One of the things that always concerns me about reading a review (and, yes, I read) is that you really don’t know who it is who is providing the review. You may wonder what’s in it for them or why they are spending time writing a review?
That’s a good question, and one that I wanted to answer for myself. I have written several of these kinds of reviews before, because I have been a gun enthusiast for nearly 3 decades. I have used just about every kind of product that is on the market today, and knew that my level of expertise would be helpful to people out there who wanted to know more about weapons, reloading them, and the tools that are needed.
In this review, I wanted to spend a little time making sure you understood what the best reloading manuals are. This is the kind of task that requires knowledge to be successful and to avoid injury, so I wanted to give you a review that would provide you with some insights on what makes for the best reloading manual out there.
Top 10 Reloading Manuals You Must Have to Own
| Best All Around Reloading Manuals | |||
 | #1 Complete Guide to Handloading – Third Edition – Second Revision – A Treastise on Handloading for Pleasure Economy and Utility Hardcover – 1953 | ||
 | #2 Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Manual | ||
 | #3 Modern Reloading Second Edition Hardcover – 2004 | ||
| Best Reloading Manual for Beginners | |||
 | #4 Sierra 5th Edition Rifle Handgun Reloading Manual Books | ||
 | #5 The Beginner’s Guide to Reloading Ammunition: With Space and Money Saving Tips | ||
 | #6 Speer 9515 Reloading Manual Number 14 | ||
| Best Shotshell Reloading Manual | |||
 | #7 Lyman Shotshell Handbook 5Th Edition | ||
| Best Budget Reloading Manuals | |||
 | #8 Hornady 10th Edition Reloading Handbook | ||
 | #9 A.C. Kerman – Outdoor Lee Precision Modern Reloading 2nd Edition New Format | ||
 | #10 Nosler Reloading Guide 8 | ||
#10 Nosler Reloading Guide 8 : Best Budget Reloading Manual
- Great information for the latest cartridges on the market today as well as the most popular ones from previous years
- Easy to follow and useful information
- A useful guide for both beginners and experienced reloaders
- No trim length data is included. This has been something that they have neglected to include in their last few additions
- Provides inadequate information for European cartridges
Nosler is featured prominently in this book, which is understandable. They have produced a number of newer caliber cartridges of late, including the 26, 28, and 30, and they gave comprehensive information within this book that gives you all the data you would need for these as well as other cartridges.
I love that it included even some of the obscure Nosler products in the guide. This included the ballistic silver tip varmint and the bonded performance, two different projectiles that came out within the last few years.
Of course, what you can depend upon is that the content is incredibly valuable to you. This is nearly 800 pages of detailed information, great articles that will help to make you more knowledgeable about reloading, as well as easy to follow instructions. You will find that you are able to print out the tables provided within the book, by connecting into their website, and that the information that is provided is detailed and accurate.
Conscious manual, this is truly one you will love.
#9 A.C. Kerman – Outdoor Lee Precision Modern Reloading 2nd Edition New Format
- Great guide that provides detailed information
- While it is ideal for those using Lee products, there is great information for other types of cartridges and components
- Extremely well written manual that is easy to follow
- A perfect guide whether you are a beginner or an expert
- The vast majority of the reload data that is provided is accurate
- Would be better if it included bullet molds
- A lot less useful if you are not using Lee components
However, don’t get too discouraged by that. If you are not a Lee component user you still can find valuable information that can help you in reloading your cartridges. This includes providing you with tables and instructions that show you exactly what you need to reload your ammunition as well as what you need to do to follow the procedure in a safe and efficient manner.
Whether you are looking for common calibers related to pistols or rifles, you are going to find all the data that you need including such things as bullet weight, base charge as well as Max charge, the seating depth, primers needed, case dimension, and the rest. This book gave a lot of exceptional information, and came at a cost that was far less then what you would expect to pay had you gone with a much more detailed manual.
The truth is that there is no sense in spending on what you don’t need, and this book may be all the information that is required for you to load the vast majority of the kinds of cartridges that you use. If you are using Lee components, then there is really no other manual to turn to.
