What's the Best Reloading Handbook.

[SanFranShootr]

It's been a few years since I've done reloading, and it seems my wife may have got rid of some unnecessary and un-used books like my Sierra Reloading Manual.

So, since I've got to start fresh, what reloading handbook is the most complete as far as bullets, powders and range of cartridges covered?

I don't know if all books have this, but I like having a diagram of the case with dimensions, etc.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

My suggestion would be to just jump in and buy QUICKLOAD/QUICKTARGET. Since you will probably end up buying multiple books and then buy some kind of ballistic program, put your money in quickload. You will be happy you did.
I started with all the load manuals and then bougth a couple different ballistic programs before finally buying QUICKLOAD. This is (IMHO) the best shooting application out there. You will love it.
http://www.neconos.com/

 

[quillow]

I use most all the powder manufactures data as well as the bullet manufactures data. I even use online data. When working up a load I tend to take an average of several of these sources and work my way up. You can't have too many load manuals in my opinion.

 

[jonbearman]

I would start with the hornady manual and ken waters pet loads manual,it is a wealth of imformation.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Get QuickLOAD, think of it as a dynamic reloading manual!

 

[1000yardstare]

Hodgdon has an excellent on-line manual.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[Terry]

I find my best ideas on sites like this one.
Try Varmint Hunters Assoc. and Savage Shooters as well.

 

[K22]

For the beginner, the Lyman Reloading Guide is the best I've ever seen.

 

[KenO]

I've got a stack of manuals, but admit I dont have the Quickload one. My go to manual is the Lyman.

 

[necchi]

There is no "Best".
If it's been a few years, some research on-line will show you plenty of data from manufactures.
Hodgdons,
Hornady,
Barnes,
Nosler,
,just to name a few.
It depends on what and how many you load for. If you have a favored bullet maker one of their books is a good bet.
I've got Seirra, Nosler, (those two cover every bullet I need) the Hodgdons free one and the Lyman 49th and while the Lyman covers several makers bullets, it's really my least looked at. I got it because it's recomended by so many but the info and charges are generally very conservative on the high side, limited in powder selection and only look at a few random bullets.
If you only load for one or two the "Complete Load book for (caliber)" covers everything American made, printed by "Load Books" and only about $10 each.

Take a look at the free stuff on-line before ya buy, you might find everything you need,

 

[bozo699]

I use most all the powder manufactures data as well as the bullet manufactures data. I even use online data. When working up a load I tend to take an average of several of these sources and work my way up. You can't have too many load manuals in my opinion.

Quillow is spot on as far as I am concerned.
Wayne

 

[Clark]

I have ~ 50 reloading books and do not use them any more.

I use Quickload to find the starting point.
I measure the extractor groove growth on the cases with dial calipers.
I measure the velocity with a chronograph.
Then I write my own load book for me.

 

[RJinTexas]

Berry & Erik are dead on. I purchased Quick Load shortly after it first came out and have kept it up dated over the years. I consider it my most important reloading tool.

RJ

 

[moosetracker]

+1 for Quickload. Proceed cautiously with load testing, chronograph your loads and then customize QL to correspond to your field findings.

 

[Webster]

You don't have to buy any books. Most of the bullet and powder companies have free data on their websites.

 

[Hippy]

I admit that I am a Reloading Book SHOPAHOLIC LOL. I have always made it a habit to buy the lastest manual from the major suppliers Hornady,Speer,Sierra and Nosler. BUT I shoot some of the older cartridges (Duce Mag,250 -3000) and they NEVER seem to update to the new powders but reprint the same date from 20+ years ago.
If I were to buy one manual it would be Lyman as the do not have any preference(Dog in the Fight) as far as bullets and primers and ther accuracy load is usually rite on. My 2nd choice would be Sierra with Speer as my LAST.
I know I have FAR more $$$ that if I would have purchased Quik Load from the start.

Jim

 

[GermanS1]

When I want to get some basic info on a cartridge, the Sierra book and Ken Waters' Pet Loads are the first place I go. After that, if I still want to know more, I'll look at the other manuals and online sources. If I were to have just two books, for reloading, those would be the ones - but I prefer to have a lot more than just two sources!