The internet is useful, but I prefer something I can hold in my hand. (try that with the internet
)
Buy the manual that is most useful for the bullets you intend to use most frequently.
If you have no idea what you'll be using....
The most "universal" manuals, in my opinion, are:
Hodgdon
Hornady
Speer
Lyman
The Lee manual could also be included, but most of their data has been compiled from other sources -- sources that are now
at least 11 years out of date.
On my own shelves, I have (in approximate order of frequency of use):
Hornady 7th
Hornady 8th
--space saved for Hornady 9th, when it's cheap
Nosler 6th
Hodgdon 2008 through 2013 (2011 on loan to another reloader)
Speer #14
Swift #1
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook - 4th
Lyman 49th
-Lyman 48th (on loan to another reloader)
Lee 2nd
Sierra 5th
Handloading (NRA - 1981)
And, several 12 ga reloading guides
Powder company guides (aside from Hodgdon):
-Ramshot
-Accurate
-Alliant
-IMR
-Winchester
-Vihtavuori
Additional (historic/wildcat) load data:
Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders (PO Ackley) V. 1.
Cartridges of the World - 10th
Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions
There's also a binder full of compiled data, ADI (Thales) data, and cross-references for powders and primers.
And, I know I forgot at least 3-5 books.
I like
printed, hard-copy data.
The internet is fickle. Your favorite resource could vanish over night, start charging for the service, or suddenly trim everything down to only the most popular cartridges and loads. Or.. they may take the Barnes route: only provide a tiny amount of data online, with the rest reserved for their manual.
My books won't do that. They're always there, always ready.