I just started reading through Richard Lee's second edition of Modern Reloading.
It looks pretty complete with complete reloading instructions, bullet casting info, and extesnive load data. It is a much thicker book than even the Speer or Nosler manuals. As others have posted, yes, it does have a lot of Lee equipment promotion. But hey, it is his company, that is the equipment he knows and loves best and if you own Lee equipment or want to know more about it then this is a great reference.
I currenly use the Lee Challenger press and am going to try the Factory Crimp Die as a separate die step. Most of my other equipment has been RCBS and Hornady mostly because that is what is sold at local store. I have to admit I was a little put off by the recent spat of postings from Mr. Lee about a product refund for another member a while ago on the forum, but I also know how horrible email/forums are for discussing such issues. He probably could have handled it more gracefully, but hey, I am not going to judge a company solely on one Internet thread. So far his equipment has worked fine for me and I enjoy his writing style and information in the manual.
Some of the things I like about the book so far:
* Pretty complete loading data as it is compiled form all the powder manufacturers and includes one of the best listgs for cast bullets.
* Personal style: Richard Lee obviously speaks form the heart and loves his business and the hobby of reloading. I have never read a manual that so well expresses the sheer fun of operating your own little manufacturing plant and working with precision tools.
* Lots of background on not just what Lee tools do and how to use them, but the history behind them, why and how they came about and have been refined.
* He makes a good case for volume measuring versus weight measuring of powder. Most people I know use a powder measure which is a volume method. They calibrate it against a scale because all data usually is given in grains of powder. But if we are going to end up using a volume type of device anyway, why not just start with load data in a standard measurement (Lee uses cc)? I give him kudos for breaking out of the weight mindset and promoting a scientific rational and method for volume based measurement of powder. He is right that the markings on my RCBS micrometer measure are arbitrary and it would be helpful if it was in something like hundredths of a cc or something.
* Listing of cartridges is more extensive than any other manual I have seen (Speer, Lyman, Nosler, Hornady, Hodgdon new and old, Accurate, etc.). Everything from severl .17 cal to the 50 BMG
* Each cartridge typically has several bullet weights, almost as many cast as jacketed, and usually special situations (Gold Dot and XTP, etc.). Each bullet weight usually has at least a dozen or more powders listed. A detailed drawing with dimensions is provided for each cartridge including useful case capacity in cc.
* Each listing has starting and max weights of powder, velocity, pressure, min OAL, volume equivalent and specs for the Lee scoops and Auto Disk measure. Some even have conversion factors for figuring the changes in pressure and velocity by each grain reduction in the powder. Great for figuring reduced loads. I have not seen this capability in any other manual.
* He is honest about not needing a ton of equipment. Other manufacturers may promote additional tools with varying emphasis on how important it is to start nano-measuring or nano-trimming, etc. I think Mr. Lee does a good job about imparting practical advice as to what is a good balance between usefula dn superfolous. For instance, is primer flash hole deburring really necessary (he thinks not as most cases are well made and do not require it). Also, many shooters are not trying to milk the last .10 inch of accuracy from their loads and would like an honest assessment whether another tool and loading step is really worth the expense and effort.
Anything I don't like? Not really. I found his product discussions more as a man in love with a hobby and proud of his company and thrilled by innovation with an eye toward provding quality equipment at an affordable cost.
I had already ordered a Lee Hand Press and FCDs. After reading this I might give some other Lee products a try such as the dippers, some dies if I can't locate my .40 S&W ones soon, and a case trimmer if I ever get around to that step.
I also like the Lyman, Speer and Nosler manuals a lot, but the Lee manul is now on my must have list for recommending to newbies. The new Annual format of the Hodgdon manual disapponints me, but I am willing to try it for a while and see how it works out over the years. It used to have lots of good reloading instructions and now just has articles. It used to have listings for most powder manufacturers and now just has Hodgdon. The best would be if they publish the book format every 5-10 years and use the annual magazine format for in-between updates.
Anyway you cut it reloading is fun and thaks to Mr. Lee for contributing his knowledge and enthusiasm to the "body of knowledge."
It looks pretty complete with complete reloading instructions, bullet casting info, and extesnive load data. It is a much thicker book than even the Speer or Nosler manuals. As others have posted, yes, it does have a lot of Lee equipment promotion. But hey, it is his company, that is the equipment he knows and loves best and if you own Lee equipment or want to know more about it then this is a great reference.
I currenly use the Lee Challenger press and am going to try the Factory Crimp Die as a separate die step. Most of my other equipment has been RCBS and Hornady mostly because that is what is sold at local store. I have to admit I was a little put off by the recent spat of postings from Mr. Lee about a product refund for another member a while ago on the forum, but I also know how horrible email/forums are for discussing such issues. He probably could have handled it more gracefully, but hey, I am not going to judge a company solely on one Internet thread. So far his equipment has worked fine for me and I enjoy his writing style and information in the manual.
Some of the things I like about the book so far:
* Pretty complete loading data as it is compiled form all the powder manufacturers and includes one of the best listgs for cast bullets.
* Personal style: Richard Lee obviously speaks form the heart and loves his business and the hobby of reloading. I have never read a manual that so well expresses the sheer fun of operating your own little manufacturing plant and working with precision tools.
* Lots of background on not just what Lee tools do and how to use them, but the history behind them, why and how they came about and have been refined.
* He makes a good case for volume measuring versus weight measuring of powder. Most people I know use a powder measure which is a volume method. They calibrate it against a scale because all data usually is given in grains of powder. But if we are going to end up using a volume type of device anyway, why not just start with load data in a standard measurement (Lee uses cc)? I give him kudos for breaking out of the weight mindset and promoting a scientific rational and method for volume based measurement of powder. He is right that the markings on my RCBS micrometer measure are arbitrary and it would be helpful if it was in something like hundredths of a cc or something.
* Listing of cartridges is more extensive than any other manual I have seen (Speer, Lyman, Nosler, Hornady, Hodgdon new and old, Accurate, etc.). Everything from severl .17 cal to the 50 BMG
* Each cartridge typically has several bullet weights, almost as many cast as jacketed, and usually special situations (Gold Dot and XTP, etc.). Each bullet weight usually has at least a dozen or more powders listed. A detailed drawing with dimensions is provided for each cartridge including useful case capacity in cc.
* Each listing has starting and max weights of powder, velocity, pressure, min OAL, volume equivalent and specs for the Lee scoops and Auto Disk measure. Some even have conversion factors for figuring the changes in pressure and velocity by each grain reduction in the powder. Great for figuring reduced loads. I have not seen this capability in any other manual.
* He is honest about not needing a ton of equipment. Other manufacturers may promote additional tools with varying emphasis on how important it is to start nano-measuring or nano-trimming, etc. I think Mr. Lee does a good job about imparting practical advice as to what is a good balance between usefula dn superfolous. For instance, is primer flash hole deburring really necessary (he thinks not as most cases are well made and do not require it). Also, many shooters are not trying to milk the last .10 inch of accuracy from their loads and would like an honest assessment whether another tool and loading step is really worth the expense and effort.
Anything I don't like? Not really. I found his product discussions more as a man in love with a hobby and proud of his company and thrilled by innovation with an eye toward provding quality equipment at an affordable cost.
I had already ordered a Lee Hand Press and FCDs. After reading this I might give some other Lee products a try such as the dippers, some dies if I can't locate my .40 S&W ones soon, and a case trimmer if I ever get around to that step.
I also like the Lyman, Speer and Nosler manuals a lot, but the Lee manul is now on my must have list for recommending to newbies. The new Annual format of the Hodgdon manual disapponints me, but I am willing to try it for a while and see how it works out over the years. It used to have lots of good reloading instructions and now just has articles. It used to have listings for most powder manufacturers and now just has Hodgdon. The best would be if they publish the book format every 5-10 years and use the annual magazine format for in-between updates.
Anyway you cut it reloading is fun and thaks to Mr. Lee for contributing his knowledge and enthusiasm to the "body of knowledge."
