Every safe load starts with published data, and a good reloading manual is where most reloaders find it. This collection includes reloading manuals and handbooks from Hornady, Lyman, Sierra, Hodgdon, Berger, Nosler, and Speer, plus specialty guides for cast bullets, black powder, and AR rifles.
Bullet maker or powder maker?
Bullet makers such as Hornady, Sierra, Nosler, and Berger test their own bullets with a range of powders, so their manuals are the place to look once you've picked a bullet. Powder makers like Hodgdon test their powders across bullets from many brands. Many reloaders keep one of each and compare the two before working up a load. Hodgdon also posts free data online through its Reloading Data Center.
Buy the current edition
Powders and bullets change over the years, and older editions can list components that are no longer made the same way. Look for the latest edition from Hornady, Lyman, Sierra, and Hodgdon. Hodgdon publishes a new annual manual every year, so it's an easy way to keep your data current between editions of the bigger handbooks.
Free guides worth grabbing
Powder makers also publish compact basic reloading guides, from Hodgdon and Alliant. They cover each maker's most popular powders and make a handy second reference next to a full manual.
Specialty manuals
Lyman publishes specialty handbooks for black powder cartridges and muzzleloaders, cast bullets, and AR rifles, each focused on its own niche. Berger's manual is written around long-range match bullets, which makes it a good companion for precision shooters loading Berger projectiles.
Reading the data the right way
Start at the listed starting charge and work up, using the same components the manual lists. Our guide on how to read and follow a reloading guide explains each column, and new reloaders can start with our reloading basics. Your manual and the powder maker's data are always the source to trust.
Put the data to work
Once you've chosen a load, you'll find the powder in our smokeless powder selection and a powder scale to weigh every charge accurately.
