What is the Best Reloading Manual and Why Would You Need One

If you’ve never reloaded before and are thinking about starting in the reloading hobby or are ordering your first press, you should consider getting a reloading manual. Packed with all of the information you will need, reading through a reloading manual before you start your first batch of bullets is not only wise, but is also incredibly practical.

In this day and age, it may seem a bit ridiculous to get an actual book of information when you “should be able to find everything online.” While it’s true that most of the information in the manuals can be found on the Internet, a manual is superior to Internet articles. You never have to worry about dead links, having a WiFi connection, or protecting your screen from reloading debris. Also, all of the pertinent information is readily available at your fingertips at all times.

If you’re trying to choose the best reloading manual to get you started or to increase your knowledge, we recommend the following volumes.

The Beginner’s Guide to Reloading Ammunition

If you enjoy the “For Dummies” self-help series, you might enjoy this book. It is for total beginners and explains everything about the reloading process in simple, easy-to-understand language. Everything you need to know as a first-time reloader can be found in this volume. From simple explanations of the different elements of a bullet to helpful hacks for reloaders in constrained spaces, this book has it all.

You may still need a proper manual, but the first-person style and loads of pictures make this a great read. The information is well presented, and easy to understand. All in all, this guide is a great book for getting your feet wet.

Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Handbook

The golden standard in the reloading industry, this manual is a must-have purchase – you simply will not get a better introduction to and instructions for reloading in any other book. It will take you through the entire loading process, explain all of the elements and reloading lingo, and emphasize the most important and crucial things to pay attention to.

The range of general information in this volume is extensive. While you may not get into the nitty-gritty details of every aspect of reloading, you will have a good base of knowledge on all the most important parts of reloading. If you have to choose a single manual to get started with, this is the one you should purchase.

In the end, whether you get this manual or that manual isn’t what matters most. So long as you do get one and read it carefully, you will be well on your way to reloading great ammunition. Nothing you do while reloading should be rushed – precision and attention to detail are the two most important ingredients to creating better ammunition and using your guns to their full potential.

Any one of these two titles could earn the title of the best reloading manual. Once you feel you have a good handle on the reloading process, you can then check out the various presses that would suit your needs—which, wouldn’t you know, we discuss extensively on our homepage.