Need a reloading manual suggestion

[h20hunter]

Yes...I know you can look just about anything up online. Waht I want is a general reference guide for keeping on the bench top for reference. I'll be working on .45, .223, .270, .30-30, .9mm, 38....you get the idea. I'd like a reference book for checking OAL...load charts..that kind of stuff. I've check on Amazon and there are plenty to choose from. Any suggestions on what is out there that is current, user friendly, and cover a broad range of factory load specs?

[carpsniperg2]

hodgons is one of the best all around books/manuals that I use all the time.

[h20hunter]

Like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Hodgdon-Annual-Reloading-Manual/dp/B001Q9JAYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330978479&sr=8-1

[JackOfAllTrades]

I use...  Speer, Nosler, Sierra, Hornady, and the Lyman cast bullet guide.  I have for more than 25 years have not blown my guns up.

-Steve

[Huntbear]

Sierra, Nosler, Hornady are all great.  I have never been a fan of the Speer, but other people are.

Also, you can get the guides for each powder company as well. 

Also, make sure you get one of the last two updates, so your information is current.

[JimmyHoffa]

I have Hornady and Nosler books.  I tend to use the Hornady most.  Seems like it has a little more or maybe just displayed more to my liking.  They even list for discontinued bullet styles in case you have an old batch.

[cwuwildcat]

I like Hornady the most, but you'll want a couple.  I haven't found the "one" book that covers everything.  Also, you will notice variations in the minimum and maximum charge for the same bullet and powder combo between books.

[carpsniperg2]

Don't he me wrong I love my nosler books and have about 10 other brands of loading books. That being said I like the powder companies books way better. They show all types of loads instead of say sierra focusing on there bullets and loads.

[h20hunter]

Good points guys.....keep the different opinions coming...I appreciate them.

[Jim the Plumber]

I use on line referances from Hodgdon and Ramshot the most.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ramshot_handgun_rifle.pdf

[h20hunter]

Very cool.....the online one for hodgon is very user friendly.

Now....just looking at it I have a question for more experienced.

Looking at he load date for 230 gr 45 acp with titegroup.....

The two bullet options are hdy fmj fp and lrn ...... okay....flat point full metal jacket or lead ball ammo. The powder charge is only .4 gr difference. That I get.

My question is this......

I'f I'm loading FMJ's that are flat nosed and round nosed....all other variables the same...I would think the powder would stay the same? Maybe I would increase the COL to the guns preference but can't see what the nose of the bullet would do to affect the powder charge.

[TwoSixFourWins]

Pet Loads by Ken Waters.   Hands down best all around reloading reference.

[h20hunter]

Thanks....ordered a current volume of the Hodgens guide to reloading off Amazon.....$8.99. Figured for the price how bad could it be.

[Bofire]

  You have to have a couple at home so you can sit around and look thru them, read about stuff. compare stuff. call BS on forum posts!! and get new ones. The Sierra book is very thorough. I have prolly 25, one from about 1937 by Phillip Sharp, "The Complete Guide to Handloading" Some of the old ones are fun and I would think collectable, I look for them at garage sales etc.
Carl

[h20hunter]

Thats pretty cool to have one from that long ago. How many calibers does it cover....one or two or all 5! Hah....I'm a a funny guy. I've got a spot on the bench picked out for my own "character" pieces. A couple of the tools I have are from the same place we picked up a .357 of mine. An old gal...old old...85 if a day...was cleaning out estate stuff. She found a bunch of old guns and stuff from her late husbands. Anway..other than the .357 I have 4 wooden handled reaming tools. They are pretty cool. Old worn wood handles that look kind of like a "bob" for sewing or fly tying. The stories that could be told from the hands that wore that wood smooth and dark would be something. I'm gonna drill a few holes and line them up on the edge. I've oiled the metal a bit to protect it and just want to keep them out for a reminder that my reloading will someday be my sons and so forth.