Old Reloading Books

[AJC1]

I love old manuals and they list a lot of loads, not in other manuals. As an example, the old imr manuals list every powder they make almost for 30-30 and 308. This is particularly useful in times of shortage no matter the reason. I've loaded 4227 in both to good success not exactly first choice for most, but also listed in the Lyman casting manual. Using the process of starting at start and going up till accuracy is found within the established max, looking for pressure signs is well established as safe....

 

[.45Coltguy]

Hodgdon say 95 gr Speer 2.9-3.2 gr W231/HP38



I am of the school of thought that HP38 always came off the same production line as Win 231 but that Hodgdon and Winchester sold slightly different canister specs. Now it all comes out of the same barrel, just gets whichever label Hodgdon has an order for.



Here is a 1967 for free

https://www.nzha.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Lyman44.pdf

Some good loads in that one. Thanks for posting that. I believe I have a Lyman #46 in my shop. I'll have a look/see.

 

[LiveLife]

If 231 and HP38 were the same back then, this is quite a difference!

Today’s minimum load was the max back in the day??

W231 and HP-38 had different load data in past decades because they were different powders. But in 2006, Hodgdon was licensed by Winchester to sell their powders in Hodgdon packages and load data became same since - https://hodgdon.com/company/about-us/

In March 2006, Hodgdon Powder Company and Winchester® Ammunition announced that Winchester® branded reloading powders would be licensed to Hodgdon. Winchester smokeless propellants, the choice of loading professionals, are available to the handloader to duplicate the factory performance of loads from handgun to rifle and shotgun.​

BTW, here's a listing of same/exact and comparable powders - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ble-powders-during-component-shortage.890865/

For most of my load development and powder work up, I tend to reference new published load data from powder manufacturers. Hodgdon owns IMR/Accurate/Ramshot and licensed to sell Winchester powders so publishes load data for all of them on their online data center - https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

Alliant online load data lists max loads only and you should reduce by 10% for your start charge - https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/index.aspx

I like referencing Speer online load data as they list various powder loads by highest velocity down to lowest (And list start charges for Alliant powders):

• Speer rifle load data - https://www.speer.com/reloading/rifle-data.html
• Speer pistol load data - https://www.speer.com/reloading/handgun-data.html

Bought a used old (2007 - 48th Ed) Lyman Reloading Handbook thinking any additional data would broaden my knowledge. The more source info the better, right?

Yes. When I am conducting load development with new bullet/powder combination I cannot find published load data for, I will reference all available load data I could find for my initial powder work up and tend to use more conservative load data as I can always go higher.

Here's a comprehensive list of old reloading books/manuals pdfs. Enjoy looking through them - https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...-collection-of-reloading-data-old-and-current