Can you folks help a new guy out. I'd love to start handloading. I figure before I start pestering everyone, it could do me no harm to read a book or two. My question is, can anyone recommend a good book to start out with?

Thanks all!

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

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

Links fixed.

Lyman's manual is the best, but the Speer, Sierra and Hornady manuals are very good too. Hornady's is a bit too expensive if you're on a budget. I'm a bit behind on Nosler manuals, but it's good if it's got data on the calibres you're reloading. I don't know about Lee's 2nd edition, but the 1st edition was the worst I ever saw.

The ABCs of Reloading is one I haven't seen, but it's highly rated. (Question for those who have it. Does it have load data?)

Shotgun reloading is a different game with different equipment. Lyman's "Shotshell Reloading Handbook" is the one to get.

Bye
Jack

Well I thank you kindly for your input. Right now I have:

1 Tikka .223 T1 Tactical
1 Tikka .308 T1 Varmint
1 Mini-30
1 SIG P229 in .40 SW & .357 SIG

I'm hoping to learn enough as to gear up properly, and to achieve some degree of cost to accuracy ratio. This sounds like fun, and I hope to get going with it soon.

I can't get direct access to those articles you posted. It just brings me to a main page. Maybe you can give me a little road map

http://beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/49

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

These should work.

If they don't work, click on the Beartooth Bullets tab at the top left corner of this page, then on Tech Notes part way down the left side. Look for "Beginners .45-70 Start To Finish" and "Handloading On A Shoestring".



Bye
Jack

If you scroll down the main page to this forum, you'll find a thread titled "Learning to reload". It contains the very question you're asking.

Wow! Thank you both, there's a HUGE amount of info here, and all really helpful. Thanks again

Rich

I would strongly recommend the ABC's of Reloading. It has basic step by step information on setting up a reloading desk, all the tools and equipment needed as well as some very good articles. There are various editions available. For just starting out an older edition at the library would be sufficient, if you like what you see you can always purchase the current edition.

While I see them at Sportsman Warehouse and other sports stores, the best place to purchase is on-line. Check out Amazon or Half.com for the best prices.

ABC does not have reloading tables, it is just good, sound information, similar to what I have found on Shooters Forum. You may also want to get the Lyman Manual mentioned above. That has all the load tables needed. I have about worn mine out.

Good Luck, it is a fun hobby.

Brad S
Hebrews 10:39

In addition to all the good advice you've already received, you can also get some very good information at the www.RCBS.com website on how-to reload. Once you've accessed the site, select RELOADING GUIDE, then procede to STEP BY STEP RELOADING.

You are doing this the right way, by doing your homework first. This way, you will have an idea of what you will need before going shopping. Good luck and don't hesitate to come back with any questions. The contributors on this site have years of experience and are always willing to help.

May I humbly invite you to my own page and the article "Reloading 101" - which I am now expanding to a full-length book. It's at www.reloadingroom.com

RJ,

Welcome to handloading :) !

I started rolling my own in 1993. Like you, I figured that reading a good loading manual would sure help me get sarted right. I purchased a starter kit (Rockchucker Master Relaoding Kit) that contained all the essential tools and a loading manual (Speer Number 12). The manual contains the essential knowledge as well as loading specifics for many metallic cartridges. I read that manual twice before I even mounted the press to my bench. It's a good manual - easy to read and understand and well formatted.

Best wishes,
Rushbeau

ANother RJ? Welecome rj4998an. Ditto on the Lyman manual. NOt only does it give you step by step tutoring it IMO one of the best manuals out there. Lyman doesn't try to sell powder or bullets, just reloading equipment.

THE Recoil Junky

I found this book at "Boarders" in MY opinion it's WAY better than the Lyman manual (I have that one too).

Looks rather well used, Wrench. Some of the older Lyman manuals are fun reads. Like the 34th or older. The Belding and Mull manual I have is also full of info. Most of my manuals spend time on the toilet downstairs. And not for toilet paper either. They go right there with the Midway and Cabella's catalogs. :D

RJ

We must have been raised in the same household, RJ. :D

You are "good to go". Happy loading. And by all means, pester away. I need to pay somebody back and the way it is done is 'pass it on".

Brad I thank you kindly, I did in fact buy ABC's on Friday after I started this post. I haven't started it yet, but after I read that I intend on getting the Lyman. Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.

You will never regret buying and reading this book:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0935998349/qid=1152536654/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/102-0999344-5163339?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

OK, I definitely have alot of homework to do. I bookmarked all the webpages you all recommended and I wrote down all the book names. When I finish my new summer reading list I got to decide on some equiptment. I got a Blue Press catalog sent to me that looked interesting, and yes, it too sits by the toilet along with the Cabela's. Thank all!

Rich J

RJ, kdub, I tend to keep the Cabelas and MidwayUSA catalogs in the book case right outside the bathroom. Keeps my wife happier not to keep finding them over and over again in the bathroom.

rj4998an, a good place to look is eBay for older editions of reloading manuals. The price can be right and you can find near anything. Most every one of them will have a section on "How To" and "What Happens" and it will all make more and more sense as you read them. I like the Lyman manual as well, but also read Speer, Hornady, Sierra, Nosler etc as they all will put things slightly differently and you will see things in one you might have missed in the other. Gettign educated about reloading before you begin is a great way to start. Also, you might check your local used book store or Amazon or even Powel's Books http://www.powells.com/s?kw=reloading#all

Glad you joined up. The world needs more reloaders. Happy manual hunting!

I figured the "process" in general would be pretty much standardized. Thanks for the tip on the varying info between different books. I'll hit them one at a time and jot down the differences, trying them out to suit my tastes.

Thanks!

P.S.: Give me a month or two and I'll be comming back for equipment advice. Like I posted earlier, I get a Blue Press catalog sent to me and their stuff looks pretty good, but the more advice the better. First I gotta hit the books!!