Reloading manual recommendation
- Thread starter bigstone
- Start date
I order new Nosler manual and should be here this week. I shoot Berger,Nosler,Hornady,Barnes bullets and some custom for my 6ppc and couple 22 cal rifles.
I don't shoot Sierra,Speer but I do get their manuals along with bullet ones I listed. Barnes,Hodgdon,Alliant, I get on line and hope Berger comes out with new manual.
I use start load and work up on who's data I'm using and when I find good load, I'll shooting it couple times make sure it's good load. I live/hunt Co so I'll do some winter testing with hunting loads. Right now I'm working on some loads using Nosler 165gr ABLR in my 270Wby and hoping to use that next year on Bull elk tag.
I don't shoot Sierra,Speer but I do get their manuals along with bullet ones I listed. Barnes,Hodgdon,Alliant, I get on line and hope Berger comes out with new manual.
I use start load and work up on who's data I'm using and when I find good load, I'll shooting it couple times make sure it's good load. I live/hunt Co so I'll do some winter testing with hunting loads. Right now I'm working on some loads using Nosler 165gr ABLR in my 270Wby and hoping to use that next year on Bull elk tag.
With many new cartridges coming out information can be had online but as far as the book form I have manuals from Sierra Lee and Nosler with Nosler being my favorite it is a high-quality manual and very informative
I like them all for different reasons. Nosler gives you case capacity. Hornady gives you some wildcats. Sierra lists the most powders. Some have cartridges others have omitted or not listed. The ones like Hodgdon and Lyman use different manufacturers bullets. Start trying to gather as many as you can and you will see how much different each one is. So much better to have the load data in a physical manual than on line.
The Berger manual is just QuickLoad data and they don't even give starting case capacity. Not one of my favorites.
fx77
Gold $$ Contributor
ABC's of Reloading...kinda classic and generic
Also there are infinite videos on You Tube
I learned from a VHS Tape by Tubb, was before internet and very basic very helpful
The ABCs of Reloading: The Definitive Guide for Novice to Expert: C. Rodney James: 9781440213960: Amazon.com: Books
The ABCs of Reloading: The Definitive Guide for Novice to Expert [C. Rodney James] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The ABCs of Reloading: The Definitive Guide for Novice to Expert
www.amazon.com
Also there are infinite videos on You Tube
I learned from a VHS Tape by Tubb, was before internet and very basic very helpful
Reloading manuals are like potato chips, you can't have just one. My suggestion is that you buy a current manual, Lyman 50 is a good start, read it and then buy another. I like Hornaday X, Lee 2, and the new Western Edition 1 has a good section on how to load. Get your load data from current manuals or manufacturer's website. There are more as others have suggested.
Keep your old manuals when you update because you may need to refer back at some point. I actually collect old manuals for my reference library. When a cartridge loses popularity, load data for it can virtually disappear.
Be patient, careful, and safe.
Keep your old manuals when you update because you may need to refer back at some point. I actually collect old manuals for my reference library. When a cartridge loses popularity, load data for it can virtually disappear.
Be patient, careful, and safe.
Sierra , Hornady are my favorite... I also keep copies of Lyman and Speer... I can't tell you how much having all of them helps...
What do you mean by “quick load data” and “starting case capacity”?
Berger and Lyman data
Attachments
Going as broad as possible for a first I feel as best. I went lyman and now own over 12 manuals. If your pinching pennies the 49th is every bit as good as the new 50th and you may get it very cheap. There are a ton of free manuals.
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Reloading Manuals/
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Reloading Manuals/
Berger uses computer generated data. Notice no mention of primers, cases, test barrels, or actions. The default case capacity appears towards minimum SAAMI specs. Not that the data is bad, it just might not apply to your components. I do like their approximation of barrel length fps calculation like QL. It is in my library as reference only.
All reloading manuals are for reference
Just somewhere to start load development. You won't know what your barrel likes until you complete the load development process.
You'd be surprised how many own only one manual and use it as the gospel. Or heaven forbid, the WWW.
Generic Load Manual for lead or copper jacketed bullets: Lyman over the Lee ( I own both). I own many and have paid for the subscription for the Loading Manual app for both Hornady and Sierra because I use a lot of those bullets. I've also been focusing on all copper bullets (Barnes and Hornady GMX) for rifle and those require special consideration due to bullet length so Barnes posts their load data online for free and the current Hornady app works for the GMX. Hodgdon's online load data is also quite extensive as well as Western Powders and I use mostly Hodgdon, Winchester and Ramshot powders.
I have 19 different reloading manuals going all the way back to the late 70's. I like having the old ones because I still load alot of old calibers. I have some individual caliber loading books and I have some of the newest books. I load for over 40 calibers for myself and friends and I like to have as much research material that I can for load development.
This is me. Not sure how many I have but almost all from the 70’s until my latest Nosler gets here. I have the first edition Nosler which surprised the lady giving the tour at the Nosler plant for some reason.
BINGO!! TY, I am tracking 100% now.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.