The ABC's of Reloading: Definitive Guide to Cartridge and Shotshell Reloading

This is a thorough and excellent manual for the beginner and should be read by many of the so-called experts I've come across in the last few months. It covers handgun and rifle metallic cartridge reloading, shotshell reloading, bullet casting/swaging, and a host of related subjects. While it doesn't have load data, it gives easily understood descriptions of the various reloading processes no matter what you're shooting. Please NOTE: The 7th edition has been out since February, 2005. While much of the basic information in the 6th edition will remain unchanged in the 7th, the newer edition reflects substantial changes concerning progressive presses that have occurred since the 1997 publish date of the 6th edition. If that doesn't matter to you, then it won't matter which edition you get.

Along with my Speer Reloading Manual this is my favorite book on reloading because of the extensive overview it gives on the entire subject. Everything from casting to ballastics is covered in detail with excellent graphics and photos. For example, in this book there is a section on reloading data manuals--so you can choose what manuals to use when actually reloading. I recommend this book along with a good reloading data manual such as the Speer Manual and if you need visual instructions a dvd like my Learn Handgun & Rifle Reloading in Under 41 Minutes ( ASIN: B0006PT29Y)

I used to reload years ago, and bought this book to refresh my memory. The book certainly filled that need, but sometimes had a very basic presentation more suited to the rank beginner. Given the title (it *IS* a beginner's book), I would think this a very good first time reloader primer. It covers the gamut of reloading in a broad brush sweep. This is not the book to buy for a something limited in scope, like a specific black powder reloading detail.Augment this with GOOD reloading data manuals--more than one--before commencing your first reloading session.

This is the book I used when I got started reloading about a year ago, and this book gave me just what I needed. When I first got the itch to load my own ammunition, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information and terminology involved in this fascinating field/hobby. It was very difficult to take all the individual pieces of information that I had and form it into an understandable process. I was snowed in under a blizzard of data that I was piecing together through chat rooms and web sites. Everyone was very helpful - basically shooters are the most helpful people I know - but still I was just getting fragments without a solid, complete overview. Phrases like "roll crimp", "seating and sizer dies," and "headspace" came at me in a blizzard. I could look up each phrase, understand each one as a piece, but still the whole picture was fuzzy. In essence, that is what this book will do for you: turn it all into a coherent, linear whole. The writing is very solid and clear, the illustrations are well done and helpful, and the information is very complete. After reading this book, the entire process made sense to me, and more importantly, I was fully warned about the does and don'ts of the reloading world. The coverage is very complete. Primers, powders, bullets and cases are explained with regard to nomenclature and history. All necessary tools and accessories are discussed and explained. This is just a great book. It won't make you an expert, but it will put you on the right road if you wish to become one.

This is an excellent book for the person who is considering reloading his (or her) own cartridges. Metallic cartridge reloading is covered in detail as is reloading of shot cartridges. Various types of equipment and tools are discussed as well as cases, bullets, primers and powders. The book places strong emphasis on safety and should be required reading for the person who is just getting started.