Reloading Data Library: What am I missing?

[Zaydok Allen]

I have been using the Hornady 9th edition and Lyman 49th edition reloading manuals as my starting point. Now that I've managed to put together some working loads I'm hooked, and basically have no interest in buying factory ammo any longer, with the exception of some of the more interesting Underwood and Doubletap loads. (I'm still chicken about not strictly following published data.) I printed up the Western Powder load data PDF also and have decided to load some of that data when I get into 38 Special and 357 mag.

I decided I wanted a greater amount of load data to call upon, so I just placed an order. On the way are the:
Speer 15th edition manual
Lee 2017 updated manual
Hodgdon 2018 periodical
And even though I have a crappy printed copy, the Western Powders 1st edition, which looks like it just came out.

I figure having a bound copy of Western Powder loads would be a good thing, and I like to read about techniques from different publishers. I'm hoping there are more loads than available on their site also. I also got all of these manuals on sale from Midway, and since my total order was over $99 I got free shipping.

I found the Hornady manual pretty unhelpful. The Lyman's on the other hand was very helpful for a new reloader.

I don't shoot any Nossler, Barnes, or Swift bullets yet, so I figured I could hold off on those for a bit. Though solid copper slugs are piquing my interest, and I think the Barnes manual might be a good one to grab.

Are there any other manuals or periodicals I really should be picking up? I know this topic has been discussed many times, but as new editions come out it seems a new thread is a good idea. I don't want a lack of load data to limit me when particular components are available and others aren't. That was one point of frustration for me lately.

What say you? What else should I have in my library?

 

[mdi]

A Lyman 50th Edition is a worthwhile addition to any reloader's library. With the two cartridges you mention you might try some cast lead bullets so a copy of Lyman's 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook will benefit your reloading. I usually pick up a copy of Hodgdon's manual (magazine style) because it's inexpensive and I use Winchester and Hodgdon powders. I have a Lee manual and found the "first half" entertaining but the data section is lacking. It is the last manual I pick up when researching a load.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

A Lyman 50th Edition is a worthwhile addition to any reloader's library. With the two cartridges you mention you might try some cast lead bullets so a copy of Lyman's 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook will benefit your reloading. I usually pick up a copy of Hodgdon's manual (magazine style) because it's inexpensive and I use Winchester and Hodgdon powders. I have a Lee manual and found the "first half" entertaining but the data section is lacking. It is the last manual I pick up when researching a load.

I may pick up a Lyman's 4th Cast manual if I start loading hard casts in the future.

Is the Lyman 50th edition significantly different than the 49th? I heard it really doesn't include enough new data over the 49th to warrant a purchase.

 

[fotheringill]

Go on line and find the sites for the various powder manufacturers. They are a wealth of knowledge as to starting and maximum loads

I have found the following- which might be pertinent to a new shooter.

1. The how-to's in the front of the manuals are about the most important things a new reloader must read and understand and absorb. About 80% (my estimate) of the separate topics on this and other boards, unless topic is a question specific to new loaders, is over the head of any new reloader and will confuse the hell out of a new guy.
2. Ignore completely the folksy stuff about Wilt's first boar hunt when he was 11 and Al Humdee's first dead deer when he was 9 and Davey's first bear when he was only three. IMHO it will teach you nothing except that you paid partially for the family tribute to the guy with a gun.

I know I have drifted a bit OT, but I am seeing more and more new reloaders asking questions here, there and everywhere

 

[mdi]

My Lyman 50th isn't noticeably better or worse than my 49th. All the loads I use/need are in both editions but I haven't purchases any really "new" powders lately...

 

[thomas15]

If I include all 19 volumes of Handloaders Digest, then I have about 65 perhaps 70 books and data manuals on handloading topics. When it comes to which book I pick up first or second when trying something new it is generally either the Lyman 49th or the Hornady 9th. If I don't find what I'm looking for there then I start pulling books off the shelf (which is 8' long).

I don't understand why you say the Hornady manual is not helpful. I actually think it is very helpful. Of course the bullets are mainly Hornady bullets but easily translate to other makers. I find the "How To" section contain everything the storied "ABC Book" has in about 1/3 the number of pages (and words). Everything is presented in clear easy to understand language but for those so inclined there is also a wealth of specialized and technical data presented. If I'm going to take a manual to the store so that I can look up things while shopping it will be the Hornady book.

Just about any of the major books available have some good (and some bad) features. I have been known to procure a manual for no other reason to verify what someone on either this forum or another forums has said the manual contains. A well known poster on this forum routinely quotes an older version of one of the popular manuals and makes a conclusion that he considers gospel but is actually not the logical conclusion based on a normal reading of the actual manual. But I don't care as it's not a big deal except to poster X.

QUESTION:

Is the Lyman 50th edition significantly different than the 49th? I heard it really doesn't include enough new data over the 49th to warrant a purchase.

ANSWER: No

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Alliant Powders will send you a free manual if you go on their web site. It’s worth a lot more than the cost if you use their powders.
I think someone mentioned the Western Powders so I’ll just mention that I think theirs was free too.

I’d suggest downloading all of the companies PDFs which are free and printing the pages you use.

 

[Zendude]

I also favor the Hornady manual. They have data for a pretty wide variety of powders and I like that the manual usually has a sentence about which powders gave the best results.

 

[Dudedog]

Is the Lyman 50th edition significantly different than the 49th? I heard it really doesn't include enough new data over the 49th to warrant a purchase.

Added a few new powders, (not many) they skipped some of the new ones that were out when the manual came out, and added a few new cartridges.
If the rounds you are loading for are in 49 there is probably not a big difference in what's in 50.
If you only have couple rounds PM me and I will compare the differences when I have chance. (maybe not this minute, but faster than Xtreme ships bullets)

 

[cfullgraf]

.

I don't shoot any Nossler, Barnes, or Swift bullets yet, so I figured I could hold off on those for a bit. Though solid copper slugs are piquing my interest, and I think the Barnes manual might be a good one to grab.

Yes, the bullet specific manuals are good to have if you use their bullets. Add Berger Bullets to the list. I shoot some Berger Bullets so I bought their first edition when it came out.

I get Hodgdon's periodical every year. It does not change much, but the articles have some interest here and there and they usually have some updated information, particularly if a new powder has been introduced.

The books mentioned are pretty much what I have, Lyman, Hornady, RCBS, Sierra, powder manufacturer data, etc. I like to have hard copies as I find it easier to compare data from different sources as oppose to shuffling between screens on the computer.

I do use some of the on line powder manufacturer data for quick look up at times.

I buy updated manuals when they come out for the new, albeit limited, loading data. I keep the old versions for reference.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

I'd get the Sierra manual. I love their rifle bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree with the Lyman 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook. I have the 3rd and 4th Editions and the 4th is a great addition to your loading library. It supplies data for bullets made by other manufacturers plus the Lyman molds. That's a first for Lyman.

I also recommend buying the bullet companies manual for the bullets you will be using most. The Nosler manual is a good one if you are using their bullets.

 

[Legionnaire]

If you're spending that much on new manuals, I'll put a plug in for QuickLOAD. I've been playing with it for a couple of months now, and wish I had purchased it years ago. One of the best features is that you can plug in your cartridge and bullet, specify your barrel length, and let QuickLOAD generate a list of most efficient powders for that combination. While QL will also generate a load table for a particular cartridge/bullet/powder combination, I confirm QL's recommended loads against published sources. It's a pretty amazing tool.

My library includes the Lyman 49 and 50, Lee, Hornady, Sierra, Speer, and Nosler manuals. I also use the powder manufacturers' online resources.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

don't understand why you say the Hornady manual is not helpful.

Don't get me wrong, the number of loads is impressive and I do use the data. However, when I was looking to learn to load, and needed some reading on the different aspects of it, I found the explanations in the Lyman manual more helpful and complete. Maybe it was just my take on it. As is suggested by everyone in the Handloading and Reloading section here on THR, it seems having a few manuals to read and then reading them again is a good strategy for a new reloader.

The Hornady manual is fine, and the load data is easy to use.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If you're spending that much on new manuals, I'll put a plug in for QuickLOAD. I've been playing with it for a couple of months now, and wish I had purchased it years ago. One of the best features is that you can plug in your cartridge and bullet, specify your barrel length, and let QuickLOAD generate a list of most efficient powders for that combination. While QL will also generate a load table for a particular cartridge/bullet/powder combination, I confirm QL's recommended loads against published sources. It's a pretty amazing tool.

My library includes the Lyman 49 and 50, Lee, Hornady, Sierra, Speer, and Nosler manuals. I also use the powder manufacturers' online resources.

I'll look into it. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I like to have hard copies as I find it easier to compare data from different sources as oppose to shuffling between screens on the computer.

Same here. I like to have several manuals to reference at the bench. I do not pay for internet at home, and all of my surfing happens from my phone. Looking up reload data from a phone is not fun.

Books are better IMO and the consistency of not needing to dig every time someone redesigns their website is worth the price of a book.

 

[Nature Boy]

I'd second having the Sierra manual and the Berger manual for the info in the front of those books on reloading. However, the recipes for rifle loads in the Berger manual are so conservative as to be virtually useless.

 

[mdi]

FWIW, I'm a "book guy". I like books and have books, texts, and manuals for everything I am now or have been interested in (including a dozen Bibles, texts on everything from kayaking to salmon fishing to building wind powered generators and my 25+ books on reloading. I have texts and manuals on my M1, 1911, Mosin Nagant, SKS, S&W revolvers, Lee Enfield, Taurus revolvers, Ruger revolvers and pistols, casting bullets, alloying lead, and a bunch more I can't think of right now). I can find info. quicker and more directly than I can on line. I can't remember throwing out any book. I even have a Lee reloading manual! All books are good...

 

[thomas15]

I was interested in the newish Western Powder load manual. I have mentioned this before but when it was first introduced it cost $39.00 I decided to wait and now it's easy to find at $29.00. I found a used copy for $19.00 and picked it up.

It is a slick publication with lots of color and detailed graphics. The data is a little thin. Editing is good although the main audience is geared more towards the beginner (not a technical work at all). How to section is average as far a verbiage is concerned, the graphics are fantastic. The book is worth in my opinion $15-20 bux. With all of the advertisements for Western products in the book, Western should write off the production costs (SG&A) and sell the work for a lot less money. It would have been a nice touch if Western had bound it in the same format and size as the Norma load manual, sort of make them a set. But alas the book sits out there like a sore thumb on the shelf.

 

[Bartojc]

What say you? What else should I have in my library?

My first book was the one from Lee. I do not see that anyone has recommended it, and I am surprised. While it is a bit different with Mr Lee's comments about his equipment the information I find quite good. There are lots of loads compiled in one place for reference. More than any other single reference book. I typically go here first, then to the powered mfg website unless I am using a specific Hornady or Sierra bullet, and I have their manuals.

-Jeff

 

[Legionnaire]

Yes, I am a fan of the Lee manual as well.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The Lee manual will be delivered tomorrow as noted in my OP.

 

[mdi]

I found the Lee manual's "front half" to be entertaining and a bit informative, but the data section is sorely lacking. I've looked for some common specific loads (bullet and powders) but none were found in the Lee manual...

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Books showed up today. A quick look shows some bullet powder combos I didn't have before, so I'm pleased if for nothing else, the increase flexibility I now have.

Next up is Sierra, Berger, Barnes, Nosler, and maybe Swift. Maybe next month.

 

[Dudedog]

I'm a "book guy". I like books and have books

They work when the power is off, the internet is down........I like having books, even though I need glasses to read them now.