Which Manual?

I load almost 100% boolits. I probably use Lyman the most for that reason, but I also have others. I also pick up free pamphlets at the lgs- Hodgdon, AA, etc.
One thing I’ve found useful to me is to develop a three ring binder for each caliber I reload, i.e., 9mm, 38 spc, 357, 45 acp, 35 Rem, 38 WCF, etc. Lots of binders!!!!! Not only for my previous load testing data, but also to store single sheets of reputable load data I find on the web and other places. That way when I get back to a caliber I haven’t loaded in a while, 9mm as we speak, it’s all still right there waiting on me like a faithful old hound dog. I can then expand on that caliber without having to reinvent the wheel.
NOTE: Be careful about jotting load info onto little scribble notes without foot noting where they came from. Most of the time they just end up as fire starters because they can’t be later substantiated. I used to make that mistake quite often. I’m much older and wiser now, but now have CRS!!!! But I do have 3 ring binders!!!!

Catpop said:

NOTE: Be careful about jotting load info onto little scribble notes without foot noting where they came from. Most of the time they just end up as fire starters because they can’t be later substantiated.

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Good advice. I've long since stopped doing it as well. And I've taken pictures of the pages so they will always be available. That way I can always look and see which powder will work if my chosen powder is unavailable or something. That hornady hardcover manual is 25 or so years old and still in great shape. I have a nosler book that's fallen apart with much less use.

I have access to almost any manual up at the gunshop but I lean towards owning manuals that make the bullets or powder I use the most. More info on what I am using day to day, that said Hodgon/IMR powders, Nosler and Hornady bullets are my focus group. As mentioned you can download reams of info online for about any powder or bullet combo, Nosler has a great resource online called Nosler load data, it of course uses their brass and bullets but covers a wide variety of powders and primers I keep it bookmarked.

Mostly Lead said:

Just piling on to re-enforce the obvious, a good reloading manual contains more than just load data.

I have the last two editions of the Lee manual, a Speer #13 manual and a Lyman 49th edition. Together, they have made a nice library of knowledge.

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+2

the best manuals to have are ALL of them, primarily for the information contained OTHER than the load data.
If more new reloaders would buy and read the manuals they would have a much greater understand of the whole process.
Lyman cast bullet manual is a wealth of info on LEAD bullets. Who cares about the "new powders? Find it on the powder company page

Load data alone is just a recipe and those vary all over the place.
As mentioned in the "new reloaders" thread.

To many people just want the quick and easy, "how much of this do I put in for this bullet"

For years I got by with my Speer #11 and Hodgdon #25. They are still on my bench and I look at them from time to time. A couple of years ago I decided I needed to get some newer manuals in case I wanted to try a new caliber, which I haven't.

I have the Lyman 50 which I like because it it big and easy to read. I have the Hornady #9 because I like their bullets but rarely do they have data for the powders I use.

I have Nosler #8 which mainly has rifle data and I only load 5.56. I like the intro section for each caliber where gun writers and such introduce the cartridge and tell why they like it. So I drag it out and look at cartridges I do not have and never will have just to read the intro and look at the stats.

My go to is the Speer 44. It is supplemented with print outs from different powder web sites. Also there is usually enough space on the page to make some notes that only I understand.

When I think about a new load, I drag out my Big Chief tablet and no. 2 pencil and write down the data for each manual or web site. To me, that is simply easier than flipping back a forth. I worked in accounting for 45 years and in the early pre-computer years, we wrote everything down so I guess this is a carry over.

I doubt I will buy any more manuals and will simply enjoy turning the pages on the ones I have. Unless we have a flood or a fire, they will be there waiting for me.

The original Lee 2nd edition had several pages of reduced load lead bullet loads for popular rifle calibers. It's awesome. Of course, that was dropped in the revised edition.

Spade5 said:

have Nosler #8 which mainly has rifle data and I only load 5.56. I like the intro section for each caliber where gun writers and such introduce the cartridge and tell why they like it. So I drag it out and look at cartridges I do not have and never will have just to read the intro and look at the stats.

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Wow I thought I was the only one who did that! It was what sold me on the 260 though now it is eclipsed by the new 6.5 calibers with cooler names.

woodshunter said:

Wow I thought I was the only one who did that!

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Ive always done that. I have manuals from odd lots and yard sales that I've never got load data from, but ive read the descriptions

I use the One Book One Caliber load data from Cabela's among others. seems to give good data also.

I have a couple of hardback manuals that are almost never used. For one thing I only load for 3 cartridges and long ago figured out what works best for me. If I ever do look for something different there are plenty of online sources.

My local gunsmith is goin on 85 and he swears by the Nosler book

I used to make that mistake quite often. I’m much older and wiser now, but now have CRS!!!!

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I to suffer from CRS,
getting old is a drag but the only alternative is worse.

Nosler is pretty good & has a bit of background on most calibers for a fair price.

Both the 50th and cast lyman manuals are a grate pair that give you tons of data and information. I have the 45th edition for rifles no longer listed like the 7.7 jap. I have almost all the current manuals but those two will meet or exceed your needs. I like the cartridge information in the speer manual the best, and for free the western powders book is printed out and on the shelf.