best manual

[hvychev77]

i need to get some newer manuals for reloading data. i only load for my 300 win mag rifle and 9mm pistol. which manuals do you guys like best? thanks.......hvychev77

 

[Sunray]

Lyman. Has more loads using more powders and bullet weights than any bullet or powder maker's book.

 

[06]

Anyone have the newest Speer? Glimpsed at one in Bass Pro recently and like the layout. How does it stack up against the Lyman?

 

[1SOW]

Lyman AND the online load data from the powder companies (Hogdon, etc etc.). Compare the the data and decide where to start your load work-up.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't think anyone can really tell you which is the best manual for you, only for them.

If you shoot only Sierra or Hornady bullets I would say the manual from Sierra or Hornady would be best for you. If you shoot only Cast bullets the new Lyman 4th Edition Cast Handbook is probably best hands down. If you're a general shooter the Lyman 49th Edition load manual is probably a good choice.

If you have a preference for one powder company over the others you might want to look in the manual you are thinking about buying and see if they list the powders from that company. Same goes for bullets, make sure the bullets you shoot most are in the manual because these days it does matter. That goes back to the manuals that are published by the bullet companies. Sierra, Hornady, Speer and Nosler all have fairly new manuals covering all their bullets but again, make sure they use the powders you prefer.

The powder companies also have data online that's updated often. I trust their data but be careful about data on sites where you have no idea who posted the data.

Hope this helps a bit...

 

[cfullgraf]

You can never have too many manuals. I have the current manuals from Sierra, Hornady, and Speer.

I keep reloading data on file from the manufactures that I use.

You can never have too much data from reputable sources.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I agree. You can never have enough data.



This was my reloading books a few months back. I have bought more since then so I need to take a new picture. Lots of great data there!

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`d get the manual by the maker of the bullet you use the most and add the various powder companies web site data to it to fill the holes.

If you can afford it the more manuals the better in the long run IMO. As already said you can`t have too many.

 

[FROGO207]

And I thought that 2 file drawers full of reloading data was a lot of info to be keeping around.

 

[rfwobbly]

If you already have the Lyman, the the Sierra is a close second. I highly recommend it.

 

[adrians]

if using cast ,,,,,lyman.
if not ,,,,,lyman.
i think anyhoo..

 

[Lost Sheep]

i need to get some newer manuals for reloading data. i only load for my 300 win mag rifle and 9mm pistol. which manuals do you guys like best? thanks.......hvychev77

The "One Caliber, One Book" series of books. They compile (copy, actually) the data from all the major (and some of the minor) powder and bullet manufacturers' published data.

There is virtually no instructional material in the books, but they cost $9 - $10 each and are bound to lay flat. With only load data, they are about 1/4" thick, but SO easy to use.

If I could only have 8 manuals and no other sources of recipe data, these would be the ones
45 ACP
45 Colt
44 Mag
357 Mag,
9mm
454 Casull
41 Mag
480 Ruger

If I were limited to 7, I would drop three from the list and get 1) Lyman's latest and 2) Lee's Modern Reloading.

Lost Sheep

 

[hAkron]

I have the Speer, Lyman, and Hornady and I check all 3 (especially when using odd ball bullets). I keep a notebook of what I've loaded and then I come back after testing and make notes about how successful the load was. Once I have a good recipe I type it into an excel spreadsheet, print it out, and put it into a binder.

 

[TH3180]

I also use the Speer, Lyman, and Hornady. I look at all three and compair the data. I bought a reloaders book to write everything down in. The book also came with a bunch of targets. When I am working up a load I use those targets and put them in the binder with the load info.

 

[pdosh]

I bought a LEE manual last year because I had started casting and was using LEE molds. Boy was I disappointed when I discovered that there is Zero load data for their cast bullets. I've heard it is a compilation of other companies work and they don't do any of their own load development.
On the positive side, there is a lot of interesting chapters about reloading. Just be aware that you will get a good dose of Lee propaganda. Not that Lee reloading equipment isn't a good value and can do a good job, but sometimes it felt like I was reading pure marketing material. But for the price I'm glad I purchased it. I've got a couple of older manuals Speer and Lyman. Don't know what the next will be.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

1. There is no "best" of anything.
2. Get the latest manuals that match the bullets and powder you are using.
3. Then read them all and compare the loads in case one has a mistake.
4. Lyman #49 is a good general manual.

 

[hvychev77]

i have the Lee manual already. i got it when i got my press and all that just because my press is a Lee turret, and i wanted to learn some basic reloading info. before i started loading. This book seemed to cover alot of things so i got it. I went ahead and ordered the Lyman from amazon last week for about 24 bones. As previously stated, i guess you can't have too much data info. and i'll eventually have more and more and more...........Thanks for all the replies guys!! hvychev77

 

[EddieNFL]

I think the Lyman is the best "all around", but no one manual is a cover all. As mentioned by others, "more is better."

 

[lightman]

I have about all of them.Several generations of the same brand,even.Probably close to as many as Peter M.If I could only have one,I would keep the Lyman.It covers the basics in detail,and has a good assortment of data. Lightman

 

[silverking]

I'm just getting started. Lyman's 49th is working great for me.

 

[dbarnhart]

I think it's important to own two or three manuals because there is wide variation between them. For example, here are the starting max max loads for 45 ACP, 230gr FMJ-RN and Unique:

Hornady, Start: 5.2, Max: 6.6
Speer, Start: 5.5, Max: 6.5
Lyman, Start: 5.9, Max: 6.6

When I owned one manual (Speer) I tended to view it as gospel. Owning multiple manuals forces me to think for myself and use some judgement.

My own plinking loads are 5.5gr.

 

[gamestalker]

I really like how informative the Speer manual is regarding procedure, and general reloading instruction covers a broad range of circumstances. But regarding a good sellection of powders and bullets the "One Book, One Cartridge" probably has more data than most books I've ever used. $7- $8 per cartridge isn't bad when you consider they have most of the jacketed data out there and a fairly good WC/SWC amount of data.

 

[Afy]

Not really a manual and somewhat pricey Quickload is the best bit of reloading data there is.

 

[Sin City Shootist]

If you already have the Lyman, the the Sierra is a close second. I highly recommend it.

Same recommendations only in reverse

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I use, as primary sources, the manual for the company's bullets I use. I use as back-up sources and cross-check references, the Lyman 49th ed. and the powder manufacturer's manual or website.

I've had excellent results with that approach. I use four bullet manufacturers heavily: Sierra, Hornady, Barnes and Nosler so I have each of their current editions. I have also just moved to the latest edition from Hornady as I'm going to try some of the newer powders and bullets not covered in the last edition.

YMMV.

FH