Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2 3  Send TopicPrint
Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) Reloading handbook (Read 2094 times)
Judge 1879
Participating Member
*
Offline



Posts: 45
Location: Arizona
Joined: Jun 27th, 2024
Reloading handbook
Sep 18th, 2024 at 8:32pm
Print Post  
Hello all, 
I am just getting my feet wet with reloading and am wondering what do you recommend for a reloading handbook? Bear in mind I will be loading for our beloved single shot gems as well as my weekend shooters.  So I would like to cover as many bases as possible. I love to read and learn so what do you all recommend?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
craigster
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 684
Location: lost coast CA
Joined: Feb 20th, 2011
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #1 - Sep 18th, 2024 at 8:52pm
Print Post  
I would suggest the current Lyman, I believe it's the 49th.

Also their 4th Edition on cast bullets.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Ranch13
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 546
Location: East Central Wy.
Joined: Jan 20th, 2018
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #2 - Sep 18th, 2024 at 10:23pm
Print Post  
The Lyman Reloading Handbook for the basics in reloading and some useful data, and a subscription to Load Data.com will give you tons of load information.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
KaiserKong
Junior Member
**
Offline



Posts: 57
Joined: Apr 26th, 2022
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #3 - Sep 18th, 2024 at 11:07pm
Print Post  
Oldie but goodie - super dense with information 

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
yamoon
Oldtimer
*****
Offline


NRA Life, ASSRA , GGCA,
MCA

Posts: 880
Location: Junction City Kansas
Joined: Feb 11th, 2012
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #4 - Sep 18th, 2024 at 11:24pm
Print Post  
Why buy a book? Most major powder and bullet companies post there reloading info on line.  There are many tricks you pick up over the years when reloading obsolete or odd ball cartridges.
Your best bet is ask questions here, there is a wealth of knowledge among our members.
Mike
« Last Edit: Sep 18th, 2024 at 11:29pm by yamoon »  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
rkba2nd
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 1931
Location: earth
Joined: Feb 16th, 2009
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #5 - Sep 18th, 2024 at 11:42pm
Print Post  
This is the Classic Reloading book from the 1930's and a subsequent edition from the early 50's if memory serves. Many of the powders are no longer available etc. but a very informative book on reloading tools of that time period, and cartridges of our interests in particular. If one does not have this book, and consider oneself a hand loader, you should have one. Chuck full of useful information. Very little has changed in close to one hundred years.
  

rkba2nd
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
frnkeore
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 7268
Location: Central Point, OR 97502
Joined: Jun 16th, 2010
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #6 - Sep 19th, 2024 at 3:28am
Print Post  
This is just about 1/2 of the reloading manuals that you will need.

In other words, buy all that you find, plus what's available online.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
  

ASSRA Member #696, ISSA Member #339
Back to top
YIMAIM  
IP Logged
 
stevenjay1
Participating Member
*
Offline


Living in the woods!

Posts: 41
Location: So NH, But not too close to MA
Joined: Mar 15th, 2015
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #7 - Sep 19th, 2024 at 7:47am
Print Post  
Judge, buy the Lyman 49 book and read it from cover to cover. This will give you a good understanding on how to reload.  Then, as you decide on the reloading equipment you plan to use be it RCBS, Lee, Hornady, Lyman, etc.  Read all the info provided by the manufacturer.  Same with components.  Yes, there is a ton+ info on the web but you need to understand the basics first.  Enjoy the reloading hobby, but be forewarned, it is very addictive…..I know!
  

Just another homesick Texan that shouldn't of left in the first place!
Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club - 8/69 to 8/71
NRA Life Member
CRPA Member
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
GunBum
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 187
Location: SW Missouri
Joined: Oct 30th, 2021
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #8 - Sep 19th, 2024 at 8:00am
Print Post  
You need all of them.  Then when you have all of them, you need the newer versions of all of them.  You will find that you also need the older versions of all of them.  Soon you’ll be a book hoarder like the rest of us.

In all seriousness, the Lyman 49 book has a very comprehensive description of how to reload.  Most reloading manuals have more or less the same how to reload description in the beginning.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
ten-mile
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 164
Location: Chetek
Joined: Dec 8th, 2007
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #9 - Sep 19th, 2024 at 8:48am
Print Post  
You really should have at least two different manuals.  Then you can compare the loads to see if they are in reasonable agreement.  I have a recent Lyman manual that lists loads for the trapdoor Springfield that are "max" loads for a Ruger #1.  The early Speer manuals were notorious for listing loads beyond reason.  The Speer #8 has two editions with the second edition omitting a lot of too-heavy loads from the first. (I have both).
Don't rely on a single source.  I checked the Nosler data for my 9.3x74R.  I have a double rifle and would not shoot many of the loads listed.
  
Back to top
WWW  
IP Logged
 
calledflyer
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 3565
Joined: Mar 9th, 2015
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #10 - Sep 19th, 2024 at 9:09am
Print Post  
because he speaks in a conversational manner about the quirks of many calibers and the components and methods for successfully reloading them, Ken Waters has long been my guru for reloading. Other manuals and even articles have been priceless, but until found Waters' Pet Loads is my first-and sometimes only- one used.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Judge 1879
Participating Member
*
Offline



Posts: 45
Location: Arizona
Joined: Jun 27th, 2024
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #11 - Sep 20th, 2024 at 7:57am
Print Post  
sounds like I need to clear a bookshelf in the shop. ok starting with the 49th issue of lyman and then down the rabbit hold I go. thanks guys!
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Ranch13
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 546
Location: East Central Wy.
Joined: Jan 20th, 2018
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #12 - Sep 20th, 2024 at 9:17am
Print Post  
If you cruise the used book stores you can often find the old manuals. I have several Ideal and Lyman Ideal from the 30's and 50's that were the ones I learned from, problem is you can't get a number of the favorite powders from the day. 
That's where the subscription to Loaddata comes in handy. It has all the loads ever printed in Rifle and Handloader magazines, plus data from the powder and bullet makers.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
boats
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 7545
Location: Virginia
Joined: Apr 23rd, 2004
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #13 - Sep 20th, 2024 at 9:40am
Print Post  
No telling how many I have but think Sharpe’s compete guide is the best. Long out of print can be hard to find. My copy had binding problems, had it re-bound.  Lyman’s one of the best and easiest to buy. Older editions often as good as the new ones for older cartridges. NRA books very good too, if they are still in print. Try ASSRA’s books for sale section back of the journal. Some real bargains there. 

Must say the powder companies have let us down, phasing out data easily on line, hard copy book can’t do that. Real issue is consolidation with the powder companies. No longer competing with each other. We’re glad to get anything that works, not the best for the job.

Boats
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Ranch13
Oldtimer
*****
Offline



Posts: 546
Location: East Central Wy.
Joined: Jan 20th, 2018
Re: Reloading handbook
Reply #14 - Sep 20th, 2024 at 10:11am
Print Post  
That's the nice thing about Loaddata.com, you can print the data you want out and put it in a 3 ring binder. No worries about computer crashes , or book banning.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2 3 
Send TopicPrint