Which reloading manual do you like best?

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Dave R

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Just curious what your favorite manual is. I have only used a few, but the more I look at others, the more I like my Speer No. 13.

I like the fact that for each bullet, they list the powders sorted by velocity. Makes powder selection easy.

I like the page on the background of each cartridge which precedes its load data. I read that stuff for entertainment value. Its the ONLY reloading manual I read for entertainment value.

I like the lab notes and technical details.

The loads it lists get a little hot. In fact I found a couple of loads where Speer's starting load is higher than Hodgdon's max load! One max load I tried for .380acp was too hot for my P-3AT. Noticeable case bulges where the feedramp is. Not enough case support. Oh well, that's what the disclaimers about working up are for.

Anyway, that's my favorite. What's yours? I may have to add it to my meager collection...
 
A Hornady manual from the 1970s is the first one I reach for.
I also have a bunch of LoadBooks and Richard Lee's first manual.
 
As you pointed out, sometimes a starting load in one book is hotter than the max load in another book. I don't trust any single source.

My selection of reloading manuals is biased by my almost exclusive use of cast bullets. Preferred books are: Speer, Lyman, Lee, and, of course, the data from the powder company. Of the powder manufacturers, I find Accurate, Hodgdon, Alliant - in that order - to be the most helpful.

Multiple sources can be confusing and contradictory, but at least I know when I'm on firm ground and when to be circumspect.
 
I guess that I use the Lyman as my "default" one but I do refer to the Sierra manual plus an old Hornady manual. I also use the various powder manufacturers' books and pamphlets that are typically available over the web. The first thing I do is to try to check on what was the firearm used for the tests. In .223, for example, you may be trying to load for an AR based upon data taken from a tight chambered bolt gun with a much slower twist and longer barrel.
 
Lyman's is also my default sourcebook. Compared with Nosler, Hornady, Speer, and an old handload manual from the 70's (Grinnell?), and assorted lit from the different manufactures.

I compare everything and read all the notes and add notes where appliccable.
 
Lyman is the best all around imho. Not bullet specific as Hornady, Sierra, Speer is. If it ain't their bullet it ain't listed. Also, Lyman has great cast bullet and reduced loads for rifles. Mucho loading procedures well illustrated.

The Richard Lee book also gives a great overview of all the processes. HTH
 
Lyman. Because they are not limited to just one brand of bullets, powder, primers etc. and they have cast bullet loads also. Loads are also rated for accuracy and factory duplication loads are pointed out. Quantrill
 
Good topic.

I like Speer, Nosler, Lyman, and Accurate Arms for various reasons.

Speer and Nosler give so much information in addition to loading data. Lyman is a great general source especially for cast bullets. Accurate has some good data that several other's overlooked.

Regards,
 
"Best" is a relative term.

My "best" are all the free manuals from the powder companies, because they're free...and free is good

also, because, if I have a certain powder, it tells me all the uses and calibers

my favorite "paid for" book is Lyman. Never could understand why all the fuss about cast bullets. Now that I shoot pistol quite a bit, it makes sense.

I get a little sick to the stomach reading the Lee book. His stuff is great and everybody else's is overpriced crap...at least in his world. Or, they've stolen his patent. Still, it's got calibers (example, the .357 Herrett I'm loading tomorrow) that few others have. .

I guess they've all got good and bad.

Actually, if you want the best variety of powder/bullet/caliber combos, go to http://stevespages.com. He lists a TON of combos for a TON of calibers, including factory and wildcats. Thing I like is it's listed by caliber and then powder. Makes it real easy to match up.
 
All really ... no one book does it all.

Lee edition #2 has excellent reduced load data .. I still use Lyman #47 (not got #48 yet) .... numerous old manuals from way back .... useful for comparitive data. Speer #13 too has good stuff. I also get all the PDF's downloaded that are out there.

Can't check out with too many IMO.
 
I like Lymans 48th the only thing I dont like about it is usually they test with a universal reciever, thats where Speer comes in but they dont have the bullet selection Lyman has. I have the new Lee book also but it looks to me that the load data is copied from free powder manufacturers and it rarely matches my powder with my bullet.
 
Larry .... whatcha been doin this last 7 months eh! 9 posts! sheesh ... so what's your excuse eh?!:p :neener:

Hmmm ..... ''3screws'' ... so I guess you are young ... otherwise it'd be Larry5screws!:D

Sorry! it's gettin late and I feel humerous!:eek:
 
I've got a few manuals and the old Speer #13 would be my favorite for all the info it offers. Before computers we would figure all the tech stuff out with old fashioned pencil and paper and the Speer 13 puts the formulas and figures in easy to understand layman terms. Next in line would be Sierra.
 
My favorite? Speer #8. :neener: It's the only one that lists charges anywhere near what I run in my ruger wheelguns.:D

Seriously though, I don't have a favorite, what I do have is a collection of manuals from the 1940's to present. I use almost all of them for reference when starting with an unfamiliar powder, caliber, etc.

I do like the fact that nosler marks the most accurate loads though.
 
I like the Lyman too. Besides the cast bullet and reduced load data, it seems to list loads with a good selection of powders. I also like the Hogden manual because it is the only powder manufactuer's manual that lists other companys powders.
 
My first manual was the Speer #8 . . . some of the loads in that one were TOO hot, and Speer even removed them from later printings of the #8.

I've found an older Lyman manual I have is very close in terms of published velocity vs. my own actual chronographed velocity in most handguns.

Nosler is interesting, but their .30/06 loads with RL22 powder are WAY optimistic in terms of delivered velocity. (RL22 is still a mighty fine powder in the '06, by the way . . . the best I've found since N-205 disappeared.)

Hornady's 3rd edition is quite useful, and the section on the .375 H&H first put me on the trail of W760 powder, which is now my favorite for both 270 and 300 grain bullets in that fine old cartridge.

Sierra is good, too. The Barnes manual I have contains a few typos, so I don't trust it entirely (all the more reason to "second source" your data when starting with a new powder or cartridge.)

And of course, I get all the "free" data I can, from manufacturer's loading publications.

It's interesting to see how "maximum" loads have been cut back in the last 30 years . . .
 
Ah.......

I have Lyman, Hornady, Speer, and Hodgdon. And some free giveaways from WW-Olin and Alliant.

I buy new loading manuals as they come out.

Powder changes from the manufacturer over time. That is one of the reasons the 'maximum load' changes from the old books. Besides, there is new stuff and new rounds not covered in some of the 'old' books. I have Speer, Pacific and Lyman manuals from the early '70s that do not list several common calibers, like .40 S&W, 10 mm auto, 7.62x39 or .260 Remington.

Information is power. Keep it fresh.
 
Speer No.12, and 13 were my books. However, I have since replaced it with QuickLoad.

-Pat
 
The proper question is, "Which 2 or 3 reloading manuals are your favorites."

Relying on one manual regardless of how good it is, is asking for trouble. All publications have errors. Fact. Deal with it by cross checking 2 to 3 times.
 
I like the lee manual have both 1&2 dont care for lyman 48 like 47 way better .. those are the main ones i use
 
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