Lee Loading Manual

Status
Not open for further replies.
Mark_Mark

Mark_Mark

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2021
Messages
17,889
Alright, as a Lee fanboy. I’m thinking about getting the New Lee Reloading manual. I Think it would be an alsome read!

Anybody like it???
 
FROGO207 said:
I have both the new and old Lee book the new one has a good bit of data for new cartridges. And he has updated some chapters as well as info on new tools and presses. It aught to keep you out of trouble for a few days reading it.:)
Click to expand...
that’s cool! they talk about their presses in the manual! alsome!!! I always wanted to deck out my APP press with every option available
 
I like Lyman, Sierra, Speer books better.

Last time I checked, LEE simply copy/pastes load data from other sources.

the Lyman cast book is excellent if you shoot lead, the SIERRA is probably my favorite for rifles
 
One thing I like about the Lee book is it has data from numerous bullet manufacturers. It's the only published source I've found (printed) that includes Sinterfire Frangible Bullets. If they're merely copying and pasting from other sources....hey, I'm okay with that. I don't have most of those other sources.

I am officially "jelly" of dgod's library. I don't even have a shelf for the handful of manuals I've acquired...but I'm developing a short stack.
 
derek45 said:
I like Lyman, Sierra, Speer books better.

Last time I checked, LEE simply copy/pastes load data from other sources.
Click to expand...

I keep hearing this 'complaint', but I don't understand why it's a bad thing.

If I can purchase 1 book which includes the data from 4 other books, why wouldn't I do that?

The data is reprinted with permission, and nobody that I've ever read has stated that the reprinted data was corrupt or incomplete.

I view it as a positive.

To clarify my position; I own a physical copy of Lee #2, an electronic copy of Lee #1.
I also own physical copies of several Lyman books, and electronic copies of dozens of powder company data sets.
I rarely shoot jacketed bullets, and have never felt the need to check Hornady, Sierra, or Nosler books.
 
markr6754 said:
One thing I like about the Lee book is it has data from numerous bullet manufacturers. It's the only published source I've found (printed) that includes Sinterfire Frangible Bullets. If they're merely copying and pasting from other sources....hey, I'm okay with that. I don't have most of those other sources.

I am officially "jelly" of dgod's library. I don't even have a shelf for the handful of manuals I've acquired...but I'm developing a short stack.
Click to expand...
that even better! I have 1000 .40 frang from Midway that I can’t find any data to start
 
derek45 said:
I like Lyman, Sierra, Speer books better.

Last time I checked, LEE simply copy/pastes load data from other sources.

the Lyman cast book is excellent if you shoot lead, the SIERRA is probably my favorite for rifles
Click to expand...
My first look is at the Lyman 49th. I don't have 50th. Is it a good book?
 
The Lee is an excellent source of information even if it is copied from
data supplied by powder and bullet companies. Of course, they've already
spent piles of money on R&D , so their
data is as good as anybodys.
I wouldn't feel shorted with a Lee book
and a Lyman book

That said, I don't feel the need to do a
bunch of experimenting like many do.
I've found suitable loads for what I
load for and I'm content with that
 
I have lee 2nd edition 2016 revised and choose it due to the fact it covers many powders and bullets, a one stop book sort of speak. I was disappointed when I build my 300 BO and went to look up data for a load and lee didn't have the 300 BO listed in the book. Kind of strange since the BO has been around and popular for many years before this print. Thinking of buying the 2021 revise edition. I also have 2 1980's Hornady and Hodgdon books that I reference sometimes for the tried and true Calibers, (30-06,44mag, 38, etc). You can notice the difference right away between those old books and the new ones when looking at the data for 9mm and 223. The older manuals only have 1 page of data for those 2 compared to the many pages in todays manuals, 223 only goes to 60gr bullets.
 
AJC1 said:
Tell me more about that lyman pistol manual. It appears based on the post it's that you seem keen on it. I was considering hunting one down. Any years or additions you recommend.
Click to expand...
Lyman's Pistol & Revolver, Third Edition has good basics for reloading. And covers some on casting. Mine is the 3rd print from 2009. I've only seen it in paperback. It doesn't have newer powders like BE86 or CFE-Pistol. Or the newer IMR powders. It does have Contender and Encore load data.
 
kcofohio said:
Lyman's Pistol & Revolver, Third Edition has good basics for reloading. And covers some on casting. Mine is the 3rd print from 2009. I've only seen it in paperback. It doesn't have newer powders like BE86 or CFE-Pistol. Or the newer IMR powders. It does have Contender and Encore load data.
Click to expand...
Any silihotte "wap" lead loads for 357 with 158s. Would also be interested in 38 same powder bullet.
 
Mark_Mark said:
that even better! I have 1000 .40 frang from Midway that I can’t find any data to start
Click to expand...
Yep picked up a thou, shot some, went back for another thou. 135gr .40 S&W. Found they load using 180gr FMJ as basis...starting low and working up. Performance varies greatly in different pistols. What shoots nice from my SA EMP 3" is pretty soft in my Beretta PX4 Storm.

I've developed loads for Universal, Hi-Skor 700X, CFE-P, loading them to 1.140".

This is all just for fun. I've cut back quite a bit on shooting just due to circumstances... have plenty of supplies, just fewer opportunities with things opening up. I probably need to schedule a week of vacation just to shoot...shelves are full of my quarantine loading...need to shoot some before I load more.
 
markr6754 said:
Yep picked up a thou, shot some, went back for another thou. 135gr .40 S&W. Found they load using 180gr FMJ as basis...starting low and working up. Performance varies greatly in different pistols. What shoots nice from my SA EMP 3" is pretty soft in my Beretta PX4 Storm.

I've developed loads for Universal, Hi-Skor 700X, CFE-P, loading them to 1.140".

This is all just for fun. I've cut back quite a bit on shooting just due to circumstances... have plenty of supplies, just fewer opportunities with things opening up. I probably need to schedule a week of vacation just to shoot...shelves are full of my quarantine loading...need to shoot some before I load more.
Click to expand...
From what I learned on THR, I load too hot and crimp too heavy! I should have bought another 1,000 or 2, they were $80 and free shipping. ohwell next time
 
I'm sure you've been told plenty of time...don't crimp auto-pistol rounds...remove the taper, flare, or expansion...whatever you call it. You basically want the brass to close up around the shaft of the bullet, but without digging into the bullet.

Load up lots of frangible rounds and you'll figure it out quickly. They do not like to be crimped. They're not as delicate as some have made them out to be...they do withstand being shoved through the rifling of a barrel. But crimp them and you'll crack the nose, even if you can't see it. Nonetheless....they make for fun shooting, and especially when MidWay USA practically gives them away.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
Lee Load data
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
AshMan40
A
W
  • Locked
New reloading manual
Replies
22
Views
1K
ranger335v
R
T
  • Locked
If you had 800 dollars. * Updated *
Replies
23
Views
691
dbarnhart
D
AJC1
  • Locked
Does the Lee reloading manual support their cast bullets?
Replies
16
Views
653
Bazoo
Bazoo
H
  • Locked
Variations in Manuals
2
Replies
26
Views
878
hdtramp
H
Back
Top