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Recommend best beginner manual

Are you going to start teaching?:eek:
Gotten so far off into neck turning tight neck customs you can’t remember the basics?
Thinking you need Prevagen?:(
I know it sounds silly, but my only "manual" is a 1975 version of Sierra! Of course I do get by...

I have enough internalized info to have worked tech for Redding for a bit, and my personal reloading skills are ok. My skills on the various aspects of handloading go back to 1975, and have grown to include neck turning, fireforming, wildcatting, annealing, brass prep (then Lapua!) etc etc. I think I am ok.

I just wrangled up a used starter kit for my son. He is in CO, I am in PA. He will be loading for 223 and 308. Pretty simple stuff. But I learned a long time ago (teaching firearms) that the worst shooters are self taught with a little info . Same with reloaders. So I wanted him to have a basic manual to reference as together via zoom we get him going. I don't want him to think that since dad does all this measuring and headspacing and turning etc that he is going to jump right in there...but rather he needs to build on the basic foundations. Just like grip, draw, sight picture, trigger control are the foundations of shooting. Optics, timers, movement etc comes after a mastery of the foundations. So the request isn't for a be all-end all manual, just a basic reference in one place that reads like a book...not a Yotube video that is limited by time and topic. .

So Josh, no Prevagen just yet...but then where did I put my keyboard...????
 
I'd look at Lyman if you're limiting yourself to one.

That said, I use several manuals in conjunction. They rarely agree 100%. Also tends to mitigate any errors that may be present in any one book.
 
I know it sounds silly, but my only "manual" is a 1975 version of Sierra! Of course I do get by...

I have enough internalized info to have worked tech for Redding for a bit, and my personal reloading skills are ok. My skills on the various aspects of handloading go back to 1975, and have grown to include neck turning, fireforming, wildcatting, annealing, brass prep (then Lapua!) etc etc. I think I am ok.

I just wrangled up a used starter kit for my son. He is in CO, I am in PA. He will be loading for 223 and 308. Pretty simple stuff. But I learned a long time ago (teaching firearms) that the worst shooters are self taught with a little info . Same with reloaders. So I wanted him to have a basic manual to reference as together via zoom we get him going. I don't want him to think that since dad does all this measuring and headspacing and turning etc that he is going to jump right in there...but rather he needs to build on the basic foundations. Just like grip, draw, sight picture, trigger control are the foundations of shooting. Optics, timers, movement etc comes after a mastery of the foundations. So the request isn't for a be all-end all manual, just a basic reference in one place that reads like a book...not a Yotube video that is limited by time and topic. .

So Josh, no Prevagen just yet...but then where did I put my keyboard...????
OK! I have Hornady books and they give good explanations on the process.
 
I have a whole shelf of loading manuals. My goto is the Lyman, Hornady, Sieria and Hodgdon annual magazine, I have them going back a ways, they always had interesting cartridges like the 6x45, 6mm-204, 257 Kimber but you need to have a good selection of them over the years as they drop and add cartridge every year.
 
All my manuals are single bullet company oriented. Looking for a recommendation of a manual that covers reloading basics in a readable manner, and also covers multiple bullet makes.

TIA

Snert

I know it sounds silly, but my only "manual" is a 1975 version of Sierra! Of course I do get by...

I have enough internalized info to have worked tech for Redding for a bit, and my personal reloading skills are ok. My skills on the various aspects of handloading go back to 1975, and have grown to include neck turning, fireforming, wildcatting, annealing, brass prep (then Lapua!) etc etc. I think I am ok.

I just wrangled up a used starter kit for my son. He is in CO, I am in PA. He will be loading for 223 and 308. Pretty simple stuff. But I learned a long time ago (teaching firearms) that the worst shooters are self taught with a little info . Same with reloaders. So I wanted him to have a basic manual to reference as together via zoom we get him going. I don't want him to think that since dad does all this measuring and headspacing and turning etc that he is going to jump right in there...but rather he needs to build on the basic foundations. Just like grip, draw, sight picture, trigger control are the foundations of shooting. Optics, timers, movement etc comes after a mastery of the foundations. So the request isn't for a be all-end all manual, just a basic reference in one place that reads like a book...not a Yotube video that is limited by time and topic. .

So Josh, no Prevagen just yet...but then where did I put my keyboard...????

All my manuals are single bullet company oriented. Looking for a recommendation of a manual that covers reloading basics in a readable manner, and also covers multiple bullet makes.

TIA

Snert
I have 3 manuals, Berger, Sierra, Lyman. In my opinion you only need one that has your caliber. No matter what manual you have if you don't understand starting with a low charge and working up while understanding signs of pressure you should not be reloading. There are many post on this website where someone complains about some problem and they don't have a clue that their shooting hot loads. I stick with common powders and don't buy every new powder that comes out. I don't try to shove as much powder that I can get in a case like some on this website. Been reloading since 1970. I have a very accurate 6BR and a 6BRX for varmints. I load for accuracy and not to see how fast I can fire bullets without blowing up the rifle. I think I have a lot of common sense when reloading. I performed failure analysis for 45 years as a metallurgical lab technician . Built a complete car engine from parts in my friends basement when I was 17.
 
Some of the manuals (I won't mention names) still have people backing off their dies "about 1/2 of a turn", for example, in order to set the sizing die up for "correct" headspace. I personally think no bottle neck rifle cartridge should be set up without a headspace measuring device - such as the Hornady Lock N load or other. Some manuals explain the importance of certain reloading methods as to accuracy - and some don't. I'd get one that focuses on making accurate ammo if that is why you endeavor to reload. I think the Berger is a good example of one of the manuals that walks through - with good explanation of what matters. There are others - but that is the first to mind.
I completely agree. It's why I'm always aware of those critical (to me) measurements. I use different tools and methods, and I don't just mean My reloading tools. Like you mentioned; Headspace is one of those critical measurements, as is using go-no go gauges for the calibers called into question. I own and use the Hornady Lock and Load Headspace Guage Kit with with body as well as the system C1000 COAL length gage both straight and curved, Comparator Body with the inserts for the cartridges I reload and digital calipers. To me, Headspace being correct, bullet seating in relationship to the bore rifling are just as important as the other cartridge components to get the most accurate shots possible. Not just for hunting, but at the range also. Bullet placement is the name of the game IMHO. By the way you're going to need specialty brass (threaded Primer pockets) to attach the case to the COAL length gage, for each caliber you are testing and bullets mated to the brass case.


Robert
 
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Would not be a bad idea latter on to invest in a couple of more experienced handbooks such as the Long Range Precision Reloading Handbook by Lyman and Precision Reloading & Shooting Handbook by Bill Gravatt and Fred Sinclair. These two books have a wealth of good solid info that will shed more light on how to improve your handloading overall performance.
 
I started by studying the basic steps with a Speer manual and then broke down and studied individual steps on the internet. I spent lots of time watching youtube videos and of course It’s how I found this forum.
 
First post here!
If using mono metal bullets, use the reloading guide made by the bullet maker. Ordinary lead core bullets behave almost exactly the same from one manufacturer to the next. Loads with Hornady or Speer bullets can be made with a manual made by a different company than the bullet maker.
I use Hornady, Sierra, and Swift manuals along with Hodgdon and Alliant (on line) manuals.
 
I think I will tell him to get a hornady and a Lee. As I said I have Sierra. Interestingly, he has Bill Gravitts/Fred Sinclairs book (part of his homeschooling if I recall correctly) but as I said...too much "expert" with not enough "basics" leads to "issues".

Thank you to all who helped me "shop" without having to look at every manual that is out there right now.

I want him to revisit the basics, then I will tutor him online and we will work out the details together. His new dies and accessories from Redding are in the mail now...so glad I have a good relationship with them to this day. Great family owned business.
 
In the late 60's I started with Lyman 44th edition which was recommended by the fellow selling reloading supplies for the 30-30 and .38 special (my first reloading attempts). I still think for a basic manual the Lyman is excellent for beginners and even experienced because sometimes in our effort to think we have become pro's we forget some of the simple parts. After more than fifty years I have a big shelf full of manuals of all the big names and some not so big. You can never have too many. Not long ago I got the Lyman 50th. Not much has changed as basics go but powder, bullet and primer combinations are mind boggling

KS
 
I have one ... I use what is published online, you tube and from other shooters. (Not fourms)

A crash course with somebody in person is priceless.
With My first rifle my gunsmith made up 10 and i watched. I've been doing that way since.
 
What about the information included with the dies you purchase? They explain how to properly set up their respective dies. Do the die manufacturers know what they are talking about or are they just winging it as well?
 
What about the information included with the dies you purchase? They explain how to properly set up their respective dies. Do the die manufacturers know what they are talking about or are they just winging it as well?
I have maybe 30 or so of those instructions. Don't know why I have 30 of the same, but I do!

I am setting up his press and dies here next week before shipping it to him. One step that will get him on the path easier. Of course we will work out fine details once he is set up on his bench.

I do a little scrub and lube process on dies after I get them and before I use them that makes those first rounds go easier.
 

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