Which reloading manual do you take as gospel?

[shenck]

All of them

When coming up with a new load I look at most if not all of my books, I look at all of the reloading web sites, I consider past experience, then I let common sense take over. Allways start with the starting loads and work up from there.

 

[2400]

Holy #$#% 2400... How much have you spent on reloading manuals? That's impressive to say the very least.

I've been loading since the late 60's. I keep buying manuals as they come out. I also keep records on all the loads I work up and I chrono almost every load.

The old "obsolete" manuals help with some of my old guns. Sometimes that's the only place I can find any loading info.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

The one I made up for 9mm. It consists of every bit of data and magazine article I could find...



Grouped by powder and bullet.

 

[Art Eatman]

If you ever run across a copy of Phil Sharpe's "Complete Guide To Handloading" and it's under a hundred bucks, buy it. I have the 1952 (Well, I'm to lazy to go look-see if it's 1951) edition. The post-WW II edition. It not only gives loads for cartridges most folks never heard of, it gives the history for each. Also, the descriptions of equipment and methods from "way back when" are a wonderful history of our avocation.

Art

 

[CZ57]

None of them are gospel, but I'm with BigG. The Lyman manuals show pressure data where the others don't and there are also some articles you won't find in the other manuals.

 

[roo_ster]

Art:

I picked up a 1953 (third edition?) copy of Sharpe's book a month or so back.

The term substantial comes to mind when lokking at, reading, and hefting it.

Now, I need Waters' Pet Loads.

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Anybody have more suggestions for "classic*" reloading books?


* No offense to those for whom a "classic" book to me is something you bought hot off the press. Just consider yourself a "classic" reloader.

 

[FortyRodRay]

handloading

I use P. O. Ackley first but sure wish Sharpe was around to update his CGTH. I use Lee/Hornady to update modern powders. First manual was early 50's Lyman Ideal I got with old second hand press in 1956/7. I believe that there is something to be gained in all the manuals so I try to stay current. I also have a little Chrony but it gets mighty dusty. I just want to get out and shoot.

... and I do miss HiVel #2.

Ray Strong

Re:shock

Art,

First time I ever purchased powder, it was in 1952 and the powder was 3f Du Pont black powder. I bought a little envelope full for $.25 from York Arms. They even threw in a few percussion caps. It was a different century.... but I digress.