Not impressed with Lyman's manual

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Catpop said:
I learned to reload from reading a 1973 Lyman manual cover to cover (and the help of the local gun store) while in college. As previously mentioned, it was the old book that was plastic bound to lie flat on the bench, lots of illustrations, and downright fun to read.

IMO, Catpop has just illustrated the primary and real value of these manuals ... creating/teaching/energizing (/addicting?) new reloaders. :)
 
I kept hearing people talk about the Lyman's manual, like it's the reloading bible, so I decided to pick one up. I flip to the 9mm pages, since that's my primary reload, and am disappointed. It doesn't have load info for 115 gr FMJ, or the 125 gr lead that I've been using. Am I missing something?
I found the same thing when I bought # 48, and as mentioned in a previous post the Cast Bullet Handbook has more.

Some reloaders convulse at the mention of the MODERN RELOADING 2ND Edition by Richard Lee, it's a compilation from powder and bullet manufacturers that released their data to Lee for publication, he then introduced his loading system that is designed around his products.

IMO it is a go to book for quick reference for load development.

The three manuals I mentioned are setting on my book shelf along with dozens of others. The fact is you can't have to many manuals printed or virtual. Start building your reloading library early, you won't regret spending the money.
I haven't found one yet that I didn't eventually reuse !
 
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read them, then read them again

Quote: "I haven't found one yet that I didn't eventually reuse ! "

Totally agree with the above.

The thing about a manual -any manual- is that you should really study it as if the information was a matter of life and death. It is.

Re-read your manuals from time to time as you gain experience. It is surprising how much more is learned when reading the second or sixth time.
 
I know it's been covered already, but the Lyman's has many loads others don't. And even where the data is sparse, it's helpful to have something different to compare to for seeing how a specific powder behaves.

I also have the Lee Manual, and while it's a handy reference, Lyman's still has useful information not found in the reprints of old powder manuals.
 
"Oh, and when I started reloading, there was no 9mm ammunition or data available in the Western United States. In 1965, I purchased a Star 9mm, but couldn't find ammunition, brass, dies or data for 9mm anywhere. I finally turned some .38 Special brass down by chucking it in my drill press and using a file to get rid of the rim and make an extractor groove, and then cutting it to the proper length for the chamber. I cast some 146 gr. .38 bullets and worked up some loads in the 50 rounds of brass I had made. It worked, right up until the time I sold the gun for $75.00 to someone who thought they might know a source for some European 9mm ammunition........." ReloaderFred

Reloaderfred---Man that is awesome- making that brass when none available! I'd like to do the same with 8mm lebel pistol, but haven't been able to find anything close enough yet.
That's another good thing about some of the reloading manuals, they show you a drawing with dimensions of the finished product. The more info they give, the more apt I am to buy it for reference on the shelf!
 
Catpop,

When I did that, I didn't have any drawings. A friend of my Dad's had brought back a loaded round of 9mm from World War II, and loaned it to me for a pattern. I had that, and the barrel/chamber, and went to work with my drillpress and file. There was a lot of trial and error, but I was able to fire the pistol enough to enjoy it. The data was simply a wild guess, but it functioned the gun, didn't damage the brass, and I could hit the target, so I figured I did good. I didn't keep records back in those days, which was a mistake, so I have no idea what my data was, but probably used SR4756, since that's what I used the most of in .38 Special back then in my old model Blackhawk.

You should be able to make your 8mm Lebel revolver cases from .32-20 brass. For awhile, Fiocchi listed it as a regular item, but with the recent craziness, they may have dropped it. They announced at the SHOT Show in January of this year that their entire production for both their U.S. and Italian plants had already been sold for 2013, and were only taking orders for 2014, and that was just two weeks into the year.....

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
I started loading abt 56 years ago. One manual the Lyman. I have bought several other manuals over the years of different makes. It is interesting to note that many have said the procedural info is of more value than the loading tables. I agree. You gotta have procedure right to begin with. Loading tables are pretty easy to come by these days from bullet and powder manufacturers. I would look for some of that info to compliment your manual. The Lyman manual leans heavily toward lead loading info. Casters love it. As others have said, no one manual has it all and even if you had a bookcase full of books you still don't have it all. Why do you suppose the rest of us have a collection? No one book has it all. Even the Hornady manual for all it does have doesn't even cover all its own bullets. You will soon learn ways to build a load with not the exact recipe, but using info for a similar weight of bullet, as others have suggested. Lots of knowledge on these boards too, ask anytime. I believe the moderation is good here too and don't believe an improper answer would stand the day. It is the sort of thing we don't fool around with. I hate to give loads on forums though, always the chance of typos.... or other mistakes.... We do trade loads online, but always remember, start low and work up. Have fun and be careful.
 
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