Reloading Manuel Books, whats the best

I see the new Nosler manual does that now as well.
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As did the early Nos. manuals.
Quite a difference in max. charges, then to now.
May not be politically correct to say this, but the early versions max's were quite close to where I ceased to add powder in my rifles. Comfortable max..
Still using those older manuals .308/30-06/.303/6.5x55/.375hh/etc. to their max.(or close to) charges to this day.
The first Barnes manual ... that one was over the top. Way over in all of my guns. Never even got close to those recommended loads.
Latest Horn., Speer and some others, they seem very conservative to me.

At the end of the day, one learns by carefull observation over time to read pressure in one's own gun, and to load for it accordingly. Thats why we always start low and work up in small increments.

I measure case web expansion just above the extractor groove, before and after. Any measurable expansion, back off.( a 1/2 thou. is well up into proof load territory with quality lapua brass. Some softer stuff like Horn. will expand that much with factory loads). Any case stretch over a couple thou. in previously fireformed brass ... back off. Flattened/cratered/shallow divot primers ... back off. Less than 10 reloads before loosened primer pockets ... back off. More resistance to bolt handle lift ... back off. Unusually high vels. on the chrono ... back off.

Over the years, have often found best accuracy a couple grains or so (4-5%) under that particular guns first sign of max..
Primer pockets will stay tight, and brass will last a long long time if occasionally annealed.

Forgive the OT OP, wanted to put it out there.
 
I'll get roasted for this, but here goes. The days of the hard covered reference are over. They get short term use when you work up a load for a round you happen to be working on, then they gather heaps of dust as they slowly but surely go out of date. New powders and components come to market almost daily now. Resources like "Ammoguide" are so much more than a simple min/max reference its not funny, they contain, besides the standard references, updates from Reloaders who offer their pet load experience and also contain useful software tools. They get updated frequently. There are excellent manuals out there that have enduring value but collecting a library of these things is passe from a practical standpoint. Log onto Ammoguide and you'll get their cookie followed by freebie trial periods from time to time. Once you try it, they know you'll like it. Its cheap too. All this is my opinion only. I really don't care what other people buy ;).
 
I use Hodgon's web site for any new cartridges not in my old books and print off what i need. Burn rates change over the years as new batches are made so the start load is good to know then work up for my rifle to max or just below.
 
dead meat said:
I use Hodgon's web site for any new cartridges not in my old books and print off what i need. Burn rates change over the years as new batches are made so the start load is good to know then work up for my rifle to max or just below.
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It's a great resource.. same here you can't have too much info lol
 
Reloading INFO

I just recently was working a load for rem 7mm mag with 140gr Accubonds and found this load on Noslers most accurate loads for 140gr Accubonds
IMR 4350 65gr max
Max in old Speer manual 62 gr imr 4350
Lyman 49th edition max is 66 gr
Old # 44th edition max load 68gr (don"t try this load would be way to hot and could be dangerous.

Check it against Hogdons site:
140 GR. NOS PART IMR IMR 4350 .284" 3.250" 59.0 2877 51,400 PSI 62.8 3045 58,600 PSI

So as you can see there is lots of variances on max loads.
The Rifle is a Rem 700 ss 1994 model with barrel cut back & crowned at 22" in a Robertson stock bedded by VX Systems, Ian Robertson he did a beautiful job I only use this gun for longrange out to 700 y for white tails and bears.
I mounted my F class scope 12 to 42 nightforce
at 100 yards all bullets touching 1/2" app at three yards just over 1" scope on gun is a leupold 2 to 10 LPS


 
I have all the major reloading manuals, BUT what you need to understand are the variables. The firearm, cartridge case capacity, bullet type will ALL effect chamber pressure. At AccuratShooter.com a poster is having pressure problems at starting load levels with new .260 Lapua brass. These cases have LESS case capacity than other brands and this causes higher chamber pressures.

You should always start low and work up your loads, as you will see as you get more manuals the loading data can vary greatly. It is better to be safe than sorry, plus when starting low and working up you will learn to read your primers and cases for pressure signs.

Manuals and online data are ball park figures, what YOUR firearms tells you is actual "REAL" data.

I have three five gallon buckets of .223/5.56 "once" fired range pickup brass that I use for practice. The load I use is below midrange loading level because theses cases vary in weight and case capacity which effects chamber pressure, and are sorted by headstamp. With cases from the same manufacture and lot number you can work up hotter loads. BUT again safety comes first and your brass will last much longer when you load to lower pressures. The manuals are just guesstimates and you will always need to find "YOUR" firearms limits.
 
"...Lee also..." They don't test loads. They use Hodgdon data.
The Lyman book is the most versatile. Lyman doesn't make bullets or powder so the manual has loads for more than just one manufacturer.
 
I own a factory rifle that opens with a very stiff bolt with FACTORY ammunition, your rifle is what dictates the max, not a book nor online resource. I also follow accurateshooter.com and can backup what bigedp51 stated.

The more manuals you own, the more knowledge you have access to. However, it's you, your rifle, and attention to detail that will tell you what is too little or too much. Heed the warnings and cautions of others, remain objective, and enjoy the hobby!!
 
All the individual powder makers have online data available for free.
Not bullet brand specific, but lots of loads for most any cartridge.
 
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