Best current reloading manual?

[Adventurer_96]

What's the most comprehensive current reloading manual out there? I'm not looking for oddball info, just 5.56 & 7.62 stuff mainly at this point, but I'm also looking for good data w/TAC powder for 175gr Sierra Matchkings.

Also, is there a manual in particular that has good information on reloading for accuracy in bolt guns? So far, I've been a semiauto reloader, so I'm reloading for decent accuracy but also volume. As I start to build up loads for guns, and keep batches of brass for individual bolt guns, I'd like to get as much accuracy as I can out of them - I just don't know where to start looking in terms of manuals.

 

[dmftoy1]

The manual I always go to first is the Hornady manual, but I tend to load Hornady bullets more times than not. If you're looking for accurate loads using Sierra bullets then I'd take a good look at the Sierra Manual. I haven't looked for awhile but I think that in addition to min/max they give you the most accurate load for each group of powders. If I remember right Nosler does the same thing.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[Grumulkin]

I like the Hornady manual the best but I have probably at least 10 manuals and use the other manuals frequently as well.

 

[loadedround]

Do you like Ford or Chevy trucks? Many choices and opinions on manuals. I just bought the new Speer #14 Manual and am very impressed with it. IMHO, loading manuals are like firearms, you can have too many of them. Also have the older Hornady, Lyman, and Nosler Manuals and use them all.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Loadedround...Please clarify..."loading manuals are like firearms, you can have too many of them."

I have an assortment of manuals (about 8), but my main ones are Winchester, Lyman and Sierra.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Also, is there a manual in particular that has good information on reloading for accuracy in bolt guns? So far, I've been a semiauto reloader, so I'm reloading for decent accuracy but also volume. As I start to build up loads for guns, and keep batches of brass for individual bolt guns, I'd like to get as much accuracy as I can out of them - I just don't know where to start looking in terms of manuals

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=665601&t=11082005
This is a great book for the reloader that wants to get the most from his loads. It doesn`t have data though, it is a "how to" type book. For the latest data try Speers #14, or in a few weeks Noslers new manual. They should be the most up to date on the new powders, or check the powder manufactures websites. If you are loading a specific bullet try calling the manufacture for help. Sierra and Hornady have been nore then helpful to me with any question I have asked of them. Sierra doesn`t care whos bullet you are useing, they will try to help.

 

[Slamfire]

The Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook is the most comprehensive. http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/books.htm

However, if you are into shooting match AR's and want match ammunition recommendations, the web is the best place to go.

 

[Noxx]

I usually reference my Speer manual first, but I've got a half dozen on the bench.

Either way, you'll end up buying more than one, I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[LotI]

Hornady 7th and now the shiny new Speer 14. Then I cross it with the powder manufacturers data. I typically use Alliant or Hodgdon powders and they have good load data.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Comprehensive is as comprehensive does...

Adventurer 96--You want info on a specific cartridge--The manual to get is The Complete Reloading Manual for (fill in cartridge). They're published by Loadbooks USA, Inc, and available @ www.loadbooks.com if not @ yr local sptg gds sto or gun sho. These manuals are a compilation of the powder and bullet makers' loads for a specific cartridge, and only that cartridge. There are Loadbooks for most of the currently popular cartridges, plus there are special books for the T/C Contender and some others.

I agree w/SlamFire 1, the Lyman 48th edition is very good (it's my go-to manual) but IMHO there is no such thing as a manual that has every possible combination of every single powder and bullet, for every cartridge, out there. Such a manual would take years to compile, resemble the Encyclopaedia Britannica in size (and cost), and be obsolete the day it came out, there are so many new cartridges, powders, and bullets currently.

That's why reloaders almost always accumulate a collection of manuals--between all the ones they have, they can work up a safe load. Usually.

But sometimes you just can't find the combination you want, anywhere, and that's when you e-mail the powder or bullet maker. I did that when I was developing a hog/deer round for my .357 magnum revolver, and Alliant e-mailed me right back with reccommendations, which worked out fine.

Warning: DO NOT USE THIS POWDER "RECOMMENDATION!"
I WOULD NOT load a round from an anonymous Internet reccommendation, unless it jibed closely with printed recipies or reccommendations from makers. You just don't know the qualifications of some dude you never met, who assures you that (for example) Win 231 is a perfect powder for 220 grain bullets in the .300 RUM. (It isn't, BTW--it would blow up your rifle!)

 

[bender]

I don't know the best but... someone needs to publish a manual that includes plated bullets.

Plated bullets (Berrys, Rainier...) have gotten very popular but there is hardly any loading data for them. I know, I know... "use lead bullet data" or "use starting loads for jacketed bullets...".

I have speer #12, hornady #7, and Lee #2. I use the Lee more than the others since it has way more bullet weights, powders than my other "brand-specific" manuals.

 

[Adventurer_96]

I forgot to mention that I've been loading for a few years, just a couple of calibers, and many of my books are so old that they pre-date .223.

Ol' Joe: Just what I'm looking for in that regard, thanks.

Smokey Joe: Those books don't have a lot of info on the newer powders unfortunately, but I have taken a look at them. I agree with you about the net being questionable, I only shoot my own reloads and I'd never shoot someone else's. The problem I'm running into is varying information about loads with newer powders (TAC in particular) and short of getting out and trying some I guess I've got to start cross-referencing a manual newer than 1960.

 

[strat81]

I have the Hornady manual and am thoroughly UNIMPRESSED with it. I suppose it's good if you load Hornady bullets (I got it for XTP data) but otherwise for basic FMJ and such loadings, it is not very complete. Modern Reloading by Lee is much more thorough in their load listings.

I do recommend getting the powder manufacturers books (Hogdgon, Winchester, and IMR are available for free) as well as the "One Caliber" books if you have a few favorite calibers you like to experiment with.

 

[mpmarty]

I'm amazed at the changes in loading data over the past thirty or forty years. It seems that the publishers have developed a severe case of "lets not get sued" and the loads and velocities have dropped off to a degree that really surprises me. I have H870 and H4831 powders that I bought when the 4831 was $50.00 for a hundred pound keg. The formulation according to Hodgdon hasn't changed but the recommended loads certainly have. Even as recently as in the past fifteen years, as an example look what Norma used to list for the 10MM auto pistol and look what we have now. The 200 grain loads used to produce over 1200 fps and today most are limited to the 1050 to 1100 fps range, or is that due to Glock chambering pistols in 10mm?