Zediker Reloading Book — Worth Checking Out
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 2002. Danny says this may still be the best guide in print for those getting started in precision reloading, though the book is not without flaws.
Danny observed: “I consider this still the 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.”
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 (burn characterics etc.), and the effects of temperature.”
CLICK HERE to view book contents and sample pages.
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 above is just one small section that covers ejectors.
Overall, we recommend Glen Zediker’s Handloading for Competition, though the book definitely could use some updating. Danny says: “Plunk down the [money] and buy this book, you won’t be sorry.” Zediker’s book is available from Amazon.com ($30.25), Sinclair Int’l ($28.99), and Zediker Publishing ($34.95).
Similar Posts:
- Book Review: Handloading for Competition by Glen Zediker
- Good Resource for Handloaders Who Want to Make Better Ammo
- Zediker Article Discusses Merits of Reloading at the Range
- Reloading at the Range — Zediker Explains the Basics
- Reloading at the Range — Smart Option for Load Development
Tags: Amazon.com, Book, Competition Reloading, Danny Reever, Glen Zediker, Reloading
I concur entirely with this recommendation. Though Glen writes from an admitted point of bias towards conventional rifle sports, I highly recommend this book to anyone starting out at bottleneck reloading, and for those who have been doing so for a long time, I’d wager there is still something to be gained by reading a copy.
This text is not what we think of as a “cookbook” manual…indeed, it contains few recipes at all. Rather, it is a course of instruction on HOW and WHY to handload for accuracy and safety.
Some do not appreciate his humor and/or writing style, and to those people I respond: “Read it anyway for the knowledge contained between the covers.”
Know that if you decide you don’t want to keep it, you won’t lose much on resale value.
It’s beneficial for a new reloader to read, especially before buying any reloading tools.
the ejector footprint is not from the ejector,it is caused by the case extruding into the ejector hole and then shearing off when the bolt rotates.
Strongly recommend this book.
It is not for the individual looking for a single step-by-step instruction set for ammo loading. Rather, it has much of what you need to get actual insight into the process. To echo Nate’s excellent points, it reminds me more of Alton Brown’s Good Eats cooking show. Yes, you might get some new technique, but you walk away knowing a lot more about why the whole thing works.
It is very much worth reading, and in my case, re-reading.
All of Glens books are worth checking into. His new one just came out.
I found a lot of good information in the book but think that maybe the author uses 2000 words where 200 would due.
DUDE NO,
There is an updated book of Glen’s that is coming out shortly. He claims it is what he was trying to achieve with handloading for competition, only easier to understand and step by step. Buy that one! Its called top grade ammo!
http://www.zediker.com/books/TGA/TGA_main.html
I have this book too. Its a good read. There are a lot of sections that I put big Xs over so I would not waist time reading them a second time going through the book. There are a lot of errors to. The new book that Joe linked to I will have to check out. Even with all the errors in the first one I still recommend it for those that want to take their reloading to the next level.
I am currently reading Top Grade Ammo Glenn’s new book on Handloading. I didn’t think he could come up with anything else interesting after Handloading For Competition. I was wrong. This is a great book full of interesting tips and how to’s. I highly recommend it if you handload or are thinking about starting handloading.
I started reading my copy for the third time. Glenn has a unique way with some expressions, but he knows his stuff. He seems to champion Sierra bullets, hardly mentions Bergers.