Where do you find your reloading data?

[mashburn82]

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,

 

[Sniper338]

You dont need data for the exact bullet. Just look for 165gr bullets, or 160 gr, and start low and work up. I dont use books at all. Waste of money. Its all online

 

[Retired Grunt]

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,

Vihtavuori has data on their website, pretty sure Hornaday does too, and they update the manual pretty often.

 

[mashburn82]

Vihtavuori has data on their website, pretty sure Hornaday does too, and they update the manual pretty often.

They do. But what confused me is it doesn't have a hornady BT for 165 (sst). So can I go off the data for SPBT?

And when I saw that off. I then questioned how much it could change for 175 LRX.

 

[std7mag]

While i use online data (Vithavouri, Ramshot, Alliant, Cutting Edge, Barnes), i also have hardcover reloading manuals (Sierra, Hornady, Berger, Lee, Nosler).

There are also published annual manuals from Hodgdon, Alliant.
Alliant is free, just go to their website & request a copy. Alliant's "manual" also has a lot of shotgun reloading data.
Hodgdons annual is in magazine form. You buy it, can't remember how much, but under $20.
Good to have for the new powders they release what seems like every 2 months.
Good rifle data, but i find their pistol data lacking.

 

[Jager]

I'd suggest, in rough order of priority:

- Load manuals by the bullet makers
- Load manuals by the powder manufacturers
- Somewhat more generic load manuals, such as Lyman and Lee
- Handloader Magazine and similar "accredited" sources

Note that much of the data from the bullet and powder manufacturers is now online. But having a copy of the manual on-hand is still very useful - and those manuals contain other valuable information besides load data.

I would be cautious of load data from individuals on the internet. Such information can be helpful, but should be simply one data point in working through your own due diligence.

While it's true that bullets of the same or similar weight will often display similar pressure characteristics, I would caution against assuming too much there. A conventional .30-caliber lead-core bullet of a given weight is a very different animal from one of the newer non-lead bullets of the same weight, for instance.

You cannot have too many good load sources...

 

[mashburn82]

You dont need data for the exact bullet. Just look for 165gr bullets, or 160 gr, and start low and work up. I dont use books at all. Waste of money. Its all online

That's what I was about to do. And then they confused me with this. So then I questioned their data on 175 LRX Barnes.

 

[mashburn82]

While i use online data (Vithavouri, Ramshot, Alliant, Cutting Edge, Barnes), i also have hardcover reloading manuals (Sierra, Hornady, Berger, Lee, Nosler).

There are also published annual manuals from Hodgdon, Alliant.
Alliant is free, just go to their website & request a copy. Alliant's "manual" also has a lot of shotgun reloading data.
Hodgdons annual is in magazine form. You buy it, can't remember how much, but under $20.
Good to have for the new powders they release what seems like every 2 months.
Good rifle data, but i find their pistol data lacking.

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

 

[std7mag]

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

You can get Barnes data online.

I like the Hornady manuals as they typically give COAL for the bullet shank/boattail junction at the shoulder/neck junction of the case, not just spouting off what SAAMI COAL is.

 

[clowdis]

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.

 

[JFrank]

I use the Nosler hard cover guide

 

[338 dude]

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They do. But what confused me is it doesn't have a hornady BT for 165 (sst). So can I go off the data for SPBT?

And when I saw that off. I then questioned how much it could change for 175 LRX.

Also look up the manufacturers data for the bullet you want to use see if they have the powder you want to use listed check it both ways as said earlier many times I have substituted a different bullet of the same weight and construction do not substitute a cup and core bullet for a mono load data

 

[TheOtherZilla]

As noted there is a ton of data online. I have books as well. I have some really old books and also the latest versions. What I find handy are the lil books "One Caliber, One load" They do not have every source of data but quite a bit is in there. Finally I have notes from the 1970's forward on what gun and loads I have tried. Pencil and paper.
Example of book. Complete Reloading Manual 223 Remington: Amazon.com: Books

 

[FNSafari]

Vihtavuori has data on their website, pretty sure Hornaday does too, and they update the manual pretty often.

Nosler is online with data for their bullets too.

 

[dellet]

The things that loading manuals have, that online data does not, are how to instructions, Sadly those instructions only cover the basics. You have already noticed a very important basic that is a huge safety factor and tha isn’t that you can’t just grab data online and substitute bullets.

If you look at the 165 grain data, note the COL is the same, min/max charge weight are completely different. That’s due to bullet length.

The Speer is 1.215”, the GMX is 1.399”. That .185” difference in length, makes that much difference in pressure.

Now imagine using the 1.476” Barnes in place of the 1.240” Sierra SMK with a difference of .235”

You will also find combinations where two bullets loaded at the same length is a physical impossibility. A short fat bullet can either hit the lands at a much short COL than a long VLD type or in extreme cases, not reach the length without falling out of the case.

A good, how to manual is a must at this stage.

ABC’s of reloading, Glenn Zedicker wore some great books that may be out of print since his death, and others. Might be a good place for people to chime in with their favorites.

The Hornady manual is a good start as they do list a lot of Vihtavouri powders.

You can also contact most bullet or powder manufacturers and ask for data. Many times they have information that is not published.

Remember it’s the information in the pages of a manual before the data that keeps you safe.

 

[Sniper338]

I look at berger data and the powder manufacturer data only. I dont look at brand of bullet.

Also the COAL listed in books is irrelevant data. You have to measure your chamber for your bullet/brass combination. Again books are worthless to spend money on...

 

[Racebannon3855]

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,

When in doubt, give them a call. I have never called Hornady, did call Barnes once and they were great to talk to.

I shoot Sierra in a few different rifles and handguns and there manual (I do not have the newest.) did a great job for me when I was starting out. The section on gas gun reloading made sense and the section on external ballistics ended poorly for a bunch of coyotes. If you were shooting Sierra bullets you could call them and they could help you out.

Good Luck and Stay Healthy!

 

[Racebannon3855]

I use the Nosler hard cover guide

That is a dangerous book. I won one at a 4H Shooting Sports Raffle, after reading it I ended up buying a 338 Win Mag and a bunch of Partitions. Neither of which dissapointed.

 

[DiffEQ]

@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.

 

[Webster]

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

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.

I don't need old books. I only have new calibers, 6BR & 6BRX.