ModificationVt
Member
So I am looking to expand my reloading manual library, and was wondering what people thought the top three must have manuals are?
I currently only have two
Lyman #49
Speer #14
I currently only have two
Lyman #49
Speer #14
top 3 reloading manuals
- Thread starter ModificationVt
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The Bushmaster
Member
Wow! Top three manuals you want. That is going to be a long list. My list?
Lyman
Sierra
Hornady
Lyman
Sierra
Hornady
earlthegoat2
Member
#1 Lyman
#2 Hornady or any of the others
#3 The others
#2 Hornady or any of the others
#3 The others
I use the Lyman and the Lee, plus the Hodgdon online databse.
My Loadbooks for .380/9mm/.45ACP shipped yesterday from Midway USA.They are reported to contain a very extensive compilation of caliber specific data? I dunno, but for under $10 a piece it seemed worth the investment since I only reload those three calibers.
My Loadbooks for .380/9mm/.45ACP shipped yesterday from Midway USA.They are reported to contain a very extensive compilation of caliber specific data? I dunno, but for under $10 a piece it seemed worth the investment since I only reload those three calibers.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
My "go too" manuals are the current:
Lyman #49
Hodgdon 2009 Magazine
Speer #13
Hornady #4 & #6.
I also have:
A couple of older Sierra.
Several older Speer & Hornady
Two older Lyman.
All the powder companies brochures I have been able to scrounge over the years.
The Lee, which I seldom bother to look at.
And an older "Cartridges of the World" for really odd-balls.
Also years of "Handloader" magazines flagged for calibers of interest.
rc
Lyman #49
Hodgdon 2009 Magazine
Speer #13
Hornady #4 & #6.
I also have:
A couple of older Sierra.
Several older Speer & Hornady
Two older Lyman.
All the powder companies brochures I have been able to scrounge over the years.
The Lee, which I seldom bother to look at.
And an older "Cartridges of the World" for really odd-balls.
Also years of "Handloader" magazines flagged for calibers of interest.
rc
Birdhunter1
Member
I have Nosler's latest edition, Sierra's CD rom version ?, Lee Shooter program with VihtaVourhi, Hodgdon, and IMR books and a Loadbooks USA for every caliber I own.
PRE 64 JOE
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Lyman #44 I'm OLD. 
kimbernut
Member
Manuals
My top 3 other than your currently owned:
#1- Hodgdon
#2- Hornady
#3- Sierra
When you can pickup a copy of Pet Loads by Ken Waters- what a wealth of information!
My top 3 other than your currently owned:
#1- Hodgdon
#2- Hornady
#3- Sierra
When you can pickup a copy of Pet Loads by Ken Waters- what a wealth of information!
rfwobbly
Member
I'm with Bushmaster...
Lyman, Sierra, Hornady
Lyman, Sierra, Hornady
NotSoFast
Member
Hornady
Lyman
Hodgdon's 2009 Annual Manual (because it's cheap)
Sierra
Lyman
Hodgdon's 2009 Annual Manual (because it's cheap)
Sierra
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well, it's right there on 1/2 of page 153, and spills over into 1/2 of page 154 in my 2009 Hodgdon magazine annual.
12 .38 Super bullets are listed in all, with all suitable powders.
Then that is followed by .38 Super +P with another five bullets.
rc
12 .38 Super bullets are listed in all, with all suitable powders.
Then that is followed by .38 Super +P with another five bullets.
rc
If you cast bullets I will say Lyman is number one. But I don't cast bullets. I tend to turn towards the bullets I buy. I finally bought the 49th manual about 2 weaks ago so I can't put too much opinion on it. But my opinion anyway.
1-Hornady I think Hornady has many good bullets for a fair price.
2-Nosler
3-Speer
4-Barnes. I'm slowly liking copper. But not the price so much though.
1-Hornady I think Hornady has many good bullets for a fair price.
2-Nosler
3-Speer
4-Barnes. I'm slowly liking copper. But not the price so much though.
NCsmitty
Member
Any of the Lyman manuals is necessary for the library, but I rely on the powder manufacture/distributor's websites for the bulk of my data.
NCsmitty
NCsmitty
TxBaaylea
Member
an oldie but goody
I am not sure there is really a "best" manual. Each has it strong points. One I am sure few of you knew or remember is Phillipe B. Sharpe's, Complete Guide to Reloading. The last edition was 3rd ed. rev2, published 1953.
My personal copy disappeared in our last move so I requested a copy from my local library by Inter Library Loan. I was looking for .38-40 rifle loads and not the watered down loads currently published. A lot of the powders are obsolete and I am sure that those still around have been reformulated but it did give me a few starting points and an idea of pressure limits.
I also found data for my 6mm Lee Navy Winchester so I can start working up a load for that
If you are interested in how much load data has been reduced in this era of liability lawyers you might get a look at a copy and compare data.
Vernon
I am not sure there is really a "best" manual. Each has it strong points. One I am sure few of you knew or remember is Phillipe B. Sharpe's, Complete Guide to Reloading. The last edition was 3rd ed. rev2, published 1953.
My personal copy disappeared in our last move so I requested a copy from my local library by Inter Library Loan. I was looking for .38-40 rifle loads and not the watered down loads currently published. A lot of the powders are obsolete and I am sure that those still around have been reformulated but it did give me a few starting points and an idea of pressure limits.
I also found data for my 6mm Lee Navy Winchester so I can start working up a load for that
If you are interested in how much load data has been reduced in this era of liability lawyers you might get a look at a copy and compare data.
Vernon
David Wile
Member
Hey Mod,
Like many of the others, the Lyman manual would be my first, then Hornady, followed closely by Speer. While I do not have the newest editions of these manuals, I do have all the Lyman manuals going back to 42nd or 43rd, and about four editions of the Hornady and Speer manuals.
I also have a whole bunch of other loading manuals, but my first choice would be the Lyman, and that is what I would recommend any new reloader to get for a "first" manual. Several editions of my early Lyman manuals included shotshell data as well as metallic. Now I also have three manuals dedicated to shotshells.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
Like many of the others, the Lyman manual would be my first, then Hornady, followed closely by Speer. While I do not have the newest editions of these manuals, I do have all the Lyman manuals going back to 42nd or 43rd, and about four editions of the Hornady and Speer manuals.
I also have a whole bunch of other loading manuals, but my first choice would be the Lyman, and that is what I would recommend any new reloader to get for a "first" manual. Several editions of my early Lyman manuals included shotshell data as well as metallic. Now I also have three manuals dedicated to shotshells.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
jacob.elliott
Member
hornady, nosler, and norma
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