Another reloading manual

[dmazur]

OK, I confess. I bought another reloading manual...

This time it was the Sierra Rifle and Handgun Manual (5th Edition).

Now I understand why some say you can't have too many manuals.

This one has a better description than the Speer or Hornady manuals on reloading "how to" (IMO).

It also has a very comprehensive section on "Gas Gun Reloading", including the Garand.

It includes loads for Varget for heavier bullets in .243, which some of the other manuals I have omit because it isn't "efficient".

So now I'm up to four. (Speer, Barnes, Hornady and Sierra.)

I can quit any time I want to...

 

[rfwobbly]

I especially like the breath of the loads in my Sierra. They must test at least 10 powders with every bullet weight.

 

[93LXRag]

I would suggest the next manual on your wish list be the Lyman 49th. I always like to compare their loads, which usually have 10 powders or os, with what the bullet manufacturer's manual shows.

The Lyman manual is helpful because it shows the pressures they recorded with each powder and bullet combination at the starting charge and the max. So, I typically look for the powder that got the best velocity without being maxed out on the pressure reading. That's just me though.

 

[qajaq59]

I have a bunch of them. But for some reason I usually end up using the Lyman. Probably because it was my original manual. But they are all worth reading.

 

[stodd]

Dmazur,

What is the best manual out of the 4 your have? I've got alyman's 49th ed atm, but am looking for another manual now.

 

[dmazur]

stodd -

I think it's a toss-up between the Sierra 5th Edition and the Speer #13 manuals.

Both have well-written sections on reloading components, equipment and procedures. The Sierra manual has a section on gas guns that I don't believe the Speer addresses. Both seem to have around 10 different powders listed for each bullet type. The Sierra manual also has BC's for each of their bullets, broken down by velocity ranges, where I think the Speer just shows a BC value for a typical velocity.

The Speer manual has some data for lead bullets, which is absent in the Sierra manual.

I'd have to give the vote to the Speer as being the most useful overall, compared to the Sierra. (I understand Speer #14 is expanded, compared to #13, so #14 may be even better...)

 

[mohunter55]

good to hear about the seirra manual. I had it in my hands 2 days ago at cabelas and almost bought it..i would have if it wasnt so big. Guess i will have to go back and pick it up though after hearing its got a good section on reloading for gas guns. So far i have the most recent lyman, hodgdon magazine, hornady, speer, and lee books.

 

[Hondo 60]

I've found that Lyman's 49th is the best for off-brand bullets.
By off-brand I mean not Hornady, Speer, Nosler etc.
I reload .38spl and usually use plated bullets (Berry's & HSM).
For lead I like Missouri & Magnus bullets. And again these aren't found in the name brand books.

I use Hornady (mostly) for .357 mag, so their manual works well for that.