Never owned a Handbook

[3RDGEARGRNDRR]

I have been reloading for approximately 4 years. I have never owned a handbook .
I have referenced a few in the LGS but all the information I have really needed were in various websites, even when cross referencing loads.
I know that in case of internet shutdown , I would be without the latest information, but I have many loads printed up in a condensed handbook for myself.
I am not advocating to forego handbook purchases, but the select calibers I reload for are all readily available with internet help.

[BruinGuy]

I like to cross reference about four sources before starting any load, so I use my Lee and Lyman manual, plus my Hornady or Sierra data (since those are the bullets I typically use) and then go to the web for the powder manufacturer data (usually Hogdon/IMR).

There is a lot of variation between sources. My method is typically to start with the lowest powder load listed for the velocity I want to achieve with my bullet and powder combination, and work up from there. Perhaps that is overly cautious, but better safe than sorry for me.

Besides which, manuals are cheap. I haven't paid more than $18 for any manual and I have only purchased new copies. They are a good investment in my opinion.

[guns4life]

Jeez, when I opened this I thought you were going to say you just worked out loads from scratch with no idea where to start...

[John Browning]

Not spending the $100 for a few manuals is idiotic. The Internet is not exactly infallible and eyes and fingers are priceless.

[robert101]

Ok, to each his own. I use reloading manuals.

[J-cat]

Not spending the $100 for a few manuals is idiotic. The Internet is not exactly infallible and eyes and fingers are priceless.

No it isn't. Some mechanically inclined people, like myself, can figure it out. I read a lot of Guns & Ammo in the 80's. There were a lot good articles on the subject. Got my data from the powder manufacturer pamphlets. It's not rocket science, but it does require a basic understanding of physics, geometry, and metallurgy.

[Bastard]

when I started I didn't have one either, I just read alot online & verified what I read online, took things from fourms with a grain of salt verified every load that I tried against manufacture websites..... blah blah.

I now have multiple books and the collection will continue to grow.

*edit - I did download older books before I actually bought one

[nothing4u]

Reloading isn't rocket science. But it's not idiot proof either. The internet has reliable information from powder and reloading manufacturers freely available online.

[stilly]

I have been reloading for approximately 4 years. I have never owned a handbook .
I have referenced a few in the LGS but all the information I have really needed were in various websites, even when cross referencing loads.
I know that in case of internet shutdown , I would be without the latest information, but I have many loads printed up in a condensed handbook for myself.
I am not advocating to forego handbook purchases, but the select calibers I reload for are all readily available with internet help.

So then why the post about not doing it?


Dunno what brought this on but there is a very simple explanation.
Rules are meant to be broken & there are exceptions to every rule.
Perhaps some folks had less due diligence and needed a little more guidance.

You are homeless. (BECAUSE, the reloading books are GREAT for when you are dropping a deuce sitting on the toilet. If you have no home, you have no toilet, and if you have no toilet, then you have no place nice to put your reloading book. Since you have no place nice to put your reloading book, then you must be homeless. )

OR, you can look at it this way, some people can drive home safely when they are drunk; others can not, for everything else there is Mastercard...

Or something like that.

The books are good for solid reference OR if you are poor and do not have access to the interwebs. But really, the books are nice to have and to read and look at all the cool pictures and in some cases, propaganda. Still, good to have books. They answer a lot of simple questions.

[sdkevin]

Buying $200+ in books is what publishers want you to think, look at schooling book fees - profs that have made a fortune skirting plagiary law.
Select your load range, print the pages... done deal.

[XDRoX]

Reloading manuals are luxuries. Sure you don't need them but they're nice to have. I know a guy that doesn't pay for cable. He has some wire antenna hanging up behind his TV to get reception. Sure it works, but it's not as convenient.

I sure wouldn't judge someone who couldn't afford a few reloading manuals or chooses to spend his money elsewhere.

My advice is when you get a few extra bucks pick up some used manuals. You'll be surprised at the difference they make. I think I have about 6 or 7 manuals and enjoy using them all.

[uhlan1]

I think I have every reloading manual and all those cheap caliber specific books too. But then, I like books. I also use the internet but am cautious. It's kinda like you guys who buy every doo-dad for reloading available out there. You don't really need to polish with stainless steel pins, but you like too. I'm kinda like that with books. I probably don't need every manual out there, but they're nice to have.

[tiller]

No it isn't. Some mechanically inclined people, like myself, can figure it out. I read a lot of Guns & Ammo in the 80's. There were a lot good articles on the subject. Got my data from the powder manufacturer pamphlets. It's not rocket science, but it does require a basic understanding of physics, geometry, and metallurgy.

Mechanically inclined has nothing to do with it....

Wait until you blow your hands off, how mechanically inclined will you be when you have to have someone else wipe your a$s?


Not blowing yourself up is the reason why all of us by these books... We don't by them just for fun

[orangeusa]

Bronco mentioned that he keeps manuals for the age when his powder was made. Apparently recipes change and even powders change over the years.

I could be misquoting him but I also like to get all infor from books and recent web data from mfgs. I even do a spreadsheet and look for commonality.

Some are so different as to make me think there was a typo... so the outlyers I avoid.

(Dang smartphone ss typing sux)

[3006mv]

Lots of free PDFs online. I like reading manuals and even buy old ones at yard sales. Can glean good info. I remember a time you could borrow them from libraries.