As mentioned in some of my previous post. I am wanting to get into reloading. And most of the advice I read online is have at least two manuals to compare data to. And to study the manual backwards and forwards before getting into reloading. So, my question is. What are two of the most current recommended manuals? It seems some prefer some over others. And I was just wanting to get a census of what are the most poplar or most highly recommended. Thanks in advance for your help.

"I" really like my Hornady and Lyman manuals. They are really thorough.

Duane

i'd most likely get what TCMan suggested. i'd also pick up the cheap hodgdon "magazine type" manual for just a few bucks to go along with them. THEN, but only then, i'd also use online data. get real manuals first.

I guess when it comes to manuals I'm kinda like women are about shoes YOU CAN NOT HAVE TO MANY. I somewhere between 35- 40 of them . The two I reach for most often are Nosler and Hornady. For the money Hodgdon's Annual Manual is hard to beat.

When I got started, the Hornady manual helped me the most.
Now, I go to Hodgdon's website for info, since I almost use their powder exclusively.

Well thats 3 consitant votes for Hornady. Thanks I'll start looking for one.

Ditto

I really like the Hornady and Speer manuals.The Lyman manuals usually have quite a bit of info. on getting started in reloading so that would be where I would start first.

As mentioned, Lyman & Speer are great manuals with lots of hints & tech stuff.
BUT, Kyode mentioned the inexpensive Hodgon "magazine" style manual & it's my #1 source. Usually the only thing on the bench. Like Ernie, I use Hodgon powders (almost) exclusively & the data is pretty complete for my needs. If it isn't there, like Ernie I head for Hodgon's free website.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Looks like MidWay has pretty good prices on them as well.

Good luck in your new hobby/skill set.

As Ellis said "you can`t have to many" when it comes to reload manuals.I just took a quick count of mine and it comes to 34...

I have a Hornady,Nosler and Speer. I also went on Hodgdons website to get some info.

Interesting... no mention of the Sierra manual. It seems to list the most powders of all the manuals. I also refer to my Hornady and Hodgdon "annual" manual.

Like stated above I collect loading manuals and have over 50, some date back to the 1930's. Thay are very interseting to read.

There are some very "interesting" loads in the older manuals. Especially the Ackley series. Use caution when using older data, as powder specifications and/or burn rates have changed on some powders over the years.

I probably go to the Hornady 7th Edition Manual first, I also like the Sierra 3 ring binder manual. It is handy for us Wildcatters who end up with loading data that is not in a book anywhere. You can type it up and add a page to the Sierra Manual. Also as something new comes out, you can request loading data from Sierra, and they will mail you pages to add to your manual.

Now when you start to tinker with lead bullets and powders like Unique, Red Dot, 700X, Blue Dot and so forth for lite loads, you will want a Lyman Manual. Wait for the new one to come out. It is supposed to be FINALY UPDATED. If it came out after about 1970 it was not in the older ones. Let us hope they added 357 Max, 454, 460, 475, 480, 500 S&W, 500L, 500WE, etc in the new one.
It also has lots of information on casting bullets.

The Lee Manual also has a lot of lead bullet reloading information. I go to it looking for revolver reloading information, both lead and jacketed. It does have some late model cartridges listed.

I also have Ken Waters Pet Loads Books, Hornady 4th & 7th, Accurate Arms No 1, Nosler #3 & 5th. I must have given my old Speer to someone over the years. I did not use it anyway.

Buying one at a time I would go in this order for handguns:
01. Hornady
02. Lee
03. NEW Lyman
04. Sierra

Buying for Rifle Reloading One at a time:
01. Hornady
02. Sierra

After that look over one before you buy it. After you get to knowing more about what you are looking for, you will decide to pass on several of the others.

Online reloading data can be added to your Sierra Binder easily. Keep this in mind. Just because Sierra does not list data for a 480 Ruger, does not mean that you cannot add your own page of information from this web site or others. The 3-Ring Binder is handy to add pages to.

My favorite manual is Ken Waters "Pet Loads", mostly for the reading. I try to stick with the bullet makers manuals for the particular bullets I'm loading first. If I don't find something I'm looking for there then I will go tho the powder manufactures manual next if it's not there I'll look in Pet Loads if I can't find the combination I'm looking for in one of the three places I'll change a component and start over.

Bob

Is it possible to reload with only 2 manuals?

I think Lymans is one of the best, but I also have never come up with an answer on how many is too many. My wife has a lot of those answers though, and yours probably will too before long

Thanks for all the great advice guys. Does anyone know when this new Lyman manual is due to come out? I would rather get the most updated manuals that are avalible. Thanks again.

I just checked the Lyman WEB Site. It is listed, and has available FALL 2010 direct from Lyman.

LYMAN Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition (Fall 2010) $25.98
LYMAN 49th Edition Reloading Manual $27.98
LYMAN Pistol & Revolver 3ed Edition $23.98
LYMAN Reloading Data Log $6.50

Acording to what the WEB Site says they have all been updated. It says this is the first update for the Cast Bullet Handbook in 30 years.

Trying to be helpfull to you has probably cost me money. I will have to get a Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition, and a Pistol & Revolver 3d Edition on order for myself. Glad you started this post, or I probably would not have checked the Lyman web site.

Thank you. Going to get them on order myself.

Damn I hate to hear that also, now I will have to order me one too

so the new cast book is finally available?