Where do you find your reloading data?

[Canuckenstein]

Sierra has a app for iPhone and android. I use it the other alternative is the website of the powder manufacture. Hodgdon website IMO is great. It’s funny most beginner believe you need to use the hornady manual if your using hornady bullets. Or Sierra if it’s Sierra bullets. Just like a lot of newbs think Dies are manufacture specific. Not true.

 

[Canuckenstein]

@mashburn82 , in GA, you're bound to find a few good ol' boys near you to help you learn. Having an experienced reloader nearby *really* helps. Just remember to bring your own stuff, give him components as a thank you (reloaders are almost always "he"), and bring libations for when you're NOT reloading.

VV (Vhitavhouri) reloading manual can be downloaded
Western powders (latest update) can be downloaded. The first 30 pages of this are GOLD as far as reloading advice.
Lee's reloading manual can be found often on clearance from Lee.
Look for "The ABCs of Reloading"
Buy any of Lyman's manuals. If you get into shooting cast bullets, especially look to the older books and also Lyman's book of casting and reloading cast bullets.

Second that abcs of reloading and Lyman manuals (I use them for shotshell reloading). Sierra also has a app.

 

[Canuckenstein]

Thank you!!! I'll probably get a Barnes and hornady books...... Better safe than sorry.

Barnes is online for free and I find hornadys max charges are low. I trust Sierra load data most of all. They offer a app free. Nosler is another fine brand again free. I think any manufacture that wants to sell bullets or powder is right to give the data away. Hornady app not free... Speer data free.
alliant data free. It’s all online.

 

[Terry]

I'm new to reloading but my father in law used to do it. But he has old books.

I am reloading 308 and 9mm. I picked up vihtavuori n550 & n320. And have 165 hornady sst and 175 Barnes LRX. So should I pick a Barnes/hornady reloading book or Vihtavuori?

When I looked on Vihtavuori website they had reloading. But it wasn't for the exact bullet. So I'm being cautious.

Thanks,

Nothing wrong with old books. They are some of the best I have.

 

[DiffEQ]

Nothing wrong with old books. They are some of the best I have.

Some of the powders I use require old books. T5070 anyone? Win 630 ? W230? LOL. They still surely go bang.

 

[mashburn82]

Sierra has a app for iPhone and android. I use it the other alternative is the website of the powder manufacture. Hodgdon website IMO is great. It’s funny most beginner believe you need to use the hornady manual if your using hornady bullets. Or Sierra if it’s Sierra bullets. Just like a lot of newbs think Dies are manufacture specific. Not true.

The barnes lrx is the only bullet for me that will be loaded differently and it deals with the coal.

 

[mashburn82]

If I were going to buy 1 book on reloading I'd get the Lee reloading book. It seems to be a compilation of all the other companies data (Hodgdon, Sierra, etc.) in 1 place. Many different bullets and loads with almost every powder fit to be loaded into whatever case you're looking at.

Thank you. I'll definitely get that with a couple others as well.

 

[mashburn82]

Any book you buy is a guide. Doesn't mean a safe max in their book will be in your gun. Big difference between some books. The lawyers want to make sure you don't get hurt. The main thing is to start with lower charges and work up knowing what all the signs of pressure are. Go for accuracy and don't try to max out speed like many people do.

Agreed. Accuracy is what I'm about

 

[NZ_Fclass]

N550 is an "interesting" powder, but it is double based, ( contains nitro glycerine and nitro cellulose) and therefore tends to burn quite hot, compared to single base powders. But - yes -308 with heavier freedom pills. Some respectable velocities can be reached - but start a few grains off maximum. Certainly a favourite for the 208's for long range.

 

[slickshot223]

Do not use some individuals load data without checking it for yourself!!!! That's why there are several load data books and online factory load sites!!!!!!!

 

[Sean1]

I have various load manuals. I also like
loaddata.com. If I start getting more new calibers though I need to get new manuals. Some of mine are getting old and do not have data for some of the newer cartridges.

 

[wkdickinson]

I'm new to reloading but my father in law used to do it. But he has old books.

I am reloading 308 and 9mm. I picked up vihtavuori n550 & n320. And have 165 hornady sst and 175 Barnes LRX. So should I pick a Barnes/hornady reloading book or Vihtavuori?

When I looked on Vihtavuori website they had reloading. But it wasn't for the exact bullet. So I'm being cautious.

Thanks,

I personally like the Sierra manual and the Hodgdon website (I use mostly Hodgdon powder). I find the Berger manual WAY too conservative, but I shoot a lot of Berger bullets. I also use Google to search, but the data I get there is really more to get a "general understanding" of what others are using.

 

[Kurz]

Nothing wrong with old books. They are some of the best I have.

We never seem to run short of opinions here in these forums, especially during these current times. But the above statement is only partially true although another poster touched briefly on a different reason.

I have 3 - 8 foot shelves full with reloading manuals only. These date from the early days of published information to the most current manuals. Why? Historical context and a desire to maintain a library of published information regarding our favorite pastime, reloading. There is no control over those who publish their data online since they can change and modify that same data without preserving the original version. You are left with 'well, it used to be xx.x grains'. What happened?

With simple referencing using those manuals, you can see the transitions from powder formulation changes to the current lawyer driven conservative data. Best of all though you get to see some examples of superb recipes and the best, invaluable information about all the basics of reloading complete with detailed illustrations and guidelines.

Those interested in a monthly subscription can get the Rifle magazine and Handloader magazine from Wolfe Publishing. At one time Wolfe also published separate volumes of Pet Loads (for handloaders) and Wildcat Cartridges for those who like the lesser charted water of reloading wildcats. These two tomes are only available through second source book sellers. Amazon does have some.

Books can provide a gigantic source of information and data which can referenced while working on the internet. The internet is not the end all for this information.

Enjoy!