Manual?

[Fox Mike]

I realize this has probably been beaten to death but I was wondering, if I wanted ONE reloading manual what should I be looking for?

 

[XUSNORDIE]

There are so many.......most cover all the current cartridges and reloading process. You can fine tune your selection if you are wanting loads for specific cartridges. I have several "wide brush" manuals. But I also have manuals specific to 17 and 20 cal cartridges.

The new Hodgdon 2025 looks like a good one. I like the Hornady manuals as well.

 

[NikA]

If you're paying for it, I would get Lyman because they cover powders and bullets from multiple manufacturers. Most powder manufacturers will give you load data for free in a pamphlet or online document.

I don't see a huge point to buying manuals from the bullet manufacturers unless you're looking for cutting edge performance from a specific manufacturer's bullets. I personally don't load that way.

 

[TheTexasRAT]

Reloading Manuals - whose and how many?

Lyman, Speer, Nosler, Sierra, Barnes, Swift, Berger, Norma, Lapua, VihtaVuori, Accurate, Western Powder, Hodgdon, or even Hornady reloading manuals are far better suited than Richard Lee's for gleaning load data from, as they all not only do their own testing but they all give the test barrel...

www.rugerforum.com

 

[contender]

I tend to start with the Hornady manual as my primary source. Followed by the Lyman manual.

 

[s4s4u]

To learn how to handload, or just to find data? Hodgdon's website is about all I use anymore, along with a few others that post online. Hornady's data seems lawyered down so I don't bother with it even though I use a lot of Hornady bullets. Lyman and Lee are compilations of data from other sources, but they do have a lot of loads and info.

 

[recumbent]

My favorite is the Lyman manual.

 

[Goldstar225]

Only one? Lyman.

 

[kmoore]

Lyman would be 1st on my list. If you only use or plan on only using 1 brand of bullets get the bullet makers reloading manual. The problem with any just 1 book is that gun powder types get dropped and added, same with bullets. I end up getting most of them and replace most when newer editions come out.
For just load data, some of that is found on the net for free by powder companies. I keep a binder of published data besides the printed books for stuff I don't have. I am loading 16 different calibers, using many different powders and bullets. So, a bookshelf of data is what I need.

 

[jimbo1096]

I vote Lyman if I can only have one, especially if I am mainly loading lead bullets Then the Speer for jacketed. Also have the '25 Hornady but mainly use it for cross reference

 

[Mobuck]

I try to keep newest edition of the yearly LYMAN. Covers most of my needs.
Being limited to ONE, I would choose the bullet brand I use most often-- in my case either Nosler or Hornady.

 

[Rich/KY]

Lyman manuals have loads for both jacketed and cast. Most bullet makers manuals only list jacketed data unless they make a lead bullet or two for handguns. Lyman also makes a separate manual for cast bullets. Start with Lyman and you can always expand your library as you feel the need.

 

[Springer2]

While I have over a dozen, if I had only one, it would be Lyman without hesitation. Lyman doesn't make powder or bullets so they don't favor any brand. No manual covers cast bullets better than Lyman as well.

 

[omt223]

I find the Lee and Lyman manuals pretty diverse.
I will often check stuff against the Gordon reloading tool on my PC as well

 

[GasGuzzler]

Lee has the most information. It's a big two book set. I'd say use the bullet maker's book if you're loading a specific brand bullet. But for universal loading it is Lee followed by Lyman, mostly because I use cast bullets and a few jacketed.

 

[krw]

Sierra. I cood shoot green bx bullets from now on and be content