Any Lyman manual, Lee manuals are good I hear.

I particularly like older manuals as there's a lot of information in those that isn't anywhere else. The data maybe isn't current, but the "larnin" is still there. Lyman doesn't sell bullets, powder or guns so they (like Lee) don't have a dog in the race and their data is a little less skewed IMO.

RJ

 

I would start with a loading manual from Speer, Nosler, or Hornady. Each of those will give you loads, but, in the front of each is a step by step tutorial on how to reload - what each step does, and why.
Pick the brand of bullets you think you will use, and buy that one.
You can get loading data on line at the powder manufacturers websites, and you can get books from the library, too, but the reloading manuals are where you get the step by step instructions on how to do it.

 

Initially, I cut my teeth on Speer, then a little later came Hornady and then Nosler. There have been others I've bought along the way, but all said there really hasn't been much that my old Speer manual didn't provide, and with a very easy to understand layout. There have been some things regarding how one book might explain certain steps in which I felt was some what contradictory to another publisher, but over all none of them will get you into trouble as long as the student takes their time and reads the material to it's entirety. All too often I've witnessed new reloaders taking short cuts, skipping through the pages, this doesn't usually work out too well.

SMOA

 

Manuals

Good advice so far. Both Lyman's, (cast & jacketed), Ken Waters pet loads vol 1&2, individual manuals for each mfg of bullets you plan on using. Finding a test rifle the same as the one you are reloading for (& same barrel length) is a great find. Enjoy.

 

Lee Modern Reloading
Lyman 50th
Lyman 4th Cast Bullets

 

If starting out I'd consider a manual from a bullet manufacturer (Hornady or Sierra) and another from an equipment maker (Lyman or Lee). He needs to read the why and what for section before diving in. There are several dependable online sources for reloading data. Two I often use are Nosler's and Hodgdon.
For cast bullets Lyman is the gold standard.

Best wishes as you both give your knowledge and experience to the young man!

 

In addition to the resources mentioned above, the ABC's of Reloading is another excellent choice for first-time reloaders.

 

Hornady, Sierra, Speer, Nosler manual's all re good. Pick one! Your gonna find not a lot has changed but huge change in products. Couple more year's and I think everyone will have their own personal powder. **** is there a slew of new powder's from 20 to 30 yrs ago!

 

Wow, such awesome replies from everyone. I will be looking to get some manuals from Sierra I think and another from Lyman. We will also be showing him the online resources mentioned and have a look ourselves to see what has changed since the old man taught us in a dark shed in winter. I will also be passing on the names of the books that we don't buy to relatives so they will know what to get the boy for graduation. Thanks everyone!

 

The one thing I'd add to the excellent recommendations so far is a subscription to Handloader magazine.

All of the manuals from the top bullet suppliers are very good, (although redundant), my Lyman books for shotgun, rifle, and handgun recipes are quite good, can't go wrong there. Pet loads is an essential, but not really for beginners, Lee lacks the specifics to be more than an general reference for someone starting out.

Handloader fills in the blanks, of which there are several, the down side is it's an accumulation of information that covers decades of trends and new products. My reference collection includes multiple generations of the above manuals, but my Handloader collection swamps them all in sheer volume of information.

 

Since no one has mentioned it, there are little handbooks with a compilation of data for one particular cartridge. It has excerpts from most of the popular reloading manuals. Only trouble is they tend to lag behind the most current edition of manuals. For about $10 bucks they are still a decent buy.

 

The first handloading book I bought was Metallic Cartridge Reloading by M.L. McPherson. A wealth of information. I also use the Speer, Nosler and Barnes manuals. Basics are the same but many new powders and bullets.

 

I found Lyman to be very informative, but, a bit dry. Lee's "Modern Reloading" was a much better read. If you really want to drill down and learn how things work together read Frexylls book "From Ingot to target. All three are available online as digital pdf files. For load data I use Lyman. For practical application I talk it over with my mentor. Find someone who will tell you how to pick your powder and what bullet weight is too much and has experience mixing alloy and why some bullets have more lube grooves than others. That's my opinion.

 

Not a big speer fan.

Only having #11, I find the listed loads well over most other manuals for the same bullet wt. The layout & info etc I have no problem with. I wouldn't advise starting with anyone's max load, especially speer. IMO it pays to look at a few (minimum) sources before deciding on a starting point, then work up with accuracy over velocity being the primary goal. If you REALLY NEED the velocity, then sacrifice "some" accuracy for speed.

 

My first book was Phillip Sharpe's handloading guide. It's still a great reference book. Lyman is next on the list. Ken Waters handloaders digest is very good. I like Hornady's book better then Speers but both are in my library and referenced whenever developing loads.

 

I have a standard rule. DO NOT reload your handgun ammunition. That's practical advise. If you use your handgun in a self defense scenario. The last thing you need is some Plaintiff's attorney grilling you on your "desire" to kill someone.

I reload my rifle ammunition for hunting. But, when it comes to my handgun ammunition, I will only use factory.

 

DO NOT reload your handgun ammunition.

Definitely, and send all that empty brass to me

 

Almost any of the bullet or powder mfg's books will do if you want replace components in your cases and shoot them, I'd go with a Hodgdon because that's the most common powders around here.
But.........if you think this kid might have some imagination pick up Ken Waters "Pet loads" followed by P.O. Ackley's reloading manuals 1 and 2, the latter are very dated but the theories are sound.