Loadbooks USA reloading manuals

[Wildyams]

Are these single caliber reloading manuals worth the $7? If I already have lymans 49th and the newest Speer manual, will this provide any information I don't have?

Here is a link to one if you're not sure what I'm talking about

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=360676


I've just seen these books all over online and now that I'm finally ordering something online, I thought I might get one.


Thanks,
Scott

 

[Jim Watson]

Published in 2000

How many new bullets and powders have come out in the past 9 years that you would be interested in? That is the key to the usefulness of these all in one books.

 

[Wildyams]

Good question. I just started reloading, so EVERYTHING is new to me. Should I just stick with the big manuals for now until I get my feet a bit wetter?

 

[The Bushmaster]

Should you stick with the "big manuals"? Yes...Absolutely!

The load books are copied from Load data manuals like Lyman, Speer, Sierra and Hornady manuals.

In my (notso) humble opinion...NO!! Not even a penny...

 

[R.W.Dale]

In my opinion the best manual avalible today is Hodgons online date centre. They have a huge database of cartridge-bullet- propellant combinations. Best of all it's 100 percent free http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

and of course IMR and Winchester powders are included

 

[Wildyams]

Thanks for the input. Much appreciated. I'll save my money and try to buy a primer or 3.. if I can find some.

 

[P51D]

Wildyams - I happen to really like the 3 loadbooks that I have, and the price is very reasonable. They're handy and great for quick reference. Good supplements to the big manuals. Just my opinion.

P51D

 

[MCMXI]

I have a couple ... one for .223 Remington and one for .308 Winchester and I've found them to be useful but not essential. I do like the huge assortment of bullets and powders listed from numerous manufacturers and there's a good chance that you'll find a load for the EXACT bullet/powder combination that you're using. This is often not the case with reloading manuals from Sierra, Lyman, Lee etc. However, these days, I rarely work up a load from one source. I typically refer to four manuals plus online data from Hodgdon and Alliant.

FYI.

The .223 Loadbooks "manual" I have has ...

2,437 Proven & Tested Loads
78 Various Bullet Designs
47 Different Powders

... and in addition, has sections for AR15 and bolt action rifles with different test rifles used for both.

The .308 Win Loadbooks "manual" I have has ...

2,223 Proven & Tested Loads
91 Various Bullet Designs
53 Different Powders

... so are they worth the $7 or so that I paid for them ... I think so.

 

[JCisHe]

Get the big manuals and read them all the way through. You will be a better man for it and a MUCH safer reloader.

 

[MCMXI]

In my opinion the best manual avalible today is Hodgons online date centre. They have a huge database of cartridge-bullet- propellant combinations.

Although I agree that there is a wealth of reloading DATA on the Hodgdon web site, one could argue that it's not technically a manual since a manual implies instructions.

I would strongly advise ALL new reloaders to read the chapters that precede the load data in ANY manual BEFORE they start reloading. Most of us will buy a new "toy", take it home and start playing with it, then eventually flip through the manual when we can't figure something out. This is NOT a good approach for reloading. Lyman's 49th Edition has four outstanding sections (13 chapters) that ALL reloaders should read regardless of experience. In fact, I bet we'd see a HUGE reduction in the number of reloading-related questions if more people read those sections BEFORE they made a post.

 

[Steve C]

I have a Load Book for almost all the calibers I reload. They're a handy reference and have load data only without the comprehensive information found in the full manuals. While you need at least one good full manual, I have several, the load books have their place in finding data for different brands of bullets and being able to make quick comparisons in data from various sources.

 

[halfded]

It's printed plainly on the back of the book that they are to be used as a quick reference to, not a substitution for, a full loading manual. I think they're supposed to provide a quicker, smaller reference point at the bench as opposed to thumbing through 600+ pages to compare some loads.

 

[Wilburt]

Since you already have a full manual, they would be alright. Like many have said they have copied data from other sources and could be a bit older data as well.

I have 2 and they are usefull to have all the data in one place. I only use my speer handbook or online data when the "loadbook" doesn't have what I want. That usually means the data is going to be hard to find or non-existant. I also write down other loads I ike in them, as to not mess up my full manuals.

 

[billybob44]

Load books??

I have manuals from: Hornady,Speer,Sierra, two Lyman Manuals, as well as load pamphlets from:Accurate Arms Powder,Hercules,W-W, and DuPont. All of these have loads of info. on bullet/powder combos. I have also bought the load books for 9mm,45acp, and recently 6mm Remington. I have found that the load books have all the info.(for that one caliber) in one handy, small manual, that all my books contain. I only have SO much room on my load bench HA!!

 

[rfwobbly]

I keep the one and only Load Book I own by the computer for answering questions. My Lyman's is far handier for working up new loads in the gun room.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO those caliber specific manuals are not worth the paper they are written on. They are only copied data from other sources, sources you can find yourself like from the powder and bullets manufacturers.

 

[loadedround]

I received several pistol specific caliber load manuals from MidwayUSA several years ago as a bonus. I read thru them a couple of times and haven't used them since. I stick with my Lyman and Speer manuals. Those specific caliber manuals may possibly be obsolete now with all the new powders and bullets out.