Need a second (and maybe a third) reloading manual

[The Wiry Irishman]

I have the Lyman 49th, and although its gotten me off to a decent start, I've found that it has a frustrating lack of variety in bullet weights and designs, and its .45 ACP data (what I load the most of) lists overall lengths that stick in my FNP magazines and won't fit through the ejection port in a 1911. I've decided I'm going to pick up one, maybe two more manuals, and am looking for recommendations. Which ones have the most/best cast data?

 

[drumz2129]

I use Speer #14, Hornady #7, and the Hodgdon 2009 annual reloading manual. Sofar they have covered just about all the loads i have looked up. Most of the major bullet and powder companies have info on their websites, so you can look there too.

 

[rcmodel]

Which ones have the most/best cast data?

The Lyman #49.

Everyone elses manuals only cover the brand of bullets they make, and few make cast bullets.
Or list data for them.

However, you say the Lyman #49 "has a frustrating lack of variety in bullet weights and designs".

Shirley, you jest!

I just checked, and nothing they list in .45 ACP is long enough to stick in a 1911 ejection port.

GI Mil-Spec 230 grain FMJ-RN is loaded to 1.271".
They list the same bullet at .1275".
They list the 230 grain LRN at 1.272".
.001" - .004" isn't going to cause an ejection port problem.
Or a pressure problem if you seat to 1.270".

And every other bullet in the book is shown with a shorter OAL then that.

rc

 

[edelbrock]

I use the Lyman #49 and the Hornady 7th edition. There is also a lot of good information and loads on powder and bullet manufacturers websites. I probably use the Hodgdon website more than the manuals.

 

[FredT]

I always enjoyed the Lyman and Speer. I always thought the Hornady manual was a book of dream velocities when you compare it to the others. I have one anyway.

 

[dat2]

I have the Speer 8, 11 and 13, Hornady, Nosler, and Hodgen.
I look through all of them and compare

 

[ranger335v]

"..its .45 ACP data (what I load the most of) lists overall lengths that stick in my FNP magazines and won't fit through the ejection port in a 1911.'

Attempts to make book OAL work in our own firearms is doomed to frustration. The book makers list what they used to develop their loads in their firearms, it aint't a law. Their guns ain't ours, even if it should be the same brand and model. If we slavishly load exactly like them we've only made good ammo for them.

Make your OAL what it has to be to shoot and function correctly and don't worry about it.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Shirley, you jest!

I just checked, and nothing they list in .45 ACP is long enough to stick in a 1911 ejection port.

GI Mil-Spec 230 grain FMJ-RN is loaded to 1.271".
They list the same bullet at .1275".
They list the 230 grain LRN at 1.272".
.001" - .004" isn't going to cause an ejection port problem.
Or a pressure problem if you seat to 1.270".

Loading out to the full 1.272, I can't eject loaded rounds from my 1911 (Kimber Custom II) I have to lock the slide back and shake them out the mag well. Also, they stick in my FNP mags to the point the follower won't move them. I've fixed it by seating to about 1.265, but I'd like to up my load closer to max, and I don't have enough experience to just wing it. I was kind of hoping there was something out there that had different OAL data.

I've also noticed a lack of typical bullet weights in calibers I'd like to start reloading. For example, there's no 95 grain cast data for .380. In situations like this I know you're supposed to move up to the next heaviest bullet, but the next heaviest bullet is... I seem to have misplaced my manual, but if I recall, its 110, and the starting and max charge weights are vastly different.

And don't call me Shirley!