The ABCs of Reloading Choices

[uncle.45]

Gents,
I am thinking about getting myself a little light reading for Christmas.
When I looked at Amazon, I saw seven different editions of The ABCs of Reloading.
There is---
Bill Chevalier's 7th, 2004
7th, 2008? $140.00!!!
8th, no date
C. Rodney James's 6th, 1997
9th, 2011
Dean Grennell's 2nd, 1978
4th, 1983
What say ye, guys?
Do you have a favorite, or one you consider best?
Obviously, the one for $140 is out. That's bullet money!
Thanks everyone. Merry Christmas!

 

[mdi]

I don't know what edition mine is, but they are as close to one another to matter little. (I just went out to my shop and got my copy; 8th Edition that I bought new for about $23). I guess if I were just starting out I would try for the latest, newest edition. I consider them texts and not collector's items so price is a consideration for me too. I have found some reloading texts/manuals on used book websites and early in my reloading I found many at my local library...

Most manuals have a "how to" section, but the ABCs IMO, is the most informative and excellent beginner's text. More than just a few chapters but in mine, 286 pages of basic information.....

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Anything by Dean Grennell is highly readable and entertaining. if you want some excellent reading, buy all the old issues of Handloader’s Digest.

 

[rg1]

I'd say none. I've read 2 editions, don't know which ones. Basically just a bunch of articles on the "history" of reloading made into a book. I don't think these books are useful to a new reloader at all even though they are often recommended. Not even useful for an experienced reloader unless you want to read about the evolution of reloading for the last 75 years or so. Not saying to not buy, just don't be disappointed as I was. I would purchase extra modern reloading manuals.

 

[Blue68f100]

The Lyman 49th & 50th edition on Hand Loading has a very section at the beginning on reloading. I actually thing its better than the ABC version I had. I had one of the early version of ABC's that I loaned out and never made its way back home. The Lyman book also has some good load data too for when ever you get started.

 

[frankmako]

none of them. find someone that will show you how to reload is the best way to learn.

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

none of them. find someone that will show you how to reload is the best way to learn.

Yeah, that is a great way to learn. But reading will expand your knowledge!
I read stuff that I did not understand until I found a mentor to get me on the way.
Continually reading has expanded my knowledge, including the things I have learned here on THR.

 

[Highland Lofts]

When I got back into reloading after a forty year gap I bought bunch of reloading books on ebay. They were reasonable and useful.
Also youtube is usefull as well.
Being in this forum will result in fast feed back to any questions you may have and fast replies to any problems you encounter.
Take your time and be safe. You are dealing with lots of preasure in making ammunition
Some loads are in excess of 50,000 pounds per square inch.

 

[sparkyv]

I learned from the Lee reloading manual and did alot of reading on reloading websites. Bonus on the Lee book is load data. I've noticed that this book is rarely recommended, possibly because the Lee hardware is emphasized, but it worked great for me.

 

[uncle.45]

I am not quite a new reloader, but I do have only a little over 40,000 rounds of 45acp reloading experience.
I think I will be better off to add the Lyman's 49th or 50th manual to my library.
I don't yet have any of their books.
Thanks a lot, guys!

 

[mdi]

Gee. I must have an odd edition. I reloaded for maybe 30 years before I picked up my ABCs and I don't see any "history Lessons" (out of curiosity and I know I don't know everything about reloading). I have 5 Lyman Reloading Handbooks, manuals by Hornady, Speer, Sierra, Nosler and Hodgdon. And none are better suited than the ABCs for first time reloaders. The first 144 pages are devoted to all aspects of reloading and the next 132 are various articles on related subjects (the very first chapter deals with safety).

Perhaps because I taught several apprentices in Automotive/Heavy Equipment Electronics I can see helpful texts for easy/quick but sure learning,,,

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

The entire Handloader Digest collection. Decades of really interesting reading, especially those done by Grennell. Oh, and the latest one is terrible. You can find them on Ebay pretty cheap.

 

[rfwobbly]

"The ABC's" is one of those books that explains a lot, but once you're finished with it... you're finished with it. It's not really a reference manual that you need to keep around. As such, this is a book better borrowed from the local library and returned. Your money would be much better spent on a really good reloading manual, such as a Lyman. That type book you'll be reading and referencing for years.

 

[uncle.45]

Thanks rfwobbly!
That's the conclusion I was coming to also.
I have Hornady, One Book/One Caliber, etc., but I don't yet have any Lyman manuals.
The Lyman's 50th seems like a gift to myself that I will be glad to have for a long time.
Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[rfwobbly]

The Lyman's 50th seems like a gift to myself that I will be glad to have for a long time.

To make sure it's the gift that "keeps on giving" you need to know that the Lyman manual comes in paperback and hard bound editions. Don't fall for the slightly lower price on the soft cover. Hold out for the hard cover edition and you'll be set for years for reloading.

All the best

 

[uncle.45]

Absolutely, rfwobbly!
I don't like paperback reference books in general. I would never 'cheap out' instead of getting a terrific hardback.
Merry Christmas, all!

 

[LiveLife]

The following articles by U.S. Army, Army Marksmanship Unit, Custom Firearms Shop are more geared towards precision of match shooting but we can certainly glean some very useful information for our reloading process.



Getting Started in Handloading with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2015...ndloading-with-the-us-army-marksmanship-unit/

Should I Buy a Single-Stage Press, or a Progressive? - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2015/9/11/should-i-buy-a-single-stage-press-or-a-progressive/

Progressive Press Features and Advantages - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2015/9/18/progressive-press-features-and-advantages/

Progressive Presses: Self-Advancing Shellplate Type - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/4/22/progressive-presses-self-advancing-shellplate-type/

Progressive Presses: Uniformity of Headspace, Powder Charges and Priming - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...mity-of-headspace-powder-charges-and-priming/

Handloading: Tips to Reduce Metered Powder Charge Variation - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/5/6/handloading-tips-to-reduce-metered-powder-charge-variation/

Progressive Presses: Optimum Powder Metering Tips - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/5/13/progressive-presses-optimum-powder-metering-tips/

Match Winning Accuracy from Combat-Grade Brass: Part 1 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/6/3/match-winning-accuracy-from-combat-grade-brass-part-1/

Match Winning Accuracy from Combat-Grade Brass: Part 2 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/6/10/match-winning-accuracy-from-combat-grade-brass-part-2

Match Winning Accuracy from Combat-Grade Brass: Part 3 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/6/20/match-winning-accuracy-from-combat-grade-brass-part-3

Sorting Match-Grade Bullets for Long-Range Accuracy, Part 1: Where to Begin? - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...or-long-range-accuracy-part-1-where-to-begin/

Sorting Match-Grade Bullets for Long-Range Accuracy Part 2: Grouping by Dimensional Increments - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...cy-part-2-grouping-by-dimensional-increments/

Sorting Match-Grade Bullets for Long-Range Accuracy, Part 3: Assessing Variation in Bullet Lots - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...cy-part-3-assessing-variation-in-bullet-lots/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 1 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...work-accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-1/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 2 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/8/12/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-2/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 3 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/8/19/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-3/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 4 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/8/26/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-4/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 5 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/9/2/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-5/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 6 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/9/19/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-6/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 7 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/9/23/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-7/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 8 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/10/7/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-8/

US Army Marksmanship Unit Pistol Training Guide - http://www.saveourguns.com/Ar_Marks_Un_Pistol_Train_Guide.pdf

 

[uncle.45]

Thanks! Great stuff, and a LOT of reading!

 

[kcofohio]

The following articles by U.S. Army, Army Marksmanship Unit, Custom Firearms Shop are more geared towards precision of match shooting but we can certainly glean some very useful information for our reloading process.



Getting Started in Handloading with the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2015...ndloading-with-the-us-army-marksmanship-unit/

Should I Buy a Single-Stage Press, or a Progressive? - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2015/9/11/should-i-buy-a-single-stage-press-or-a-progressive/

Progressive Press Features and Advantages - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2015/9/18/progressive-press-features-and-advantages/

Progressive Presses: Self-Advancing Shellplate Type - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/4/22/progressive-presses-self-advancing-shellplate-type/

Progressive Presses: Uniformity of Headspace, Powder Charges and Priming - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...mity-of-headspace-powder-charges-and-priming/

Handloading: Tips to Reduce Metered Powder Charge Variation - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/5/6/handloading-tips-to-reduce-metered-powder-charge-variation/

Progressive Presses: Optimum Powder Metering Tips - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/5/13/progressive-presses-optimum-powder-metering-tips/

Match Winning Accuracy from Combat-Grade Brass: Part 1 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/6/3/match-winning-accuracy-from-combat-grade-brass-part-1/

Match Winning Accuracy from Combat-Grade Brass: Part 2 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/6/10/match-winning-accuracy-from-combat-grade-brass-part-2

Match Winning Accuracy from Combat-Grade Brass: Part 3 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/6/20/match-winning-accuracy-from-combat-grade-brass-part-3

Sorting Match-Grade Bullets for Long-Range Accuracy, Part 1: Where to Begin? - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...or-long-range-accuracy-part-1-where-to-begin/

Sorting Match-Grade Bullets for Long-Range Accuracy Part 2: Grouping by Dimensional Increments - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...cy-part-2-grouping-by-dimensional-increments/

Sorting Match-Grade Bullets for Long-Range Accuracy, Part 3: Assessing Variation in Bullet Lots - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...cy-part-3-assessing-variation-in-bullet-lots/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 1 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016...work-accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-1/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 2 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/8/12/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-2/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 3 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/8/19/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-3/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 4 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/8/26/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-4/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 5 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/9/2/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-5/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 6 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/9/19/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-6/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 7 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/9/23/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-7/

Accuracy and Chronograph Testing, Part 8 - https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/10/7/accuracy-and-chronograph-testing-part-8/

US Army Marksmanship Unit Pistol Training Guide - http://www.saveourguns.com/Ar_Marks_Un_Pistol_Train_Guide.pdf

It's a good thing that I have several days off to read.
I'll check the links out.

 

[whughett]

I learned by buying and reading actual handloading manuals by the companies making gear or components. Lyman. Speer, and Hornady.

 

[LiveLife]

Great stuff, and a LOT of reading!

It's a good thing that I have several days off to read.
I'll check the links out.

I learned a lot from those articles and now have a new level of consistency standards for reloading, especially for accuracy testing and comparison component testing.

One such standard I now use is neck tension variance from differing case wall thickness and resulting bullet setback - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...neck-tension-and-bullet-setback.830072/page-4

It doesn't matter whether you sweat the details to produce consistent finished OAL to .001" if the "chambered OAL" varies wildly from bullet setback and your consistent chamber pressures go out the window.

 

[cfullgraf]

Most of the books published by the bullet manufacturers have lots of "how to reload" information in them besides the reloading data. Any of them would be good references to have.

I buy the new versions of some manuals of bullets that I like or use and keep the old ones for reference. Also, I get updated reloading information from the powder manufactures as they get published. I still have some pamphlets from the powder companies published in the 1980's and 1990's before they posted the data on the internet.

The Lyman manuals, both general reloading and the casting manuals have good information in them besides the reloading data.

I have one version of "ABCs of Reloading" on my shelf for reference but I do not plan to buy updated versions. One version has sufficient information and it is good information.

"Cartridges of the World" is another good resource to have on hand. I enjoy reading the history of various cartridges that I am interested in. Not much reloading data though but it is a good read.

Having a good library of cartridge and reloading data is good to have on hand in my opinion. The internet can be a source of some of it, but printed material is great to have on hand.

Just my opinion.