Forum member Danny Reever and this Editor recently discussed how novice reloaders can struggle with the fine points of reloading, making errors in seating depth, bushing choice, or sizing their cases. We agreed that a good resource covering more than “Reloading Basics” is sorely needed.
Danny reminded me that Glen Zediker’s excellent Handloading for Competition book has been available since 2001 and this may still be the best guide in print for those getting started in precision reloading.
Danny observed: “I consider this the absolute best book out there on the subject. I’ve bought a lot of other books only to be sorely disappointed after spending $30-$40 of my hard-earned cash. This book is not one of those! I’ve read and re-read Zediker’s treatise at least four times and refer to it often for advice while reloading. My number one suggestion for those who buy the book is to sit down with a highlighter and read it cover to cover. It’s well-written with a bit of humor and it is not boring in the least.”
Extremely comprehensive, Zediker’s book covers nearly all of the key factors involved in accurate reloading: case sorting, brass prep, load development, neck-sizing, full-length sizing, bushing selection/use, tool selection, priming, powder measurement, and bullet seating. The book also explains how to test and evaluate your ammo, and how to monitor and interpret pressure signs.
There are many “must-read” sections in Zediker’s book, according to Danny: “The section beginning on page 161 dealing with concentricity (and how to achieve it) is excellent. Likewise the Load Limits section discussing pressures offers very valuable advice and info. You should also read Zediker’s commentaries about load testing, powders (how they are made, burn characterics etc.), and the effects of temperature.”
Zediker has conveniently provided a detailed summary of his book on the web, complete with table of contents, sample pages (PDF format), and dozens of illustrations. Shown below is just one small section that covers ejectors.
CLICK HERE to view book contents and sample pages.
Overall, we recommend Glen Zediker’s Handloading for Competition. Danny says: “Plunk down the $34.95 and buy this book, you won’t be sorry.” Zediker’s book is available from Sinclair Int’l, and Zediker Publishing.
While I agree that a “more than basics” book would be great, and also agree that Handloading for Competition covers quite the range of topics in good detail, I have to disagree (violently!) with the notion of it being well written. I believe that the useful information encompasses only about 1/3 of the book, with the remaining 2/3 being repetitive statements, bizarre colloquialisms, and long paragraphs describing things that a graph or picture would have done FAR more effectively. In the end, there isn’t any other choice that I’m aware of, so if one wants to know more in a hurry, this is the ticket. I, personally, would still spend $$ on a more condensed version of this information, since transcribing all of the useful bits out of Handloading for Competition would be a loooong endeavor that I’m not yet willing to undertake. For someone new, a less story-book information source would get my recommendation over this one hands down (providing that the “meaty” parts of both were similar). This book takes a lot that is pretty straight forward (a compilation of empirical data with hypotheses as to the source, or vice versa) and makes it intimidating due to excess verbiage, absence of organized summaries, and inappropriate media (text instead of graphics). If pressed, I could provide specific examples, but I more or less lack the motivation to do so. I’m mostly trying to tone-down a glowing review to something more moderate and beg any potential authors to write something else.
Comment by Steve — October 13, 2009 @ 9 am
Be prepaired. Glen does not write like a reference book writer. He writes like he talks. If you were speaking with him, you would ask him what that word or phrase means, allot. He has his own unique vocabulary. You have been warned.
Great book. Worth every penny. I leaned how to reload from this book. I pulled it out last night to remind myself of something he wrote about years ago. The black and white graphic from the book is what I remembered. had to look up the text.
Comment by Buck — October 13, 2009 @ 1 pm
I agree this book has a lot of good information, but good luck finding it and distilling it into something concrete. Zediker’s book is a useful resource for an experienced reloader who is looking for esoterica and a subjective take on different techniques, but the biggest problem for a relative novice reloader is that Zediker rarely states anything conclusively – everything is equivocation and anecdote.
Precision Shooting magazine publishes a much better guide:
http://www.amazon.com/Precision-Shooting-Reloading-Guide-Brennan/dp/1931220123
Comment by Dwight Larson — October 13, 2009 @ 4 pm
Well you should all be ashamed…. I noticed that none of you geniuses have written a definative book on the fine and truly wonderful art of handloading. I had been reloading for years and after reading Glens book it was like having my eyes opened. Well done Glen and take no note of these opioninated who have nothing better to do than to hide behind their screens slinging remarks like the above.
I now have a much better insight and overall knowledge into firearms in general and have the ability to ask the right questions when ordering and or building a new rifle.
I have read your book several times and all the information is discussed in so much length that its hard to get it wrong.
Keep up the good work
Comment by clint — October 15, 2009 @ 4 am
Clint,
To whom are you speaking Clint? “You all” sounds like your including me in your scolding. I appreciate Glenn’s work. I have Glenn’s book, AND the precision shooting book mentioned above. Everything said here so far about both books is accurate. I don’t think anyone here wants to sell their copy of Glenn’s book. I know I don’t. Have you written a book I should read?
Glenn, are you here? Chime in.
Regards,
Buck
Comment by Buck — October 15, 2009 @ 7 am
Buck,
Not directed at you…
It seems that generally whenever theres an opportunity, we as humans tend to be negative and knock people.
Glenns book took me from nowhere, to, I believe a much more competent reloader and I am truly grateful for the info even if its written in his style. It made it all the better. And yes I wouldnt sell it for the world .. as a matter of fact I need a new copy as the current one is always on loan and its flogged..
Comment by clint — October 16, 2009 @ 4 am
Hi Clint – I wouldn’t criticize Zediker’s book without good reason. It’s a book worth owning, but I don’t agree that it is a good “first reference” for precision reloading for the reasons I stated.
Just by way of illustration: take a look at the caption in the sample image from the book. What exactly is Zediker telling the reader?
1. An ejector mark on a case head MIGHT be a sign of overpressure
2. The ejector pressing on the case head MIGHT conceivably degrade case head squareness
3. Cutting down the ejector spring MIGHT help reduce the possible degradation of the case head squareness
These are interesting parameters to consider, but where are the facts?
Comment by Dwight Larson — October 16, 2009 @ 5 pm
Dwight, I agree…. however the guy has tried to condense it and proclaims it wasnt to be a definative be all end all type of book.
On purchase and first reading I sent Glenn a message thanking him for his book. I did suggest at the time I would love to see a full spell it out simply intense guideline to handloading from whoa to go. I still think its a good idea and maybe in collaboration with somebody else it would sell like hotcakes and both educate and promote the obsession that I too have obtained. Unfortunately as I say to my lovely understanding wife that it remains to be one of those subjects that the more you know the less you realise you do..
By the way, I would welcome any suggestions to any other literature as I now have the long range bug. Any help would be appreciated.
Comment by clint — October 17, 2009 @ 4 am