Best reloading manual

It's finally time to get a new manual. My 'latest' is Sierra's 1971 edition, and there are too many new powders, bullets and even calibers out there to cover these days.

So.... which manuals come closest to speaking the TRUTH? As in, your velocities: using identical components and the same barrel length at reasonably similar temperatures...

are within 50 fps of the published/predicted/reported manual's velocities.

Yeah, yeah, spare me the 'variables' talk

I will not buy another Hornady as some of the suggested loads have been too different from those in other manuals.

Actually it doesn't hurt to have more than one manual. However don't be surprised if they don't agree.

If I was in your position (and I'm close) I would buy a Hornady first then a Speer, and if I wanted more I'd get a Sierra and a Nosler.

#I still think my Lyman's 47th is the best overall manual for reloaders.

Amen.

Randy Wakeman

This is a fair list, but how can one get by without Phil Sharpe's 'Complete Guide To Handloading' of 1949? (I won't part with mine!) (:>

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# # This is a fair list, but how can one get by without Phil Sharpe's 'Complete # Guide To Handloading' of 1949? # (I won't part with mine!)

The worst place in the world to buy old load books is ebay. The rip off regular tables of carnival [carny] people at the gun show have lower prices on old load books, right next to their $350 Chinese SKS.

Geee Clark; I guess the only thing I can beat you on with this, is my Lyman's 38th issue But, for overall good results, I'll stick with the Sierra for most of my loads. They appear to be the most consistent with what I clock, but granted, I only load up about 15 different rifle calibers.

flmflam A-1 Pawn & Jewelry 1925 S.E.Hwy 19 Crystal River, Florida, 34429 fax# 352-795-2093 px# 352-795-2777

# # 'Lyman's 39th' 1953 # 'Lyman's 40th' 1955 # 'Lyman's 41th' 1957 # 'Lyman's cast bullet book' ~1957 # 'Lyman's 43th' 1964 # 'Lyman's 45th' 1970 # 'Lyman's 46th' 1982 # 'Lyman's 47th' 1992 # 'Lyman's Pistol and Revolver' 1994 # 'Lyman Cast Bullet Book 3rd' 1980

To me the best manual is not the one whose recommended load are most predictable for velocity. Rather its the one with the most useful info. I like my Lyman manual because it gives lots of info about powders that I typically use, those from IMR, Alliant and Winchester. Lyman also publishes the pressure readings for starting and max loads, accuracy loads and all the pertinent data about the cartridge (OAL, trim to length, etc). Best of all, their max loads are quite conservative and I don't need to worry about any unpleasant surprises as I approach but not exceed their recommended charge weights. Just my opinion, of course. - CW

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