Lyman 50th reloading manual.

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Waterboy3313

Waterboy3313

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Not ranting or raving here, just more along the lines of curiosity. I got my 50th edition of the Lyman reloading manual today. Being a somewhat new reloader I'm just curious to what more experienced think of this book.

I just bought a 6.5 creedmoor and was hoping for a good bit of load data for the cartridge. I'm not saying I'm disappointed but was hoping for more load data / combinations of bullets and powder. The reason I chose to order this manual was based upon the reason that it's not published by one powder company or one specific bullet company. I was hoping that this reason would possibly expand my combos in a time of hard to find components.

I also purchased the load book on the 6.5 creedmoor cartridge specific book. For like $4.99. being cartridge specific unexpected a better list of powder/bullet combos than what the Lyman manual offered. Obviously it's Data collected from several sources so expected more from it for the specific cartridge. I'm not disappointed.

Like I said just curious what others think.
 
I don't have the 50th, and I'm not familiar with 6.5 data, but I get what you're saying. A hot new round like that will likely keep having new data available a while.

My favorite, the 30-30.... not so much. It's data ain't changed in 40 years or so. I'd like to see all the new rifle powders tested in it with both jacketed and cast bullets. I'd like to see a raft of data for all the lee bullets, as well as the classic 31141. But it likely won't happen. The reason is, most of the folks that love and load the 30-30 are old and set in their ways. They don't care for the new powders. They want tried and true.

I was excited to see Lee 309-150-F data in the Lyman cast bullet handbook 4th edition, for the 30-30. A step in the right direction.
 
I don't load for 30.30 yet. I got my grandfathers old marlin 336 for Christmas last year. I actually got it out last weekend. Had a lot of fun with it too. It is something I plan on loading for hopefully when components become more available.
 
You have to reach out to the manufacturer. I did by email to several... Sierra, Berger, Barnes and they all sent me data on what I was inquiring about. Some places make bullets and don't provide data, they tell you to use similar data. Just remember to start low and work your way up regardless of whatever data you get or how you get it. You might get a recommended load from what someone posts on a forum, but don't just go out and load it to that spec. In fact, you should not even load like that till you get a lot of time on the press. There are plenty of mistakes to make till you get your system down without adding in a catastrophic mistake guessing with other people's load data.

Before you reach out to the manufacturers, just make sure you have the bullet number and what you'll be using it with. For example, Sierra #2275 .30 cal can be used in 308, 30-06, 300 WM, 300 WSM, etc... They may send you data just for what you ask for or send you data for all the platforms.
 
A reloading manual that has everything one wants would be the size of the Encyclopedia Britannica. It's just not reasonably possible.

FWIW, I like the Lyman better than any of the other manuals on the market, but I've still got four other titles and who knows how much load data from magazine articles, Internet sources, etc. A good manual gets you into the game, but it's really only first base.
 
The manual is the starting block and a great place to log tests add in loads you developed. I'm of the dirty manual club where a well worn and written in manual is a tomb of experience and useful information.
 
It's been my experience that 30-30 is a pussycat for loading. Very easy to find a good load. It probably is in part to levergun 30-30s not being bench rest accurate. I can do 3 shot groups in the 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" at 75 yards with my handloads and some factory, in my winchester 94. It's consistent. It opens up after that some. Let it cool, and it does it again.

I do warm it up shooting at cans and such though. I shoot it more like a giant 22 rifle than a small 30-06. And for fast close shots, it excels.
 
I have the Lyman 50th and share the O.P.s opinion. I also have the Hogdon and Hornady. The Hogdon has been the most useful to me, but I check the others for reference and other powders.
 
I'm wondering if some don't realize how much work goes into testing loads and editing/publishing updated manuals? Some loads are still listed in CUP! The 6.5s are the "New Cool Cartridge" and not a lot of testing has been done. I have not depended on one manual since the eary '70s and yes there are newer powders and newer cartridges not in every manual (my Lyman does not show any CFE Pistol loads, so I just grab my Hodgdon manual, BFD!). I tried a couple of the "one cartridge" load pamphlets and found the data to be old and just a bunch of copies of other published manual data. The Lyman manuals are normaly my go to first for research, but they are not perfect and I don't know of any that are...
 
Bazoo said:
most of the folks that love and load the 30-30 are old and set in their ways. They don't care for the new powders. They want tried and true.
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Hey! I resemble that remark. :cuss::scrutiny::neener:

New-shiny gets a lot more press than old-dull every day, in every hobby. Not surprising. The good news is, almost every bullet maker now has data for 6.5CM and magazines like Handloader go WAAAAY overboard with new-shiny. I suggest getting a paid online subscription to Handloader if you want the latest-greatest loading data for the current new-shiny hot cartridge.
 
rfwobbly said:
For that Lyman has a cast bullet manual.
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I have the Lyman cast bullet handbook 4th. As well as the rcbs cast bullet manual. The Lyman doesn't have any updated material on the less popular calibers.
 
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I like to have several sources of data to look at. Yes, it can get pricey to buy several printed books, but most of the powder manufacturers have an on line presence that do not cost to use.

The Lyman manuals do have a range of information. Get the manual from the bullet manufacturer you are planning to use most or contact the manufacturer as armydog said.

Hodgdon usually publishes a reloading data magazine every winter.

Several data sources gives one a range of different options to choose from.

But you have to remember, for the most part, a manufacturer will only have data in their publications for the products they make. Hornady will not test Speer bullets, Alliant will not test Hodgdon powders. And so forth.
 
Bazoo said:
For whatever reason, I'm interested in trying all the new powders in my old cartridges using cast bullets.
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Hopefully you are referring to pistol cartridges. I'm a relatively new reloader, but using modern rifle powders with cast lead would be a waste of components and time, in my opinion. Unless, maybe something like CFE 300 Blk with a heavy, slow moving bullet.
 
CoalCrackerAl said:
Hornady's latest is the newest of the manuals out there. It might be worth it for 6.5 CM loads.
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Yep, especially given that 6.5CM is their baby. However, still limited to their bullets. They do give you a clue, though, by grouping all of their bullets of a given weight together. That indicates that you can probably use their .308 168gr Match load data for Sierra 168 Match Kings, just start low and work up, as always.

I like Lyman, I like Hornady. I use Hodgdon's web-published load data. I guess you can still find the Western Powders pdf to download. I have the Lee's book, but I find the formatting less user friendly and it seems they are publishing load data collected from other sources. It stays on the shelf more than the others.
 
Lymans 3rd cast is the book i use the most. It's falling apart lol. I do have a reprint on hand. Soon time to break it out. I load a lot of rifle with cast data. Saves on the shoulder and wear on the rifle. My son has a 6.5 creedmoor and a 243. He loads hornady 100 grain in the 243 and hornady
130 grain bullets. For the creedmoor With 9-11 grains of red dot for play loads. For full power loads he uses Staball 6.5 i think 39 grains.
 
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