Best manual.
- Thread starter johntrace
- Start date
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Lee , I seem to return quite often to this manual, and do have the others
I was told by several people that the Lyman Manual should be the first one that anyone new to reloading should buy. I picked one up the other day as WSS; haven't really had too much of a chance to get through it, so I can't say firsthand... But when I asked around it was pretty much unanimous that it was the one to start with.
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.
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.
#### Lee piss in your cereal 'Boo?
Lyman's great for the new reloader, like 'Boo said, very clear and useful instructions. But Lee does offer a crapload of different recipes, plagiarised or not, for some very odd bullet weights and configurations. Great source of info IMO.
Don't bother with Nosler. It's a nice book, interesting write-ups, but very limited in terms of recipes and bullet weights.
Lyman's great for the new reloader, like 'Boo said, very clear and useful instructions. But Lee does offer a crapload of different recipes, plagiarised or not, for some very odd bullet weights and configurations. Great source of info IMO.
Don't bother with Nosler. It's a nice book, interesting write-ups, but very limited in terms of recipes and bullet weights.
No, but his whining in the book about how he he thinks he was being mistreated by all the other companies in the industries wears a bit thin.
I also have a problem with LEE's design philosophy where they engineer their products for what they consider an acceptable failure rate. I personally am willing to pay a few dollars more for a product I know is unlikely to break rather than sit around waiting for replacement parts to arrive. I think with the introduction of their Classic Cast line of presses even LEE is starting to see the value in having a slightly "over-engineered" product in the marketplace.
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.
"...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.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Lyman as good first book for good general reloading info and data.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Cool. I might just have to buy em all.
It gets kind of addicting, next thing you know you have 7 or 8 near the bench.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I don't think there is a "best" manual, and a handloader should have a number of manuals to refer to. How many should be up to the individual of course, but I would recommend 3, the Lyman, one from your choice of bullet manufacturer, and one from a powder manufacturer.
Each manual has its particular niche. What I like about the Nosler manual is that it provides load densities for each cartridge, I wish the others would do likewise. The Sierra manual has a wealth of information on building all ammunition for hunting and target shooting, as well as a gas gun section that many others have ignored. I have Richard Lee's book, but I seldom refer to it, if he brings out a newer edition, I'll probably buy it and seldom refer to it as well. For the hunter, there is great information in the A Square manual and it has become one of my favorite reads, but the information is weighted towards his bullets naturally, and I seldom use his load data except when referencing loads for big bores. I've found more mistakes in the recent Hornady manuals than in any others, and the latest Barnes Manual has a disappointingly small powder selection for some cartridges, so it's better to use the older edition together with the new edition. If you just want a classy book for the coffee table, the Swift manual is very nice, but the data doesn't stand out much.
I have lots of other manuals as well, some are better than others, Ken Water's Pet Loads is another valuable reference, although it is missing some of the newer powders and bullets. He actually shoots the loads he tries and records the accuracy of the best ones. This brings up an important point. Keep good records when you are loading and shooting. If you are a hunter record the effect the bullet has on the game. These records will become the best loading manual you can get because it is representative of what happens with your particular rifle.
Each manual has its particular niche. What I like about the Nosler manual is that it provides load densities for each cartridge, I wish the others would do likewise. The Sierra manual has a wealth of information on building all ammunition for hunting and target shooting, as well as a gas gun section that many others have ignored. I have Richard Lee's book, but I seldom refer to it, if he brings out a newer edition, I'll probably buy it and seldom refer to it as well. For the hunter, there is great information in the A Square manual and it has become one of my favorite reads, but the information is weighted towards his bullets naturally, and I seldom use his load data except when referencing loads for big bores. I've found more mistakes in the recent Hornady manuals than in any others, and the latest Barnes Manual has a disappointingly small powder selection for some cartridges, so it's better to use the older edition together with the new edition. If you just want a classy book for the coffee table, the Swift manual is very nice, but the data doesn't stand out much.
I have lots of other manuals as well, some are better than others, Ken Water's Pet Loads is another valuable reference, although it is missing some of the newer powders and bullets. He actually shoots the loads he tries and records the accuracy of the best ones. This brings up an important point. Keep good records when you are loading and shooting. If you are a hunter record the effect the bullet has on the game. These records will become the best loading manual you can get because it is representative of what happens with your particular rifle.
... Starting out, I'd recommend either the LYMAN or the LEE Manuals.... Keep your eyes open for used Manuals, as you can never have enough, and also, the various Powder Manufacturer's, do offer FREE Load Data for the asking. ... David K
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Manuals such as Lyman are as good a starting point as any and that, in my opinion, is because they are very general as far as specific components is concerned. Then, especially if you tend to favour a specific component like bullets, get a manual published by that manufacturer.
I've made mention of it before, you can have too few manuals but never too many.
I've made mention of it before, you can have too few manuals but never too many.
