Best manual.

I have a leaning to sierra's manual overall with a supplement adding the Lee manual . I have the lyman manual, it's not bad , but I like their reloading Equipment much better. I found nosler quite useless unless you use only nosler bullets. Same with barnes So i guess for me top 3 in order sierra, lee , lyman
 
greywolf said:
I have a leaning to sierra's manual overall with a supplement adding the Lee manual . I have the lyman manual, it's not bad , but I like their reloading Equipment much better. I found nosler quite useless unless you use only nosler bullets. Same with barnes So i guess for me top 3 in order sierra, lee , lyman
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Very similar to my own top three choices;
1/ Sierra
2/ Hornady
3/ Lyman
I like a number of Sierra bullets and also thier listing of accuracy loads can be helpful. Hornady, because I also use quite a number of their bullets. Lyman, their latest manual, Cast Bullet Handbook and Pistol & Revolver Handbook, great general and cast bullet reference.

A more recent addition to the reloading library has been the manual by Barnes as I'm planning on starting use of their TTSX bullets in a few calibers.
 
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Johnn Peterson said:
Very similar to my own top three choices;
1/ Sierra
2/ Hornady
3/ Lyman
I like a number of Sierra bullets and also thier listing of accuracy loads can be helpful. Hornady, because I also use quite a number of their bullets. Lyman, their latest manual, Cast Bullet Handbook and Pistol & Revolver Handbook, great general and cast bullet reference.

A more recent addition to the reloading library has been the manual by Barnes as I'm planning on starting use of their TTSX bullets in a few calibers.
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Darn it all anyway , now you've gone and done it ! I forgot about Hornady , and don't have their manual , gotta go get one now . I can't bear not having it all ! Can you tell i have far too much $ to spend on toys and the like yet ? :p
 
greywolf said:
Darn it all anyway , now you've gone and done it ! I forgot about Hornady , and don't have their manual , gotta go get one now . I can't bear not having it all ! Can you tell i have far too much $ to spend on toys and the like yet ? :p
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Have I got a deal for you. When I was recently in AB, I picked up their 7th edition at P&d. When I got home, I see I now have two. $10.oo plus shipping, PM me if you're interested.
 
There is no "one" best manual--all of the ones listed are good choices--if starting out the Lyman and one other would be a good choice--pick up used ones when you can and periodically update your collection--load data changes over time and it doesn't hurt to keep current. One of the best reloading "manuals" is a chronograph--it will let you know exactly how the load is performing in your particular set of circumstances--ie firearm, brass, bullet, powder, primer, operator.

FWIW, 44Bore
 
'Boo said:
Another vote for the Lyman reloading manual. Not only is the data useful the instructions are very clear and easy to understand.

I personally am not a fan of the LEE manual. The data is a collection of information plagiarized from other sources and the instructions are for the most part the ramblings of a senile old man - Richard Lee. On a lesser note the actual quality of the book is like LEE tools them self - mediocre at best. One or two uses and the binding cracks and pages flutter to the floor.
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You sir, are correct.

The LEE manual is a collection of ramblings and passive aggressive attacks on the competition followed by load details they never even tested.

It's like an advertorial, only a badly written one.
 
I have Nosler, Sierra, Lyman, Speer, Hornady and Vihtavouri.

I urge you to read the background information sections of severl books before you laod. The books are just full of valuable infomation that will enhance your fun and understanding.

For that reason, I suggest you start with Sierra, Lyman, Hornady and Speer.
 
mbogo3 said:
Ken Waters PET LOADS book is bang on .........saves a lot of dickin around with many powders Harold
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This is a great manual (I have it;)) but very dated.

The Lyman is the best first manual as they do not sell powder, primers, projectiles....

So they are not as 'committed' as some of the others and offer a better cross section of data.:)
 
manuels

When I first started I used Lymans exclusively but now I have 6 or 7 and always end up using sierra 4th edition, I now have sierras 5th edition but find a lot of data changed so I end back with 4th edition
 
444shooter said:
Just get a subscription to Loaddata.
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I was going to suggest saving the money for better things.

Google is yer friend. And you get load data that is current, with powders that are available now. Or you can search for the powder you have, or can get, rather than the ones that were used in the books...

Take no single source as gospel. Cross reference and compare as many sources as you can, and keep a lookout for glaring differences. Typo's happen in load books, too.

I don't see a lot of value in owning data on a hundred different calibers that I'll never need, in order to load for the three that I do.

Cheers
Trev
 
sunray said:
The Lyman manual has more loads using more powders and bullet weights than any bullet or powder makers book. Not exactly inexpensive though.
"...Lyman for black powder..." That's right, if you're loading BP, but their regular manual is the best. Don't think Lee works up the loads in their book.
"...looking at a Nosler..." Fine for Nosler bullets, but limited to their bullets only.
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Sunray

I'd say that the Sierra Manual offers more powder selection than the Lyman does. fs
 
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