Which is your favorite reload manual????

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An old spiral-binded Lyman from about 1972.

However, for exact bullet details, I go with the company that made the bullet. I use the Barnes manual a lot as I load a lot of Triple Shock bullets. Having the B.C. is nice to plug into my ballistic software to get the EXACT trajectory based on Chronied loads on still days.
 
I have an old Speer manual, #7 I think. Contain's a lot more information than my Lyman for some specialized bullet making techniques. It's my favorite.
 
i've got to admit I try and reference the bullet manufacturers data first if at all possible. Here at the house I have Speer #10, Sierra #3 and #5, Lyman #49, and I live close enough to a gun store to reference the open Hornady, and Barnes manuals if needed.
 
Modern Reloading by Mr. Lee. It's a simple entry level manual, but has surprising depth of load information and I find myself returning to it over and again.
 
It's not cheap, it's what works best for you. I never use Sierra bullets, so I'd never buy a Sierra manual... having lots of data is a good thing, but having data that doesn't apply to you isn't worth $15.

thorn
 
I have the Lee Modern Reloading and the Hornady 8th. But I usually go to the powder and/or bullet manufacturers web sites for the most current information. I plan to pick up the Lymans 49 as it seems to be well sanctioned and highly spoken of book on most of the reloading sites that I visit.

For the odd stuff that I reload and can't find data on, I usually speak with the powder manufacturers ballistics technician for their input.
 
I find the current powder manufacturers' load data and Lyman #49 make an excellent combination.

I often use generic bulk commercial bullets instead of premium bullets specified in published load data and especially for lead loads, Lyman #49 provides valuable reference that are often lacking in current load data from powder manufacturers.

At least for pistol jacketed/plated/lead loads, I have yet to not be able to find loads to reference between the two resources.
 
Nearly all my jacketed bullets come from Sierra or Hornady and those are the manuals I use. Also use online data from some of the powder companies.
 
Modern Reloading Second Edition with the Cast Bullet loads and Reduced loads. It also happens to be the latest one I've bought!
 
ABC's of Reloading is my favorite manual.

I also get info from speer #14, Powder and bullet manufacturers, and I have caliber specific manuals which is just several manuals conveniently rolled into one.
 
If I was limited to one it would have to be PET LOADS by Ken Waters ,really great info in that book.
 
I have several because so many bullet/powder combinations vary depending on which manual you choose to look at. I consult three before I start reloading a new load. This is especially true when working up to a max load as I do not trust "typical" signs of high pressure. The option is to buy a chronograph and trust it's velocity readings over suggested max load info in a manual. You can get a Chrony brand for around the price of three manuals ($100).
 
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