Reloading Manuals - The Firearms Forum

quadcrazy · 12-12-2009, 09:59 PM

I'm new to reloading and would like some recommendations on reloading manuals. I have the Lyman 49th Edition but now I'm looking for a large selection of recipes for handgun (38 special) rifle (30-06) and shotgun (12 ga.). I'm finding a few recipes here and there but would like to find one or two books loaded with recipes. Is there such a thing as one manual that has every possible combination imaginable?

Thanks

scrat · 12-12-2009, 11:13 PM

NOPE.

too many combinations. Every powder company will have a load manual then every bullet company has a manual then reloading component companies have a reloading manual. Then to confuse even more you will find variations from one source to another. why is this because most load data is done using test guns with test barrels in ideal environments then written down. however this data will vary from gun to gun. So the best advice anyone will tell you is 1. you can never get enough load data. if you would like some free manuals check out the powder companies. Hogdon, Winchester, IMR. go to their sites.. you will see usually a link wher you can fill out and they will mail you load data manuals. then best thing to do is compare ask questions and when you can buy some more.

LDBennett · 12-13-2009, 06:40 AM

Of the common big company reloading manuals the older full size Hodgdon manuals gave recipes for IMR and Winchester right along side their own powders. Bullet manufacturers tend to list many different powders for their bullets. But there is nothing like having a library of reloading manuals and studying them to help in the initial choice of bullet, powder and load levels. I have many editions of Speer, Sierra, Hodgdon, Hornady, Lyman, Barnes, Accurate Arms, and others. I refer to most of them often.

Lee's reloading manual also tends to list loads from a variety of manuals. But be careful in reading the text. Lee, the man, is very arrogant and totally believes only he knows how to make reloading equipment, which obviously is not true if you have ever owned any of his cheapy products (some are good and others not so good, in my opinion).

LDBennett

dammitman · 12-13-2009, 06:03 PM

i will tell you what, just join loaddata.com its worth the money,,,,,,,,,

woolleyworm · 12-13-2009, 06:44 PM

Here's my list in order of preference.

Lyman (already have)
Hornady
Sierra
Lee (yes, he is very arrogant, but does have some good info/great data)
Speer
Nosler
Barnes
OneCalibers/LoadbooksUSA

I have 6 manuals and a couple OneCalibers, they all get used. I'm sure I'll pick up some more as time goes on also.
Not sure which manual would be best suited for 12ga, as I don't reload any shotshell. No one manual will "do it all", and I'm 100% certain that if there was one, that I would still use the others also.

Popgunner · 12-13-2009, 11:52 PM

The manual with by far the most loads is the Second Edition Lee manual. For 30-06 it has thirteen pages of loads.

Suicide*Ride · 12-15-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrat

you can never get enough load data. if you would like some free manuals check out the powder companies. Hogdon, Winchester, IMR. go to their sites.. you will see usually a link wher you can fill out and they will mail you load data manuals. the best thing to do is compare, ask questions, and when you can - buy some more.

+ 1,000!!

SR

12-12-2009, 09:59 PM	#1
quadcrazy Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bonney Lake, WA Posts: 21	Reloading Manuals I'm new to reloading and would like some recommendations on reloading manuals. I have the Lyman 49th Edition but now I'm looking for a large selection of recipes for handgun (38 special) rifle (30-06) and shotgun (12 ga.). I'm finding a few recipes here and there but would like to find one or two books loaded with recipes. Is there such a thing as one manual that has every possible combination imaginable? Thanks -->

12-12-2009, 11:13 PM	#2
scrat V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 86	Re: Reloading Manuals NOPE. too many combinations. Every powder company will have a load manual then every bullet company has a manual then reloading component companies have a reloading manual. Then to confuse even more you will find variations from one source to another. why is this because most load data is done using test guns with test barrels in ideal environments then written down. however this data will vary from gun to gun. So the best advice anyone will tell you is 1. you can never get enough load data. if you would like some free manuals check out the powder companies. Hogdon, Winchester, IMR. go to their sites.. you will see usually a link wher you can fill out and they will mail you load data manuals. then best thing to do is compare ask questions and when you can buy some more.

12-13-2009, 06:40 AM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,710	Re: Reloading Manuals Of the common big company reloading manuals the older full size Hodgdon manuals gave recipes for IMR and Winchester right along side their own powders. Bullet manufacturers tend to list many different powders for their bullets. But there is nothing like having a library of reloading manuals and studying them to help in the initial choice of bullet, powder and load levels. I have many editions of Speer, Sierra, Hodgdon, Hornady, Lyman, Barnes, Accurate Arms, and others. I refer to most of them often. Lee's reloading manual also tends to list loads from a variety of manuals. But be careful in reading the text. Lee, the man, is very arrogant and totally believes only he knows how to make reloading equipment, which obviously is not true if you have ever owned any of his cheapy products (some are good and others not so good, in my opinion). LDBennett

12-13-2009, 06:03 PM	#4
dammitman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 241	Re: Reloading Manuals i will tell you what, just join loaddata.com its worth the money,,,,,,,,,

12-13-2009, 06:44 PM	#5
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,881	Re: Reloading Manuals Here's my list in order of preference. Lyman (already have) Hornady Sierra Lee (yes, he is very arrogant, but does have some good info/great data) Speer Nosler Barnes OneCalibers/LoadbooksUSA I have 6 manuals and a couple OneCalibers, they all get used. I'm sure I'll pick up some more as time goes on also. Not sure which manual would be best suited for 12ga, as I don't reload any shotshell. No one manual will "do it all", and I'm 100% certain that if there was one, that I would still use the others also. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

12-13-2009, 11:52 PM	#6
Popgunner Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Contributor Posts: 1,764	Re: Reloading Manuals The manual with by far the most loads is the Second Edition Lee manual. For 30-06 it has thirteen pages of loads.