reloading manuals

[trgtsnpr]

whats one of the best all around reloading manuals thanks bill

 

[ShootDots]

I like the Hodgdon manual>>it shows the pressure for each load. AND since Hodgdon owns IMR and Winchester powders which encompasses all but VV and RL powders.

 

[2506]

I like the Sierra manual. It list many different powders and it also list suggested accuracy and hunting loads which I have found to be spot on much of the time and that saves me time and money in the long run. No matter what bullet makers bullet that is a similar cup and lead core type bullet they usually shoot about the same in my experience with these loads. I work up to these loads but usually find the the listed loads are spot on. If a bullet of different construction like a mono type is used the charge sometimes is different but the powder type us usually spot on. I have been loading for over 30 years and have a bunch of loading manuals but if I was to only have one it would be the Sierra.

 

[mikegaiz]

I like the Sierra manual the best. It is very helpful when you are just starting out and their best loads are pretty good. Nosler is second.

 

[watercam]

Nosler, Sierra, Lyman

 

[bigedp51]

I like the Hodgdon manual>>it shows the pressure for each load. AND since Hodgdon owns IMR and Winchester powders which encompasses all but VV and RL powders.

IMR and Winchester powders belong to General Dynamics weapons division. If you look at the MSDS sheets at the link below for Hogdons powders you will see they do not own or manufacture "ANY" powder. And the Australian powders it sells is relabeled and actually belongs to a French conglomerate.

https://www.hodgdon.com/msds.html

 

[ShootDots]

I like the Hodgdon manual>>it shows the pressure for each load. AND since Hodgdon owns IMR and Winchester powders which encompasses all but VV and RL powders.

IMR and Winchester powders belong to General Dynamics weapons division. If you look at the MSDS sheets at the link below for Hogdons powders you will see they do not own or manufacture "ANY" powder. And the Australian powders it sells is relabeled and actually belongs to a French conglomerate.

https://www.hodgdon.com/msds.html



I know that Hodgdon does NOT manufacture any powder. They are simply a distributor. However, it has been my understanding that they bought both IMR and Win powders several years ago. If they did not>>>I stand corrected. However, the reason I like the manual is because they list all those powders that encompass most of reloading and it shows the pressures for every load. I like it for the information that is important to me.

 

[bigedp51]

whats one of the best all around reloading manuals thanks bill

Get as many manuals as you can get to compare the data, there are too many variations in firearms and components for "ANY" manual to be the do all be all manual.

Example I have two AR15 rifles and one bolt action Savage in .223. The AR15 carbine has a chrome chamber and bore, the AR15 A2 HBAR has a slightly tighter chamber and the bore and chamber are not chrome. And last but not least the Savage .223 has a "LONGER" throat the either AR15 rifle. Meaning none of the data written in reloading manuals is written in stone.

 

[bigedp51]

I know that Hodgdon does NOT manufacture any powder. They are simply a distributor. However, it has been my understanding that they bought both IMR and Win powders several years ago. If they did not>>>I stand corrected. However, the reason I like the manual is because they list all those powders that encompass most of reloading and it shows the pressures for every load. I like it for the information that is important to me.

And some manuals data use a universal receiver and a pressure test barrel cut to minimum SAAMI standards. And with other data a actual firearm is used, meaning the test results will vary greatly. Every year I buy the Hodgdon's annual (Magazine) manual but again, loading data can vary greatly and the Hodgdon's manual is not written in stone.

Bottom line, check more than just one source of data and start low and work up.

St. Marks Powder, and IMR powders are owned by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems company, is a leading manufacturer of commercial smokeless powder.
SO again "READ" the link I posted and on the second page of each MSDS sheet will tell you who owns the company and where it is made. The IMR powders are made in Canada and the Winchester ball powders are made in Florida and the other powders come from Australia.

If Hodgdon's had bought IMR and Winchester powders they would be the owners, they are not. Hodgdon only distributes powders from other manufactures.

 

[Chappy]

I think Sierra and Berger, as well as Hodgdon come out with the most advanced manuals.

 

[jonbearman]

The lyman manual is great for learning and they imfo you cant find in other manuals.

 

[Toolbreaker]

I'm kinda surprised that Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd Ed. hasn't been mentioned. Although it appears Lee didn't develop the loads in this book, they have re-published loads from several manufacturers into one source. I've been using it for a good while now.

 

[gdbleb]

I like the Hodgdon manual>>it shows the pressure for each load. AND since Hodgdon owns IMR and Winchester powders which encompasses all but VV and RL powders.

IMR and Winchester powders belong to General Dynamics weapons division. If you look at the MSDS sheets at the link below for Hogdons powders you will see they do not own or manufacture "ANY" powder. And the Australian powders it sells is relabeled and actually belongs to a French conglomerate.

https://www.hodgdon.com/msds.html

Thanks BigEd,

Those MSDS's for many Hogdon powders get you to Thales. Thales Australia bought ADI which gets you to this (which has the mapping from Australian powder names/numbers to Hogdon names/numbers). Always wondered about that.

http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders/index.asp

 

[Steve3]

Get them all. I started with Lee and Lyman. Also the book ABCs of Reloading. I like Sierra's because I use their bullets. And I go to Hodgdon's web site often. Hodgdon for loads but also when researching a cartridge.

 

[Webster]

All of the manuals are accurate under the conditions they used to obtain the data (different bore dimensions, chamber dimensions, free bore, bullet, primer ect. I have 4 manuals and I usually go to the Berger or Sierra for data. I don't believe it matters which manual you use since you always start at least 10% below max and work up. If you don't know all of the signs of pressure and look for them you shouldn't be reloading. Too many people want to reload just below the signs of pressure. The factory and reload data gives a large safety margin below the point that the rifle be damaged or blow up. I always wondered if you reload to just below the signs of pressure are you actually exceeding the recommended pressure limit and operating at the bottom of the safety margin that you shouldn't be in?

I have a few complaints with the Sierra manual. It gives 6mmBR Rem data and doesn't state if it's good for 6mmBR Norma. Very few people shoot a 6MMBR Rem rifle. If you have a custom barrel it's always 6mm BR Norma. They state that the 30BR is like a 30-30 cartridge and it should be good for deer hunting. Doesn't mention it is for serious BR shooting and it is one of the most accurate cartridges in the world for short range BR competition. It list to many bizarre calibers and it could have more data on popular cartridges. More RE-15 data.

 

[Half Scale]

I have 7 or 8 manuals but....the 3 I use the most are Sierra, Nosler, and Berger.

 

[CatShooter]

I have a few complaints with the Sierra manual. It gives 6mmBR Rem data and doesn't state if it's good for 6mmBR Norma. Very few people shoot a 6MMBR Rem rifle. If you have a custom barrel it's always 6mm BR Norma.

It is because they are the same cartridge - so they have the same loading data.

They state that the 30BR is like a 30-30 cartridge and it should be good for deer hunting. Doesn't mention it is for serious BR shooting and it is one of the most accurate cartridges in the world for short range BR competition.

Why should they - it is loading data, not Benchrest promotional plug.

It list to many bizarre calibers and it could have more data on popular cartridges. More RE-15 data.

I don't think the people that load those bizarre calibres (watsa "bizarre calibre"??) would agree with you.

 

[trgtsnpr]

thank you guys you help is greatly appreciated thanks bill

 

[schwob2]

I like the Hornady book - came as part of their press package.

 

[old_heli_logger]

I would suggest that you use the manual that manufacturers your bullets. Only they know the friction coefficient (bearing surface and jacket thickness) of your bullet