Lyman & Lee Books question

[Woodythedog]

I have the latest copies of both books. The Lee book lists 26 or 27 different bullets and load data (9mm)....that is all I am doing now....and the Lyman only lists 11 different bullets including cast lead. For example, Lyman doesn't show data for 115 Gn round nose plated or jacketed bullets which is what I happen to have.
I know that I can follow the Lee load data, but why does Lyman leave this common info out of their book??

I just started reloading and this strikes me as odd.

[Divernhunter]

other books will have even less loads and many do not show any plated bullets since they do not make them.
lee just collected data from other sources and put it in their book. Other manufactures actually did the testing themselves.

If you are only interested in the one cartridge you might want to get the booklet that is specific to that one cartridge. I do not remember the exact name of it but the company makes individaul booklets for one cartridge only and last I remember they were about $7-10 each

[justanalog]

Loadbooks

http://www.loadbooks.com/

[Woodythedog]

Thanks....just one cartridge for now......just beginning this journey.

[Sandspider500]

I don't know what bullets you have but this is from a major manufacturer of plated bullets, berry's
Where can I find load data for your bullets?
Load data from any load manual or website can be used. Full-metal jacketed, lead bullet, or plated bullet load data can be used as long as the following standards are adhered to:

The data contains the correct grain weight of bullet.
Berry's max recommended velocity is not exceeded. (This info is displayed on bullet boxes and product webpages.)
Standard Plate Bullets Max Velocity: 1,250 fps.
Thick-Plate Bullets (TP) Max Velocity: 1,500 fps.
Do not over-crimp the bullet. Crimping so tight that bullet deformation occurs, or plating is separated causing visible exposure of the lead core will cause tumbling, key-holing, and reduced accuracy.
Load data containing bullet descriptions such as Plated (P,) Berry's Bullet (BERB,) Total Metal Jacket (TMJ,) Copper Plated (CP,) or CPJ (Copper Plated Jacket,) refers to plated bullet data.

Cartridge Overall Lengths (COL) are found in the load data being used. DO NOT EXCEED SAAMI MAX COL SPECS.

[Woodythedog]

Thanks...that helps

[noylj]

Plated bullets should be loaded like lead bullets or per msnufacturer's recommendations. If you think you need bullet-specific data, then buy the bullet manufacturer's manuals only.
Next, be glad you have loading data. There is no incentive to spend money testing other company's bullets or powder. No one is getting rich from load manuals. Just consider cost of test equipment, guns, test fixtures, and labor costs of loading, firing, data analysis, and writing report for publication.
Given the same weight and construction of bullets, load data can simply be grouped as jacketed lead core, plated lead core and lead bullets, frangible bullets, and monolithic (all copper) bullets. No more segregation is needed.
Start loads are set at 10% below max to cover COL and component variations.

[Calif Hunter]

Midway used to sell caliber specific spiral bound loading manuals that had most bullet options on a separate page each, such as one page for a 115 Gold Dot and another page for a 115 gr Hornady XTP. (I don't have the 9mm book so I don't know if those specific bullets are included in the 9mm reloading handbookv- they are just an example.) I do have their handbooks for .44 mag and .45 ACP and they are very thorough. I don't know if they still sell them.

Actually, it turns out that I do have the Midway "LoadMAP" for 9mm Luger. It has 32 pages of 115 gr bullet info, sorted by bullet brand and style. 17 pages for 124 gr bullets. I have never loaded 9mm, though!

[Cowboy T]

This is why it's always a good idea to have more than one reloading manual as references. You'll see different things.

Lyman is one of those that does their own testing. Since they're not a bullet manufacturer, they'll pick some bullets from one company, some from another company, and so on.

Generally, as long as the weight of the bullet is the same, you can always use jacketed bullet data for any bullet except certain Barnes all-copper bullets (there's special load data for those). Cast bullet data is very often similar, though you might see slightly higher velocities due to the lowered friction of lead/steel vs. copper/steel.

Since I have and use both the Lee and Lyman books, I'll stop with whichever book's "max loading" is lowest for that style and weight of bullet. You want your ammo to be powerful enough to reliably cycle your firearm's action, while achieving the best level of precision, without--as "The Price Is Right" says, "going over" safe pressure levels.