Free vs paid reloading data.

…..downloaded to the computer at my reloading bench.
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Ok, now I feel ...old... possibly neo-Luddite...:rolleyes:

I don't have a computer at my loading bench. Not getting one, either. What do you do when the internet is down, or your screen dies, or computer fries, or when there's no electricity?? :eek:

yes, I'm old fashioned. The only thing electric near my reloading bench is the overhead lights. I even gave up on digital scales and went back to balance beam. Things that don't need power. Might be due to my upbringing, learning reloading in the pre-computer age, and spending time living where there was no electricity. I like the idea that my reloading equipment, and manuals are not dependent on line power or batteries. But, that's just me...;)

Here's something I didn't yet see mentioned, the cost of printing, storing, and shipping BOOKS. Powder makers have produced pamphlets, bullet makers do reloading manuals, for their products. And then, there's Lyman, which neither makes powder or bullets. Lyman manuals have been the "basic" reference for reloading for well over a century. A reloading manual is another tool. Free tools might do fine, but can also turn out to be worth what you paid for them.
 
I downloaded the Western Loaders Guide PDF to my phone. I also have digital subscriptions to American Rifleman, Handloader, Rifle & Successful Hunter. In the case of Wolfe publications, digital subscriptions are cheaper.
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One word of note, ok two...

As has been mentioned elsewhere, by others and myself, the Nosler "manual" really seems to be the work of "engineered fiction".
It's the only manual i've seen where 280 Rem and 7mm Rem Mag velocities are close to the same.
Also, who hunts with a 26" 7mm-08?

2) i don't trust Load Data! I tried them when i first reamed my 7mm-08 to AI. Dropped loads 10%. Bolt wouldn't open. Had i gone full bore with their "data" who knows what would have happened?

44AMP,
Not to worry about the computer. It was a kiosk at the tire shop I used to work at. Touch screen and all.
And I stay safe.
The wood stove is on the other side of the shelves where i store my powder from me. :D
 
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I have several manuals, also gave several older ones away to friends thinking about reloading so they could read up and make a decision about jumping in.

I also visit several online sites, makes a lot of notes and then make a decision.

I joined Load Data but it seems that it was worthless unless you pay, I didn't and left. Sadly I got several nasty emails from someone there because they seem to think they are the cats meow.
 
"...manuals are somewhat obsolete in a year..." Yes and no. It takes about 2 years to publish any book. So reloading manual data, may be at least that old. Or it may be the same data from an older manual.
"...data available online..." Doesn't make much difference. Doesn't mean it's newer data either. And some places, like Hodgdon, publish data that is highly suspect. Like suggesting using magnum primers for magnum named cartridges but not non-magnum named cartridges with the same powders. Oh and publishing data on line doesn't sell reloading manuals. Not to mention you need a tech support office to deal with questions and complaints.
In any case, you need to think in terms of liability. If a company publishes bad data anywhere, they are liable if it causes property or physical damage to anybody.
"...the Lee..." Lee tests nothing themselves. The republish data from the power maker.
 
Am always surprised when new manuals come out, and it appears a lot of the loads have been in there for literally decades. While all these people do things differently, a new manual seems to be for new powders in a select number of cartridges or newer cartridges.

Still waiting for an attachment so my rotary phone can "download", or work unplugged from the wall.
 
What we have not gotten into is the Bullet makers test with no eye to the powder product except it works and makes decent loads.

That is the one place you can see a lot of powders from all the mfgs and know they don't just force the bullet out the end of the barrel.

I can cross powders and get very close to velocity that another powder was ok to decent at and see if there is improvement for the load.

They all list what worked best in their gun. Not a given but something tolerant like the 06 its likely to be at least decent.

Happy to pay for that. I can fill in with new powders with notes if I want to (have on one occasion, liked the powder but not in 1 lb bottles)
 
I like to use both the bullet makers manual and the powder manufacturers data along with some internet forum research for pet loads. I always start with the most conservative and work up gradually looking for pressure signs
 
The 1st manual that I bought was the Ideal #38. Got it at a garage sale. It was first published in 1951 according to the copyright listed in the book.

The next new one that I bought was the Speer #6.

Since then many have come along. I was never so disappointed when I bojught the Speer #14. Almost nothing changed from the last one they published.

I would guess that the last one I bought was a Nosler manual #8. I like it.

At this time and age, I don't think I will be buying any more for myself.
 
I have a Nossler, it was on sale! Have to look which one. Nice book, limited though to popular cartridges. I like to look at the other ones (am I sick, entertainment in cartridges I will never have?)

I got Hornady X as they are testing more of the newer powders.

With them I can get different mixes (will have to do an assessment and see how many changed between 8 and 10)

Still if it shot good years back it likely will now so having a collection is good. I was able to shoot a fair amount during the outage as R17 was listed in Hornady 8.

Aliants site does not give you much info and it sure does not tell you it shot fine in any caliber.

Like Houndawg, its a mix, and as long as its got newer data I will buy one (or wait until they come on sale, I think that is how I got Hornady 8
 
44 AMP said:
Ok, now I feel ...old... possibly neo-Luddite...:rolleyes:

I don't have a computer at my loading bench. Not getting one, either. What do you do when the internet is down, or your screen dies, or computer fries, or when there's no electricity?? :eek:

.
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Hey 44 AMP - could we get load data on stone rounds? :eek: - hehehehe
 
I have Lyman, Western, Vitavhouri, Barnes, Speer downloaded to the computer at my reloading bench.
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I also have a computer on the reloading bench.
It isn't neglected, left to its own devices, or ignored. It gets used daily.
I woke it up in late December, received a message, "Windows is installing an update...", and then watched it crash, reset, beat its head against the wall for 10 minutes, and then revert to a Blue Screen Of (near-) Death.

It took me almost five days to find the corrupt drivers and get it working again (thanks, unstoppable-automatic-even-though-you're-set-to-manual updates!).

In the mean time, my reloading manuals were easily accessible and were not having any issues with corrupt driver files...

If you don't like the data that's available, then start working with wildcats.
I have plenty of them.
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What's the problem, then?...
 
Hey 44 AMP - could we get load data on stone rounds? - hehehehe
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here ya go!
Black Powder only!
Place the stone in the palm of your hand, pour the powder over the stone until the stone is just covered by the pile. That's your load! :D
 
I can take my tablet to my reloading room if needed but I have a folder full of load data that I've printed out off the net. I prefer to look at a piece of paper rather than a computer screen when reloading. I can then wright notes in the margin if needed and I don't have to look it up when needed. Sometimes I stash load data print outs in my loading books so it'll be near other data for that caliber...

Tony
 
Lead pencil and paper is still by far the best way of logging info.

And I have electric lights and city water and all that nice stuff (dang even the neighbors are great)
 
I have old Lyman loading books from the 40's and 50's... I have alot of the reloading manuals that are current.

You can never have enough information.
I love to re read my reloading manuals. I can always learn something.
And you can cross reference all kinds of data...

Buy them reloading manuals and enjoy them
 
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