Best reloading books for absolute beginners?

The best is a friend who half-as$ed knows what he/she is talking about.

I think any of the "brand name" books - Lee, Hornady, RCBS, Nosler, etc are a good start. Lots of good reading on accurateshooter.com, and on here, and on snipershide, etc.

GGG
 
most books have a preface which tells you lots of info about loading. each caliber listed in the book will have a little history of the round and list powders etc. They will also tell you what worked best for them in their tests.
any reloading manual is a good place to start reading.
 
I recommend the Lyman if you're just starting out. It definitely has the most useful and in depth explanation of reloading of all the popular manuals. I find the other ones such as Lee, Nosler, Hornady, etc.. are all just geared towards their equipment and fairly "advertisey"
 
I just went though the same thing. The bullet manufacturers only list their bullets now so just buy every book you can... except the Sierra, it hasn't been updated in 14 years.
 
I started getting into reloading this past year and on the advice of many others I picked up two books. The ABC's of reloading along with a Lyman manual. Both are excellent and I'd recommend!
 
Same as above, the Lyman manual has very good info and #1 on my list after over 46 years of reloading.

Second would be the Hodgdons web page or yearly reloading magazine.

Note, the Lyman manual will list a universal receiver and pressure test barrel of minimum SAAMI chamber and bore dimensions, and this will generate the highest pressures.

The second listings will be from a specific firearm that had a strain guage glued to the barrel. This is the main reason load data varies so much between manuals and why workup loads starting at the suggested starting loads are recommended.

So you have variations in firearms and variations in reloading components that can have a great effect on chamber pressure. Start low and work up reading your brass and primers for signs of pressure. You will learn more about reloading and chamber pressure and your rifle by studying your fired cases using a workup load.
 
The new Lee manual is an excellent choice for a beginner. there is some interesting facts there about pressure and pressure signs. I like the Lyman manual as well, I have many times used their recommended load for a particular bullet I was trying for the first time. I have all of the manuals and the Lee book is my newest one.. FS
 
I started with abc's of reloading what a waste of my money. Part way through I started reading my hornady and speer manuals and they helped a lot more. Picked up nosler and berger books as well.

This is a good video as well.

h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zSG804HwVk
 
LAV said:
Please share which are the best reloading books for absolute beginners. Thanks.
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Here is a link to a basic article on reloading. It is a bit of a sales pitch on Redding equipment, but keep that in mind when you read it. All the manufacturers have essentially the same equipment. Most reloaders end up with a mix of brands.

For load data, check the internet sites of Hodgdon, Nosler, Vihtavuori, and others...
 
RCBS has a pretty good handloading "how-to" primer, with photos, on its website. In terms of reloading manuals, the more you have the better. However, the Lyman is quite good as are those from Speer, Hornady and even LEE.
 
LAV said:
Please share which are the best reloading books for absolute beginners. Thanks.
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What are you planning on reloading? A handgun as your avatar might suggest? Or, a rifle? While basically the same, the ideal process differs quite a bit. And are you reloading for economy or accuracy? Again it makes a difference...
 
Ron AKA said:
What are you planning on reloading? A handgun as your avatar might suggest? Or, a rifle? While basically the same, the ideal process differs quite a bit. And are you reloading for economy or accuracy? Again it makes a difference...
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Mostly 9mm and some 45ACP. Reloading for accuracy /IPSC first and economy second.
 
How does a newbie tell a "good" mentor from an idiot? This sub-forum has some of the first, and a whole s#$%load of the latter!! Unless you see one of the idiots trying to hammer his bolt open at the range, or having to get stitches from blowing the mag out of the bottom of his handgun, most certifiable "ijuts" can come across pretty knowledgeable. Same as the internet. Sure, there is good stuff on the 'net, but there is probably more stupid, idiotic, mindless drivel than mankind has been exposed to in the previous ten thousand years!

At least if the OP can read, he can test what a mentor tells him against what Hornady, Sierra, Lyman, ABC's, say in their books. You know that a company that has been in business for fifty or so years isn't going to just throw stuff out there for @#$#%'s and giggles.
 
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