How many reloading manuals does everyone have? Which one do you use most of the time? I have several and I always go to my lyman 49 edition most of the time. Just curious
I've kinda lost count. I'm guessing I have somewhere between 8-10. It depends on the components I'm working with as to which book I go to. Hornady and Lyman 49th manuals are my current go-to books. Ken Waters' Pet Loads is nice, but lots of the info is dated. Lee just seems to be a collection of mix and match info with little rhyme or reason - but sometimes has exactly what you're looking for.
They all have good info to pick through though. If you need to extrapolate and explore components that aren't well documented, it's good to have a larger pool of data to comb through.
16 plus half a dozen mfg guides from 2008. I have only been reloading 4 years but I enjoy all the manuals I have, even if they were from before my time. You can never have too many IMO.
Ebay and gun shows are a good place to find older manuals. Usually around $10 shipped each
"How many reloading manuals does everyone have? Which one do you use most of the time? "
I haven't a clue how many everyone has but I have well over two dozen plus a lot of manufactor 'freebies' as well as on-line info. The one I go to first depends on what I'm looking for. Does that help?
I have at least 2 dozen 9 of which are books the rest pamphlets put out by powder and bullet makers. I also have information on given powders/bullet combinations that I use regularly. Though I have the Lyman 49th handbook I rarely use it since it seems limited on powder/bullet combinations. The current Hornady is also about like the Lyman in that respect but the last addition I use more than both. I probably use the Lee 2nd addition more than most however my favorites are mostly "The Complete Reloading Manual for the xxx" (name the caliber), I have 4 of them. I have added a lot of the web sites information from powder and bullet makers to my Complete Reloading manuals that I've printed out. I do find bullet powder combos that work across all and use them to cross reference as well as my own records of what I've loaded and how well it worked for a given application.
I only have 3 and I use the Lyman #49 most often.
I my books don't have it I get the info online. I don't mean from forums. I get it from the powder or bullet manufactorer.
I have no idea how many I have cause I have never bothered counted them In the reloading room I have an accumulation that my grandfather started in the 40's to this years current data all in paper form. It spans a 4 foot shelf with some stacked on top. From old Belding & Mull books from the 40's-50's and Ideal handbooks up to #42 from the 30's-50's and Lyman manuals and everything from Speer, Hornaday, Sierra, Norma, Nosler, Remington, Winchester, Ramshot, Alcan, Handloader and a host of others that escape me just now. I think that reloading book collecting is a sub hobby of mine.
Yes, I enjoy reading what the author(s) had to say about each cartridge back in the day if the book includes that information.
As an aside, I have a couple 1930s-1940s gunsmithing books that were my grandfather's. They are enjoyable to read. Of course, many of the processes have not changed if the firearm design is the same has not changed. (no articles on ARs.)
6-8 books I believe.
I almost always end up looking towards the Lyman 49th as well.
then cross reference data from one book to the next and the online data as well.
A bunch. The current Sierra and Hornady 6th edition are the two I go to the most, I use the Speer manual a lot also, good general information in the Lee manual, but I tend to stay within the guidelines of the bullet manufacturers for my loads. I don't have the Lyman manual may have to buy that also.
I have 4 but also have a loaddata account and get probably 90% of my data from http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp. It is really nice to check printed manuals and websites against each other.
Anyone care to donate one to a youth who is trying to get into the hobby? I will be mentoring him. Maybe you have a duplicate you can part with. Prefer one that has explanations of the reloading process and steps. PM me if you care to send one.
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