Which Manual?

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Olon

Olon

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Howdy,

I've been reloading for about a year, and it's been a rewarding and addictive pastime so far. The first manual I bought for non-shotshell reloading was the Speer 14th edition; it's still the only one I have.

Many times, I've found this manual to be quite limited. A few of the loads I've come to like come from hodgdon's website instead of my loading manual, but I like to have a physical copy of reference books to write notes and such.

I'm considering getting Lyman's 50th edition reloading manual as I've heard it's fairly broad and includes loads for cast bullets (which I'm about to have my first experience with this weekend). Another consideration is the Hornady manual as I shoot mostly Hornady bullets when I go for jacketed.

Here's some examples of the components I like to use which I've found limited data for in my Speer Manual:

Pretty much anything with Varget
Any Hornady bullets; they only include Speer bullets (duh)
Berry's Plated Bullets (same as above)
Non-RCBS moulded cast bullets
Limited use of Blue Dot, which is one of my favorite powders
Limited use of 700-x, which is another powder I like
I don't think I've seen data for CFE Pistol which I'd like to try as well

I know there isn't a manual which will include every component under the sun, but I am sure some are more all-encompassing than others. I think by adding another manual to my collection I'll be able to cross-reference loads and stay safer that way.

So, what are your recommendations? Is Lyman 50th a good manual? What are the types of loads you make and which manuals seem to fit well with those?

Thanks for contributing!

Olon
 
Get the free manuals from the powder companies. You’ll find the PDFs on their websites and they’ll send you a hard copy if you request one.

After that I like Lee. Now I haven’t seen an update so it may not have CFE and other newer powders. Likewise I like Lyman. But again you may not find the newer powders.
 
I like the Lyman manual. Covers a lot of loads for most cartridges and usually has some pretty interesting articles besides. None of the manuals are bad however. If you can look through them and pick the one you want. Lots of good info from the bullet and powder manufacturers. Get a binder and a paper punch then print off what you want.
 
I used to rely heavily on hard cover manuals from the likes of Hornady and Speer but over time load data changes and even the data between different manuals can vary significantly due to the difference in the test methodology used at the time of their publication. Now I rely mainly on current online component vendor data. There will be many, many instances in which you simply can't find data for a particular bullet and powder combination. In such cases I will research the web and look for experienced reloaders and what their recommendations are, then proceed cautiously from there. I have gone from paper and pen notes in a notebook to an excel spreadsheet, though there is a lot to be said for old school hand written notes...can't accidentally delete them :)
 
I use the Lyman 50th and the Hornady 10th hard copies and Hodgden, Alliant, Nosler, and Speer online data mostly. I usually cross reference both books and at least one online source then go from there. I also have a some older manuals that I pick up from garage sales,or, flea markets.
 
I have the Lyman 4th edition cast bullet handbook, Lyman 50th edition reloading, Lee Modern reloading and Hornady 10th edition reloading manual. Out of the four, the Hornady is the one I could do without. Yes, the Lyman 50th is a must for me.....just my opinion.
 
Hornady.

No you can not get manuals for "free" you can get load data which is not a manual. The first chapters have lots of other "STUFF" If all you want is load data get a cook book.:)
Hokie_PhD said:
Get the free manuals from the powder companies. You’ll find the PDFs on their websites and they’ll send you a hard copy if you request one.

Those are not manuals

After that I like Lee. Now I haven’t seen an update so it may not have CFE and other newer powders. Likewise I like Lyman. But again you may not find the newer powders.
Click to expand...

Lee is a compilation of load data from other sources, the first chapters have some good info. Mr Lee write it like a book, Interesting to read.
 
Maybe this is obvious but any way...

The bullet companies manuals will only have their bullets in them but will have a variety of powders from different manufacturers.

The powder companies manuals and data pamphlets will only have their powders in them but will have a variety of bullets from different manufacturers.

There some manuals like Lee or the single cartridge Load Books are a compilation of data from a number of sources. But they tend to be older data that the original sources have since published updated manuals. (Note, sources that research loading data do not necessarily re-test all data published in updated manuals)

I like to have a variety of information from different sources at my disposal. I like a couple bullet manufacturers and I tend to buy the updated manuals when they are published. The same for data published by the powder companies.

I keep the old manuals and pamphlets. I use the data carefully as it really could be superseded but sometimes bullet/powder/cartridge combinations disappear from the most recent versions.
 
The Lyman books have more different bullets and powders than my speer, Sierra, and hornady books. The thing I noticed is that books vary pretty wildly sometimes. One will have a starting load equal to the max in another. As far as the info before the data in the manual, it's all pretty much the same. I have 10 or more books I'd guess and I wouldn't pick any one over the other simply for the writing. If you favor one brand of bullet then by all means buy that manual.
 
If you already know how to load, all the load data is available online from the powder manufacturers and from some component makers for free.

I have recently aquired Hornady's 10th and Lyman 50th in digital form. They are nice because I can bring them up right on my phone, but they aren't essential.

I buy mostly Hodgdon/IMR powders because their website is fantastic on desktop and mobile, and their data seems to not have been cut off at the knees by lawyers yet.
 
Printed manuals are behind the curve the day they are sent to the printer.

The Speer #14 was published in 2007, that means the data work was done before that. I'm pretty sure that CFE pistol came out after that date.

There is no one size fits all manual. I don't think there is any CFE pistol data in the Lyman 50 either.

I've got a stack of manuals that's close to 4 feet long. Anymore I use my tablet more than my printed manuals. I always pick up the Hodgdon Annual when it shows up.
 
Lyman's 50th, Hornady's 10th, Speer's 15th, Lee's 2nd, and Western Powders' 1st are my most commonly referenced books. Lyman's and Lee's being #1 and #2 probably for loading bullets from unknown 'net manufacturers like MBC, RMR, etc.

I use Sierra's book for my rifle loads with SMKs specifically too.
 
I have most of them, but the Lee gets the most use. After that, I typically just go online. Almost have to these days with all the new powders that have come out.
 
Look on ebay for used reloading books, that is where I bought most of mine from.
If I see and cheap reloading books I will buy them to give to new people who want to get into reloading.
Same with reloading dies, i check the gun forums and ebay for cheap dies. I have several double sets and calibers that friends might want to load for.
I also have three extra of the six pack Hornady Lock n Load bushings to set up dies that I buy.
 
Just piling on to re-enforce the obvious, a good reloading manual contains more than just load data.

I have the last two editions of the Lee manual, a Speer #13 manual and a Lyman 49th edition. Together, they have made a nice library of knowledge.
 
I think Lyman 50 is good, but be aware it does not have data for some of the newer powders in it. (even some that are not quite so "new")
For example no CFE-Pistol or BE86 data. (hopefully in 51...)
 
The Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Handbook and the Lyman 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook are must have books for the serious handloader IMO.

I don't bother with Lee because they only copy their data and repackage it.

I like the Speer manuals too and I have most of them.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx
http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com (Hodgdon/ IMR, Winchester)
http://www.ramshot.com/load-data/ (same as Accurate manual)
https://www.norma-ammunition.com/us/Ammunition-Academy/Reloading-Data/
https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/rifle-reloading/

https://load-data.nosler.com
https://www.hornady.com/support/load-data/

There are more but you can Google the rest and bookmark.
 
One of the things I don't like about the Lee book is he slaps his own back so much. Plus some of the reloading data starts out up above the max charge in other reloading books.
I have their newest Lee reloading book that was given to me. After reading this one I would not spend my money on another Lee book. One was enough for me.
 
First manual purchased: Speer No. 12. Last manual purchased: Speer No. 15. Also on my shelf: Hornaday, Hodgdon, Accurate Arms and both editions of LEE.

Favorites are:
  • Speer No. 15 – Like the layout and love the historic and technical bullet points.
  • LEE – For his folksy style and more importantly… his willingness to actually describe the practical aspects of the “how” and “why” regarding the reloading process. He does a good job of collating all the other data out there as well. And yes, he does a pretty good job of patting himself on the back throughout both books :cool:
The reality is, though I do use the manuals, I also always go to the manufacturers websites as well. But a website is no substitute for a manual. All it is is data.
 
In my opinion, Speer has the best intro to reloading.
I like the Lyman manual for some cast loads.
If you don't load cast, there are downloads for everything else you want.
If you go Hornady, their max load is usually where I find my best accuracy. I think they're onto something. I don't jump straight to it, but usually the up there.
 
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