I need more books, HELP!

[rick300]

So, I’m back again to ask for more help. I’m new to reloading and want to be careful. I started reloading to shoot for less money but I am not going to rush into anything that I’m not comfortable with.
In my last post I shared that I have fired my first ten rounds from my SBH .44 mag. They were light loads (11.5 grains under the sierra FPJ 220 grain). This was the starting load and I’m content with that for now. I’ll load that up a little, to maybe moderate to get more experience. I’m not in a hurry.
As I stated in my last post, I want to load for my .40 but everything is on backorder. The dies came today, I saw the primer “crisis” coming and got enough to last a while and I’m stocked up on factory ammo so I’ll just keep saving brass while I’m doing the research.
I’ve got “The ABC’s” and the “Speer # 14” and read them. I’ve learned lots from these and mostly I’ve learned how much I don’t know. These also are aimed (excuse the pun) at rifle cartridges. I don’t believe you have to be a ballistics expert to reload but I do believe you should be careful.
I’ve got ( for the 40 S&W) some Berry’s 155 gr plated FP, some Rainer 165 gr plated FN and Alliant Unique, but can’t find load data for these combinations. If anyone uses these I’d like your feedback, but I still want to see it in a book or two.
My question is what book(s) have more load data (especially for handgun loads) and not so much repetition? I understand you should get at least two references to make a round but there are so many different powder and bullet combinations that I am overwhelmed. To get load data for components that are available in these times is almost impossible. You guys that have been reloading for years know how to substitute, but being a beginner, I would like to see everything in black and white. What books would you guys recommend for more load data per dollar?
Thanks again, Rick

 

[dmazur]

Well, there are "Loadbooks" (www.loadbooks.com), which are "One Book, One Caliber", as it says on the cover.

If these are kept current (?), they contain excerpts from the various powder and bullet mfgrs manuals, just for the caliber in question.

I have these for .45 ACP, .44 Rem Mag, .243 Win, and .30-06 Sprg for example.

The problem is, they may not have new stuff. Like I can find very little in these books about Barnes new bullets. I wound up buying a Barnes manual.

In addition to one or two basic reloading manuals (like maybe Speer and Lyman), quite a few reloaders get a few loadbooks in the calibers (cartridges) they are loading.

 

[David Wile]

Hey Rick,

It seems that many folks use Internet data today instead of reloading manuals, and I just cannot abide that practice for reloading. I would always recommend the current or most recent volume of the Lyman reloading manual for everyone as the first manual to own. There are a number of other manuals that are very good (Hornady, Speer, and others), but there are no other manuals that are better than the information included in the Lyman manual. I might also point out the Lyman manual has been the standby manual people have used for perhaps 60 years or more.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[broham]

Load books just take info from all the other books. (Hornady,Accurate,Sierra etc) I have bought these for myself when I started but quickly found out it was a pamplet of photocopies from books I already had. I would sugest that you get lots of manuels, you can't have too much info. Hornady 7th,Sierra, the load data from powder manufacturers, Lyman's book I hear is very good. As far as powder goes for your 40 I would sugest bullseye, 231, AA#5,or Power Pistol. These are ones that I have used and have been very happy with them. These will also meter better than Unique. You mentioned that you are loading Berrys, ask them if they have any load data for their products. The internet is your friend. I have down loaded and copied plenty of acticles and load data. Soon you'll find that reloading isn't much of a money saver as you'll be shooting more. I can't get enough of it.

 

[billybob44]

More books!

Good idea, rick. I have hand-loaded for over 30years, and I still like to see it in black+white, as you say. It's a good habit to keep. I have several of each:Speer, Sierra, Hornady,Accurate, Winchester, etc. My favorite manual is The Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook. (The 49th Edition may be out now??) This book has loads of usable info, on top of, what I think the most selections of powder/bullet weights. For your loads in .40 S&W, this handbook lists:Bullseye,231,Unique,AA#5,PowerPistol,N340,HS6,800X,+Blue Dot. That's 9 different powders for your 155gr+165gr bullets-should be enough to find one you like. I use this manual the most.

 

[10 Spot Terminator]

Another vote for the Lyman manuals especially if you are talking pistol loads as they tend to include some lead cast bullet data ( from their moulds of course ) to give you some options and reduce your load costs. They also tend to touch on the hotter faster loads for contenders and rifles that use hotter than standard pistol cartridges and have also listed some +P loads in common calibres such as 38 spl. They are independant of any one bullet manufacturer so you get a mix of various bullets used in their data which I like as well . If I were forced to have only one reference book it would be Lymans',,,

 

[rick300]

Thanks

I'll be shopping for the Lyman manual for now.

I called the gun shop today to ask if they had .44 mag. He just said "NO!" and hung up. It's so cool to know I can just go out into the garage and make my own. Life is good!
Rick

 

[Randy1911]

The Lyman Revolver and Pistol Handbook cover only handgun ammo. It also has info on casting you own bullets.

 

[Hey_Allen]

I don't know how the other calibers are in the Lyman manual, but for 45 ACP in 185gr with Unique, they are VERY cautious loads.
Loads max 1.5gr under the Alliant spec, and start 1.7 or so under the Sierra minimum load. (Sierra maxes at the Alliant specified max.)

In my XD the first 3 loads that I started working up from the Lyman specs wouldn't cycle the slide. The first and second loads that I tested from the minimum of the Sierra specs worked as expected, though I don't know how accurate yet.


The end of the story for me: compare LOTS of reference material.