Your opinion of the best all round reloading manual

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CLP

CLP

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For the past several years I've used Sierra's and Lee's manual, some various load books, and various manufacturer's load data available online. I recently bought Hornady's manual and it's much better than everything I've used to this point. I like the way they lay out data, highlight max loads, and has an online ballistics calculator. Anyone favor Hornady above other manuals? What other manuals have you all used that you would consider even better than Hornady's?
 
I don't think there is a best all round reloading manual.

I classify manuals as data books and as how to do it books.

I find data books out there that I greatly admire and enjoy reading such as the A-Square Any Shot You Want and the new Berger manual but I don't use their bullets all that much.

I do use Barnes bullets a fair amount so I use the Barnes Manual. Lyman is a pretty good general data book book, Nosler is a fine fine book for Nosler bullets. For how to do it books despite being occasionally mocked for my regard for old timers I start with Naramore and Sharpe in their last and best editions - I like Nonte and Wooters and I've enjoyed Patrick Sweeney books such as Reloading for Handgunners though I always cross check the data.

IMHO the older how to books are better, written with greater care and much much more complete. The newer data books are leapfrogging each other in presentation, showing load density and more information in every new edition so the best is yet to come.
 
Hornady only has their bullets listed and almost never any of the powders I use. Lyman 49 is a great manual, probably the best. I have a Lee manual, but rarely use it. I generally cross reference Lyman with Hodgdon's and Nosler's website.
 
I'm using to the Hornaday like you, more and more these days. Lyman 48 is a close second. Have not checked the 49th edition yet, but my loads haven't changed that much thou either.
 
I have Lyman, Lee, and a couple of editions of Speer. I prefer Speer first, Lyman second, and Lee last when it comes to loading data. The Lee makes for a good read, though.
 
There is not "one size fits all" manual available today. Forty or fifty years ago when you can count the number of powders available for handloaders on your fingers it was easy, not so today.

I'm a big fan of Lyman manuals but if you like Hodgdon rifle powders over IMR rifle powders you're mostly out of luck with Lyman. Today if you want lead bullet load data you need to buy a specific load manual for lead bullets. (other than some data provided by the Lyman manual) Bullets today are so different it's not always a given you can use 165gr bullet load data for all 165gr bullets even when they are the same profile. Some are longer than others and some are all Copper with no lead.

Today, if you load one company's bullet more than others you probably should add that company's load manual to your referance material along with a Lyman and one or two others. If you look for the manual that lists the powders you want to use and the bullets you like in the cartridges you load you will be well served...

I own Lyman, Sierra, Hornady and Speer manuals along with powder and bullet manufacturers online load data sites and sometimes I need more.

Sorry it wasn't as easy and the question seemed.
 
1. Lyman #49.
2. Speer.
3. Hodgdon annual soft cover magazine / manual from the news stand.
4. Hornady.
5. Various Alliant, Accurate, etc. Published powder guides, or Websites.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. Indivdual Loadbooks for each caliber.
12. Lee

rc
 
I prefer to us the online versions. Lots of good info from all the powder makers and many bullet makers. I find it easier to use and can quickly cross reference. It is updated more often, and free.
 
I have to say that my favorite is a random assortment of 4 or more, preferrably of different vintages. It gives a reloader a much more broad base to make decisions from.
 
As does the caliber specific loadbooks.

Just because they get permission to reprint data from others that makes them deficient?

What is the logic in that?
 
jcwit said:
As does the caliber specific loadbooks.

Just because they get permission to reprint data from others that makes them deficient?

What is the logic in that?
Click to expand...
I never said there was anything right or wrong with any of it. I only answered the man's question.
 
I like the hornady, because hornady makes a lot of bullets I ( and a lot of "askers" here) use.

The data is a bit conservative, but that never hurt anyone.

One thing I wish hornady offered was shotshell data- but they make almost no shotshell components, so thats not too bad.

Lyman cast bullet handbook sould be in everyones library, as should the lyman shotshell book.

I have many more, especially little 30 page jobs for specialty shotshell loading, olde school techniques, etc.

If I had to choose one..... I dunno, I dont think I could choose just one.

I saw one nod for the speer- and my only complaint on that is the same as hornady- only hornady bullets.... gee, I wonder why :D Does have some nice hot data in there though, if thats your thing.
 
I have most of the ones mentioned. I cross reference in them a lot. I also really like the Ken Waters Complete set. Great info in there.
 
blarby said:
Lyman cast bullet handbook should be in everyone's library, as should the Lyman shotshell book.

I have many more, especially little 30 page jobs for specialty shotshell loading, olde school techniques, etc.
Click to expand...
I agree. I own Lyman #45, #46, #47 and #49 manuals. I also own Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd and 4th Editions. I also have the Lyman shotshell manual 5th Edition. I do like their manuals...
 
I agree with ArchAngelCD, but I also refer to the Lee manual, much of its info is slightly dated, but then so is much of my powder. For me it's a handy manual.
 
What do y'all find deficient in the Lee manual? Just curious.
Click to expand...
For me?
No reference at all in most cases of what exact bullet brand or shape the data is for.
And certainly no bullet drawings or photos to compare to what you have to load!
Like most all other good manuals have.

And the OAL listed if more often then not just the SAAMI Max length for any bullet in that caliber.

A lot of very important details missing in that manual.

rc
 
Hornady, Lyman, Sierra, Speer, Lee, and All the manufactures websites. As far as I'm concerned there is no one size fits all manual.
 
Easily the Lyman 49th. By far the most comprehensive printed manual out there with data for different makes of jacketed bullets as well as cast bullets.

But honestly, there's hardly a day goes by that I don't look something up at www.loaddata.com. Not only does it contain data from every manual imaginable, searchable by caliber, it also includes data derived from 40+ years of Handloader and Rifle magazines.

35W
 
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