Sakoman .308
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Lee and Hodgen for me and a friend.
Which reloading manual?
- Thread starter isaacc
- Start date
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
I use Nosler, Sierra, Barnes & Speer + the Hodgdon Powder website. Use all with careful discretion. Start moderately and work up very carefully.
Cameron SS
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ground Zero
If you are just starting out, you can't go wrong if you start with Lyman. But you are doing something wrong if you stop with Lyman or any other single manual.
Reloading is a science, and any good scientist will consult widely before embarking on an experiment.
When developing a new load I am using a case, a bullet, powder and reloading tools. Typically each of those 4 components will have an associated source of reloading data. I will consult them all, most of which are available free online. Somewhere in the middle will be the best results.
Virtually all of the component manufacturers have free online resources. Typically all they give you is a set of data from their own experiments, without any explanation, interpretation or analysis. A good reloading manual includes the discussion that reveals the WHY that is a critical insight that will guide you through your reloading journey. Few online publications, and certainly not very many free ones, will be as well researched and presented, by a credible author with excellent experience, as what you will find in any of the professional reloading manuals.
Your question shouldn't ever be which one reloading manual should I get, but which one should I get first/next.
If you troll your local gun shows, you can usually find someone giving away outdated reloading manuals, or selling them for dirt. Just start there and make sure you get up to date information by any and all means available. Most of the revisions are to include new calibres, components and manufacturers, and rarely have anything to do with discovering some previously unknown safety issue.
My first recommendation would be the Lyman manual, it will list loads using a universal receiver and pressure test barrel. And in the same caliber listing it will list a specific firearm used with pressure data from a strain gauge glued to the barrel. The pressure test barrel will have the minimum size SAAMI chamber and bore dimensions to generate the highest possible chamber pressures.
My second recommended manual would be the Sierra manual and the third would be the Hornady manual and fourth the Speer manual. "BUT" these choices can vary by the brand bullets and powder used. Just remember when a specific firearm is listed in the manual a strain gauge is glued to the barrel and ammunition of a known pressure is fired to calibrate the pressure readings.
So remember all manuals are "ball park" estimates and can vary with chamber and bore dimensions and the reloading components used.
Example below, using the top listed .223/5.56 case at 30.6 H2O capacity and the bottom case at 28.0 H2O capacity. With the same charge of 25 grains of H335 powder the chamber pressure will vary 6,000 psi. These pressures are from Quickload software that will show chamber pressure variations using different components.
Bottom line always make workup loads starting at the suggested start load and work up looking for signs of excessive pressure. And by doing this you will learn more about "your" firearm and the components used in "your" loads. And remember to read the front part of the manuals you buy and absorb what it tells you.
My second recommended manual would be the Sierra manual and the third would be the Hornady manual and fourth the Speer manual. "BUT" these choices can vary by the brand bullets and powder used. Just remember when a specific firearm is listed in the manual a strain gauge is glued to the barrel and ammunition of a known pressure is fired to calibrate the pressure readings.
So remember all manuals are "ball park" estimates and can vary with chamber and bore dimensions and the reloading components used.
Example below, using the top listed .223/5.56 case at 30.6 H2O capacity and the bottom case at 28.0 H2O capacity. With the same charge of 25 grains of H335 powder the chamber pressure will vary 6,000 psi. These pressures are from Quickload software that will show chamber pressure variations using different components.
Bottom line always make workup loads starting at the suggested start load and work up looking for signs of excessive pressure. And by doing this you will learn more about "your" firearm and the components used in "your" loads. And remember to read the front part of the manuals you buy and absorb what it tells you.
Lots of great replies already so I'll just add that reloading for most of us is a lifelong adventure in improving how and what we do. There is little room for complacency and small mistakes can occasionally result in large consequences. There is always time to re-read a chapter or even a portion of one to clarify a point which may have been poorly understood the first, second or even the third time through. No single manual says everything there is to know on the subject. Enjoy reloading! I'm still learning new tidbits here and there, some due to a new-to-me reloading manual, some due to very wise replies from very wise people in this forum and other venues. And go up a couple of replies to check out Ganderite's taglines. Says it all.
OP:
All of the above would be suitable.
Keep in mind that manuals published by the bullet manufacturers will include loads using their bullets. This usually doesn't present a problem as long as you are substituting similarly-constcuted bullets. For example, don't go loading a Barnes TSX or other solid metal with the same data as for a cup and core bullet.
The Lyman and Lee manuals also include data for cast bullets. The Hornady manuals include lead bullet data, since they also make swaged lead bullets.
The Hodgdon website is also useful if you're using their powders.
Read lots, and ask questions. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.
All of the above would be suitable.
Keep in mind that manuals published by the bullet manufacturers will include loads using their bullets. This usually doesn't present a problem as long as you are substituting similarly-constcuted bullets. For example, don't go loading a Barnes TSX or other solid metal with the same data as for a cup and core bullet.
The Lyman and Lee manuals also include data for cast bullets. The Hornady manuals include lead bullet data, since they also make swaged lead bullets.
The Hodgdon website is also useful if you're using their powders.
Read lots, and ask questions. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.
As many manuals as you can find. - dan
