Hi
What would be the best books available on the subject of reloading and could someone with limited intelligence(myself) manage to learn that way. I need something on a step by step basis dealing with the type of equipment required, setup and procedure.
Thanks

Kuntao
The ABC's of Reloading is a great start. It has a load of information on anytype of load, pistol, rifle, shotgun etc. You can pick up an older copy at the library or purchase new at virtually any sports store. Cabellas as well as Sportsman Warehouse carry them. You can bid for them online on ebay, but the price with shipping is always cheaper elsewhere.

A second source would be a Nosler or Lyman reloading guide. This will provide good information on reloading as well as provide load information for all your calibers. I personally like the Lyman manual best. It contains the cartridge lengths along with some good information on each cartridge. I have also found their loads to be better for the calibers I use. Both books have a nice reloading desk set up description.

You will have a great deal of fun reloading. I have found this forum to be very friendlyas well as patient. Do not worry about asking stupid questions, there are none when it comes to reloading.

As far as acquiring the reloading equipment, if you are reloading rifle, you may want to seriously look at the Lee Anniversary Kit. It has the basics, is cheap and can get you started quickly. If money is no object, RCBS has about the best line of stuff. You can always check out gun shows and flea markets for older stuff. I use mostly older Herters equipment which makes it a bit tough to find shell holders, but everything is out there, just have to find it.

Good Luck

Brad S
Hebrews 10:39

I'd recomend the new Lyman manual. If it ain't in there you don't need to know it. :D Their instuctions are straight forward and easy to follow. Lyman is not out to sell powder or bullets either. You get information that works, plus if you have any questions you can always come back here.

RJ

I have Lyman's 48th, Lee's Modern Reloading, 2nd Ed. and The ABC's of Reloading. All good. It is a good idea to get at least two for cross-referencing. RJ is right, it is hard to beat Lyman's 48th, although they do want to sell reloading equipment instead of powder and bullets :p ... so does Lee ;).

Here's a couple of good reads, right on site.
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/49

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

The Nosler manual is good, but doesn't have data for as many calibres as Lyman, Speer, Sierra and Hornady.

Bye
Jack

I throw in another vote for the Lyman, great manual and one I'd recommend to start with.

Wow! Seems like yesterday, I was getting started. Thought about it a lifetime and finally got around to it. Have fun. It is easy. The help here is unbelievable. Ask a question and most days you get an answer, that day. Sometimes immediately. The knowledge here is unfathomable.

Give us as much info on what you want to load and what sources you have close for powder especially. Powder and primers can be expensive to get mail order and you may want to buy local. This will drive you toward specific manuals. Eventually you will want to try different stuff so different manuals will be purchased.

The Lyman is a good start.

Thanks to everyone for their help. I guess I'll start by reading Jack's two websites and getting a Lyman manual.

Most of the old girls I go with have the current edition of SPEER, plus there favorite bullet manuals. For me its Hornady and Sierra. I believe the 48 Lyman is a good read if you get into hard cast bullets.
Jim

Lyman has always been my "go-to" manual, and I've got a shelf full of them.

Hi Kuntao,

I started loading my own ammunition in 1993. I purchased an RCBS Master Reloading Kit to get started. The kit included a Rockchucker single stage press, a manual balance beam/poise scale, a powder measure, a loading block, a case trimmer with deburring tool, a primer flip tray, a case lubricating pad with lubricant, and the Speer Number 12 reloading manual. I read the manual twice before I even mounted the press on my bench. The manual is well written, comprehensive, and informative. I have not read any other loading manuals, but I load good, reliable ammunition. I have used others' loading data, but loading procedures are pretty much standard.

You may consider yourself to be of "limited intelligence", but in fact every human is. Learning to handload ammunition just takes patience. Go slowly, study the instructions that come with each piece of equipment, and practice before you actually begin loading, and you will do just fine.

Best wishes,
Rushbeau

I like the Hornady books, and A-Square "Any Shot You Want” A-Square is Rifle Manual only… then call or email Powder Manufactures and ask them to send you their current Manual (these are normally free). You get good info from each one… so get as many as you can… I believe you must get the manual from the bullet Manufacture/s you plan to use… you will not believe the differences in load data between Manufactures. I like books so I have every one except Norma, the Newest Barnes, & Swift… Oddly enough some have contradictions in them… Call them up and ask them to explain.

I like the Hornady books, and A-Square "Any Shot You Want” A-Square is Rifle Manual only… then call or email Powder Manufactures and ask them to send you their current Manual (these are normally free). You get good info from each one… so get as many as you can… I believe you must get the manual from the bullet Manufacture/s you plan to use… you will not believe the differences in load data between Manufactures. I like books so I have every one except Norma, the Newest Barnes, & Swift… Oddly enough some have contradictions in them… Call them up and ask them to explain.


Good Advice. You may be able to save some time by checking at Cabellas/Sportsmans Warehouse or other outlets. I have found the powder manufacture manuals free, sitting on the shelves near the reloading supplies. It is interesting when working up loads to compare three or four sources, then compare them to your own findings in regard to accuracy etc.

Brad S
Hebrews 10:39.

Right now you don't need loading data as much as loading how too, my nephew got started a couple years ago so I bought him the ABC of reloading and a VHS tape on reloading it was 2 hours long showing all the hands on stuff you will need, after that the Lyman data and powder Mfg. free book will serve you well.

Right now you don't need loading data as much as loading how too, my nephew got started a couple years ago so I bought him the ABC of reloading and a VHS tape on reloading it was 2 hours long showing all the hands on stuff you will need, after that the Lyman data and powder Mfg. free book will serve you well.

Hello Huntducks
Did the tape come with the abc of reloading or was it a seperate item? If so, do you remember the name and where you got it?

kuntao,

Check these out:

From Amazon.com, The ABC's of Reloading (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0873498518/qid=1152226351/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-5710471-6145510?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) - Price: $14.29.

From Virtual Reloading from NRMA (http://www.reload-nrma.com/videos.html) - Price: Free. NRMA stands for National Reloading Manufacturers Association.

Also from NRMA, an order form (http://www.reload-nrma.com/orderform.html)for several useful and eductional items.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the help guys. I'll let you know in a few months, if not sooner, how I made out.

Hello Huntducks
Did the tape come with the abc of reloading or was it a seperate item? If so, do you remember the name and where you got it?


I have seen it at Sportsmans Warehouse and Gander Mountain. It can also be ordered on line through Amazon. The library also has copies. I have found that each edition contains different articles. The current one or an edition back would suffice, the core information on reloading has not changed. When you get further along, back editions might have topics included that are of interest.

I would still strongly recommend the 48th edition of the Lyman manual as a companion to the ABC's of Reloading. You can find that at Cabellas and Sportsman Warehouse.

Brad S
Hebrews 10:39