Having scanned through some posts I have decided to just ask. Can you folks list some quality reloading manuals to get me started in reloading/loading? I am starting with .308 and .223 for right now. I will follow with .45 ACP.
please list,
1 a good concise reloading instruction booklet
2 a good non biased informational manual on .308 LR M118 and M80 and .223 55gr M193 please
I want to start the M118 as a basic then work up to a bullet like a few that has been mentioned in
a couple threads.
please realize that I am very new and I am just now picking up reloading items.
Thank You all.
Ax
Buy more than one. My favorite 3 (in the order I bought them) are my Lyman manual, my Hornady manual and my Sierra manual.
As for online sources for the load data:
http://www.hodgdon.com/index.php This one looks like it will also get you to the next two as well.
http://www.imrpowder.com/
http://www.wwpowder.com/HomePage.php At the bottom left corner of this page there's an offer for free reloading manuals. Might as well get some.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/
Sierra, Speer, Hornady or Lyman manuals are a must for a newreloader. You really only need one, but 2 wouldn't hurt. As youi get experienced, get a Lee manual to supplement what you have. They get the info from numerous sources and compile it all together. Best choice for an experienced reloader.
If you're going to match 7.62 NATO M118LR or M852 ammo, then definitely get the Sierra manual as one of the two, because both of those loads use Sierra bullets.
As to your second question, check this thread: http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=267.0 (http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=267.0)
Is the US Army non-biased enough?
Yes, those powders are going to be hard to match, unless they're 4895, but, it can be done. Just ask.
;)
I think a great, cheap start is to get the Lee Anniversary Kit with manual, supplemented by the Speer or Hornady manual. All the manuals have pretty good instructions. All you need besides that is a set of dies, for each caliber you want to load. Natchez Shooters Supply often has a very competitive price.
A single-stage press is slower than a progressive, but MUCH cheaper, and I think it's a good thing to start that way, you learn the details of each step of the process. A knowledgeable buddy can be a big help,but read the manual instructions, too.
The Lee Anniversary Kit with manual is good, thats how I got started. However, the locking collet on their dies wears out to fast. I'm working on switching over to RCBS. The screw and lock nut system seems to be more positive. Good luck, reloading can be very rewarding.
smle
Aonther suggestion: John Wooters : text on reloading. ( try Amazon)
Not recipes,,,but theory, practice, lore and decades of expierience.
Another good one : "Ken Waters Pet Loads",,,very usefull,,, especially if you move beyond standard military cartridges.
One more ; "Any Shot You Want" by Art Alphin of A-Square fame.
;D
*Any Shot You Want* is super, but probably not the best choice for a reloading Newbie. All will probably notice that the "reloading instructions" in most of them are infomercials for the sponsoring company's products. But that doesn't mean the info is bad.
Best thing in the manual (near quote): "The rifle's safety is installed between the shooter's ears. In the event of a malfunction, it should be recalibrated with a series of sharp blows with a heavy stick."
This manual is a very entertaining read for advanced reloaders, especially heavy-rifle fans. Lots of info about the old express-rifle cartridges and their more modern equivalents.
Perhaps after reading a few manuels, you can find an old timer to talk
you through with hands on stuff he or she loads, that lives nearby.
Midway has caliber-specific "Load Books" which are in essense a compilation from various reloading manuals collected under one cover. Very useful, and inexpensive to boot. Why pay for load data on a .416 Rigby, say, if you don't need any info but what pertains to 7.62x51?
QuotePerhaps after reading a few manuels, you can find an old timer to talk
you through with hands on stuff he or she loads, that lives nearby.
oohrah
Good idea! and for once I am already ahead of the idea that someone here recommends! I am purchasing my equipment from a Ol' Time Gunsmith/dealer/shooter who has been in my area for about 50 years. He has owned everything from a Solothurn to the Weatherby Magnum, machine guns to old Winchesters. He also loads for his own varmint trips to Nebraska, stuff like that. I plan on sitting down with him 1 or hopefully 2 days so he can go over some stuff with me. He is Appleseed material through and through too. Perhaps I can get him to the Appleseed in Freedom Indiana coming up this April. I can't wait to just sit down with him and listen! He is 85 and told me the other day he used to have a old Caprice Station wagon minus the rear window dedicated solely for the purpose of taking his Solothurn to the range!!
Ax
Good for you! I was fortunate to meet an old smith who taught me all
things firearms, along with allowing me to do simple stuff for him in exchange
for the use of his shop. Worked as a county firefighter, so days off when not
hunting, were spend in that shop learning and working. Those memorable
times will never be forgotten ;D
I would love to head to the range and the garage with many people on this forum as well. It is nice to learn, glean and spend time with kindred spirits, you seem to gain more from the encounter.
Got my "free" reloading manuals in the mail. One is the Hodgon Basic Reloader's Manual 2007.
80 pages. Couple pages of various powder descriptions. More pages on the effects of - temperature extremes, lot to lot consistency, short grain metering, properties of the powders, storage condition, checking for deterioration, etc. Lists the primers, cases and bullets used for the various loads listed for each caliber. Has rifle, pistol, shotgun, cowboy action and long range rifle (not what you think - these are equivalent load data for cartridges popular for long range shooting over a hundred years ago).
The second little book is the IMR Legendary Powders 2007 Smokeless Powder Reloader's Guide.
Similar to above book but with IMR powders.
Tough to beat "free". These aren't for beginners (they don't really cover all the basic info you need to be aware of) but if you've been reloading awhile they are additional information.