XXL-Reloading site for Load Data? $20/year cost
- Thread starter eschafer
- Start date
I would rather spend the money on a subscription to this website and ask about loading data here.
It always amazes me what kind of tips, tricks, and experience that is here which will help you make your caliber of choice shoot well.
It always amazes me what kind of tips, tricks, and experience that is here which will help you make your caliber of choice shoot well.
Your points are well taken... I'll review the value of a subscription to this site... I do have a manual but proprietary manuals from bullet or powder manufacturers, are often limited... Buying every available manual is prohibitive...
The more I review the aforementioned load data site, the more I see it too is limited.. Thanks...
The more I review the aforementioned load data site, the more I see it too is limited.. Thanks...
For the past year, I've used the service. IMO, it was worth it. But then, I'm a relatively newer reloader (did so many years ago, helping buddies, but just started up again). I have found it helpful. It's much like getting another reloading manual, for reference. I've got a few, then added this to the list. Was able to grab snapshot lists for a few different calibers that I reload for or might be interested in. Worth it, to me. At least, for a year's service.
IMO, the value of having multiple sources is the utility of being able to double-check a given load. I discard the "outliers" and go with what appears reasonable and is confirmed reasonable via at least two other sources. I get really nervous around "outlier" loads, and I've found precious few of those with the XXL site's data.
It's not a rip-off, at least not in my experience. The payment gets made via ccard, and you actively need to re-up else it won't renew the charge when the year expires.
Save your money for bullets, primers, and powder. There is free data, Hodgdon, Nosler to name ones I've used. The Lee Manual contains a comprehensive list of load data from various sources. The Lyman Handbook is also a good source.
Buying every manual on the market can be prohibitively expensive but if you have shooting buddies, you can share data and most on here will post a data section from a selected manual if asked.
Personally, I like the bullet manufacture's manuals since they tested their specific bullet with various powders. You going to have to do some load development anyway, so all published data is just going to give you a safe starting point.
Buying every manual on the market can be prohibitively expensive but if you have shooting buddies, you can share data and most on here will post a data section from a selected manual if asked.
Personally, I like the bullet manufacture's manuals since they tested their specific bullet with various powders. You going to have to do some load development anyway, so all published data is just going to give you a safe starting point.
I like Reloading Assistant for my android phone. Add your own data if you choose. I haven't found the best source, manuals (paper and pdf), online sites and here, all are good. I do check the pay sites for some information but I'm cheap I haven't subscribed to any sites.
But you could look at it as supporting sites that support the shooting hobbyist.
Paul
But you could look at it as supporting sites that support the shooting hobbyist.
Paul
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
The search feature on this site will yield oodles of reloading data and tips, plus if you have a questions there’s lots of good hearted members that will help.
You don’t have to buy a silver or gold membership buts it’s well worth it to help keep this site running and show appreciation for all the data and help one might get here.
You don’t have to buy a silver or gold membership buts it’s well worth it to help keep this site running and show appreciation for all the data and help one might get here.
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
I have no experience with the site you are asking about. I have a collection of manuals sitting on the shelf that are mostly collecting dust currently. For me, for the commercialized cartridges I load for, I rely currently on the site available by the powder and bullet manufacturers. I use this to give me range of starting loads for what I am getting ready to load for.
Those manuals on my shelf do still have value. There is an immense amount of information recorded in them that you don't get from just the load data.
That said, I also know that there is NO manual out there that will provide for me, load data that is tailored to my specific rife, chamber, brass, bullet, powder, primer, fired at my location. So that is where the software comes into play (Quickload and GRT). Using those coupled with my chrono results, I can get accurate projections for future loads. I also use them for the wildcats I load for where no data exists.
So I can't comment on if the $20 subscription is a good value for you or not. But I am trying to provide information that you may wish to use in the future.
Several great posts of advice here. I use all the commercially available manuals, the free online info from the powder makers, good websites like this one and QL.
I don't think you need it, but $20 why not have a look? Compare against other sources. Good luck.
I don't think you need it, but $20 why not have a look? Compare against other sources. Good luck.
My own stash of guides and references:
Caught most of the book/manual examples on sales, or got the prior version at a steep discount.
Haven't found anything missing that I or a couple of buddies needed to search for, for a variety of calibers. Have always found a couple of competing references, to validate a given load. Have occasionally (rarely) found an error or an "outlier" load suggestion, which I then discarded.
Of course, that sort of list is more than most would suggest is needed. But it makes me feel better that I can find several references for anything I'm looking to load. Helps ensure the load's reasonable and validated via the work of others. Being fairly new into this, without the decades' worth of experience many reloaders have, IMO every little bit helps.
- Western (powder) -- Reloading Guide v8.0 2020
- SomChem (powder) -- Reloading Guide 2022
- Vihtavuori (powder) -- Reloading Guide 2021
- Alliant (powder) -- website
- Barnes Bullets -- website
- Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Ed -- book/manual
- Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading -- book/manual
- Lyman 50th Anniv. Reloading Handbook -- book/manual
- Sierra Reloading Data 6th Ed -- book/manual
- Hodgdon Reloading -- website
- XXL Reloading -- website (1yr subscription)
- Plus a couple of older guides given to me by experienced reloaders
Caught most of the book/manual examples on sales, or got the prior version at a steep discount.
Haven't found anything missing that I or a couple of buddies needed to search for, for a variety of calibers. Have always found a couple of competing references, to validate a given load. Have occasionally (rarely) found an error or an "outlier" load suggestion, which I then discarded.
Of course, that sort of list is more than most would suggest is needed. But it makes me feel better that I can find several references for anything I'm looking to load. Helps ensure the load's reasonable and validated via the work of others. Being fairly new into this, without the decades' worth of experience many reloaders have, IMO every little bit helps.
It is a handy site to check for some newer powders in some cartridges, or bullet combos in some cases. I have a 30R Blaser, not covered in any N. American manuals, the odd load in some Euro ones, then there was the Deva manual, last one I got hold of was 2005, check XXL a couple of yrs ago and they had a whole bunch of updated info in there for the 30R. That was well worth the 10Euros or whatever it was at the time, had full access for a month, printed off stuff on about 7 or 8 cartridges just to have it. I don't mind recommending it, it has its purposes that are worth exploring, and it's nice to have that info on one sheet. I search the bullet first, then it'll take you to cartridges it's used in, if it's listed, good to go, you can see what info is there, Load Data site is much the same.
Here’s Speer’s data, it’s another handy one to check.https://www.speer.com/reloading/rifle-data.html
ChristianSilver
Gold $$ Contributor
Lots of good advice given. If you want to spend some money on reloading information, data, go with Quick Load. Has saved me time and money.
Good luck on whichever route you decide to venture down.
Good luck on whichever route you decide to venture down.
PhilC
Silver $$ Contributor
Nolser's data - https://www.nosler.com/load-data/caliber-and-cartridge-data.html
Load data is only a guide, a decent burn rate chart, measuring case capacity and starting low and working up is all you need.
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.