Well, after my last thread I put off reloading...

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allaroundhunter

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....but now with ammunition on backorder until the summer (and even later) I am not putting it off anymore. I am wanting to get to shoot my .308 Win, and wanting to push it further with some worked up handloads.

Heck, I also want a new hobby! I will not be so much getting into this to save money, I just want to be able to shoot and enjoy another aspect of the shooting sports!

My main question is, what manual do you guys recommend if I am wanting to shoot Sierra MatchKing bullets? The Sierra manual? I understand that it is common practice for reloaders to have more than one manual, so what others do y'all also suggest and for what reasons?

I see that Lyman's new manual (49th edition), seems to be well liked, is that another good one to have?... I guess how many manuals should a new reloader have? Assuming I will be loading .308, .223, and 9mm (to start ;)).


Also, my brother recently shot my .308 out to 500 yards and was thrilled when he hit his target, but was not thrilled with the recoil. Is there any info on reduced loads for .308 in any manuals that y'all know of?


Thanks!
-AAH
 
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Lyman #49 is a good all around manual but most folks have several manuals to research from.

The manuals from the bullet manufacturers showcase their products, so if you are interested in Sierra bullets, then that would be a good addition.

The powder manufacturers also provide data that showcase their products. Hodgdon prints an annual magazine style manual each year and has data on-line. The 2013 is just out. I have bought one each of the last several years. The magazine has some good articles in it as well as the reloading data.

The other manufacturers also have an on-line presence. Accurate and Ram Shot powders make their printed data available on line for printing. Alliant has data on line.

Most, if not all, of the books have additional information in them that make good reading for learning various aspects of reloading.

I would be careful of some of the data posted on line from unknown sources. Much of it is from individuals without much research behind them and the data may be unsafe.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks, cfullgraf, I was also wondering about manuals (or other readings) on powders. I know that I will be testing loads with Hodgdon, IMR, and Alliant within the first year that I am reloading, so knowing that most of them have some of their own data is definitely a help!
 
All of the powder companies have an online datacenter, and all but VV have a printable version. I printed them all out and put them in a 3-ring binder with some other charts and tables I seem to use a lot. That and your bullet manufacturers should have you covered, but I would get the Lee or Lyman manual first since you may or may not find your bullets right now...
 
So, you put off reloading, and now that ammo is basically unavailable, you plan to take up reloading? Hate to tell you this, but almost all powder and primers are unavailable as well.

Don
 
Well I have been stocking up on brass (have about 300 .308 Win; 1,500 .223; and 1,250 9mm). A local shop here also has primers and powder available, and currently MidwayUSA has the Sierra MK bullets that I want available and ready to ship.

It helps being good friends with the local gun shop owner ;)
 
Primers are going to be your problem. Move on that first.. it probably won't get better any time fast. Then go for bullets (good luck on .224 though) and powder. anyway, good luck.
Ah, just read your above post. yay! Go get you some!
Oh, and about downloading that .308, it won't make it easier to hit things at 500 yards if you download it.
 
Certaindeaf, I understand that downloading it will make it difficult to hit extended ranged targets (I do have a little experience with ballistics ;)).

I am just wanting to download it so that he can shoot out to about 200 yards and possibly get a hog within that range. He is a good shot, and if he wants to push it out to 500 yards he knows he has to use full-power rounds. He would just rather shoot the cool-looking gun more without a bruised shoulder as opposed to shooting it less at a target that is a ways away.
 
Since you intend to shoot Sierra bullets for your .308, their manual will be handy to have. The Lyman and Lee manuals have a wide variety of different loads, and are what I seem to refer to most. Both of them have pretty good general info on reloading itself, which may come in handy for you as a new convert to reloading. And of course there are always people here willing to help.
Welcome to the hobby of reloading. Glad you have sources for components to get you started, since things are currently getting pretty scarce in some areas.
 
allaroundhunter said:
Certaindeaf, I understand that downloading it will make it difficult to hit extended ranged targets (I do have a little experience with ballistics ;)).

I am just wanting to download it so that he can shoot out to about 200 yards and possibly get a hog within that range. He is a good shot, and if he wants to push it out to 500 yards he knows he has to use full-power rounds. He would just rather shoot the cool-looking gun more without a bruised shoulder as opposed to shooting it less at a target that is a ways away.
Click to expand...
For downloading a rifle for hogs/deer out to 200 yards my suggestion would be to look at the reduced load data for H4895 from Hodgdon available on their website

http://hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895 Reduced Rifle Loads.pdf

Good Luck, Happy loadinging!!
 
^
I was looking for that for him.. good on ya. I'd just pop them with the .223 or "suffer" the occasional clout with a regular .308.. it's not like you're banging away at popcans all afternoon.

Anyway, let us know how you fare.
 
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