Which book for a NEW reloader?

[Trickam]

I started a couple years ago with Lyman, Hornady and Nosler manuals. Read all of them at least a couple times. That being said I'm still a visual learner. I had watched a friend reload in the past, but the internet was my true friend. I spent nearly a year reading the books and pouring over what could have been hundreds of hours of videos mostly on YouTube and crawling through reloading forums. It really was that blend of print and visual displays that culminated into my first load.

Not everything you read or see is going to be a good answer to a hurdle you need to jump, but getting that vast amount of knowledge up front before you start certainly helps.

We live in amazing times where you can successfully learn a hobby that decades ago you most likely would have needed a mentor to learn. A skilled mentor would still be preferred my me, but certainly far from necessary with the resources out there now.

 

[drec]

I'm just about ready to start reloading; which is going to be 9mm too. From a recommendation, I bought a Speer's book first. Next I went to the library and checked everything that they had about reloading. If I found something good I'd pick it up on EBay. I also do a lot of reading on forums too. I have everything ready, except for the time; which should come in the next few months.

 

[kcofohio]

I might have missed it said in the prior post, but a notebook to record the steps (and components) you take/use per load. And for the outcome or your loads. Something I wish I had done off the get go. Might help you from second guessing later on.

 

[grubbylabs]

If you don't have a preference to rifle bullet yet, then pick who ever has the most availability local to you. In my opinion, its best to use the bullet manufactures data for rifle bullets. Their design differ enough from one maker to another, that I think its a benefit. Hand gun bullets are a little more universal.

 

[thomas15]

A lot of people say before you start handloading read a book. Ok, I'm a semi-academic minded person, at age 58 I have been taking college level classes for years and I'm on the verge of getting my third college degree. But I don't think reading a book is helpful before you start really because it is boring.

Instead, decide on what you want to accomplish as a handloader and keep it narrow. Then purchase or acquire the hardware you need and then the components and then when your ready get out the book.

What book? Go to Amazon and buy some or all of the following, try to get used. Lyman #49, Lee, Hornady, Speer. The Lee book is geared to Lee stuff.

Another bit of advice I have is pick one caliber and learn on that. Something like 9mm or 45 acp. Your probably not going to load 4 or 5 calibers at first so just do one.

For shot shell the Lyman shot shell book is the one to get.

 

[Mostly Lead]

But I don't think reading a book is helpful before you start really because it is boring.

On the contrary, it was Lee's Modern Reloading that truly developed my interest. I knew there were going to be many theories, many methods and some fairly precise measurements involved with reloading. Pouring over that book for many hours helped me understand the depth of the hobby and I found it fascinating.

Experiential learning, in the startup phase of reloading, could be dangerous.

Another bit of advice I have is pick one caliber and learn on that.

Absolutely! Stay focused on one set of data. I might also add, pick a low pressure round. In other words, don't load for .357 Magnum before you've loaded for .38 Special. While I've never had to test the theory, I always felt safer shooting my first .38's in a gun designed for .357's. It's why I also like shooting standard pressure .45 Colt loads in a Ruger Blackhawk. I liked that little extra margin of safety, even if it was just all in my head.

A couple of people have (wisely) suggested I get a book about reloading.

"A" book, no, I could not recommend "a" book. But I could recommend lots of books - any book you can get your hands on. When I started, my local library had the ABC's book and a couple others that covered reloading. If you know any reloader local to you, they probably have at least one book they would loan you for review too. As a group, we're pretty friendly to folks looking to start...

 

[Captaingyro]

Kind of lost in the noise here was your statement that the only metallic cartridge you plan to reload (for now) is 9mm. Let me make a suggestion that may not be popular, but I think needs to be made: consider not reloading.

9mm ammo has gotten so cheap that, if that's the only round you reload, it will take you years to recoup your startup costs. I reload 9mm for about 12 cents/round, but you can buy decent 9mm ammo in bulk for about 22 cents/round. So, assuming a savings of 10 cents/round, add up your startup costs and do a good, hard analysis of just how long it will take you to break even. If you decide to buy ammo and sell the once-fired brass to reloaders, even at 2 cents/case, you'll still save a little more. Something to consider.

 

[thomas15]

It is true that 9mm factory ammo is inexpensive today. Should the handloader load it? The answer to that question depends on several or many factors.

I had been thinking about starting handloading for many years but just couldn't afford to get in. Over time my financial situation improved dramatically and also my shooting became more frequent. I got involved with a group of pistol shooters that in the winter uses an indoor range that doesn't allow jacketed ammo. So I needed either cast, coated or plated ammo and I needed quite a bit of it so this was the actual push I needed to get going in this endeavor.

I shoot quite a bit of competition and I can tell you that most, probably 95% or more of shooters that are involved in IDPA, USPSA, ICORE, Steel Challenge and so forth and shoot 9mm handload their own ammo. Today my son and I shoot steel and went through over 300 rounds 9mm. Cheap factory ammo would have cost about $80.00 for the day. Sometimes we go through twice as much in a day.

If you shoot 50 or 100 rounds of 9mm per month then handloading 9mm is not worth it. But if you shoot a lot and you want a specific performance level from your ammo then handloading is the way to go.

 

[IlikeSA]

Personally, I'd start with Lyman 49 and hit the library for other books. I am looking at the Shooter's Bible Guide to Handloading on the table here. I pulled it from the library and, while it is a good book, would not purchase it. If you move towards cast, the Lyman Cast book is pretty good as well.

I don't reload shotgun so have nothing to offer there.

 

[danez71]

Thomas15 (and others too) thank you for that perspective.

There is definitely some truth to that although I'm going to get at least one book 1st as I've learned that I need a little more knowledge to make sure I'm not going to make a fundamental mistake in the direction I go out of ignorance.

Sometimes you don't even know what you don't know... and then there times that you realize what you don't know. I'm at that point. For example, I recently learned you can't reload metallic on the same equipment as shotshells. There will be a time though when I'll just need to intelligently work my way through it hands on.



To clarify again in regards to something said above, the 9mm , I'm not looking to save money there. It's more of a selfsufficient thing and avoiding potential ammo permit legislation in CA. Im back and forth to AZ enough I could avoid it all together so it's debatable.

 

[IlikeSA]

I would suggest you find an old guy at the range who is keeping his brass and ask if he reloads. If he does, ask if he'll walk you through the steps in person in exchange for a meal out, or a few boxes of factory ammo. It would be worth your time to learn that way. Do read before hand so you have intelligent questions, such as setting crimp or adjusting OAL of the cartridge.

 

[kcofohio]

danez71, Hondo 60 posted a thread about Lyman coming out with their 50th edition. For $14-17 you could get Lee's Modern manual. Though it has lots of plugs for the brand (and who wouldn't in their own manual), the basics are there.
Then when the new Lyman manual hits the shelves, you would have the latest powder data.

 

[OilyPablo]

I like Lee and Lyman and all the bullet manufacturer's books. I also have come to like the booklets from the actual powder manufacturers. These are ordered directly.

I consider the ABCs to be a novelty book. NOT a book to start with.