Author Topic: Whats your favorite loading manual? (Read 1248 times)

Blue Duck · « **on:** October 03, 2009, 04:29:58 AM »

I have several reloading manulals and in some cases they vary quite a bit on load recomendations. For instance for a .223 shooting a 50 gr. bullet and using H335. Nosler rates the max load at 26.0 gr and Speer rates it at 27.5 gr. Thats quite a difference. I always start low and work up, but if you can't believe the guide what good is it? Whats your favorite manual?

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2009, 05:22:16 AM »

BD

Now you see why more than one source of loading data is almost a must , the reason I say " almost " is if all you load is say Sierra bullets , then use the Sierra data , however if you load both Sierra as well as Nosler or Hornady then you should be using the data for their bullets .

Also most companies use different ways to test loads for their data , some use pressure barrels and some use a standard firearn with a pressure transducer and chronograph . and almost never do they have the same powder lot to work with , so things will be slightly different .

No 2 guns will be exactly the same so one should always work up a load for the gun that the ammo will be used in , much of handloading is still an artform and not exact seince .

stimpy

PS -- I like the Lyman as I shoot a bunch of cast bullets .

Lazermule · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2009, 05:26:06 AM »

buck460XVR · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2009, 05:29:41 AM »

My favorite manual is my reloading log. It tells me what loads work the best in my guns. When I try a new load, I compare all 5 of my published manuals and go from there. When one of them shows a extreme min or max load as compared to the others, I tend to disregard it.

Retsof · « **Reply #4 on:** October 03, 2009, 06:26:59 AM »

I have several manuals but my favorite is the Speer Manual, since to-date I've only used Speer bullets for hunting. One (1) thing I like about the Speer Manual is that Speer uses regular over-the-counter type rifles to generate their reloading data. That may be why my reloads for the one (1) caliber I load for come pretty close to Speer's numbers. Then again, maybe it's just coincidence. However, as one of the other poster's has stated, if I used another brand of bullet, I'd definitely use that bullet manufacturer's manual.

wncchester · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2009, 08:09:24 AM »

"Nosler rates the max load at 26.0 gr and Speer rates it at 27.5 gr. Thats quite a difference."

They didn't use the same rifle! Even if they had, it wouldn't have been your's!

"I always start low and work up, "

If we could mindlessly follow a book, what would be the point of starting low and working up, what would we be looking for?

"but if you can't believe the guide what good is it?"

No guide is any more than a guide and all are good guides. No offense meant, but we have to OBSERVE, and THINK!

"Whats your favorite manual?"

I have something like 20, 25 manuals (been doing this a long time). Got them maybe one every couple of years, mostly for new powders and new cartridges over the years. Don't really have a favorite, they all offer something, none is the "be all, end all." For noobs, I recommend Lyman. Or Lee.

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2009, 09:53:08 AM »

The Speer manual used Speer bullets and the Nosler manual used Nosler bullets.

My favorite is the Lyman as a well rounded manual and is almost the only source these days for cast bullet data plus it has in my opinion the best info section of them all. I consider it a MUST HAVE manual.

Still you should always have and refer to the manuals for all the bullet makers whose bullets you use AND the manuals from all the powder makers whose powders you use. Look primarily to the bullet maker manual FIRST for the bullet you are using them to the powder maker manual for powder you use. Compare those with the data from other manuals you have with same bullet weight and then make an informed and educated decision on where to begin and end. If some manual varies a LOT from the others on top or bottom end of load range I toss that out and ignore it and only consider those that are in the same general range. I have at least 50-60 load manuals, heck likely even more counting the small powder maker manuals from days of old as that figure was just the big thick manuals.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2009, 10:20:38 AM »

i have done well with the LEE book and by going to Hornady's website, along with another website run by a member here.

comparing those numbers gets me really close to the correct range and has not failed to provide me with an accurate load.

bobg · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2009, 10:59:19 AM »

I use the Sierra manual for my rifle loads and the Lyman for my shotgun loads.
bobg

krod47nw · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2009, 11:28:16 AM »

I just bought the newest lyman manual.

Kevin

Dave in WV · « **Reply #10 on:** October 03, 2009, 01:03:19 PM »

Lyman.

Autorim · « **Reply #11 on:** October 03, 2009, 05:55:27 PM »

For jacketed bullets, I trust Sierra and Nosler above all others. I have found typo errors is most of the others. Lyman is good for cast bullet data, but cast data is available from a variety of sources.

Blue Duck · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2009, 04:18:06 AM »

Thanks for the input. Im doing about what everyone else is doing.

burntmuch · « **Reply #13 on:** October 04, 2009, 06:15:11 AM »

As a new reloader I really liked the Lee, It was easier to read for me, But for loads seems like I use the Lyman. My 3rd will be the Hornady, Seems like I end up shooting alot of Hornady bullets

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #14 on:** October 04, 2009, 06:20:10 AM »

Every year I buy the Hodgden manula that is in magazine form. It is an inexpensive way of keeping an up to date manual.
I also use Hornady reloading books and online data

MZ5 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 04, 2009, 07:39:59 AM »

My favorite manual is basically a tie between Speer and Lyman. I started out using only Speer bullets and CCI primers (they were local to me at the time), so the Speer manual was the obvious choice. I like the introductory section in Speer's manual the best of those I have or use regularly (Lyman, Nosler, Speer, Sierra, Hodgdon, and Hornady) I also _really_ like the fact that Speer uses an off-the-shelf rifle for velocity numbers. To be clear, Speer uses SAAMI-standard/spec pressure testing equipment, but then fires for velocity in a production rifle. The one thing I don't like as much about Speer now that ATK is running things, is that everything they're re-testing and updating is no longer fired through a production rifle for velocity.

I like the Lyman for most of the same reasons GB wrote.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** October 04, 2009, 03:00:53 PM »

I buy manuals for every bullet maker that I load for.. SO< I have all of them, but my favorite hands down is.... The LYMAN manuel.

CW

charles p · « **Reply #17 on:** October 04, 2009, 03:58:15 PM »

A lot of data is available from powder manufacturers online. Be careful of books published by bullet manufacturers. They tend to use 26" barrels for lots of cartridge data. It distorts real velocity figures. The 308 data is especially vulnerable to this. I don't know that I've ever seen or owned a 26" 308, or 30-06 but the data is often computed with these barrel lengths.

I have several manuals and a DVD as well. More is better.

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 04, 2009, 09:18:56 PM »

I have several modern reloading manuals, but the ones I use the most are Hornady and Speer; and I shoot mostly Hornady bullets. I also shoot other brands, but still the one I shoot most is Hornady. I am amazed at the variances between manuals for the same bullet weight and case. Just goes to show you that you need to work up a load carefully. Good Luck and Good Shooting

MZ5 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2009, 05:50:49 AM »

Charles p, what manuals do you have or use that make significant use of 26" barrels? SAAMI-spec pressure barrels are 24" for most cartridges. There are exceptions, of course, but that's by far the most common length. I wasn't aware of anyone using a longer-than-spec barrel for anything.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2009, 08:31:37 AM »

Nosler

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #21 on:** October 05, 2009, 09:55:02 AM »

Seldom do I use a printed manual, 9 times in ten I refer to hodogons reloading data center http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

It's increadably easy to use and has way more loads and cartridges listed than any printed manual Ive seen

The printed manual I refer to most is "Metallic Cartridge Reloading 3rd edition" This is another excellent resource, unfortunately it's now out of print and selling for over $100 a copy

AtlLaw · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2009, 10:02:31 AM »

I seldom use my manuals anymore except for light reading/comparison when I'm sitting in the man cave. Most of the time when looking for a new load I use LoadData.com as my first go-to.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2009, 10:13:43 AM »

Something that should be mentioned is that old books go with old powder and bullets . Speer for one has become more consertive . Testing got better but also lots of powder changes over the years .

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #24 on:** October 05, 2009, 10:18:44 AM »

Quote from: AtlLaw on October 05, 2009, 10:02:31 AM

I seldom use my manuals anymore except for light reading/comparison when I'm sitting in the man cave. Most of the time when looking for a new load I use LoadData.com as my first go-to.

I don't trust loaddata's well data as much of it was conjured up using long since discredited pressure guessing methodology particularly much if not all of Ken Waters'es work

Drilling Man · « **Reply #25 on:** October 05, 2009, 12:26:36 PM »

I have a pile of loading manuals around here, but i use the manual from what ever brand of bullets i'm loading.

DM

Wisparkyg · « **Reply #26 on:** October 05, 2009, 04:07:07 PM »

After reading MANY posts here before starting to reload, I decided to that the more manuals for cross reference, the better. However that being said, I feel that the Lee and Lyman manuals were/are the most helpful to me as a novice.

rawhidekid · « **Reply #27 on:** October 05, 2009, 09:55:46 PM »

I mainly use Lyman, also have Speer, Alliants brocher, my computer for updates from powder manufactuer.

If you really want discrepancy look at Alliants 2400 load data for 300 Grn vrs anyone. Must be for Colts?

AtlLaw · « **Reply #28 on:** October 06, 2009, 06:49:30 AM »

Quote from: krochus on October 05, 2009, 10:18:44 AM

I don't trust loaddata's well data as much of it was conjured up

I understand completely.

But they also have data from most manuals as well as any data that has been published in Handloader or Rifle. And I always cross reference starting/max loads with as many other sources as I can before actually sitting down at the press!

Can't be to carefull ya know...

But I always liked Ken Waters... $:-\$

gru · « **Reply #29 on:** October 06, 2009, 08:01:34 AM »

I use all that I have acces to and get myself all confused and mixed up then I get out the Lyman and work up a load that the gun likes and all is good