How many Reloading Manuals Do I Need

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You only NEED one. No manual lists every possible powder and bullet combination. Lyman is a favorite but Lee's has the most varied data.
 
I have Lee, Lyman 48, Sierra, Hornady, and Hodgdon.

That way I have material from the powder manufacturer, my primary bullet manufacturers, and a couple of general ones.

It's interesting to note the wide disparities in starting/max loads for a given cartridge & bullet weight from reference to reference.
 
As many as you can afford. Relying on the internet for load data is not one of the best ideas. It's hard to spread the computer across your loading bench to compare load data from one site to another...I also use the data of the bullet, and powder manufacturers on the internet, but I also keep up to date loading manuals at the bench. My computer is in another room. Yes...I know...I could print copies off the internet, but why...Loose pages all over my loading bench? Fun...
 
I agree, you should have a couple at least. Maybe one from a powder maker and one from a bullet maker. That way, with more than one, you can cross reference back and forth and get a good feel about what will work with a particular powder and bullet. Also, there is a wealth of information in those manuals. I enjoy reading them cover to cover, especially the Nosler manual. And, I think it is easier to have a couple manuals laid out on my reloading bench to look over and decide.

good shooting
 
I also need to add another book or two to my reloading library... I have the sierra book now.

If anybody is looking to get rid of one or two send me a PM.
 
As many as you can afford. Relying on the internet for load data is not one of the best ideas. It's hard to spread the computer across your loading bench to compare load data from one site to another...I also use the data of the bullet, and powder manufacturers on the internet, but I also keep up to date loading manuals at the bench. My computer is in another room. Yes...I know...I could print copies off the internet, but why...Loose pages all over my loading bench? Fun...
Click to expand...

They have this thing out called a stapler. It uses a little metal clip to hold pages of paper together so they don't get spread all over the place. Also no worries about messing the book up. If you mess it up just print it out again. Also printing stuff on the manufacturers web site gives you the most up to date data. No worries about them reformulating the powder and then your book is out of date. Also why drop money on a book that is pretty useless considering most of the informatin isnt needed. I reload 6 rounds. I would rather spend 100 bucks on primers or powder then on books I might only use 10 pages out of each book the other 500 are filler.
 
Collect all the free powder manufacturers load data you can find - especially the ones you typically use. I have a Lyman and a Hornady manual and I like them both. If I need more data, I'll search the internet and compare it with my manuals.

I have Lee's reloading manual and I'm not that impressed with it. He tends to focus on what he thinks are the best combinations for particular calibers, but not necessarily what I have on the shelf to use.
 
Yes...I know...I could print copies off the internet, but why...Loose pages all over my loading bench?
Click to expand...
Oh come on bushmaster, get a three ring binder. :neener:

I have Hornady, Speer, and Hodgdon manuals, plus Lyman and an RCBS lead bullet manuals. I like the Speer the best and the Hodgdon the least. I also have all the online data printed out and neatly placed in a load book, tabs and everything. :D

Oh, and several of the free handouts.
 
I have three and plan on getting more. It all depends on what you want. I have two that only deal with rifles and two that deal with just about anything.

I bought one manual because it was the only one that had load data for one round I shoot (6.5x57mm). So I got it for that but I still use and look in all of them. I will pick the lowest max and never work over that max. I know some guys that have thousands of manuals. I know some that have one.

I like Sierra manuals the best you have to be careful with them as the pages can and will rip easy. But it lays flat on the bench. I also like the Lyman manual as well.
 
I must make a note in my load book..."Don't let Seafarer load any of my ammunition or trust any of his information"..:D..You actually believe they up those pages on a regular basis? I'll continue to use my manuals and do some research on the net when needed (which isn't often)

Thanks Walkalong...I really needed that support..:evil:..(Three ring binder...) How many do you need. I have six full ones now..:neener:..
 
Error two. Dang thing refused to enter. Came back later and what do you know. I have three entries...

We do need a "Delete" button on here...Either that or a inertia hammer...
 
One reason to have more than one reloading manual...

In Speer No. 13, the START load for .380acp for some powders is higher than the MAX load for some powders in Hodgdon's magazine/manual.

A 2nd opinion never hurts.
 
Each to his own--I have been loading 45 years and don't now and never have owned one. I have loaded for 11 rifle cartridges (9 now), 4 pistol cartridges, and 6 shotshell gauges. I get the powder manufacturers booklets (free) and any bullet manufacturer booklets that are free, copy pages out of magazines and books, and have even copied a few manual pages. I keep the info in notebooks, one divided by cartridge and another for general data from powder manufacturers, etc. I've gotten some from the internet in recent years. I've probably got data equivalent to 3 manuals, yet not given them any money. They get 90+% of their data from the powder companies anyway. Each to his own; I'm a tightwad!
 
I think you need 6. :D I've got a boat load of them. I agree that the Internet makes it easy to find a load but I like the data sitting on my bench. You will find people who don't agree with this statement but I quite like Lee's simply because this manual isn't hawking powder, primers or bullets. It's too detail oriented on their equipment for the average user but lots of good insight. I also like Nosler's.
 
I have Lee 2nd, Hornady 7th and Speer 14th and my laminated Rainier load sheet. I also like to have them on my bench plus it's just to hard to drag the computer to the bathroom! :eek:
 
I have now 3 full 4 foot long shelves of manuals. Add this to the DVD set of reloader and rifle along with reloading books and notes I can completely fill a 4 foot wide by 7 ft tall book case of manuals.

You can never have too many manuals. Especially the older ones. The newer ones are so wimpy it is not even funny.
 
You can't have too many. I've got 5 or 6, plus 3 or 4 binders of notes from the internet.
 
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