Which ABCs of reloading?

[why.kyle]

Ive had the book "the abcs of reloading" recomended several times as I being my new hobby... but which one is it?

The abc's of reloading, by Dean A. Grennell
or
The ABCs Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide for Novice to Expert by C. Rodney James

 

[the count]

But wait, there's more...

There is also the same book title by a guy called Bill Chevalier. The Rodney James version is the one most people know.

 

[JSmith]

I read both of them when I was preparing to start reloading. I liked the 1974 Grennell one better than the 2011 James edition. The newer one was padded out with reprints of "articles of lasting interest" from American Rifleman magazine, many of which were far out of date. I recall one on handgun ammunition that didn't discuss .44 magnum... because that round hadn't yet been developed when the article was written.

 

[john16443]

I have a new 9th edition available, PM sent.

 

[Elkins45]

The Dean Grinnell version is the classic, but I suspect it is quite dated. When was the last Grennell version published?

Amazon did have a Kindle version of The James book on sale for $0.99 not too long ago. It might be worth checking to see if they still do.

 

[why.kyle]

The Dean Grinnell version is the classic, but I suspect it is quite dated. When was the last Grennell version published?

Amazon did have a Kindle version of The James book on sale for $0.99 not too long ago. It might be worth checking to see if they still do.

The grennell version ive found on amazon was published in the 1970s.. but i saw a bibliography of his that says there was a 2005 version but havent seen anything since

the kindle version of the James book is currently under review for some reason and isnt available to purchase.. even though they say i can get it free because I have a student prime membership.

ill probably just pick up the James version.. it can be had fairly cheap.. books are always good to have

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

The 9th edition is poor; get any previous edition.

And Lyman #49 is just as good, and more versatile.

 

[MichaelK]

The Dean Grennell editions are classics in my opinion. I believe the 5th was his last. That was dated 1993. Dated yes, but still more information i think then some of the newer editions. The thing I like about his writing is that he outlines his thought processes when developing a load, so you see what the most important details are.

 

[AABEN]

The Lee reload book is a very good book to read before you start to reload also the Lyman is a good book. The ABC of reloading is out of date on some thing.

 

[rg1]

I've seen the ABC's of Reloading recommended for years. Recently Amazon has a version I downloaded to a Kindle. I was disappointed and do not recommend it for a beginning reloader to learn. It simply is a bunch of articles mostly out of date, a lot of bullet casting info, and is a good "history" of reloading but you're much better off getting a Lyman's 49th Edition reloading manual or another latest edition manual from Hornady, Lee, Speer, Sierra, or Nosler. You will have all the info you need to start loading safely from these manuals plus reloading data for their bullets. ABC's has no data. Some powder company or other bullet company manuals are good also. Save your money and add one of the latest manuals to your library. Now if you're just interested in the history of reloading with some old articles from around the
60's and like to read then go ahead with the ABC's of Reloading. It's not a total waste of money and is good reading but just not what the beginning reloader needs to learn. Just my opinion.