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Whats a good reloading manual?

D@DD@D Member Posts: 4,407
edited January 2010 in Perry Shooter Competition Shooting and Reloading Forum
So what is a good one or two to get?
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Comments

  • D@DD@D Member Posts: 4,407
    edited November -1
    Any on Cd-rom?
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  • FrancFFrancF Member Posts: 35,279 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sierra is on cd. I like Lyman, Sierra, Nosler, and have others. I like to cross check alot.
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  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get some from the bullet and powder makers you are using. If using lead bullets, get the Lyman.
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  • FEENIXFEENIX Member Posts: 10,559 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As a new reloader, I have the latest from Lyman and Nosler augmented with various reloading websites.
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  • Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    First two I ever owned were a Nosler and a Hornady manual I think. Really can't have enough of them. Just keep adding to your data here and there. I know that using the IMR-Hodgdon online data is another good source. I cross reference with them a lot when I have a certain powder around I want to burn up in cetain calibers.

    Jon
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  • ENBLOCENBLOC Member Posts: 327 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The more cross referencing the better! I have collected a few over the years. Buy some used ones here and at Gun & Knife Shows. All the powder mfg. offer FREE reference pamphlets. If you read different Gun magazines they have reloading sections. I just copy them or cut them out, punch the three holes and place in 3 ring binders. One for Rifle, One for pistol. Copy everything. You may be getting that caliber or can help out a friend. Then....finally get that DVD if you must.[;)]
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    I have Hodgdon, Lyman, Lee, and Hornady on the shelf, plus Cartridges of the World and Handloaders Guide to Cartridge Conversions, both of which have some load data; and bookmarks to a number of websites.

    They're all 'good' but having more than one is a good idea as not every manual will list every powder/bullet combo.
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  • Rocky RaabRocky Raab Member Posts: 14,438 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Your primary data source should be the manual from the bullet maker because changing bullets (even of the same weight) can have a profound effect on pressure.

    Your double-check manual should be from your powder maker, as they tend to test a variety of bullets and report data from the one that produced the highest pressure. Bullets producing lower pressure would therefore be safe.

    In case those two differ markedly, the only way to decide if there was a typo or a genuine difference is to check a third, completely independent source. The Lyman manual serves that purpose admirably - and gives cast bullet data as well.

    You can use online or printed data, but if online make sure it is from the actual company. Some guy's "pet load" posted somewhere may not be safe - and in fact might even be maliciously dangerous.
    I may be a bit crazy - but I didn't drive myself.
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  • reddnekreddnek Member Posts: 1,552 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lee
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  • gregoryhart1gregoryhart1 Member Posts: 518 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have manuals from Hornady & Speer, along with pamphlets from Accurate & Alliant. I've also had good luck dealing with powder manufacturer's customer service departments. I cross check everything.
    GH1[:)]
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  • ashjam91ashjam91 Member Posts: 11 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are some caliber specific manuals out there that look like small spiral bound notebooks, These are really good as they have taken info. from every bullet mfg. and powder mfg. to compile one book, But only for that caliber. I really like them.
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  • RCrosbyRCrosby Member Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The best manual? The one you read; read again; study; put down; read again; etc.
    Also the that gives loads using the components you have on hand.
    At least 2 of those; recently published, and a bunch of "favorite places on line."
    Good for a start!
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  • skyfishskyfish Member Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have Lyman's and Hornady's. Want Nosler, Speer and Sierra. Also use a lot of online. Alliant, Acccurate, Ramshot and Hodgon have data online. I do a lot of cross checking, bullets are not the same. Some will act similar some will not. I do print out a few recipes from the online source.
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  • MEwertMEwert Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ashjam91
    There are some caliber specific manuals out there that look like small spiral bound notebooks, These are really good as they have taken info. from every bullet mfg. and powder mfg. to compile one book, But only for that caliber. I really like them.


    What brand are these and where to find them? Sounds like a good deal to get.
    Thanks
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  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MEwert
    quote:Originally posted by ashjam91
    There are some caliber specific manuals out there that look like small spiral bound notebooks, These are really good as they have taken info. from every bullet mfg. and powder mfg. to compile one book, But only for that caliber. I really like them.


    What brand are these and where to find them? Sounds like a good deal to get.
    Thanks


    I am not sure of the brand, they have changed names a couple of times. Midway stocks them, probably find them on the auction side too. They are just little cheap bound together books.
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  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by D@D
    Any on Cd-rom?


    You can download the Hodgdon book in PDF. Of course it has the Winchester and IMR info in it too.
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  • lksmith03lksmith03 Member Posts: 1,742 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am partial to Lyman 48th edition. It is easier for me to read than some of the others I have seen. But like everybody has said the more the merrier. You can get older manuals at Amazon, Ebay, Half.com, etc for next to nothing, there are also several here on Gunbroker
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  • ashjam91ashjam91 Member Posts: 11 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    MEwert:
    The books are put out by Loadbooks USA, you could google that or there quite a few on ebay I just bought 5 more. The guy I bought from on ebay was redxiii9818. If you search reloading manuals on there, then look for this guy, if you buy 5 he ships for free. They average about 7 bucks apiece. I am buying one for every caliber I own they are very handy. They photocopied the data right out of every bullet and major powder manual and put it in one little caliber specific book. I just looked and there are a bunch on the other side here also, just smart search loadbooks.
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  • ashjam91ashjam91 Member Posts: 11 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just remembered, they also carry them at Sportsmans Warehouse, Cabelas, Bass pro.
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  • MEwertMEwert Member Posts: 25 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ashjam91, thanks for the info. We have a Sportsman Warehouse about an hour away. They got bought out and changed to Wholesale Sports Outfitters.
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