which new reloading manual?

[1858rem]

got a birthday coming up and i think its a good time to get some new books.

im sorry, this i am sure has been covered a lot but my search keeps freezing up(dialup:banghead


i only have the lee manual and a ton of free pamphlets....so what would be a good new addition? i only load 38spl, 204, 45colt, 308, soon 9mm mak,9mm luger, 30-30 and maybe 380 acp or 44mag. i shoot mostly lead if that helps.

 

[rcmodel]

Lyman #49.

No other book covers both jacketed & cast lead bullets as well.

rc

 

[Smokey Joe]

New Manual...

1858 Rem--Since you shoot mostly lead bullets, the Lyman's Cast Bullet Manual, 3rd edition, might be a good addition to yr bkshelf. It's kind of dated, but it's Lyman's latest for cast bullets.

Lyman just came out with a new "general" reloading manual. That one is Lyman's Reloading Handbook, 49th edition. It has cast bullet entries for each cartridge, but nowhere near the variety of bullets of the Cast Bullet Manual. This one is a more or less "standard reference" for reloaders.

I like the Lyman books because Lyman does not manufacture powder, primers, jacketed bullets, or brass, so they don't favor any one maker of these things. But, by the same token, Lyman does make bullet moulds, so guess who is the one mould maker's cast bullet designs they cover!

You pays your money and you takes your choice.

 

[1858rem]

thanks, the lee is a good starter, but needs more info

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

I suggest "The rise and fall of liberalism".....oh! Shooot! It has not been writtent yet. :banghead:

Just kidding. Lyman is the one to have on your bookshelve too I think.
I have the pistol one and it is very well presented.

I wish rcmodel would write one too. I am sure with his posts, he wrote like 2-3 books at least....hehehehe

 

[Superlite27]

+1 on the Lyman #49

I'm still using a #47 and really want to replace it as it is getting old. Out of all the manuals I have, I like it the best as it has, IMHO, the best cast bullet info available. It covers most powder, bullet, and case data, and it does so fairly non-biased as far as manufacturers go.

 

[Bob J]

Another vote for Lyman..... One of the best.....

 

[jcwit]

I to think the Lyman is my first pick, also the Lyman Cast bullet reloading manual.

I also happen to like the Lee Reloading Manual. Many say Mr. Lee only talks highly of their own products but I never walked into a Burger King and see signs telling me how good McDonalds are.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Lyman of course, and the Hodgdon annual for a second source to double check data.

The Sierra manual is full of usefull information, but has no data for lead bullets. Only for those dollar-a-shot Sierra bullets.

The ABC's of reloading is a good book for tips and tricks, but no hard data.

 

[DukeInMaine]

Sorry, but having been a reloader for 35+ years, I have grown partial to the Speer book, currently at Volume #14.

I have found it to be :
1) Well laid out
2) Pictorially complete (lots of pictures to describe the words they include)
3) Scientifically backed up
4) Logical (for me)
5) Understandable (some of the tables in some of the other books are a nightmare to understand)
6) Complete (they do a heck o a good job at updating it for powders, etc)
7) Informative (lots of good background info for many of the common cartridges.)

So, the current SPEER book gets my vote.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree the Speer manual is very good.
However, the OP said:

i shoot mostly lead if that helps.

That means to me the Lyman #49 is the best book for him.

rc

 

[edSky]

I have Lyman #49 and Speer #14 and right now I favor the Speer book.

I am getting the Sierra manual later this week, so who knows?

 

[Randy1911]

If you shoot mostly pistol calibers, the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook is a good one. It covers calibers not usally found in other books. It also has sections on casting bullets and Cowboy shooting.

 

[Bboomer]

A deal for You!

Click Here!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lyman #49.

No other book covers both jacketed & cast lead bullets as well.

rc

I totally agree, especially because you shoot lead bullets. If you are going to buy only 1 new manual I would buy the Lyman #49. A few months back I bought the hard cover because it was on sale for the price of the soft cover.

 

[1858rem]

ok so lyman 49th for sure, does it cover the 204 ruger pretty well to? is there another book that would be good for the 204, i got a pretty good load already though

 

[Seedtick]

I wish rcmodel would write one too. I am sure with his posts, he wrote like 2-3 books at least....hehehehe

+1
Me too.

ST

 

[ArchAngelCD]

does it cover the 204 ruger pretty well to?

I'm looking at the 204 Ruger page right now.
They list 12 different powders for the 32gr and 40gr Jacketed V-Max bullet.
They list 10 different powders for the 45gr Jacketed SP bullet.
That sounds like good coverage to me, no?

 

[kd4tsc]

Just stay away from Lee.
Lyman, Speer, Hornady are good as is Hodgdon.

 

[Seedtick]

I really enjoyed the second edition of Modern Reloading by Lee. Sure he's biased but it is still a good read and it has a lot of load data. But, that's just me. YMMV

I've just started on the 49th by Lyman and it looks good too. I also have the Lyman for pistol and revolver but I haven't had a chance to look it over yet.

ST

 

[ilmonster]

Thanks Bboomer, just picked up one from Midsouth! Great price.