Getting started.

[G.A. Heath]

I recently acquired a turret press and a few odds and ends, now my Christmas present to myself will be a set of .45 ACP dies and a small collection of reloading manuals and that will complete my minimal reloading kit. So what reloading manuals would you fine folk recommend for someone who hasn't even been around a press for more than two decades. After the dies and manuals are in hand I will then look into components and start reloading again. Until then I am looking for a bench to be cheaply built/bought. I have already helped haul off two specimens that were not suitable (not sturdy enough).

[threoh8]

I need to get new loading books myself. My home library ("All those piles of books", as my wife calls it) includes old-to-ancient Lyman, Sierra, Accurate, and Speer, and I'll look at current versions of those. Just make certain that the books you get include the calibers you might reload, and the types of bullets you may load (jacketed, cast, swaged lead, etc.).
Some also have special data and information for special applications, like service rifle, black powder silhouette, etc.

[G.A. Heath]

Thanks AndyC for mentioning the first two, they were already on my list, as for the Hornady why do you recommend it in particular?

In the way back I also used to use some spiral bound manuals that were specific to the cartridge I was loading but I can't remember the name of those. I think the name was something like "So and So's guide to reloading the <insert cartridge here>." It had load data on the left page, their notes/comments on the upper half of the right page, and ruled space on lower half of the right page for you to make notes. They pulled data from several manuals and included their own loads as well. I remember buying these manuals in a gun store in Odessa (only place I could find them, and now out of business) and they were printed in Printed in New York City. The closest to it I have found a reference to is Loadbooks USA's line, although their books appear to be slightly dated (6 years or so) I may still acquire a copy just for reference purposes.

[Gyrogearhead]

Until then I am looking for a bench to be cheaply built/bought. I have already helped haul off two specimens that were not suitable (not sturdy enough).

When thinking "Reloading Bench" think also "Texas Summers & Winters" that make doing anything in the garage unpleasant if it's not air conditioned. Mine is so I don't have to worry but I have friends who happily set up for reloading in the garage in the spring and then have to stop and let everything rust up during the summer when it's just too hot and humid to work in there. I've also seen some really innovative "benches" that bolt to a closet wall inside where it's always nice weather. Some of these just disappear when not in use by folding down against the wall so the Mrs. can't complain about having to look at it.

Guess what I'm trying to say is when building a bench try to think out of the box and you'll come up with something that fits your needs perfectly and that you'll be happy with for years to come.

Just my 2c.

Gerry

[NcongruNt]

Thanks AndyC for mentioning the first two, they were already on my list, as for the Hornady why do you recommend it in particular?

In the way back I also used to use some spiral bound manuals that were specific to the cartridge I was loading but I can't remember the name of those. I think the name was something like "So and So's guide to reloading the <insert cartridge here>." It had load data on the left page, their notes/comments on the upper half of the right page, and ruled space on lower half of the right page for you to make notes. They pulled data from several manuals and included their own loads as well. I remember buying these manuals in a gun store in Odessa (only place I could find them, and now out of business) and they were printed in Printed in New York City. The closest to it I have found a reference to is Loadbooks USA's line, although their books appear to be slightly dated (6 years or so) I may still acquire a copy just for reference purposes.

While I can't answer for Andy, I can tell you why I like the Hornady manual.

The drawback to the Hornady manual is it only lists their bullets. The positive side to this is that Hornady makes such a large selection of bullets, you'll likely have one that more or less matches whatever you've got, if it isn't a Hornady bullet. Their data is pretty extensive, and there are more powder choices listed than most manuals.

I also frequently use the Lyman and Lee manuals myself. Between those and the Hornady, I can pretty much always make an informed choice in my workups.