Which reloading manual to buy!?
Alright Christmas is coming up and I have been slowly gathering all the things I need to start reloading. I am left in the dark on which manual to buy. I've seen ones from Swift, Hornady, Speer, and many others. Is one more informative than the others? Do the manuals only cover data for bullets their company puts out? Thanks guys.
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Bill, everyone has their favorites. Mine is Lyman for the very reason to which you alluded: its data covers the powders and bullets of many manufacturers. In some respects it does not have the depth of many of the proprietary manuals, but it does have width. While I have a variety of manuals from bullet and powder manufacturers, the Lyman is almost always the first one I grab, particularly when I am starting with a new cartridge. If I could have only one, the Lyman would be the clear choice by a big margin. My JMNSHO - and worth less than $0.02, most likely! [:D]
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the french." (Mark Twain)0 -
Just as Iconoclast said Lyman is my first book, but for myself I like to have as many books as possible. Great for cross reference in load data. You never know if there is a typo in a book. 
NRA Life Endowment Member0 -
What brand of bullet(s) do you like? There manual(s) should be on your short list.
Others to consider
"Any Shot You Want" from the A-Square company
"Pet Loads" by Ken Waters
The "Hodgdon" manual
Good ones to consider for the libary
"Cartridges of the World" by Frank Barnes
"Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions" by John Donnelly
"Wildcat Cartridges 1&2 Combo Edition" from Wolfe Publishers
One to avoid
LEE loading manual
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
I agree, the Lyman and other independent manuals are the ones I trust most. They are not selling a bullet or powder that they feel compelled to promote. One thing I like about most of the modern manuals is that they list their loads by bullet manufacture and weight, ie; Hornady 150grain JSP or such. In the old manual they would just list by caliber, bullet weight and never mention the brand. Trouble is there is a difference in chamber pressure generated by the different bearing surfaces of the different bullet makers. This might not make a difference in starting loads but as you start to near max. loads you could get into trouble-fast. A bullet like a barnes with its longer bearing surface is going to build chamber pressure faster and higher than a shorter bearing surface bullet like Speer, Sierre, or Hornady -- that is if the bullet weight and powder charge is the same in all cases. One thing I try to always caution beginning handloaders is to use the load exactly as listed in the manual especially when working up to higher pressures/velocities. That means the same case make, the same primer, the same powder and the same bullet. Change either one and your back to your starting point and on uncharted ground. Jim 0 -
I agree with the Lyman suggestion. Not only do they cover the loads,but it also explains step by step reloading and even talks a little about ballistics. Also,compared to other manuals,the load data is very easy to read. As a backup you can get free loading manuals from just about all the powder manufacturers. They are not as detailed,but good to use as a reference when double checking loads. Always check at least two different manuals in case one might be a typo. You can never be too safe. 0 -
rimfire72
quote:Always check at least two different manuals in case one might be a typo. You can never be too safe.
case in point Sierras Edition 4 or 5 had bad load data for the .300 SRUM (only) and was recalled.
NRA Life Endowment Member0 -
You might consider looking around for older manuals too in second hand book stores/yard sales. I have some older manuals that have 6mm Lee Navy loads. Many of the "you almost never see them anymore" loads. My personal favorite is the 1978 Sierra. It includes the ballistics out to 1000 yds for all the calibers that can reach that mark. The brand new one I understand does not. You have to buy the ballistics calculator disc. I hope that helps too, although Lyman like the others have said, puts a broad stamp on a lot with good info to start out with.
We have the second amendment so that all the rest are secure....UNK>0 -
I just email FrancF for load data. HA!
But to answer your question, I would get a book that covers the brand of bullet you plan to shoot. And then start collection books in time that covers brands of powders and bullets you like in depth.
PS, The guys on here are always nice enough to get you data from a particular book if you need it also. Everyone knows they can't go out and spend a few hundred on books so everyone helps one another out. [:D]0 -
As has been stated previously, I'd decide what type of bullets you want to use and go with their manual. I bought the Nosler # 5 manual and it's the best I've seen in clearly presenting the information and quality of the book.
They have much info and have tested many different powders but it should come as no shock that they're only testing all the bullets they produce and not Hornady's or Winchester's.
Cabela's sells caliber specific manuals fairly cheap which are basically copied pages out of all the major manufacturer's manuals on that caliber, compiled into one manual. That might be the route you'd want to go. They're fairly priced also.0 -
I haven't bought a manual recently but have all of them from most sources and the 'best' one as far as I am concerned is the Hodgdon manual. They list litterly all powers and all bullet weights in a format that is very understandable and makes it easy to make realistic comparisons.
I guess the best way to decied is to have a look at several of them and decide which you 'like' best.[^]
Self defence is an ablsolute and natural right. Keep your powder dry! J. Rau, Alaska0 -
all manuals differ. There is better information on line from handloaders with the same rifle as yours that can help. If you have to have a manual,.you should invest in more than 1 so that you have a "charge range" between 2 seperate testing facilities.
I have and use Nosler and Sierra but have great luck with the suggestions of fellow reloaders on line.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
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