Load Data from Lee

[kelbro]

Yes, they 'reprint with permission' but their info is often many years old.

Some of the Lee reloading products are pretty good but they are neither a bullet nor powder manufacturer.

I prefer to get my load data from someone on that side of the business.

 

[jmr40]

Anymore I just use one of the online sources from Hodgdon, Alliant, Ramshot, Nosler etc.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I tend to reference multiple sources to determine a load range. Also solicit advice on fellow THR Reloaders from time to time for S/A.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Yes, they 'reprint with permission' but their info is often many years old.

Some of the Lee reloading products are pretty good but they are neither a bullet nor powder manufacturer.

I prefer to get my load data from someone on that side of the business.

Good for you.

On the other hand, Lyman produces neither bullets nor powder, yet lists loading data. Do you use one of their (very popular) manuals ?

I have been using data from both Lee and Lyman for decades, with no troubles whatsoever.

 

[Archie]

Lee data seems to be 'targeted at' their product (like dippers) users. I find it consistently conservative if not low powered.

It does give a using load that will not damage anyone's gun (presuming the gun wasn't a wreck to begin). Not bad as one of several to consider, not an end all authority.

 

[kmw1954]

Was this just an opportunity to put a knock on Lee? I do believe most everyone that has been loading for at least a little while already knew this about both Lee and Lyman. Also most Plated and cast lead bullet makers offer no such printed load data for their product either.

I do not have a Lee book though I do have a Lyman book because of the cast lead data in it. Also have an old Speer #10 and a new Hornady #10. The old Speer was the very first book I bought back in 1980 and the Hornady is because I now find myself loading a number of different Hornady bullets.

 

[kelbro]

Not a knock on Lee at all. I like and use their stuff and have for many years. Lee Loader is how I started almost 50 yrs ago.

Just read several posts over the past few weeks where people were struggling with a load and Lee data did not line up with current published data.

Just curious how and why people used the Lee data when there are better alternatives. Same with Lyman now that they have been added to the mix. Lyman covers a niche though that manufacturers don't often venture into. That's load recommendations for cast bullets so that's easier for me to understand.

With he technology available today, it just makes sense to maximize your potential and minimize your risks with fully vetted data.

 

[FROGO207]

I use lee data as another point in my search for a load when I start with that certain set of components. I have come to realise that ALL load data is subjective and was best only in the particular setup it was tested in and therefore a guide to keep me safe. This is why we reduce 10% and work up after all. YMMV

 

[kcofohio]

With so many generic bullets that have no published data, and Lee products lure in many base entry reloaders. Lee can be used as good stepping stone for the newbie. And the load data in the manual is basic enough, if a person uses caution and common sense, they should stay safe.

It's not like everyone new to reloading has found THR.

 

[edwardware]

Lee's manual, as a compendium, will generally have the widest variety of data (powders and bullet weights) available in any one place. If you were after a short list of suggested or ideal loads, you picked up the wrong book.

 

[derek45]

I gather as much info as I can, from as many sources as I can.

I have books from Sierra, Hornady, Speer, Lyman, etc.

LEE is one of the few that I've never bought over the years. I figure I can copy/paste as well as they can.

I really like the SIERRA books, with the 3 ring binder format, makes it easy to add info and notes.

the Lyman cast book is wonderful if you cast your own bullets.

I also look at websites, but prefer books

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

https://load-data.nosler.com/

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/

Amazon, and Ebay have lots of clean used reloading books.

 

[kcofohio]

I will add, Lee's manual is good for someone just starting to reload. Of course it is going to center around their products. But it gives a good basics of reloading safely, though maybe more anal than I follow. I have read and reread both Lee's Modern and Lyman's Pistol & Revolver, Third Edition. There are other reloading manuals that may be better. But those two gave me good basics to build upon.

 

[kmw1954]

I have read and reread both Lee's Modern and Lyman's Pistol & Revolver, Third Edition. There are other reloading manuals that may be better. But those two gave me good basics to build upon.

One I will add to that list is Handloading for Handgunners. Printed first some time back in the early 1970's.

 

[deadeye dick]

The one caliber books are ok too.

 

[kcofohio]

The one caliber books are ok too.

Those can be handy, no doubt.

 

[Hal]

I started with Lee & switched to Hornady after my next paycheck, back in the day.
I'd see loads mentioned in the gun rags & wonder why they had so much more powder in them than the ones I cooked up using the Lee data.

The internet has been a blessing for people seeking information since it provides a place to check double check, triple check - then check again - your desired loads.

 

[mdi]

I have a Lee manual along with 7 others I use and the Lee is the last place I look. The manual has an informative and entertaining front half, but I have found the reloading data to be too generic, sketchy and dated. Too many excellent manuals available to waste time/money with the Lee book (and no, I am not a Lee Hater!).

 

[splattergun]

So is the issue that y'all have had actual problems with the data from the Lee book? Or that you've found some more updated or more prefererential data elsewhere?
I bet you can find differences in any data source from one publication to the next.

 

[kmw1954]

Just sitting here reading this and it comes to me, What would it take time and effort then money to write and update the Lee Manual to today's standards and changes. How many new products has Lee added to their lineup since the original book? How many new bullets and powders? As I have never looked at a Lee manual is there even any mention of wet tumbling brass? I'm pretty sure there is no APP press anywhere in it or the new Pro4000 press that is a hybrid of the Pro1000 and the new revamped Value Turret press.

 

[wasa]

Like others, I have many sources. Actual books I have Lee, Lyman, Hornady, and Hodgdon (yes, I bought their "magazine" reloading book) plus I downloaded (and printed) Western Powder (Accurate) and Alliant Powder's online PDFs, plus I downloaded various bullet manufacturers online data (Speer, Campro, Nosler, etc) plus I downloaded older copies of IMR (2003?), Winchester, manuals etc. Seriously, there is so much information out there (oh ya, I also have a subscription of Loaddata.com!)

Then for each caliber I reload I have a Google Docs spreadsheet that lists the projectiles I have, powder I have, and the high/low from each reference source. This summary page is my go-to and any load that is noticeably higher or lower on the powder charge is (to me) discarded and I try a variety of loads as I "work up" to something my firearms like.

I admit, I'm kinda crazy but I enjoy reading and rereading reloading manuals and load tables. Just last night I was reading up on loading 45acp for a Hi-Point carbine (currently have a 1911 clone that I shoot 200gr plated or SWC with Bullseye powder. Wonder how those rounds will work in my new-to-me carbine).

All fun!

 

[RainDodger]

I have many sources also, and enjoy reading some of the information in them. Lately though, I've found that there isn't a lot of new information in manuals... take for instance the new Nosler #9. I was stunned when I saw that they don't mention W231/HP38 for 9mm or .45ACP, and they totally left out the .38 Super... they didn't even print the older data from their other manuals. Bummer for me.

Regarding Lee though, like others have said, they don't have a dog in the fight, so I figure they don't lean toward one powder or bullet manufacturer. I use a Lee manual often and it compares very favorably with any other manual. Never a problem for me. In fact, if I could only have one manual, it would very likely be the Lee manual.

 

[Thomasss]

I have reviewed Lee's powder manual and have found a lot of their data is so old I would not rely on it. On the other hand, I've always have been told to find recipes from 3 different sources to confirm a safe load. I also recommend Speer.com has a lot of good reloading information.

 

[Frulk]

One would think that if Lees data is outdated it would be skewed towards the upper end of the load spectrum.

I’ve read lots of complaints about watered down loads in newer books because of legal this and legal that.

Lee’s data is a load reference for a frozen point in time. Just like all the other reloading books I have. For Lee that point in time for their second edition was 2011. I consult it frequently if for no other reason than the sheer volume of loads it contains across the entire caliber spectrum.

 

[MacAR]

One would think that if Lees data is outdated it would be skewed towards the upper end of the load spectrum.

I'd agree with that; for example, the .5cc dipper filled and struck level with W231 consistently weighs 4.5 - 4.6 grain. Hornady's max load for a 158gr LSWC using W231 is 4.4 grains, while Hodgdon's max is only 3.7 grains! Listed FPS on the Hornady load is 850, and I'd be hesitant to go over that at all in anything but a .357 mag revolver. However, I do believe the data is outdated/watered down and this would seem to prove it.

Mac

 

[splattergun]

Just sitting here reading this and it comes to me, What would it take time and effort then money to write and update the Lee Manual to today's standards and changes. How many new products has Lee added to their lineup since the original book? How many new bullets and powders? As I have never looked at a Lee manual is there even any mention of wet tumbling brass? I'm pretty sure there is no APP press anywhere in it or the new Pro4000 press that is a hybrid of the Pro1000 and the new revamped Value Turret press.

Probably a lot of effort to revamp it. Richard Lee is dead. Yep, the load data is old, but still within specs. The product spotlights in back are also dated. The 1st section of the book is still as valid as ever as a loading guide. Lots of good, solid info there. Wet tumbling? Really? A loading beginner has much more important things to worry about.