Sierra Data reloading book

I have Sierra, Lyman, and Speer reloading books from over 30 years ago. I'd be surprised if any of the powder listed still goes by the same name. None of them were cheap, even back then, so I was certainly not going to buy new ones every two years or so. Nowadays, I'd look everything up online. Haven't reloaded in a bunch of years, but plan to get back into it. Likely, plenty of info is online, and I have a laser printer.

I was looking at buying the Sierra manual but they are sold out everywhere. I wonder if the app updates regularly to include updated info?

As much as I don't like spending the money every time a new loading manual comes out I get the latest one just for that reason. That's not saying I buy every manual out there, I have my main two I use. Better safe than sorry!

koni said:

I was looking at buying the Sierra manual but they are sold out everywhere. I wonder if the app updates regularly to include updated info?

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No, it doesn't.

The bullet highlighted is not a JHP. Part # shows it to be a JRN, which means the OAL listed would be wrong, resulting in seating depth being way too deep. I emailed them last summer, was told I was correct...but that screenshot is from about 2 mins ago.

Howland937 said:

I emailed them last summer, was told I was correct...but that screenshot is from about 2 mins ago.

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Is your subscription up to date?

I dont intend to support or bash any manual but cross referencing between two manuals is a good practice. I like a paper copy to Wright in my tests and even write in loads from on line data for powders not listed. You can certainly reload now with no manual as there are enough sites that provide data.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Is your subscription up to date?
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As far as I know it's up to date. I just pulled up that data while I was typing that post.
ETA... It says I purchased the subscription 04.30.20, so I should be good for a few more weeks.

AJC1 said:

I dont intend to support or bash any manual but cross referencing between two manuals is a good practice. I like a paper copy to Wright in my tests and even write in loads from on line data for powders not listed. You can certainly reload now with no manual as there are enough sites that provide data.

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Agree 100%. I don't load from the Sierra app or the Hornady app I subscribe to. It's mostly for quick reference if I'm not at home, making comparisons of loads using same powder/similar bullets.

I actually got the electronic copy for free in the iPad App Store. As far as I can tell, it’s golden.

BTW, data often changes over time. I usually go back to my old books to see what it said years ago.

I obtained a second edition of the Sierra manual copyrighted 1978 about 20 years ago and am making some comparisons to the .270 Win and .338 Win Mag. Load Books copyrighted in 2000. For the .270 150 gr spitzer boat tail they show 2900 FPS using IMR 4350 at 52.4 gr in both books. Both books max velocity is shown as 2900 FPS and the powder weight shown is maximum. There are several other loads that match, but I did not compare all of them. For the .338 the old book lists only the 250 gr spitzer boat tail. Both books show 70.2 gr of IMR 4350 for 2700 FPS and the powder weight is shown as maximum.
F Y I The Load Books come in one caliber each with data by chapter from each of the major bullet companies and are available in most popular calibers.

The reason I have many different reloading books and look at on line data. Should It ever come to be that I have no internet access I still should be able to reload safely. One has to use some common sense and reasoning when reloading and remember that even the manufacturers can have a problem now and again. Just sayin

I use Hornady manuals and keep them up to date. I also check the powder websites for additional data. I have a few outdated manuals for cross reference but I know their data changes with each addition. It isn't something I worry about because I don't redline my loads anyway.

I agree. I have the hardcopies as well as all the electronic copies I can get my hands on. Norma is another good one. Ballistic programs? Yea, I have a few of those as well.