Reloading Manual/Manuals

I intent very soon to get into reloading for two rifles, a 308 and a 204, both for varmints and targets. As now knowing nothing on the topic, what reloading manual or manuals might you recommend for a newbie? While I'm asking questions, I'm considering also a RCBS single stage press and would appreciate comments.

Thanks,
Bill
 
Find the book called the A B C's of reloading one of the very best books for a new re loader to read.

I use RCBS equipment. Might not be the very top of the totem pole for equipment but it is far far away from being trash.

What I recommend is that you use the same manual as the brand of bullet you are using. Till you get more experience under your belt.


DAB
 
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RCBS Rock Chucker press is a great press and should last forever.

As far a books go, if you look at hodgdens website they have data available for free for a lot of cartridges, for hodgden, IMR, and Win powders. If you use a different powders than that, you will have to buy a book, but it is a good place to start. A lot of the ammo makers also make books with good data in them.

As far as getting started reloading, and how to do it, you can also find free info all over the place. I recommend finding someone who is a confident reloader and seeing how it is done in person. Plus they may let you load a couple of cartridges for them so you get the hands on feel of it. There are a lot of little odds and ends tooling that goes along with reloading, and if you are able to get with someone that already reloads, you will be able to see what is needed.

Last of all, have fun with it.

+1 on ABCs of reloading.
 
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Getting with someone that reloads is a good idea. It helps to see things that some of the book explanations aren't clear on. A good starting point is one of the kits. The RCBS Rockchucker Supreme has everything a guy would need to get started including a manual. I have had a Rockchucker since 1975 and it has been a good one. Just do your research and be careful. It is a very fun and rewarding hobby, but it can get addictive.
 
Originally Posted By: BillfromHighlandI intent very soon to get into reloading for two rifles, a 308 and a 204, both for varmints and targets. As now knowing nothing on the topic, what reloading manual or manuals might you recommend for a newbie? While I'm asking questions, I'm considering also a RCBS single stage press and would appreciate comments.

Thanks,
Bill


The two books that I would recommend are, Hornady, and Lyman. Sierra is one that I use alot too. You need more than on book so you can determine an average between them, as they will not be the same. Each book will list what they found to be "safe" in their equipment. This is different from book to book, and to your re-loading bench. Start low and work up. You may find that you can't make it to one book's listed max, but far exceed the next book's listed max. The books are guides, not bibles.


As for equipment, I would start you out with the Redding Big Boss II, Nice press but is has the best spent primer recovery system out there. Trust me it's worth it. Price is in line with RCBS.

Just ask, we will give our opinion, and advise. It is up to you to wade through it all.
smile.gif
 
Plus, take every single piece of advice from the internet with a grain of salt. If in doubt, ask a well known member on here about it. For what it's worth, the beginning chapters of the Hornady book haven't changed much in years, because they got it right the first time. Get one and read, re-read, and read again the beginning about reloading. They go into explanation about several aspects of reloading and will get you a good start.
 
As many have said, no ONE book will give you EVERYTHING that could help you.
I don't like Hodgdon's site personally. THEY don't shoot their loads, and due to the contract issue; the data for Win powders is EXTREMELY low.
I also don't care for the idea of "hornady got it right the first time". Here here is an example "Why" that is silly.
H414 = Win 760 = AA2700. All three of those powders ARE THE SAME THING, All made by General Dynamics in St. Marks; only the label is different. But if you look at the load data it is different. That means that: Lot variations ARE real, and nothing stays the same.
So data shot yesterday, let alone 5 years ago; MAY OR MAY NOT be valid now.

I know that Lyman and Sierra's data for Win powders is "Fairly" recently shot by them. I also know that Hodgdon's site IS NOT recent data; Ask them, I did.

I have found that Lyman data, and Sierra data follows pretty closely with all of my guns. The rest, not as much.
You could also buy yourself a Pressure Trace, then you know exactly what is going on with YOUR gun.
 
Lyman is a great book and abc of reloading is a good one. I will go to bullet makers website and usually get their info for free. Also look at the annual reloading mag. that hodgdon puts out
 
In my opinion the go to book for beginners is the Lyman manual . For seasoned reloaders the Speer and Sierra manuals are the best technically . All the others are ok but not equal to Speer and Sierra .
 
I like the lyman and hornady as well.If you are serious about starting i'll give you a copy of the ABC's of reloading,dont read it much anymore
 
Originally Posted By: DarkkerAs many have said, no ONE book will give you EVERYTHING that could help you.
I don't like Hodgdon's site personally. THEY don't shoot their loads, and due to the contract issue; the data for Win powders is EXTREMELY low.
I also don't care for the idea of "hornady got it right the first time". Here here is an example "Why" that is silly.
H414 = Win 760 = AA2700. All three of those powders ARE THE SAME THING, All made by General Dynamics in St. Marks; only the label is different. But if you look at the load data it is different. That means that: Lot variations ARE real, and nothing stays the same.
So data shot yesterday, let alone 5 years ago; MAY OR MAY NOT be valid now.

I know that Lyman and Sierra's data for Win powders is "Fairly" recently shot by them. I also know that Hodgdon's site IS NOT recent data; Ask them, I did.

I have found that Lyman data, and Sierra data follows pretty closely with all of my guns. The rest, not as much.
You could also buy yourself a Pressure Trace, then you know exactly what is going on with YOUR gun.
If you note, I was only referring to the information about how to reload. Was not referring to the actual load data.
 
I started out reloading not knowing a single thing about it. I didn't even know anyone that reloaded. anyway It really isn't hard it just takes persistance and determination. For a newbie I would suggest a cheap setup like the lee challenger reloading kit. They have it on sale right now for $117.00 at Cabela's and you get good bit of the essentials. I will say I don't care for the scale but you can get a decent digital scale for $80-$90 these days. just buy your dies and your on your way. Is this everything you need? no, but it is enought o get you going. eventually you will want to add a case trimmer, powder trickler, case tumbler, lube pad or add other equipment to your reloading setup. I really don't think any of us ever quit buying different reloading equipment.

As far as a good book to learn with, If you can find an old copy of modern reloading by Richard Lee, It has a very good tutorial in the front that is very helpful. you can probably pick it up pretty cheap on ebay or even some of these forums.

like many other have stated, you will not get everything you need out of one book. I myself use several. I have a nosler no6, a Hornady 7th edition, Sierra number 13, a lee manual and hodgdons website. a lot of manuals print different max loads for the same powder and bullet combos. I would suggest getting out your "surfboard" and head over to www.hodgdons.com then click on the reloading data center. you can then navigate to a page that will allow you to select rifle or pistol and imput which cartrige you are reloading for and PRESTO! there is your load data. It's free and easy to reference. I have found several good loads out of there and I think you will to.


If you have any questions on the process fell free to send me a pm. I would be happy to help you out.
 
I have a Lyman reloading book as well as one from each of the bullet manufacturers that I shoot. I usually look at them all and then figure out what powder/charge I want to use.

Nearly all of my equipment is RCBS with just a little Lyman thrown in.
 
I reload both those cartridges. I did some this week. I reload for my self and for friends. I've been at it for a long time. If i was just starting I would buy the RCBS rock chucker again. I would buy a Redding competition Bullet seating die, a Body die and a Bushing adjustable neck die. I would not just go out and buy a regular die set. I also use a decapping die which i use to remove the primers from all different calibers. Buy a Bump gage for measuring your head space and also a chamber lenght gauge for each of your calibers(sinclair sells them). Read the book and learn how to measure your chamber lenght and learn how much and what dimension to really trim your cases to. Measure your gun head space and learn to set up your dies properly for your gun. Buy a bullet comparator gage. Use this to measure bullets and also to measure your chamber distance to the lands. Doing this all individually in the long run will make you a better reloader. And Safer. And you won't be buying things over and over and or changing.
Gotta run for now.
 
Also buy a primer pocket reamer The sinclair with the power tool adaptor works great. I know the competition seater is a little expensive but in the long run it is cheaper than buying the standard and then buying the micro adjustable seater afterwards. Sooner or later you will reload and start using neck sized only brass or you will use brass over and over again. YOu will run into problems. But if you buy the dies in this configuration .. you will not be buying new or more stuff. Also you will have the tools to resolve any reloading problems. With the micro adjust bullet seater you can more easily and confidently adjust the bullet depth. I also use an electronic scale .. makes life easier.. The sooner you buy the stuff you really need ...the cheaper it will be in the long run... other thanthat, you will spend twice as much or more money shooting a whole bunch. I believe you can buy different sleves for the redding seating die and use it for different calibers.. I bought a different seater for each caliber. Easier.
Have fun. Also if you don't want to buy the stuff above and you want the original standard die set .. i have one .. will sell it cheap. It is a reding die set.
 


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