Help me pick another reloading manual

B

Bosn Ski

New member
I have been working with two manuals, really one...and the manufactures data supplied via their websites. The wisdom here tells my I need at least three manuals.

I have Lee 2nd and Hornady 9th.

- Hornady 9th has exact load data for AutoComp and Bullseye and I have successfully worked up many loads from Hornady 9th.

- Lee 2nd does not contain the exact (jacketed or plated) data for the powders/bullets I have on the shelf (or does not contain data that I am comfortable with working up from). In my 5 months of reloading, Lee 2nd has not provided any usable data for my reloading. {Any guidance on using Lee data with my bullet/powder combo is appreciated.}

- Alliant supplied data for BE-86 since its a 'newer' powder, so I am ok here.

- Hodgdon has data for Titegroup and AutoComp for Berry's bullets, so I made a Berry's purchase yesterday.

Powders:
BE-86
Bullseye
AutoComp
Unique
TiteGroup

9mm Bullets:
115gr FMJ (Precision Delta)
124gr RN (Xtreme)
124gr HP (Xtreme)
124gr HBRN-TP (Berry's)


I am loading 9mm now and will be loading .40 in the near future.


Considering my supplies on hand, which loading manual should I purchase next?

Thanks!

Ski
 
The first manual I always reach for is Speer #14.

And normally, I'd instantly recommend it with no hesitation.

But it would seem that it's about time for a Speer #15.

#14 is missing a lot of the newer powders - Autocomp, BE-86, for instance. There's others, I'm sure. And it has powders no longer in production, like HS-7.
 
don't forget the web sites from the powder companies. Also many bullet makers have there information as well. I have Sierra, Lyman, Lee, RCBS, Hornady and a few others. I also have a copy of Pet Loads which is nice and has a long history of load data in it, I think it spans something like 40 years of one mans experience. Some of the little data books are good if you load for just a few calibers.
 
Nosler is my favorite. Because I use there bullets. I alway cross reference the nosler book and the powder I'm using load data.
 
I've always been a fan of the Lyman manuals and have probably 4 versions from over the years. And I really like the new Nosler manual, since mostly I shoot Nosler bullets. If I could only have one manual, it would be the Lyman 49th, till they have a newer one.
 
Reloading Manuals

Think the best single manual on the market is the Lyman #49 Manual.

There is a reason why Lee is on their 2nd edition, Speer is on their 14th or 15th edition with just about everyone else somewhere in between and Lyman is on their 49th!!! Regardless of what anyone else says about RCBS or any other company for that matter, Lyman has been around a LONG TIME. Lyman was providing reloading data 50-100 YEARS before any of these other companies even existed! Since Lyman is also one of best and likely the oldest cast bullet mould maker their manuals are FULL of cast bullet loading data.

My second reloading manual choice would be from the maker of the bullets I use the most. Since I use a lot of Sierra Rifle and handgun bullets my second choice in reloading manuals is the Sierra Manual #5.

Also use a lot of Hornady handgun bullets so my third choice in manuals is the latest from them.


Clark, I thought I had a lot of manuals! Have you beat in just one area, my oldest Lyman manual is older than yours...:D

T.
 
Tim,
Last year I called Lyman and told the woman that when I ordered parts I did not know I needed a windage click spring based on the two view diagram of a Lyman 57 rear peep for an old Win 75 bolt action 22 made in 1941.
She said she would just send it to me, no charge.

Lyman has had it's act together for a long time.
 
Mr. Clark, do you find QL to be a successfully viable replacement for load manuals?

I too, have QL, mainly use it for cross checking.
 
Lyman 49th for generic (?) load data and Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook for lead. I have Hornady's manual for most of my jacketed stuff and I don't think I've used my Lee Modern Reloading more than twice since I bought it (decent read, but poor data section)...

I have prolly 6 or 7 manuals and occasionally have to check them all for a load I feel is satisfactory...
 
I have Hornady's manual for most of my jacketed stuff and I don't think I've used my Lee Modern Reloading more than twice since I bought it (decent read, but poor data section)...
Click to expand...

All I currently have in stock is Hornady FMJ bullets so the Hornady manual is the one I refer to along with the quickbooks. I refer to the powder manuf. websites when I am using a powder not listed in the manual.
 
My observations

The Lee 2nd isn't a bad manual (I have one), especially if you use Lee reloading equipment (which I do) but, their data is mainly taken from other sources (powder & bullet makers).

I also have Lyman 49 (my first manual) & Hornady 9th.
Both are excellent but may/do not contain data from some of the newer powders & bullets on today's market.

Most of my bullets are Hornady & Zero. Data from Hornady 9th works well in these loadings, if they have the powder I'm using listed.

I have use Sierra bullets & have found data from their website that was very helpful.

My powders are either Hodgdon or Alliant. Lots of good info found on their websites.

I've consolidated the data I need for the caliber/bullet/powder combination & keep it in a folder. I'm always searching websites for new data & print the pages that I feel are relevant to what I'm reloading.
 
I like my Speer manuals because they include much explanation of the reasons why for a process or need. The hardcover book format helps keep for a long time, makes for easy access but, as with any physical book, is a space hog.

Offhand, the latter of the two Speer manuals I have, number 13, shows velocities can vary much from the same make and model 357mag revolvers. Other times it’s emphasized to use the exact brand/make of components because the differences can be substantial making for very different results. These comments appear to be the result of user/reader inquiry.

The Sierra binder format I dislike. Over many years the pages are more likely to tear out and it’s more difficult to move the pages on the binder rings. Not much explanation compared to the Speer. Sierra shows a change in powder quantity/charge with the corresponding velocity.

I’ve read/borrowed a number of other physical reloading manuals and they all have their good points but I find the Speer to be easier to use with much valued info.
 
1100 tac
Mr. Clark, do you find QL to be a successfully viable replacement for load manuals?
I too, have QL, mainly use it for cross checking.
Click to expand...

In strong rifles, I use QL to find a starting load. I work up until the extractor groove grows, and back off on the charge one safety margin. This produces a load that looks a lot like a Sierra load book max load, but there are benefits.

I have a 6mmRem, 6.5-06, and 25-06 reamers, brass, dies, barrels, actions, stocks, scopes, etc.
I have never shot nor handloaded these cartridges.
1) I have characterized the Mauser case head with large Boxer primer pockets yield pressure in terms of Quickload psi.
2) I have characterized my jugs of powder relative to the QL library data for those powders.

As a result, I predict that I will be able, with great accuracy and precision, to predict the loads that are at the threshold of brass yield, and their velocity. I will be able to predict what loads I back off to with 6% [for temp stable powder] less powder, and their velocities.

Why don't I just look up the loads in Sierra for THOSE cartridges too?
I am not in this for money.
I could just buy a double rifle, fly to Africa, pull the trigger when the PH says to, but that's not me. If I don't bait my own hook, it does not feel like I caught the fish.
So I am going to build another rifle, calculate a load with QL, work up a load, shoot another deer, and struggle to get it into my vehicle.
 
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