Which Reloading Manual?

[Nodda Duma]

The rule of thumb is to have at least three references.

Lee's book is really good, but the 8mm Mauser loads are geared towards weaker, pre-98 Mauser actions and he doesn't differentiate.

I use Hornady's latest edition since I tend to use Hornady bullets quite a bit. Hornady's also differentiates for military loads (ie M1 Garand loads vs. a bolt action 30-06). I'm sure other manuals do the same.

I am going to be picking up a cast load reference soon as well. Lee's book has some of this information in its load tables, but it's not what I would call comprehensive

And you ought to get a reloading reference from the 50s, so you can get an idea of how much loads have been wussed down in published materials due to fears of liability.

-Jason

[NotSoFast]

Why not the 49th?
I haven't seen it yet.

The first reason is that in my favorite pistol load, 9 mm, they cut back the number of bullet weights from 12 to 9, two jacketed and one lead. In .40 S&W they cut back from 10 to 6, and in .30-06 they cut back at least one. So overall I saw three of the four calibers I reload cut back in available data. Therefore for me there is no value in having both.

[Turbinator]

I'm cheap. I have a Speer manual that a friend gave me, then I pick up all the free load manuals from all the powder makers, then I go online and research loads published on web sites. I cross reference all 3 to make sure I'm not going into dangerous territory, then I keep careful notes as to what works well for me and what doesn't. End result is, I only had to dish out money for 1 manual (which I didn't even buy anyway).

Has been working for me for several years.

Turby

[Thumper]

I use a Nosler manual, have several editions that I reference. Going to be picking up a Sierra one soon though just for some alternate thoughts.

Jon.

[depmac983ret]

+1 Turby. Speer used to have a "How to" video, check to see if it is still available!

[thebloodsonthewall]

I have the Lyman manual and I just got the speer manual. I also look at Hodgdon's website for load data and I have a little spiral bound book for 308 so far. I also have a Hodgdon's shotshell reloading book.

[Beelzy]

IMO, if one wishes to be serious about handloading ammo, one should have
a library of reference material.

You can never have too many books.

[supersonic]

IMO, if one wishes to be serious about handloading ammo, one should have
a library of reference material.

You can never have too many books.

Once, in a great while, you can find bits & and pieces of brilliance & wisdom without even looking for them. THIS would be one of those times.

[Darklyte27]

i just ordered abc, lymans 49th and lee 2nd

[TakeFive]

Semper Fi Darklyte. I like to use the bullet manufacturer's load data when loading with commercial bullets. They usually have extensive testing facilities with chronographs, pressure barrels, etc. that are unavailable to most of us which provides safer load data in my opinion.