Disappointed in Lyman AR Reloading Handbook

[Candyman87]

As a religious user of Lyman 49th to reference all of my loads (of course checking several sources) I bought the AR Reloading Handbook by Lyman. I received it today and was SEVERELY disappointed.

The book is 99 pages, only 30 of which is data, mostly for odd calibers. The book misses M193 and M855 projectiles, and has several loads that are too long for an AR magazine. Most of the articles are worthless to a basic .223/5.56 NATO reloader as well.

Buyer beware.

 

[Reloadron]

This is just one of those things. Hopefully your warning will help someone else.

However, for example loads too long for the magazine. I load quite a few Sierra 80 Grain Match King HPBT bullets. These load to an OAL of 2.550 and also need a long leade chamber. They are not designed for the traditional 2.260 maximum. That's a given and they are fired single shot through my 1:7 twist guns. There are other similar loads out there which conclude with an OAL exceeding what will fit in the magazine.

The Hornady 9th Edition has a real nice section of 223 and 5.56 loading devoted to "Service Rifle" and their 80 grain bullets are loaded to a COL of 2.390". So while the average AR shooter out there shooting and reloading basic bulk ammunition there are plenty of guys who would find much information like this useful. Especially some of the match guys loading one by one at the 500 in the prone.

Anyway, glad you got that dope out and hopefully it will keep someone else from buying a book they don't want or need.

Ron

 

[Candyman87]

That was mostly my intention... the book is seemingly helpful for more of the oddball type loads, rather than the common bulk ammo.

A lot of time devoted to suppressed firearms as well... but if I could afford a can and the tax stamp, I'd happily spend another $15 on this book.

I'm just disappointed because they advertise it as a must have for AR shooters/reloaders. It's absolutely not.

 

[satexas]

I'm with you on the disappointment. The Lyman 49th Edition for reloading also does not have M193 or M855 bullet type loading data. You would think that ANY reloading manual would have perhaps the most popular bulk bullet types in its pages. I've read nothing but great things about the Lyman manual, so that's why I bought it.

 

[Candyman87]

I'm with you on the disappointment. The Lyman 49th Edition for reloading also does not have M193 or M855 bullet type loading data. You would think that ANY reloading manual would have perhaps the most popular bulk bullet types in its pages. I've read nothing but great things about the Lyman manual, so that's why I bought it.

Exactly why I bought it too... unfortunately I was definitely let down.

 

[MErl]

I picked it up for the oddball calibers. After going through it I was not sure how much to trust the information when there is a chapter titled "handloading for surpassed firearms"

 

[rcmodel]

Hey, it's as hard for Lyman to hire educated proof-readers who speak English as it is for everyone else!!

My local daily news-paper reads like a third-grader wrote it anymore.

The collage educated ace girl reporter writes stuff like 'I seen a cop tackle a guy doing nothing on Main street last night. Then I got knocked down too but it didn't hurt me.'

And the editors don't catch or correct it.

rc

 

[Reloadron]

Hey, it's as hard for Lyman to hire educated proof-readers who speak English as it is for everyone else!!

My local daily news-paper reads like a third-grader wrote it anymore.

The collage educated ace girl reporter writes stuff like 'I seen a cop tackle a guy doing nothing on Main street last night. Then I got knocked down too but it didn't hurt me.'

And the editors don't catch or correct it.

rc

Interesting RC as I thought it was just local to me. The local newspaper went to three days only home delivery and the online version leaves much to be desired. Like a child wrote it. OK, back on topic...

Ron

 

[LeonCarr]

I also like the chapter entitled "handloading for suppressed firearms" and then the chapter pages have "handloading for surpassed firearms" at the top of the page.



Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Candyman87]

I also like the chapter entitled "handloading for suppressed firearms" and then the chapter pages have "handloading for surpassed firearms" at the top of the page.







Just my .02,

LeonCarr

Honestly that's the first thing I noticed. So glad I only bought the book to save on shipping from Midway.

 

[RainDodger]

Having just retired, I spent the last 20 years in a corporate environment. Many, many of the "new-hires" were right out of college. Virtually none of them can write with a combination of clarity, correct spelling and decent grammar. I'm wondering if they're even able to produce handwriting if provided with a pen... or a pencil (what's that?)... I communicated with large corporate clients on a daily basis and some of the "customer-ready" mail that I saw going out was... shall we say... the worst writing I have ever seen, and embarrassing to be associated with.

It's a changed world out there compared with what many of us grew up with in the 60s, 70s or even the 80s.

Sorry to be off-topic, but it fit. I just picked up Lyman's 49th edition and I won't go looking for the AR version now!

 

[Hardtarget]

I'm sure it is hard to create a load book that is the "end all" reload manual. I have several books and feel lucky to have info that fits my needs.

My shooting needs and ability fit into "mr. average" very well so I stay happy with the books already here. Thanks for the heads up...I hate to spend money and not get good benefit from it.

Mark

 

[J_McLeod]

As a religious user of Lyman 49th to reference all of my loads (of course checking several sources) I bought the AR Reloading Handbook by Lyman. I received it today and was SEVERELY disappointed.

The book is 99 pages, only 30 of which is data, mostly for odd calibers. The book misses M193 and M855 projectiles, and has several loads that are too long for an AR magazine. Most of the articles are worthless to a basic .223/5.56 NATO reloader as well.

Buyer beware.

I felt the same way. The best thing about it was the low price, which made it somewhat worthwhile. Overall I would not recommend it.

 

[kris6600]

Yeah. I also took away very little from that manual. I was pretty disappointed. I've also been trying to figure out what a surpassed firearm is and why i don't own one yet.

 

[Dudedog]

off thread but
I think editing lately means the spell checker said it was ok.

Maybe they don’t know how to turn on the grammar checker in Word.


Stats for the above
25 Words
104 Characters
2 Paragraphs
2 Sentences
…more info skipped
Flesch Reading Ease 89.2
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 3.9

I can’t remember were I saw it but somewhere they say most of the newspaper/instructional stuff is written to about 5th grade level……

PS: I am bad about even using the spell checker sometimes and my spelling is atrocious.

If I add the above info to the test it comes out a Grade Level 7.4

 

[Gravedigger56]

Good to hear. I have debated getting the Lyman book since it is the only one that I don't have but now I think I'll hold off. Since I only load Hornady bullets I have found that the only 2 manuals that I reference anymore are the Hornady 9th and the One Caliber books. Since I don't hunt, don't shoot competitively and only load for plinking at the range, they pretty much cover all the loads and powders that I am interested in.