Loading manual recommendation

[roysha]

I am helping a fellow get started in reloading and would like some recommendations from you folks for a current, comprehensive reloading book. This would be more of a process reference book than necessarily a load data book. There are so many sites online that have data I am more concerned with a clearly written how, why, when, and where type of book. Of course, load data is a nice extra, and with time he will build his library in regard to that, but for the time being I can help him with whatever data he might need.

I have looked at the descriptions, online, of the current crop of manuals but it really doesn't tell me a lot. He is knowledgeable but something like Sharpe's, Mattern or Hatcher is quite a bit of overkill. Nonte's book would probably be Ok, but I'm wondering if there is something more current.

Thanks.

[dangitgriff]

Lyman 50th.

[rfd]

i agree, lyman 50th.

[Hutch556]

I also say the Lyman 50th is definitely a good one to have.

[scattershot]

Looks like it’s unanimous. Lyman. I like it because it has a lot of loads for cast bullets, and jacketed bullets of different manufacturers, as well as a wide variety of powders. They have been in business a long time, and do their own testing.

[1hole]

Lyman (Ideal) was the first real reloading manual and today it remains at the top of the heap. Other manuals will have other information and all of it's good but I used my first Lyman, #43, for some five years before I felt the need to get anything else and even then it was only because of some newer powders and cartridges.

[Larry Gibson]

Plus another for the Lyman Manual.

[brass410]

Lyman is always my first choice, 50th is pretty comprehensive in coverage.

[BigAlofPa.]

I agree too on Lyman.

[Ozark mike]

Lyman has more info in it than anyother book i have

[Misery-Whip]

Lyman 50th.

[Winger Ed.]

Lyman first since it has both cast & jacketed.

If he has a interst in casting, then the Blue Lyman cast handbook.

If he gets off into j-words, get the one for his favorite brand of them.
For me, it'd be Sierra first, then Hornady second...... or both actually.

[cwlongshot]

Without a doubt Lyman's current manual and the ABC's of reloading.
The reasoning is lyman does not make powder or bullets, so there manual offers a real good selection from popular Manufactures. ( Plus cast data)
Then, Once the reloader establishs his likes and dislikes by the manual for that bullet for that powder and carry-on.

[AlaskaMike]

One thing I don’t like about the Lyman manuals is that the data is typically a little on the hot side.

I would also strongly recommend more than one manual. Also keep in mind that the powder manufacturers put their data online, so those are good and convenient sources as well.

[3leggedturtle]

Lyman, Hornady, Lee, Speer and Nosler all have great info. I have about 2 of each from the 70's and up. I like matching the powder to the manual by when it was made... You can never have too many, especially when the power goes out.

[JBinBC]

Hello,

I've only been loading since December of 2018, so take this for what it is worth. When I started I got the Lee Second Edition with my Turret Press (we bought it as a kit). On top of that, we picked up a Lyman 50th and a Lyman Cast Bullets (4th edition if memory serves). For getting the dies set up and getting started, I found the Lee book quite useful. Possibly because it was the first one I read. So I went from knowing nothing, to knowing something. From the Lyman books I gained a much better understanding of the whole process, and the factors involved.

I've since picked up a copy of Hatcher's Notebook. And Keith's "Sixguns". Those last two are more for historical interest. Some of Mr. Keith's loads are on the "warm" side. Some day I'd like to get a copy of Mr. Sharpe's Guide to Handloading (I think that's what it's called). I'm still at the stage where I am reading everything I can get my hands on. And at this point, I think I enjoy assembling ammunition as much as I enjoy expending it. Hopefully I stay that way.

I'd like to add, it's good of you to help your friend. I'm sure having a mentor handy will help him get into the groove.

Take Care,

JB

[Ozark mike]

One thing I don’t like about the Lyman manuals is that the data is typically a little on the hot side.

I would also strongly recommend more than one manual. Also keep in mind that the powder manufacturers put their data online, so those are good and convenient sources as well.

Hodgdon and Sierra are usually hotter unless someone knows something i dont ive always found lyman to be on the lawyer side of things

[AlaskaMike]

Hodgdon and Sierra are usually hotter unless someone knows something i dont ive always found lyman to be on the lawyer side of things

The one I had in mind is the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual. Mine shows the max load for a 250 grain Keith bullet with 23.2 grains of 2400. That's hotter than any other authoritative data source I've ever seen. There are other examples, but I'd have to go look them up again.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the Lyman manuals--I just always make sure I cross reference any load data I use from them, and see if it's significantly different than 2 or more other sources.

[Ozark mike]

The one I had in mind is the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual. Mine shows the max load for a 250 grain Keith bullet with 23.2 grains of 2400. That's hotter than any other authoritative data source I've ever seen. There are other examples, but I'd have to go look them up again.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the Lyman manuals--I just always make sure I cross reference any load data I use from them, and see if it's significantly different than 2 or more other sources.

My 4th edition shows
lyman 429244
22.2 grns of 2400
1165 fps
35300 cup
Sounds like your off by a grain

[sharps4590]

Put me in the Lyman column. As others have mentioned and, I agree, it's always good to have more than one manual.

Phil Sharpe's book is available and I have it....but I cannot remember who is printing it today...and I bought it from them!!!! Arrghhh!!!