Which loading manuel to you like the best?

[TMenezes]

Hi guys, just wondering which loading Manuel's you like, trust, use the most and why.

For me,

#1 The Updated/Revised Lee manuel can't be beat for shear load data.

#2 The Speer Manuel has allot less loads but allot more background and useful information that spent much time reading.

#3 Lyman has so much data dedicated to cast lead and especially reduced power power loads that I find it unreplacable and priceless.

#4 Accurate. I don't have a printed manuel but downloaded their free one and they have been very helpful to me in answering phone calls and emails about various questions on their powders and various calibers I was working on. Also without them I probably would never have attempted the 458 Socom. Especially since that was the round that got me into reloading as store bought ammo was (is?) almost non existent or very VERY expensive.

Almost never use my Sierra manuel and don't have Hornady's so interested in your thoughts/opinions on these.

Thanks guys!

[jmort]

I like Modern Reloading by Richard Lee, either edition, Lyman's Cast Bullet Manual, and Load Data subscription as it has all data in one place, including Pet Loads and everything from Handloader Magazine.

[Socal147]

Modern Reloading and Lyman's Cast Bullet Manual. I am using the Lyman a lot more now that I am casting. Many of my SW 500 loads are not listed anywhere. I do a lot of research before I try a new powder and I always use conservative charges.

[M-Tecs]

Lyman 45th for cast. It's dated but it's still my favorite.

[jmort]

"Many of my SW 500 loads are not listed anywhere."
data
That is one reason I like Load Data, there are way over 500 500 S&W loads. You will not find many of them anywhere else.

[canyon-ghost]

Lyman 3rd Edition Cast Bullet Manual, never load without it.

[94Doug]

another vote for #45....although a bunch of the prior ones have some great info as well, such as favorite loads in the 41 manual.

[uscra112]

Quickload software. Never even open a paper manual anymore.

[dromia]

My go to is the Lyman manuals followed by powder manufacturers data for their powders.

The reason is that these are pressure tested loads and as such give sound parameters to load within.

Once I have these boundaries then I have context for using places like Loaddata, Ammoguide etc and for using predictive software like Quickload.

I always go to the pressure tested data first.

[smokesahoy]

opposite of the above, I work a load with quickload then use published data to define norms and be sure quickload is in the ballpark, then work up to quickload numbers if possible to find ceiling. then back down again to find accuracy.

['74 sharps]

Don't have any manuals, just use the powder manufacturers site to get the data for my smokeless loads.

[GabbyM]

Lyman 4th, the latest one out. Then Sinclair International's Precision Reloading & Shooting Handbook. Which details techniques right up to the bench rest level.

[Teddy (punchie)]

For jacketed bullets

Basic loading.

Lyman
Hornady 3 and 4 for shooting data charts.

Heavy magnum hot loads.
Ackley
Hornady 3 charts
Lyman

Cast

Lyman

Shot shell
Lyman
Older little data booklets from powder manufacturers

[10x]

The Lyman cast bullet manual 3rd edition. Then the lyman cast bullet manual 1st edition, then old lyman manuals prior to 1965. I have an RCBS Cast bullet manual and the Lee 2nd edition as well.
The lyman 4th edition is one of the last I will go to as it has higher velocity loads and fewer low vel load options. Any load I get off the internet is checked against a manual. I do not want to have a surprise pressure excursion turning a gun into useless parts.

I load cast bullets to lower velocities for a number of reasons, less noise, less recoil, and sometimes less powder (hey I am cheap). I have found that a cast bullet will usually work just as well at short range at low velocity as it will at high velocity.

Bottom line, you use the load that meets your specific needs from a reliable source. So far the lyman and Lee manuals have met my needs.

[karlrudin]

1. Lyman 49th edition, the one I use the most!

2. Sierra 5th edition, this is a great book for lower end loads, but it is hard to use because of the 3 ring binder. Ended up moving all my used calibers to the front of the book.

3. Lee Modern Reloading Manual 1st Edition, I use it as a reference to different load data. These loads are usually the lowest in recoil.

4. Hornady Reloading manual, 2 book version. I use this as a reference when I want hard hitting ammo.

Since I'm new to casting, I will have to purchase a manual for it. But I know it will be a Lyman manual

[Ed_Shot]

+1 for Lyman for cast loads

[10x]

4. Hornady Reloading manual, 2 book version. I use this as a reference when I want hard hitting ammo.


I use a chronograph when using the Hornady manuals. I have found some starting loads to give max velocity despite a lower published velocity in the manual. I always stop when the chronograph speed hits the max load, no matter how many more grains the manual says can be used. Max velocity means maximum pressure.

A Chrony is not that expensive and can save a great deal of time in developing loads with cast bullets. If you do not get the velocity you expect with the load, find out why, then proceed with caution.

[starmac]

I like the various lymans the best and have several, but also have several others that I check too. For some reason I have never picked up a Lee and I probably should.

[btroj]

Lyman has such a variety of powders and bullets listed that I turn to it first.

[dragon813gt]

Lee since it has the data listed by all the manuals and manufacturers. Then Hornady since I do load their jacketed bullets. And then Hodgdon's website. I have a bunch of others including the Lymans. They are always the last ones I open because they don't have a lot of data in them that's relevant to me.

[462]

The manuals most used are Lyman's 45th Reloading Handbook and their 3rd Cast Bullet Handbook. I have more than a dozen manuals, including the latest from Lyman and Hornady. Then there are those from the powder manufacturers. After reading Lee's 2nd edition, it's become a dust collector.

[karlrudin]

I use a chronograph when using the Hornady manuals. I have found some starting loads to give max velocity despite a lower published velocity in the manual. I always stop when the chronograph speed hits the max load, no matter how many more grains the manual says can be used. Max velocity means maximum pressure.

A Chrony is not that expensive and can save a great deal of time in developing loads with cast bullets. If you do not get the velocity you expect with the load, find out why, then proceed with caution.

Oh I know that Hornady manuals are use with caution. When comparing to any of the other ones I have, Hornady is always on the high side. I only use it as a comparison lol

[375supermag]

Hi...
I have quite a few loading manuals, but I use the Lyman and Hornady manuals to double-check every load that I try.

[zuke]

LEE manual's here.

[rintinglen]

Lyman and Speer are the ones I reach for most. If I could only have one, it would be a Lyman 46 or 47.

[HeavyMetal]

In my small library I have the following Manuals:
Speer # 9 and 11
Lee second edition
Lyman 3rd and 4th as well as the last two shotgun manuals
Sierra, not sure which issue
Winchester / hogdons
a small smattering of load books for specific calibers including the Contender book for all calibers

The Lee is the best read, loads are taken from everyones else's work but it's all good the "info" chapters are worth the price of the book!

My theory is you can never have to many powder manuals!

[mrvmax]

I have a few paper manuals but go to Quickload

[armexman]

Me!!
I use myself as a "Loading Manuel", since that is my name.
I use an old 3rd edition Lyman Cast Bullet and the Lee ones the most. I have a #4 Lyman just because it has other companies boolits.
I have many Accurate paper manuals and like to use those with their powders.
And of course loads from gurus like Maven, Buckshot, Junior 1942.
Matter of fact Junior's load for the 30-30 and WC-820 are some of the most accurate in this caliber. For me!
Manuel

[William Yanda]

#2 The Speer Manuel has allot less loads but allot more background and useful information that spent much time reading.

I have the Hornady Handloading, 3rd edition-I would echo your sentiments on the Speer for that. Otherwise, I find your comments on Lee and Lyman similar to my observations.

[bigtee]

I use the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual a lot now that I'm cast, will refer to the Lyman 49th some. I also use my Sierra a lot, seems like it has some loads you don't see in other manuals.

[engineer401]

I like the Hodgdon manual for general reloading and safety recommendations. The Hornady manual is also pretty good. I also use the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook.

[jonas302]

I use the lyman cast quite a bit I find some of my old manuals have a lot more reading information in them and are well worth looking though Lee comes out quite a bit too and almost always verify with alliant or hodgdon website at some point

[pworley1]

I use the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook most. I have three editions, but I use the 3rd edition most often.

[Shiloh]

Pretty much Lyman. Due to the cast boolit data. I have several editions. I also have books from other vendors.

Shiloh

[bangerjim]

Any and all that I have! And I have most of them. Different books have different data.

I xerox the charts for the cal's and weights from all the books I have that I cast for and compile them in a book I call "Banger's Boolit Bible". That way I have a complete and concise list of any and all load data I need without paging thru the original books. And I can make crib notes in the margins! And yellow hi-lite the powders I have for quick reference. Saves tons of time in the shop.


bangerjim

[waco]

I must say I have more Lyman manuals on the bench than any other, four.

[OKSaddletramp]

Over the years, I've owned/used many different load manuals. About the only major reloading guide/data I have never used is the RCBS manual. I like their reloading products a lot, but never could justify the new price of a manual, considering the number I already had, and I've never come across a used one (maybe that ought to tell me something). I do hope to run across a used RCBS manual eventually and look forward to giving it a try. When I shot mostly jacketed, I preferred Sierra bullets and therefor used their manual most often. I still use Sierra's ballistics tables when working up hunting/competition loads over the Hornady.

I have often found to powder manufacturers' free pamphlets to be too limited in bullet selection. The manual I liked least was/is my Hodgdon,even when I was using Hodgdon powders. I think the only reason I keep it around is for the black powder/Pyrodex data.

As I move more and more towards cast exclusively, I rely on my Lyman manuals (47,49, 3rd Cast) and my Lee 2nd Ed (which I bought specifically because of is cast data). I like the Lyman references better than the Lee, but I like the Lee data better. I seldom use Lyman moulds, so the load data is actually a little sparse for my needs and requires more interpretation. The only gripe I have about the Lee data is its organization and reference to powders I never use, and in one case never even heard of. Does anyone know what Lee refers to as VEC in its loads?

Saddle [smilie=2:

[dromia]

Vectan.

Excellent powders, I especially like Tubal 2000 for cast boolit loadings.

[Lead Fred]

I have one of these for each caliber I own

94135

[OKSaddletramp]

Vectan.

Excellent powders, I especially like Tubal 2000 for cast boolit loadings.


Is Vectan a powder only available in Europe? I've never come across it here.

Saddle [smilie=2:

[Shuz]

My favorite is the Hodgdon #26 manual. It lists loads from the major powder companies like Hodgdon, Winchester, Alliant and IMR. In addition it lists lots of cast boolit loads. My next favorites are the Lyman 49 and the RCBS Cast Bullet manual #1.

[Pinsnscrews]

Since one of the calibers I am playing with is a Wildcat that was made into a factory barrel at T/C, I have any manual that actually lists that caliber. I have been able to compare from manual to manual on some of the loads. In other cases, I have been able to compare the rifle loading to the "Single Shot Pistol" loads so I am not wasting powder.

[jonas302]

Midway has the nosler and berger manuals on clearance also accurate powders manual is a pretty great deal also

[Bzcraig]

I like Modern Reloading by Richard Lee, either edition, Lyman's Cast Bullet Manual, and Load Data subscription as it has all data in one place, including Pet Loads and everything from Handloader Magazine.

^^^^^^^^^^^what he said^^^^^^^^^^

[Big Z]

I'm in my Lee manual more than any of my other hard copies. For cast, Lyman's #4, and I like the 49th too. The Lee gets the most action for its variety and it just seems easy to get around in to me with the size and hardcover. I check online through powder manufacturers for data if I don't have something.

I don't care much for my Speer (can't recall which) manual. A buddy of mine also has the new Hornady manual that seemed outta whack with some numbers in my other manuals..I won't be buying one.

[bear58]

Lyman 49 for cast loads
Hornady for pistol and rifle with "j's"
Sierra for rifle with "j's"

[jrmartin1964]

Lyman. I have others, but it's always the Lyman that I will reach for first.