Here are the top reloading manuals:
Whether you're seeking the Hornady Handbook, the Lyman Handbook, the Lee Precision Modern Reloading Manual, Nosler, Speer, Sierra or others...we have links for you to buy them right here. You'll find a the best reloading manuals including reloading manuals for beginners. You'll also find guides to black powder, casting, and other specialized reloading books. Purchasing through our links helps support the site. We've also got completely free manuals available for download.
Why you need a good reloading manual
A good reloading manual is the single-most important item to buy - and read - if you're considering reloading. If you're already an experienced reloader, getting the latest manual provides the latest data for available bullets, powders and their current formulations. These manuals typically provide loading data. Many also include helpful instruction on reloading. The watch words for reloading are safety and performance! These manuals provide the data to help you achieve both.
What is the best reloading manual?
There is no right answer. Reloaders have debated this since the first reloading manuals. All the manuals apply to any brand of equipment, and only provide brand specific information on powders and bullets. Your choice will be influenced by the writing, organization, and whether it covers the specific calibers you're looking to reload. Pro tip: Most books cover all common calibers, but obscure calibers may only appear in some, for instance, of the major publishers only Lyman covers the obsolete .50-70 cartridge. Often individual authors cover obscure calibers too.
Best Manual for Beginners
Many consider the book from Lee Precision to be the best reloading manual for beginners as it presumes nothing and offers very solid opinions on how you should approach each step. Others find it too opinionated. The author started his reloading journey with the Lee book (and a Lee press kit too), and found invaluable guidance before deciding to get other opinions and data. Currently the author owns every book listed below -- the differences are valuable and informative. We recommend you start with one, then get at least one other.
Why you might need more than one
Reloading, while requiring precision, has tremendous variances. A rounds performance is highly dependent on the weapon. A rounds velocity for one chamber and barrel will certainly differ when used in a different chamber and barrel. Felt recoil varies greatly between firearms too.
Opinions vs absolutes
Maximum safe and minimum loads are good guidelines - but they are just guidelines. What might be safe for a modern gun, could be unsafe for an antique gun. Modern guns are not all compatible with maximum loads. Learn. Read. Ask questions. Always err on the side of safety. ALWAYS start with minimum loads and work your way up -- DO NOT START with MAXIMUM LOADS. Ask others for advice -- it's a friendly community and people are happy to help.
Related topics
Below you'll find books on a wide variety of related topics. You might include casting or swaging bullets in your reloading practice. Some find the need to convert available cartridges to obsolete cartridges. Below you'll find books on these topics as well, as general reloading or handloading.
Where to find help
Help is best found by consulting multiple books, or asking fellow reloaders. Below you'll find one of the best forums for reloaders -- read and ask questions!
Conclusion
Reloading brings a whole new set of experiences. The ability to control quality and make better rounds, save money, or enjoy the zen of making bullets are some of the appeal in reloading. Whether you're building 9mm and .223 for modern firearms, or making up obsolete rounds for a firearm whose caliber is no longer available, reloading is a super-satisfying activity.
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