Reloading manuals, do you own one?

X2. Exact same boat for me.

FoxAlpha said:
I have a few references online but I strongly prefer hard copy overall. The online manuals I found myself referencing often got printed off and given their own binder. I'm 27, and people always tell me I'm supposed to be tech savvy but it's just not my thing. Online resources are great, until the internet goes tits up or the power goes out.
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The Lee manual probably saved me from blowing my face off. The firsts few sections are full of important info that I had no clue on. But for load data I generally use Hodgdon and nosler manuals online. I’ll usually check the book though just to compare.
 
I am 38. Been reloading since I was a younger teenager. I found grandpas box of stuff in the garage a couple years after he passed away. He had the speer # 12 and the lyman # 14 I think. I read them cover to cover about 5 times each before I started. They are now with my 8 or so other reloading books at the ballistics lab. I load rifle there now that my gun room got turned into a nursery a few weeks ago.

I'd complain... but I can't complain about my little guy.
 
bearhunter said:
I have the Wooter's Pet Loads and PO Ackley books as well.

The thing is, you really need to be careful with the data in them. As good as they were for when they were written, powders with the same designations can be and are slightly different. I'm not just talking about lot to lot differences.

It isn't to much of a problem with large volume or even intermediate size cases but with small cases the differences can be nasty.

I'm not talking about a KaBoom unless you're shooting a weak action/worn action rifle.

I am however talking about blown primers or maybe even case blow outs or separations in some rifles.

I've personally seen this happen with 50 year old data taken from those old manuals.

Ganderite can likely explain this much better than I can. He knows his stuff and I've learned a lot from his infrequent contributions. PM him.
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Thanks for this very sound advise, bearhunter. It is true that things have come very far in the world of handloading since the days of Ackley, and of course one shouldn’t rely upon 50 year old data. I’m sorry if I gave the impression that I’m actually using these reference books for load development. Rather, they give me an idea of the thinking at that time period. Allow me to clarify by saying that I use only current published load data from Speer, Nosler and Hornady. I also check their websites for any updates. There are many folk on CGN that handload, and are very generous with their knowledge. I try to learn all that I can.
CranePete
 
I'm 30 and have been reloading about 5 years. I have a copy if the Hornady, Speer, and Sierra manuals. I also use Hodgdons online site. When working up a load for a new cartridge or bullet weight I cross reference all sources. Some manuals I find to be overly conservative. I often take an average for the minimum and maximum charge weight and load up from there. Sometimes I surpass that averaged max charge in my rifles but I work up to that point.

I like to have paper to flip through at my reloading bench.
 
Have one. Lyman - approx 30 years old and would take me an hour to find somewhere here. I'm 52.
The powder brand websites, the burn chart websites, my chrono and my personal notes cover anything I need or have needed in the last 15 years.
 
I've been handloading for 25 years, and I still have several manuals but don't use them anymore. Quickload plus LabRadar make short work of working up loads these days. It's easier to adjust for variations in powder lots, too.
 
bearhunter said:
There are some cartridges that you can't get the required data for online when it pertains to MODERN firearms that are much stronger than the original firearms the original cartridges were intended for.

Two of those cartridges are the 7x57 Mauser and the 6.5x55 Swede.

Both of these cartridges can be loaded to give some very substantial velocity increases with modern powders and modern rifles.

I was reading an old article written by Finn Agaard just after he left Africa to take up residence in the US. The 7x57 Mauser was one of his favorites.

As you most certainly know, this discussion has been going on longer than most of the people here have been alive. Finn went on in his article to mention that ALL FACTORY LOADED 7x57 Mauser ammunition was loaded for the safety limits of the M93 Mauser rifles. There were others in that era of course but it was considered to be a HOT cartridge when compared to the others available back in the day.

Finn went on to say that he was hand loading his 1898 model rifles, chambered in 7x57 Mauser, with 22 inch barrels, to verified 2800 fps without pressure signs. He mentions powders but not loads used. White Labs did the pressure tests on his loads at the time.

I can tell you from personal experience with my 7x57 Mauser built on a 1935 Brazilian Mauser action that I am getting slightly faster 2875 fps out of its 25 inch barrel. I use the same powder mentioned in his article and I worked up the load until I got to my personal satisfaction point. I've put close to 400 rounds through that bore with 50 cases. The cases were reannealed a couple of times but they still look good, without any incipient case separation signs.

I applaud your restraint but there has to be considerations made for modern technology. I fully understand WHY ammo manufacturers give their load data for the weaker actions and don't publish higher pressure loads, nor to my knowledge even suggest loading any hotter. The 7-08 would be a great alternative for someone that only uses factory ammo to get the most out of an intermediate case in 7mm.
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This is where Quickload can shine. You can set it to calculate loads for different pressures for modern firearms.
 
9.3mauser said:
He got pinked. I don't see him on the perma-banned list so it's likely a time-out.
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Anyone know why? I noticed this a few weeks ago, seems he's been pink for a while?

Douglas is a wealth of knowledge for all things hunting and reloading. It would be a shame to loose him as part of the community...
 
People of the generation that is in their mid thirties and younger aren't as accustomed to gleaning information from written sources and manuals and this material may overwhelm some of them. They've never had to develop that skill so they didn't. They feel more comfortable with multimedia sources.

I have maybe 6 or 8 manuals. They all have a purpose but only the Lyman and Hodgdon manuals are used regularly. As often as not I get load info online.
 
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I have several. Most of the common ones. I like the books. There's sometimes more than just load data. History and other details. I found the Berger manual particularly informative.
 
I really like reading reloading manuals. I'm 32 and I have bought 3 new books and read several others I've borrowed.

The first one I read was a Spear from the 1970s belonging to my Dad, good read.
 
I have at least 10 and have read them a lot (Nosler are still my favourite reloading manuals, great data but I also enjoy reading the write ups on all the cartridges, some very neat stories..I started reloading many years ago,before information online was a “thing”. I couldn’t ask others what worked best or what to do ect..I had to read and educate myself.
 
A bunch. Most bullet mfgr's. I do check with online stuff now if looking for a new load; primarily in offbreed calibre's. Quite frankly I find this site the most usefull in conjunction with my manuals. We might be a bunch of opinionated a$$holes but if you ask anyone on here they're happy to tell you what they Know and what they Don't.
 
I like books, I've got some Lyman, Norma, Weatherby stuff from the 50's and 60's and some new stuff.
 
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