Favorite Manual

[Bella]

Which reloading manual do you like the most? I am talking about they way it is layed out and the way it looks. It might not even be made by your favorite component company, you just like the book. My favorite manual is the one published by Nosler. I like the background stories for each caliber. I also like the way the data is put together. I also like that it isn't overly large and bulky.

So, which relaoding manual do you like the most?

[mauser1909]

The Speer is my favorite, followed by the Nosler. The Nosler layout is a bit better, but the Speer manual has a chart in the back that lists the energy of the bullet at various yardages, and the Nosler doesn't have energy anywhere that I've found. I'm a bit of a nerd and like to see the downrange energy of each load. The Speer manual also contains reduced loads, and Nosler does not.

[Blue Grass]

I like the Sierra and Speer manuals. The Lyman is probably the most comprehensive. I like the Sierra manual because it's a 3-ring binder and I can add pages of notes and info to the sections. The Speer has more technical info than most.

[Ozzieman]

It’s amazing two different answers all different and I will and a 3rd.
Hornady, but having said that,,, I have them all and several of them I have more than 1 (Speer I have 3 of different years).
Some have information on loads that differ on guns used or barrel length.
I don’t feel a loading bench is complete with out the following manuals.
1. Hornady
2. Sierra
3. Speer
4. A computer and http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

[Unclenick]

And I feel that way about the Lyman manual. Loads for both jacketed and lead bullets with a variety of powders. Good technical section in the front for beginners, especially.

[That'll Do]

I don't have a favorite manual, but I do find myself going to my Lyman Manual most often, followed by Speer, Hornady and Sierra.

I also use LoadData.com quite frequently–I like the fact that it has digitized versions of the big bullet manufacturer's manuals online, and that you can search by caliber and bullet weight. It's well worth the $20 for a yearly subscription.

[Bushmaster223]

Lyman and Hornady

[Christchild]

#1- Hornady
#2- Barnes
#3- Nosler

Bullet Seating depth is fairly important, and with most loads, it will vary per FireArm. The only thing I don't like about Nosler Manual is it doesn't have a suggested starting C.O.A.L., but I guess that's part of the fun in finding the best load...

[Scorch]

Hornady
Lyman
Sierra

[Jim243]

Lyman, Hornady, Lee, Hodgdon

[Tex S]

Lyman seems to be the most diversified. I like it.

[TJMiller]

I have Hornady, Barnes, Speer, Nosler, and Modern Reloading (Richard Lee). Most times, I use the 2 vol. Hornady.

[jproaster]

I've revived this thread in order to ask how which manuals would:
a. help a newbie reloader like me and why;
b. is there certain kinds of reloading that a certain manual would be best.

Thanks,
john

[wncchester]

I've been doing this a long time, have a couple dozen, don't much care how they are laid out, they are all good and I like 'em all.

But I don't reccommended noobs have more than one. The differences between them only cause uncertainly and do absolutely nothing to insure better reloads. AFTER gaining the needed experience to make some personal judgements is the time to get others, maybe a couple years after beginning.

Mostly I've only bought new manuals to get info on new powders and new cartridges, not just for reading material.

A loading manual by a specific bullet maker or powder maker, or neither, really makes any difference in the validity of the data. None of the book makers use my rifles/handguns to work up their info so the end result falls back on me anyway. ??

[jproaster]

Is there a good starter book then?

My buddy has already set up a Lee progressive; we've loaded 9, 40, and 45. We've cast some 9 lead bullets and Joe's just cast some 40.

I have a .357 sig (besides a 9 and 40) and I'm wanting to play it safe as possible. Thankfully my friend (being a very good mechanic) is good with micrometers and other such tools, as well as a bit of a perfectionist in this sort of thing. Neither of us have a real manual- we read lots o' internet and a couple small manuals.

So I'm desirous to learn about reloading in detail.

Thanks,
john

btw, we've shot about 300 rounds of our 9 and 40 reloads; doing good so far.

[Utahar15]

The ABC of reloading. Great book and will give you all the details you could want and then some.

Robb

[flashhole]

I lean towards the manuals that provide pressure data for the laods. When choosing one powder over another where velocity is nearly equal I will always go for the powder with lower pressure.

[wncchester]

"Is there a good starter book then?"

Yeah. Lyman, Lee, Hornady all have excellant basic loading illustrations and good written instructions.

[m&p45acp10+1]

JP since you are reloading for hand gun I recomend Lyman's Pistol, and revolver 3rd edition. Very good explanation of the reloading process, and good load info for jacketed, and cast lead loads with a lot of different powders.

[FrankenMauser]

1. Hornady
2. Speer
3. Swift
4. Nosler
5. Sierra
6. All others are not used often, or really suck.

Skip the ABCs of Reloading, and pick up one of the suggested manuals (Speer, Hornady, Lee, Lyman). That way, you'll have load data available when you're ready; instead of having to buy another book.

Take a look around, and try to decide which bullets you think you'll use the most, out of the manuals suggested. Get that company's reloading manual, to give you a head start on the most useful (to you) data..

[HiBC]

Interesting.IMO,each manual has some of its own nuggets to pan out.
I believe it is good for a noob to have more than one.
It a lot like the idea that we gain visual depth perception because our eyes each have a different point of view.
Not knocking Speer bullets,but I do not have any loads that use them,so the Speer is less useful that way,but it is a good text on reloading.
For rifles,I use Nosler Ballistic tips,Accubonds,and Custom comp bullets,and I do find the Nosler book very friendly to use.
Hogdon is my first choice powder,followed by the Alliant reloader powders.I get a Hogdon annual every year.Its cheap and current.
I have a Hornady because I have been working with their 75 gr .224 bullet in my AR.They have a seperate set of data for the AR,I like that.
The Sierra book,big and clunky to use,I do not like the ring binder deal as the pages mess up.
I do like Sierra bullets and the reloading data is very good.
I have a LaserCast reloading manual that is my go-to when I use their bullets.

If you use Accurate powder,the big red Accurate manual is the one to have for data.
Then there is Handloader magazine and Ken Waters Pet Loads...
Maybe I don't NEED all those,but I have studied all of them.
I can pretty much figure out most of what I need to.
If I only had one manual...I'd go buy more.

[hooligan1]

I have some older manuals, but I have two Nosler manuals. It for me, depends on what bullet I'm loading.

[Jim243]

Since the two most used components that I use are Hornady bullets and Hodgdon powders.

My choice is.
Hornady 2nd, Lyman 49th, Hodgdon 2010, Lee #2 then Speer followed by Hodgdon on-line loading data and Alliant on-line loading data.


Jim

[hooligan1]

Jim 243, What is the technical difference between IMR 4350, and H4350. I know the makers are different so the rest of you knock it off!

[HiBC]

hooligan,actually,there was a time when IMR was DuPont.Not so anymore.
Hogdon is now who you buy IMR powders from.
They are different powders,the IMR being a quicker powder.H4350 is a Hogdon extreme powder these days.
Just for fun,Accurate malkes a 4350,also.