Loading Manual

[Ian Robertson]

What is the most up to date manual these days? I mean like Sierra or Lyman etc., not the freebie powder co. manuals.

 

[604shooter]

Sierra 5th edition
Lyman 48th
Nosler 5th
Speer 13th

I'm sure others will fill in the rest.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

They're all updated periodically but I guess a lot depends on the bullet brand you use as most are product oriented. Generally, I like Sierra and Hornady bullets so those are the manuals I use the most;
- Sierra Rifle & Handgun Reloading Data.......Edition V
- Hornady 2 Volume set............................6th Edition
- Speer..................................................# 13
I don't use them much but also have;
- Nosler..........5th
- Barnes.........3rd
One of the ones not really product oriented, Lyman;
- Cast Bullet Handbook..........1st Edition, still in use
- Cast Bullet Handbook...........3rd Edition
- Pistol & Revolver.................3rd Edition
- Shotgun Reloading...............4th Edition
And to round out things a little;
- Ken Waters Pet Loads
- P.O. Ackley 2 Volume set.
Oh hell, get 'em all. You can have too few but not too many.

 

[joe-nwt]

Oh hell, get 'em all. You can have too few but not too many.

True. Different reloading manuals rarely have the exact same data. And any given maual may have an error. Any opportunity to cross reference data should be taken.

 

[Lefty Dick]

Hornady has the newest one out right now #6, I believe.
It's a single volume, all the ballistics are refrenced to their website.

 

[hoochie]

Sierra software is updatable...
I got it last year and can get newest downloads of their site for free....

 

[shotgunjoe]

Hodgdon prints a annual reloading manual that is not a "freebie".Some loads are updated as they put out new powders although the last manual had a format change that I don't like.They only list the most popular rifle calibers now.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Hogdon also prints a fine hard cover manual, and with them now making Winchester, and IMR powders, their next hard cover manual should be a beauty.

 

[shotgunjoe]

They include those powders in the annual manual.

 

[Ian Robertson]

I went with an online service, ammoguide. The case drawings are the most important to me and I already have most of the manuals of one vintage or another.

 

[mikeelliot]

The Lyman 48th is excellent!

 

[hunter64]

All of the powder companies have data on the web now so in reality the web is the most up to date info you can find. As soon as a book is published it is obsolete especially if the powders have been changed slightly, new cartridges, bullet designs etc. I have about 15 reloading manuals from the early 60's right up to the latest from Lyman #48. They are great references especially the Lyman cast reloading manual if you are into cast bullets. I don't think there are two manuals that agree with each other on max powder charges for anything. A 44 mag. 240grn lead swc using 2400 powder ranges from 20.5 to 22.2 and that is just in the last 10 years for different manuals. So I always check with the web site to make sure that my loads are not over the max and to be honest I never trust the manual as the last word, great reference and that is it.

 

[mjcurry]

is the 325 wsm in any of these manuals it isnt in my barnes or lyman 48th. thanx

 

[PeterPan]

Buy a Quick Load and you will never need a manual

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Sorry, I don't buy that one. Manuals are more than just figures.