Which Reloading Manual?

If you’re looking for a lot of data, the Lee manual can’t be beat. They compile their data from verified sources, mainly powder and bullet manufacturers as well as from other reloading manuals. One downside for a lot of more advanced reloaders is that the data isn’t bullet specific. It’s pretty generic as you'll have a number of loads for FMJ bullets and then for LRN bullets and then for plated bullets but not for a specific bullet. If I remember correctly, loads are listed by velocity from slowest to fastest or maybe it’s by powder from slowest to fastest. I don’t have mine nearby so I can’t check to be sure. I wouldn’t necessarily use it as my only reloading manual but it’s a good one to have on hand.

Maybe mentioned before, but LOADBOOKS is a good source. It has many manuals' information in it, and each book is done specifically for one caliber.

IWAC said:

Maybe mentioned before, but LOADBOOKS is a good source. It has many manuals' information in it, and each book is done specifically for one caliber.

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Have the LOADBOOKS been up dated recently? Maybe I need to invest in them again if so.

I started with a Speer and a Hornady, then added the Lyman. I've added others since then, but those are still my core 3. They each have advantages over the other, and each of them has front material that is a little different than the others. Compared to the cost of reloading gear and components, manuals are pretty cheap. Each one has the potential to teach you things you didn't know... things that might prevent an accident, or things that help you wring a little more performance from your loads, or things that trouble-shoot some difficulty.

I regret that I didn't pick up the now out-of-print Vhitavhouri manual, which had a fascinating section on precisely how powder granule shape controlled burn rate. It was $50 new and I never got over the hump on that... seems silly in retrospect.

ATLDave said:

I regret that I didn't pick up the now out-of-print Vhitavhouri manual, which had a fascinating section on precisely how powder granule shape controlled burn rate. It was $50 new and I never got over the hump on that... seems silly in retrospect.

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Here, I saved you $50 - https://www.vihtavuori.com/tech-blog-powder-grain-shapes/

Every VV powder picture and description - https://www.vihtavuori.com/powder/

N300 series density, energy and application - https://www.vihtavuori.com/powders/n300-powders/

Buy the reloading manual by the mfg. of the bullets you plan to use. hdbiker

You have a manual that tells you HOW.
There is ample FREE information from all the powder companies on how MUCH.
Since your intended brand of bullet is not from a company big enough to run a pressure gun, you are in the "start low and "work up"" game.

Again, www.loaddata.com

All the major powder and bullet manufacturers data, plus Lee, plus loads from Handloader and Rifle plus articles from these as well. All for roughly the price of one reloading manual.

35W

I have several. I usually start with the bullet manufacturer that I’m loading for and cross reference with other manuals.

I have several. I usually start with the bullet manufacturer that I’m loading for and cross reference with other manuals.

I like the Western Powders reloading manual even though the load data is available online.

I actually find myself using my Lee manual a lot. There's a lot of loads, many of which are covered in other manuals. But the addition of platted bullet data is nice also.

I bought, but have hardly used the latest Speer manual. I just haven't been loading Speer bullets, and my other manuals cover it.

Hodgedon's periodical is good to.

The Hodgdon "magazine" manual dose a pretty good job. Has velocity info for BOTH starting AND maximum loads. Has alot of calibers as well. I have books from Speer, Hornady, Lee (also a VERY good one) and Lyman. I reference the Hodgon more than any other. It even has great data on the .327 Federal Magnum, which I load for alot. Alot of good stuff in a small package.

I bought a bunch of used manuals from E Bay before I started to buy mostly used reloading equipment.
My main manuals are Hornady & Lee.
My source for bullets locally isn't consistant on bullet types so I end up with different makes, different design & different weight of bullets so i occasionally use the brand name manual(Speer, Nosler)

I have noticed that on some of the loads in the Hornady book has their max load below what Lee has for a starting load.

I don't like to push the limit on ammo so I start on the low side start up charge and stop a couple notches below the max charge.
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