Reloading Manual Suggestions

The online internet databases from the powder makers if you're just looking for load data.

I have liked the lyman but I see Hornady has a new one coming out that may be better as I use a lot of Hornady bullets.

For quick and easy I like hodgdons yearly magazine.

Mark_Mark said:

My reloading manual is 12yo (Lyman) and 6yo (Nosler)

any Suggestions for the best manual on the planet?

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Reloading manuals are like Pokemon: you've gotta have them all.

I have a used, Extra Sierra manual, #14...$20 to your door..

What ever manual or manuals one has should be the latest available. I keep all my old ones, for the information in the front part and for some cartridges that aren't listed any more. I couldn't find any information on 6.5x54mm MS in
'recent' manuals, but I did find an entry in Lyman #45. I was cautious.

More information is usually better. I'd ignore information regarding doing division using Roman numerals, but you get the idea.

I really like the Lee manual, a ton of information...

Lyman, Hornady, and the Lee 2nd edition will cover most general reloading items. Hang on to some of the older powder specific manuals for the more esoteric stuff. The online manuals are pretty good, but I prefer a book or just print the online items out.

The powder companies web sites.
I also this yr subscribed to loaddata.com. I find it pretty helpful

I sure miss the old reloadersnest site. Ton of real good stuff there

Mark_Mark said:

agree! it’s the only book I read

that and the Blue Book of Guns

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I'd suggest adding Cartridges of the World and the Bible to that list.

Archie said:

What ever manual or manuals one has should be the latest available. I keep all my old ones, for the information in the front part and for some cartridges that aren't listed any more. I couldn't find any information on 6.5x54mm MS in
'recent' manuals, but I did find an entry in Lyman #45. I was cautious.

More information is usually better. I'd ignore information regarding doing division using Roman numerals, but you get the idea.

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Quid dicis, Archie?

For those of us who do load cartridges that are antique, obsolete, or long forgotten by the "Big Boys" having older manuals as a starting point is a must.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Quid dicis, Archie?

For those of us who do load cartridges that are antique, obsolete, or long forgotten by the "Big Boys" having older manuals as a starting point is a must.

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What you said, GeoDude. Another case of 'more information' being non important is the details of the theory of phlogiston.

Archie said:

What you said, GeoDude. Another case of 'more information' being non important is the details of the theory of phlogiston.

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Phlogiston theory led to the discovery of oxygen.

AND, we still don't know exactly what Greek Fire was or how it worked...

Kind of like Unique: how is it a shotgun and pistol powder that also works in rifles? It's magic, I tell you!

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Phlogiston theory led to the discovery of oxygen.

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Phlogiston was a dead end that sparked curiosity to find a workable answer. And reasearch had already began on what turned out to be Oxygen.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

AND, we still don't know exactly what Greek Fire was or how it worked...

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More information and the application of information we know now (that requires proper assembly) could solve that. I find that a good line of inquiry just to see how it was done if nothing else.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Kind of like Unique: how is it a shotgun and pistol powder that also works in rifles? It's magic, I tell you!

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Simple reasoning. The major difference between powders is the burning rate. Shotguns and handguns use powders of similar burning rates. Slow rifle powders such as any of the 4350s, any of the 4831 the powder for .50 BMG and cannons burn too slow to work properly, with suitable results in the lower pressure, higher expansion ratio arms. But if I know it and someone else doesn't it's because I have more knowledge of that particular subject than they do. Not because it came in a vision or something.

My list;
Generic, Lyman 49th or 50th.
Jacketed bullets, manual by the bullet manufacturer of the bullets being loaded. I have Hornady and Nosler, both excellent.
Cast, Lyman Cast bullet Handbook, I prefer the 3rd Edition, but the 4th is very good.
Old reference, Speer 11th.
General Hodgdon powders data, Hodgdon annual magazine/manual.
I have maybe 7 more assorted and age, but usually use for reference.
Generic, Lee is the last manual I look at for load data.

Get one you havent read to expand your knowledge. The speer would be great.

I like the lyman I have the 47th and the 50th, noticed max loads are lesser in the 50th. I like the lyman books best but if you shoot a lot of a certain brand bullet like nosler or hornady, I would go with one of their books. Hodgdon website pretty good and so is MD smith reloading.

Get as many as you can.

Clean used books can be found on amazon, and ebay.

I like Sierra, Lyman, Lyman cast, and Speer.

I don't care for the LEE because they don't test anything, they simply copy paste from other sources

Lyman, Speer and Sierra are my three go to...and the internet has Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester all covered for extra info.

I think lee and sierra are the only two names I dont have. I would get a sierra in the binder if I could find one cheap.

I use the old data with the old propellants I use and new data with the new propellants. Lee second, Lyman cast, Sierra, Hornaday, and all curtent propellant manufacturers are what I use for current supplies. The more sources that are about the same the better IMO.