Lyman 50th reloading manual.

[AJC1]

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.

I disagree completely and I'm sure many felt the same when smokeless first came out. The 45-70 and 45c have been around a while and anything smokeless is a newer powder to them, and lead is basically their diet. I love that ramshot publishes new data for old lead chuckers. I would buy a 3rd lyman manual if they kept some data current like 7.7 and 6.5×55. Baaically an old military addendum.

 

[EricBu]

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.

Relying on a single loading manual is like sticking to the missionary style. Sure, it might get the job done.........but you're missing out on an entire world of options. Get data from the bullet company you like, get data from the powder company you like, get a subscription to loaddata.com, buy other manuals, get a subscription to handloaders magazine, buy books on the specific cartridges that you like.......the world is your oyster!

 

[Howa 9700]

As somewhat of a newb myself, my first modern era manual was to upgrade from our old Lyman 45th to a 50th. Yes, there have been lots of changes, but as for the basics, remarkably the same. Some of the loads are even the same. But as for the manual itself, in my opinion, they could have done better. In the up front "how to" sections, a lot of duplication, while a lot of things on how to of load development missing. Then some really complicated stuff that wouldn't matter to 99% of their readers. They go from grade school to high school to grad school......but skipped past college. Even so, of the 6 or so hard copy sources of load data I have, the Lyman 50th is the most complete.

As for the load data itself, what all appear to do is to present an a small selection of commonly available powders, but none of them list them all. They tend to stick with the most popular all stars......some from each brand, and fast to slow for the caliber and bullet. What one omits, another may include, ergo the need for multiple sources. I also find it remarkable that start load for some is close to max load from others. Yet another reason to have multiples. I have adopted habit of finding at least 3 sources of load data for the powder and bullet I'm using and consider all 3 when looking at my start and max loads.

Of the manuals I have, load data in the Lee Reloading manual is the most complete, and includes a lot of data on powders none of the others have, but even that doesn't have them all. Only place I've seen reference to Shooter's World powders is in the Hornady handbook.

But as for the 6.5 Creedmoor, I find it almost falling down funny that is the least covered popular caliber in the Lee manual. In some cases, they only list 4 or 5 powders, while the same bullet in 260 Rem may have a couple dozen powders. I am loading for the 6.5 Creedmoor, and best sources of data have been Lyman 50th, Hornady Handbook and the Hodgdon 2021 Annual.

 

[Bazoo]

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.

I was referring to both. 44 special, 45 acp, 30-30. I don't see it as a waste, you can run cast at full speed in 30-30, and obviously in pistol cartridges.

 

[mdi]

For whatever reason, I'm interested in trying all the new powders in my old cartridges using cast bullets.

I like experimenting so lately I've been using a lot of CFE Pistol in my "old/vintage calibers". My Lyman 50th doesn't have data nor my Lyman 4th. No big deal, I have my Hodgdon 2021 manual.

Maybe for a new, uninformed reloader, new powders in "old" calibers/cartridges is a "waste of time", but not for any experienced reloader I know. How old is the 38 Special or 30-06? If these cartridges don't benefit from "modern" powders, I might go to black powder guns (and shun the BP substitute powders too!) ...

 

[packetloss]

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.

To be honest, I don't bother with reloading manuals anymore. They are good for learning the basics of reloading, but for load data I get it either from the bullet manufacturer (mostly for rifle) and also the powder manufacturer. The fundamental issue is all these books have load data that are based on a specific setup. Your most likely not going to have the same setup that they have anyway, so it's not going to be any better or more useful than working up your own loads based off manufacturers data (powder and/or bullet).

 

[thegatman]

Hornady's latest is the newest of the manuals out there. It might be worth it for 6.5 CM loads.

I use it as it has loads for the copper bullets in 308.

 

[Stumper]

The more manuals the better. My top 3 are Hodgdon 26, Lyman 50 and Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd Edition....but I have shelf full and they ALL help at various times.

 

[Weflyfast]

If you are going to get serious about reloading get as much data as you can- -multiple manuals from a bunch of manufacturers!
Also- loaddata.com is a good resource.

There is a good variety of bullet weights and loads on the current Hornady manual and it is available for purchase and download.

Good shooting-

 

[TheClasonater]

Lyman's manuals were the first I picked up, so I buy them for mostly sentimental reasons at present. They can seem limited, but offer a dabble into different bullet selection (Hornady, Swift, etc...) and are great for cross referencing bullet weights. I buy Loadbooks but rarely crack them open. More and more, I find myself reaching for the Speer for the data, Berger for the write up, and Nosler because well... it's really nicely done.

 

[MFInc]

I have the 50th and was kind of let down as I also have the lyman mini book for pistol loads and it was the same data as the 50th. I also have a caliber specific manual for 40s+w/10mm loads that has the bullet manufactures data as well as all the powder makers data.

 

[kcofohio]

Lyman's 50th, and their 4 Edition of Pistols and Revolvers, Hornady's 10th, and Western Powder's, are my most looked at manuals. Lee's, I consider a good learning tool for beginners, and a, oh, what did I do wrong, correction.

Hodgon, Speer, and Nosler have available data online. I have been a member of Ammoguide for several years. I have found some good reference points I couldn't find otherwise.

I have the Loadbooks USA for most all the cartridges I load for. They come in handy once in a while.

One manual I still need to get is Sierra's. I seem to be acquiring more of their bullets lately.