Best reloading book ?

have you guys ever used or had experience with the "ABCs of reloading" ? someone at the range recommend it to me and also recommend i get a dillon 650 (way to expensive for my budget)

This is probably the best book to start with. Once you have a handle on everything in there, proceed to other books (and there will be quite a few, i probably have 40-50 different reloading manuals/books) It's also available as an ebook. - dan
 
I started with Hornady's volume II and then found a used Lyman 49th edition.
This Lyman show photos of life sized ammo and it puts a good perspective on size
for future endeavors.
Few others around here including the Lee manual which I find totally cluttered.
I have just recently acquired an older Nosler Number Three and it compares to the Hornady
for ease of use and lay out.
 
Two manuals in my library get used more than others is the Sierra Infinity 6 and Nosler #7.
Both list most accurate loads and most accurate powder.
While they feature their own bullets, once you are in a weight category almost any bullet can be substituted with the exception of the longer mono bullets of similar weight.
All loads should be viewed as starting points and it is your responsibility to work up your own.
For the 60 grain Nosler loads in .22-250 the 60 grain Sierra HP was used.
For the 190 grain Sierra load in 300 WM the 190 grain Hornady was loaded to the nuts and produced 3" 3 shot groups at 300 yards.
 
I have the Lyman 50th and was really shocked to see that they had no load data for H4350 on any 6.5 Creedmoor load. H4350 is "the" go to powder for the Creedmoor.

That's why having more than one manual available is useful....

FWIW Nosler has the loads with H4350 for projectiles >= 120gr
 
I read ABCs of reloading to start then on to the LEE second edition. If your into casting the Lyman casting book is great. I usually end up using my hornady manual the most because I tend to use these bullets but I have nosler, berger and seirra books as well. some of the older books are interesting because they sometimes have different data, hotter loads ect.
 
True. One can find all you need on the 'net. But manuals are handy to have on hand.

4n2t0 I understand what you are saying, that load data is readily available online and for free. It is a great resource and up to date. However manuals will provide more than just data and there is information and loads that I have not found online. I started with just one book (Speer #10 I think) but now have over 10, and I use them all

I would suggest that a reloader try to get as many resources as they can. Rarely do the books completely agree and some companies only stick with a certain group of components. If you have only one load and it works for you, great but once you start developing a new load, the more you can compare the better.

I hear what you guys are saying.

Personally all I need is the data and I really enjoy getting it from a community of reloaders that have tested and verified the loads themselves. I find this type of data to be much more accurate and detailed. I load for handgun so the Brian Enos forum is my best friend :).

The manuals do provide some good information for new reloaders but the best way to learn reloading is from an experienced reloader. I'd suggest the OP finds a local reloading buddy.
 
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That's why having more than one manual available is useful....

FWIW Nosler has the loads with H4350 for projectiles >= 120gr

Yes I seen that, I own all the manuals in print at the moment. Just odd that some leave out H4350 for a Creedmoor, I bet 90% of creedmoor shooters if not more use H4350
 
If I was to have only one it would be the Lyman, but having said that the more manuals you have the better your knowledge of reloading will be. Some will have what others are missing etc.
 
I have the ABCs by Rodney James. Too much info on obsolete military calbres, corrosive primers, etc. for me. I only reload for modern calibers, so others might be interested in this sort of info.
Doesn't cover customizing brass for your chamber, IIRC.
 
The older copies of The ABC's of Reloading edited by Dean Grennell are to be treasured. He was handloading editor for Gunsport magazine and later wrote for Gun World magazine.
His writing was slightly whimsical, and very readable. I would read his articles even if I had no interest in the cartridge about which he was writing. Some of the old farts on this board might remember him. His writings would be dated today, but would still have many nuggets for a noob.

I have the ABC book. Lot of good info there and well worth reading. .
 
From all my loading books my two favorites are: Hornady Vol 2 and Speer Volume 11. . . I use my Nosler Book for cross reference and case capacity. . For my old timey cartridges, that don't show up in the newer books, I have an old Ideal by Lyman Gunsite. .
 
Google "reloading manual error" and see what comes up. I don't think there is one perfect manual. I tend to lean toward the bullet manufacturer's manual while cross referencing to the powder manufacturer's reloading data to establish safe starting points.
 
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