Which reloading manual to buy?

My newest manual was printed in 1991. If all you need is the data itself, this internet thing can get you all you need, direct from the manufactures.

All of my powders are hodgdon or IMR, so I just go to their website, lots of good data there.

I started with Lee Modern Reloading too. I was thinking about picking up the Hornady Manual next. Now I'm thinking Lyman may be the way to go...

As many as you can find. I tend to buy them all. If you already know how to reload then all you need is the loads from the powder manufacturers. They all have some data online. Alliant is the worse one. And most of them put out annuals.

This site has a lot of older manuals on it: www.castpics.net
The manuals are under the Reloaders' Reference section. There is a lot of other info available on the site as well.

Lee is the least expensive, but is generic information. I would get it if you only want one. I also like the Sierra and Hornady. Lyman is okay.

I also pick up old manuals when I can since powders, loads, and cartridges fall in/out of favor over time. Some loads from 20yrs ago you may not find today.

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While this is true, keep in mind components and powder formulations of 20 years ago may not be exactly the same as they are today and minor differences can make a big difference. Also, the methods and accuracy of the measured pressures are much better these days.

The powder and bullet manufacturers don't publish new manual just to keep themselves entertained, you know.
Be extremely careful when using the old recipes with new components.

I started with Lyman's 49th edition, Lees 2nd Edition and Hornady. I also use Hodgdons website and print out the loads I want and put them in a book. May break down and get the magazine. I dont load rifle, just handgun.

dirtengineer said:

Lee is the least expensive, but is generic information. I would get it if you only want one. I also like the Sierra and Hornady. Lyman is okay.

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I can't agree more! Once you settle in on certain component makers (I like Sierra bullets), it makes sense to buy and stick with their manual. But ONLY when you are a dedicated user for that brand since they will definitely push their stuff.

If you are finding you way into reloading, a more generic manual like Lyman or Lee will give you a more broad view of bullets and powders.

I'm a fan of the Lyman for generic, and if I'm loading specifically Hornady or Nosler, then their books / reference material.

I'd recommend a general book like Lee, Lyman, etc. then hone in on a brand you like to work with for detailed minutia.

Does anyone have any experience with loaddata.com ? It seems with their annual fee, you have several manuls in one place....

CodeSection said:

Does anyone have any experience with loaddata.com ? It seems with their annual fee, you have several manuls in one place....

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yes, been a member for years , best source out there , lots of odd ball hard to find stuff and tons of new stuff , all my 32rem loads come from there as do all my 25WSSM loads, I have Lyman # 43 , #45 ,#46 ,#47 ,#48 and #49 , both Lee books, Sierra 50th and their 5th edition, some old ring bound Speers a few Hornady's and a bunch of one cal books plus every HandLoader Magazine ever printed , yet I use loaddata.com the most and the Lyman's the least , also if you want to try the more expensive bullets like Nosler , barns,or burger they have their data too

Savanahsdad, thanks for responding! Are you able to print out the load information to store in a binder? If you can, does it allow you to print all the loads specific to your caliber search on one page or pages? Meaning if there are 10 listed from five manuals, all 10 loads would be detailed and listed on one page to print out....

adcoch1 - the best answer depends on your tastes.

If you like a certain bullet mfg, then their manual is gonna be really good for you.
But if you like a wider selection of bullets, how about data from the powder companies - it's free on their respective websites.

Another wide range option is a manual like Lyman's 49th Reloading Handbook.
Or Lee's 2nd Edition manual.

CodeSection said:

Savanahsdad, thanks for responding! Are you able to print out the load information to store in a binder? If you can, does it allow you to print all the loads specific to your caliber search on one page or pages? Meaning if there are 10 listed from five manuals, all 10 loads would be detailed and listed on one page to print out....

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yes , even better , you can search your load by bullet weight , and/or powder brand and/or powder type , or all three . so if you have 3 powder types that you want to try for one cal , you can print all the data for each powder on separate sheets , or you have a favorite powder and want loads for different bullets , you can change bullet weights and keep that powder and print all them off separate
when you search your load you have to just put in the caliber , and that will give you all the load data they have , and you can search through all and pick and chose or when you do your search you can put in caliber , weight , brand of powder , and type of powder , and it will give you data from there data base and where it came from , lyman, lee, speer , barns, nosler , ect ect , and their loads from Rifle and HandLoader magazine,
I only wish you could put in bullet brand for your search , it does give you bullet brand in the data after you search but you just can't search buy brand like you can with powder ,

BTW you can't sign up , then print out what you want and cancel , you pay your one year , and all sales are final , but you can print off as much as you want ,

I'd suggest you buy the book by the company producing the bullets you intend to reload with. For metallic reloading one of these will do though additional ones make a nice gift idea for family members who ask what you want for Christmas.

You buy one of the major bullet company manuals for the information contained within on ballistics, charts, and other technical information. I've always like the way the Speer manual presents their articles. For load data you can find plenty of it from the powder companies on line though a "One Book/One Cartridge" compiled data manual is relatively inexpensive and has all the load data from most all the published manuals in one place.

Eventually, you are going to want several, probably all of them.
But for your first one I'd suggest the Hodgdon Magazine (available on line or most reloading stores) then the Lee. The Lee has all the limitations others have noted, but it is a collection of almost all the others. In a world of limited powder options, having a wide variety of options will get you started.

Another question that is asked wayyy too many times with the answer only a Search away.

I have almost all of them, and have found Lyman #49 the most comprehensive, but I also check its loads with other manuals.

I suggest the Lyman. Most of us have several different ones.

If no manuals are available used in your area take a look on Amazon once and a while. I bought many older manuals there but be careful of the prices, sometimes they are extremely high for no good reason. Good luck and I feel you bought the right manual to start with. Don't rush to spend money on more until you decide which company's bullets you will be buying most and go with that manual next.

Does anyone find Hornady and Sierra listings on the hot side for 9mm especially Hornady?

Hodgdon/Win online shows 3.9 - 4.4 for 231 powder with a 124gr bullet. Hornady 9th shows 4.7 - 5.3 and Sierra shows 3.9 - 5.1

Lyman Sierra and what else you want. The first 2 is very good.

AV8TOR said:

Does anyone find Hornady and Sierra listings on the hot side for 9mm especially Hornady?



Hodgdon/Win online shows 3.9 - 4.4 for 231 powder with a 124gr bullet. Hornady 9th shows 4.7 - 5.3 and Sierra shows 3.9 - 5.1

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Is that XTP data? XTPs have their own data and it's not interchangeable w/ other JHPs. Hornady tested their bullet and I would trust it.

dragon813gt said:

Is that XTP data? XTPs have their own data and it's not interchangeable w/ other JHPs. Hornady tested their bullet and I would trust it.

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No on the XTP they list this load for three bullets
#3556 FMJ-FP
#3557 FMJ-RN
#3567 LRN