reloading manual

I'd go with the Lyman, the Sierra(and others) are about selling their own bullets and because of that you may miss out on some size, weight, or caliber because they don't make bullets for it.
 
... Well, you can never have too many reloading Manuals ! The Lyman is somewhat cheaper, and having both the Lyman(s) and the Sierra(s) I've been using the Lyman more often lately. Don't forget that some of the Powder Manufacturer's offer FREE Load Data for their Powders just for the asking ! Also, keep your eyes open in used Book Stores and Gun Shows for "Old" manuals, as occasionally, they've got load combinations not found in the current ones. .... David K
 
I have nine manuals,and I find useful information in most from time to time.The most important things to remember is that not all loads listed in a manual will be safe in your gun,and don't expect the velocities that your gun produces to be the same as the velocity listed in the manual.
 
Lyman is a good standard to have on any reloading shelf, but like David K said you cannot have too many manuels. Good to have at least 2 or 3 for cross referencing different loads.
 
There is enough free up to date loading info on the net now that I have not bothered replacing my 1970's-1990's reloading manuals.I only down-load from the manufacturer's sites(Sierra,Alliance,etc.)
A $1.00 2" binder from staples is a lot cheaper than several $50.00 replacement manuals every 5 or 10 years.
 
Just finished my lymans. For the load data it looks probably like the best (Organization and clarity wise). But If you can get one from your equipment manufacturer (IE, if your getting a lee press get a lee manual and so-forth) cause they will mostly talk about THERE product, but then at least you will know how to do everything with there product.
 
I think the Lyman is the best one to start out with, and especially if you're just getting into reloading.

Hodgdon powders has a good information online (i think there's a sticky at the top of the reloading forum page??) that lists a bunch of loads with Hodgdon, Winchester, and IMR powders. I find I'm using it a lot lately, but you still need to have at least one book on the shelf as a reference.
 
This is a bit off topic I know but "Quickload" software is worth a look.

I bought this software a couple of years ago during a "what the hell" moment and frankly didn't trust it for a long while. With practice, I've learned to use it :redface:, and now really like it :D.

I do have manuals for cross reference but now consult "Quickload" far more than the books. You can diddle with powders, calibers, components and COL's in any combination and get answers that are otherwise hard to find.

At $150.00 the software is pricey but it does answer your reloading questions like nothing else I've seen.
 
I found the Lyman 47 to be a better starting out manual than the 48, I don't have 49. For raw data,Lee 2nd has the most. Velocity that comes from what the pressure gun did is the most valuable,Nosler and Hogdgons,Hornady doesn't,as you can use your chrony as bit of a pressure gage.
 
jethunter said:
i think the lyman is the best one to start out with, and especially if you're just getting into reloading.

Hodgdon powders has a good information online (i think there's a sticky at the top of the reloading forum page??) that lists a bunch of loads with hodgdon, winchester, and imr powders. I find i'm using it a lot lately, but you still need to have at least one book on the shelf as a reference.
Click to expand...

x2!
 
The Lyman book has more loads using more powders and bullet weights than any manufacturer's book. The manufacturer's books only give data for their products. Nothing wrong with 'em, but the Lyman is more versatile.
 
Lymans is good. I bought several sold as a package deal on ebay. really like the Hogdon one that looks like a magazine and comes out every year. you can usually find a copy at your favorite newsstand. lots of free info on the internet from powder and bullet manufacturers sites
 
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