What is the best Overall reloading Manual

Mobeasto

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HI guys, As you know I'm new to reloading and Wanna know what is the first book I absolutely need to get.. TO begin in reloading...
 
dan belisle said:
ABCs of Reloading would be your best bet for a beginner, I think. - dan

Great first book for a newbie. RCBS also publishes a free "How-To" guide that they'll send you or you can download it from their site.

As for actual "Reloading Manuals" it comes down to personal preference. I personally like the current Speer & Hodgdon manuals along with the current Lyman. Combined they offer a pretty good mix of different powders & bullets for various loads. I wouldn't feel myself disadvantaged, however, if I had to "make do" with the Hornady, Sierra, etc...

Its generally a good idea to have at least two good reloading manuals so that you can double check potential loads.
 
There is no best manual, and the manual should be chosen with the specific shooting dicipline in mind . Each manual offers a different benefit to the handloader. I think someone starting out should have a minimum of 3 manuals. Which manuals you choose does not really matter, but folks starting out seem to get good value from the Lyman and Hornady manuals. The third manual would sort of be a toss up between the Sierra manual and the Nosler manual. Although the data is beginning to get a little dated, Ken Waters' Pet Loads is a valuable reference, and should probably be considered as the 4th manual.

It is also important to make sure the manuals you choose has data, which will be of benefit to you. With so many new cartridges, bullets and powders being brought out, and so many old cartridges being resurrected, the manuals don't seem to be able to keep up. A little research might be in order.
 
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+1, grab a few. I use the Hornady one the most, and the data.hodgdon.com site a ton too. But I also have Lyman, Speer, Sierra, Nosler and a few others.
 
I cross reference with 3 manuals.
Bullet, powder and independent reference ( Lyman and Magazines )and some times the internet with a grain of salt.
It works good for me.
257 Roberts
 
I generally cross reference three manuals, Barnes, Nosler and Hornady. I shoot alot of barnes bullets, so I go there first. I then try and comfirm the load in one of the others. The Hornady is very good with the best mix of powders.
 
All the published manuals are a great source of tested information. I have eight manuals ranging from 1970 to current. My preference are Lyman, Sierra, and Speer.
 
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