Reloading Books

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vis-à-vis

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I have a gift cert for Amazon. I am either going to buy

The ABC's of Reloading or Lee Precision Modern Reloading 2nd Edition

Which one is better and why? How are the images in either?
 
I have Lee's Modern Reloading, Second Edition. The book is filled with valuable reloading information and data. Richard Lee makes it read like he is talking to YOU, and YOU are his buddy. Very easy to read and understand. (and lots of Lee product pitches too.)

I have looked through the ABC's and I think it also a very helpful reloading manual. I do not own it yet, but probably will acquire it some day.

In my opinion, you can not have too many reference books. Each book seems to have a special "tidbit" of information that the others didn't cover. Lee has a good section on lead bullets. Hornady has a different twist on its information, as does Speer.

Get a few manuals, and read up! Then you can be really confused like I am...:D

Either book is a good starter book, my preference would be Lee.

Hope this helps. NailGun.
 
I could be wrong but I think the ABC's of reloading is just a how to and doesn't have any load data. The Lee manual will explain how to and also give you the load data you will need to reload. Now after saying all that I have to add that the more books you buy the better.
Rusty
 
I don't want to hijack this thread so please prioritize the thread poster's question over mine.

But in the interest of not starting another thread:
I have Lee's book and I am looking for basically more load data, not so much instructions. So, which manual has the most detailed load data out there? For instance, I was wondering today if anyone publishes data on .357 Magnum out of a long (16-18" barrel). The Lee book only has data for I assume pistols.
 
Try Lyman's "Pistol and Revolver Handbook", 3rd. ed. Has some articles on big bore pistol ammo and a chapter on Thompson Encore loading. If you are only into handguns it is a really good data book.
 
Believe it or not, the NRA Guide to Reloading is a pretty good introduction to reloading. I got one in my NRA Certification packet for metallic reloading and all the information in it is pretty solid.
 
Great--how does one get that book? Not all of us want to be instructors--a quick search on the Internet seems to indicate you can't get it unless you sign up for the whole course on how to be an instructor.

What have I missed?:confused:
 
Steve, since you have the book I am asking about, can you give me some details about it?
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Oh sure. It's the only manual I have so I don't have anything to compare it to, but it does explain a lot about handloading. It's written in a more personal tone than a lot of people are used to. He does talk about his own products a lot, though, so some of it feels like a marketing ploy. I would reccomend it for a new reloader. It has data on pretty much all cartridges I can think of, EXCEPT for one- it has no data for the .204 Ruger, which I thought was odd.
 
Hi vis-à-vis,

I'm in the same position as you - new to reloading. Matter of fact, my first press should be on my doorstep any day now!

I just finished reading Richard Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd edition, and before that I read The ABC's of Reloading, 6th edition, as well as a couple of other older books they had at my local library. Both the Lee book and ABC's book are excellent, and compliment each other very well. Although as stevekl mentioned, the Lee book can sound like a bit of a sales pitch at times. Keep in mind, the ABC's has no load data, just lots of good sound reloading advice. The Lee book contains lots of good advice, as well as what may be the most complete list of load data of any of the loading manuals I've looked at this far... (correct me if I'm wrong guys).

I bought the Lee book, and have ordered the ABC's 7th edition online just today, as a matter of fact. I wouldn't be without either one, personally! Having a good group of friends who you can call on for help is important as well...:)

Take care,
TFC
 
SteveKL - My Speer book list .357 for rifles. I think this may be what you are looking for. I've never seen a 16" barrel on a handgun, but I am willing to learn.

Shoot safe -
Lovesbeer99
 
I keep hearing good things about Speer's manual that I might as well pick one up. Thanks for the tip.
 
I own 2 full manuals (Lee & Hornady) and a caliber book (9x19). I prefer the Hornady instruction section, it's easier to understand and the pics and illustrations are better. However, their load data is rather sparse. I can only speak from reloading 9x19, but Hornady doesn't list nearly as many powders as the Lee book does.

If you load for a few "favorite" calibers, get yourself a caliber book. It consolidates much of what's out there for a given caliber including plated, jacketed, and cast bullets. Info comes from powder, component, and equipment companies.

If you use something of a unique bullet, get the manual from that bullet's manufacturer. Turns out I was loading dangerously high with my XTP bullets and that's probably what caused my 24/7 to lock up (it's fixed now).

Oh, and Hodgdon will send you their load data (Hodgdon, IMR, Winchester) for free, just check their site. Very handy if you use those powders.
 
How technical does the ABC book get? I am looking for something that would help walk me through and better understand pressure calculations.
 
Pressure Calculations

No help at all. In fact, if I understand you correctly, you'll need some advanced physics and mechanical / chemical engineering training and texts and some major computer simulation skills to calculate pressure in explosions--and then they won't be much good.

If you mean relationships between the various relative pressure measurements made in ballistics labs and other measured variables seen in actual experiments on real ammo, yes, they have a chapter on that. You will certainly understand pressure better and what affects it. But it is only an introduction.

I may have misunderstood your comment about understanding pressure calculations--that's still a tough problem in modern physics/engineering. The only way to really find out is measure the thing.
 
IDriveB5, if pressure ratings with the load is want you want, The Lyman manuals are about as good as you will find. The 48th addition covers handgun and rifle cartridge reloading, the Pistol and Revolver III will give you a few more options and is limited to handgun cartridge reloading.;)
 
Benedict, CZ, thanks. Im an ME student at UofMD and find the topic of pressure very interesting. Some of today's best calculations of things as simple as heat transfer can have as much as 30% error- and be considered good so I can only imagine calculations that try to model explosions. I suppose a detailed understanding of ballastics labs would be a good place to start.
 
pressure curve analysis charts are very useful if you can find them. Powder companies used to supply them more readily in years past. Take a look at QuickLoad software, you might find it interesting and useful. It will get into specific areas of pressure you're not likely to see elsewhere.;)
 
They make caliber-specific books? Where can I find these?

I'd rather have 3 or 4 really detailed caliber-specific books than one big manual with instructions I don't need and data for cartridges I don't load for.
 
I have both books.

The ABC's is the best place to start as it actually breaks down all the processes of reloading into steps and gets very detailed on what to watch for and how to do it.

The lee book does the same, but not in as great of detail. The majority of the lee book pertains to using lee products (fine with me!) and load data. The ABC's has zero load data.

START WITH THE ABC'S. I promise, you'll thank me. I love my Modern reloading, I would absolutely get it second, as you'll understand more about what Mr. Lee is talking about because the ABCs spelled it out for you. Also, be careful and get the latest edition, some places will try to sell you the 6th edition (blue cover) instead of the 7th edition (white cover)

The best place to buy modern reloading is somewhere like Midway or Wideners, It's alot cheaper there.

Good Luck!

Justin
 
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Funny thing about reloading manuals and gun related books is how they accumulate. These plus about a dozen more scattered through the house where I might need them seems to upset my wife and she promply hides them under the guise of tidying up and then denies ever seeing them. I'm still looking for at least 3 or 4 older ones I know is here somewhere:uhoh:

afewmanuls.jpg
 
I have both books.

The ABC's is the best place to start as it actually breaks down all the processes of reloading into steps and gets very detailed on what to watch for and how to do it.

The lee book does the same, but not in as great of detail. The majority of the lee book pertains to using lee products (fine with me!) and load data. The ABC's has zero load data.

START WITH THE ABC'S. I promise, you'll thank me. I love my Modern reloading, I would absolutely get it second, as you'll understand more about what Mr. Lee is talking about because the ABCs spelled it out for you. Also, be careful and get the latest edition, some places will try to sell you the 6th edition (blue cover) instead of the 7th edition (white cover)

The best place to buy modern reloading is somewhere like Midway or Wideners, It's alot cheaper there.

Good Luck!

Justin
Click to expand...

Thank you [and the rest of you].

I got ABC's and 1776
 
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