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Whats the best reloading data book?
4/28/2012 12:23:16 PM
I almost bought a Hornady book today but i decided to wait because it was 30$. It seems that not alot of people like the Hornady 8th edition anyway. So whats the best reloading data book? I dont mind spending some money on somthing i actually need.
Thanks in advance for any input
ETA: i will be loading 223.
Thanks in advance for any input
ETA: i will be loading 223.
4/28/2012 12:42:03 PM
i have Lyman and Lee and both seem pretty good. However, I like the lyman better because its easier to keep on the correct row. But the cheapest is the powder and bullet manufactures free data. Also you can find caliber specific data books that are a compilation of all the free sources, I think they are titled "the complete reloading guide for .223"
4/28/2012 1:21:51 PM
There is no 'best'.
There is only 'how many of them do you own and actually read?'
The Hornady would be a good place to start.
I own the Nosler IV, Speer #12 & #13 and Sierra V manuals and then I have the reloading pamphlets from just about everybody.
17 years later, I still read them. Just got one of the Speer's out Thursday to look up their data on velocity loss/gain in cold/hot weather.
They're still valuable to me.
Chris
There is only 'how many of them do you own and actually read?'
The Hornady would be a good place to start.
I own the Nosler IV, Speer #12 & #13 and Sierra V manuals and then I have the reloading pamphlets from just about everybody.
17 years later, I still read them. Just got one of the Speer's out Thursday to look up their data on velocity loss/gain in cold/hot weather.
They're still valuable to me.
Chris
4/28/2012 1:38:58 PM
Like they said, you really need more than one. But..... Speer is the first one to buy.
Hornady book is very conservative for some reason. I do, however, have the Hornady book along with the Speer, Lyman, and Hodgdon books. I use the Hornady regularly, but always in conjunction with the others.
I never start from scratch without consulting all of the manuals, the internet sites for the products I intend to use, and discussion boards for practical information from experienced people.
It is the information age, after all.
Hornady book is very conservative for some reason. I do, however, have the Hornady book along with the Speer, Lyman, and Hodgdon books. I use the Hornady regularly, but always in conjunction with the others.
I never start from scratch without consulting all of the manuals, the internet sites for the products I intend to use, and discussion boards for practical information from experienced people.
It is the information age, after all.
4/28/2012 1:39:27 PM
I've got the Lyman 49th and the Hornady 8th. They're both great if you're just starting to understand the process.
As far as load data is concerned, the Hornady manual numbers are very conservative. The Lyman data is from a bolt-gun.
I load for gas-guns. What I usually do is look at the numbers from both manuals. I printed up the Sierra AR-15/.223 pages.
I also look at the IMR/Hodgdon website and review the load data threads on this site as well as others. This gives me a 'real world' powder charge window
that I load too. If you read some threads were folks are asking about this...you'll find load data that is working for others.
When you find that range of charge weights, load some up from low to high to find what your weapon likes. As you work up, keep your eye out for pressure.
I think if I were to buy my first book now...it would be the Sierra manual.
Always work up!!! You'll be cheating yourself if you don't.
As far as load data is concerned, the Hornady manual numbers are very conservative. The Lyman data is from a bolt-gun.
I load for gas-guns. What I usually do is look at the numbers from both manuals. I printed up the Sierra AR-15/.223 pages.
I also look at the IMR/Hodgdon website and review the load data threads on this site as well as others. This gives me a 'real world' powder charge window
that I load too. If you read some threads were folks are asking about this...you'll find load data that is working for others.
When you find that range of charge weights, load some up from low to high to find what your weapon likes. As you work up, keep your eye out for pressure.
I think if I were to buy my first book now...it would be the Sierra manual.
Always work up!!! You'll be cheating yourself if you don't.
4/28/2012 1:54:42 PM
4/28/2012 4:59:40 PM
I've got both Lyman 49th Edition and Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd Edition as well as powder manufacturers website data. I cross reference them all as you'll find that some sources don't have the bullet or the powder your looking for so there is no such thing as having to many manuals. I plan on picking up the Hornady and Speer editions soon.
4/28/2012 5:58:28 PM
I get them all from the bullet and powder manufactures, plus the Lyman and Load Books caliber specific. If you go to the manufacturers web sites, as stated you can download their data for free or get a guide mailed to you. There's alot of variance between the different data so I like to have as much info as possible.
4/28/2012 6:04:47 PM
I am a big fan of these, they give you data from all the major manuals
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/185458/loadbooks-usa-9mm-luger-reloading-manual
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/185458/loadbooks-usa-9mm-luger-reloading-manual
4/28/2012 6:18:20 PM
There is no BEST.
If I were to have only one, or recommend someones first book, I would go with Lyman # whatever is current. I think that's the Lyman #49, but #48 or #47 would be fine as well.
If I were to have only one, or recommend someones first book, I would go with Lyman # whatever is current. I think that's the Lyman #49, but #48 or #47 would be fine as well.
4/28/2012 6:55:36 PM
Okay thanks guys
4/29/2012 12:00:34 AM
For a general use manual, cast and jacketed bullets, Lyman 49 is hard to beat.
Then get the manual put out by the bullet maker you use.
Hornady 8 is a great manual BTW.
4/29/2012 12:05:17 AM
Originally Posted By Rugby3:
I've got both Lyman 49th Edition and Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd Edition as well as powder manufacturers website data. I cross reference them all as you'll find that some sources don't have the bullet or the powder your looking for so there is no such thing as having to many manuals. I plan on picking up the Hornady and Speer editions soon.
I've got both Lyman 49th Edition and Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd Edition as well as powder manufacturers website data. I cross reference them all as you'll find that some sources don't have the bullet or the powder your looking for so there is no such thing as having to many manuals. I plan on picking up the Hornady and Speer editions soon.
I too use the Lyman, Lee and Speer manuals. I also cross reference with online load data from the powder manufacturers. This process was pretty revealing the other day when trying to find a starting load for H110 and 158gr XTPs. The max load in a couple places was the starting load in others. Took the most consistent range from all sources and started low, working my way up.
4/29/2012 2:42:10 AM
Lyman and Lee are what I call generic manuals. I think everyone needs both.
From there my suggestion is to buy the same brand manual as bullet brand. Translated, Brand X bullet, Brand X manual.
Lyman is likely the best manual because it identifies bullet molds.
Lee requires interpretation of bullet types by recommended oal.
One important issue often wrongly associated with oal is seating depth. Seating depth affects pressure. OAL affects feed ability. Two very different issues.
The problem with using a Brand X manual is matching seating depth for the bullet your using if an off brand to recommended oal/seating depth for bullet listed in Brand X manual.
Thing is, compare bullet height your seating to bullet height referenced in manual.
From there my suggestion is to buy the same brand manual as bullet brand. Translated, Brand X bullet, Brand X manual.
Lyman is likely the best manual because it identifies bullet molds.
Lee requires interpretation of bullet types by recommended oal.
One important issue often wrongly associated with oal is seating depth. Seating depth affects pressure. OAL affects feed ability. Two very different issues.
The problem with using a Brand X manual is matching seating depth for the bullet your using if an off brand to recommended oal/seating depth for bullet listed in Brand X manual.
Thing is, compare bullet height your seating to bullet height referenced in manual.
