good book to start out with.