Lyman's 49th Reloading Edition- Disappointing at Best!

[onelastshot]

Went to my local gun store to pick up my 6mm AI yesterday and purchased Lyman's 49 edition hoping to get a few recommendations on loads for the new rifle as well as others. In short, I wish I could return the manual and get a refund.

According to Lyman, the 6mm AI does not exist and a cursory check revealed that there is no information or data for the 243 AI, 6mm Dasher, 6-6.5 x 47 or 6.5 x 284. I'm sure I could find a number of additional popular cartridges missing if I spent the time to check.

While I realize every wildcat cartridge cannot be covered, cartridges such as the 6.5 x 284 which is available off the shelf and it's brass manufactured by several companies, certainly should be included.

Fortunately, we have a great site called Accurate Shooter who's members are kind enough to share their experience and information on virtually any and all calibers and cartridges around. I have developed a new appreciation for this site!

 

[walker2713]

In addition to this great site....I"m a big fan of the load data websites of Hodgdon, Accurate, Alliant, Ramshot, Lapua, etc.etc.etc.......

I'm also a subscriber to LoadData.com

There're lots of resources out there...and I find myself less and less reliant on "book" data, since it's so often dated and incomplete.

Good luck with your new rifle!!! We look forward to reports!

George

 

[bp1965]

Another thing about the 49th edition of lyman is they have backed off of the max loads.
I have a 46th edition and most max loads in it are a couple of grains higher in it.
I have a 6 AI on a 700 action and its favorite load is a 70 grain sierra mk and 45 grains of reloader 15,this is a hot load and I would start lower and work up,all guns being different.

 

[amlevin]

I bought the "Load from a Disc" software for use in finding a good starting point when working on a new load. Not as sophisticated as Quick Load but still very useful.

Rather than using the "Book" and assuming that the case volume of "their" case is the same as yours, LfaD uses actual case volume, bullet length, insertion depth, etc to recommend a load. Only downside is that it doesn't list some powders that one might like to use. It just happens to do so with the one powder I use a bunch of, Varget.

Only "book" I own is the Lee 2nd Edition, primarily for it's wide database. For the rest, powder manufacturer websites are a great, and frequently updated source. Far better than that ancient edition someone picked up at a swap meet or estate sale.

 

[Killshot]

Lyman's 49th isn't a good source of load data, true. But it is maybe the best book a beginner can pickup as far as getting some basic instruction.

Sure is hard to figure why the 6BR isn't in there!

 

[onelastshot]

Spoke with the store, they will take back the book. The money saved will be donated to Accurate Shooter forum, I believe will be a much better investment.