Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Jekemi on January 07, 2011, 08:02:29 AM

Title: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: Jekemi on January 07, 2011, 08:02:29 AM: If you were only going to purchase one reloading manual which one would it be? I typically use Sierra bullets and Lee dies for my reloading. I don't have any large reloading books now but want to get one. I have the Hogdon magazine style manual and some caliber specific small books plus tons of stuff off the internet.
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: high country on January 07, 2011, 08:46:04 AM: I would grab the sierra manual,it is very comprehensive. yo can get plenty of recipies on line. most powder mfr's site will have data too.
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: Ray on January 07, 2011, 08:56:06 AM: I've only looked at Hornady And Speer. Out of those two Speer seemed more to my liking. Agreed about online recipes, which is where I get some of mine.
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: bobcat on January 07, 2011, 09:25:46 AM: I like the Hodgdon manual since I only use Hodgdon powder. I also have a Speer manual. If you use Barnes bullets it would be good to have a Barnes book since you can't really use data developed for standard bullets for copper bullets. But, as others have said, it's fairly easy to get data online as well. I've found the "Loadbooks" are handy to have- they are cartridge specific and include data from many bullet and powder manufacturers. It's NOT "the best" but is useful sometimes and the price is usually less than $10.

http://www.cabelas.com/shooting-reloading-books-loadbooks-usa.shtml (http://www.cabelas.com/shooting-reloading-books-loadbooks-usa.shtml)
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: Ray on January 07, 2011, 09:28:25 AM: I used to get all my hodgdon data online. Their website might still be usable http://data.hodgdon.com/ (http://data.hodgdon.com/)
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: GoldTip on January 07, 2011, 09:50:34 AM: I get a lot of my recipes online, but I too have the Speer book and like it as well.
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: BlackRidge on January 07, 2011, 09:54:25 AM: Quote from: Ray on January 07, 2011, 09:28:25 AM
I used to get all my hodgdon data online. Their website might still be usable http://data.hodgdon.com/ (http://data.hodgdon.com/)

+1, I use the site religiously along with the Hodgdon manual since its what most, if not all of my powder is

The site isn't as complete as I'd like, but the manual definitely helps to fill in some of the gray areas
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: bobcat on January 07, 2011, 09:57:36 AM: Yes, I use the Hodgdon website too. That's why my Hodgdon book is 20 years old. I haven't felt the need to buy a newer one since all the data is available online.
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on January 07, 2011, 11:58:26 AM: I have the Sierra for rifle/pistol, Nosler, Hornady set, Speer, Lyman books.

I use the manual for the bullet I'm using. Online stuff from the powder manufactures gets you close, but they don't test every bullet. The bullet manufactures do test most of the powders suited for a cartridge/bullet combo.

That said, If there is a 'best manual' it is the Sierra. But all of them explain the details of the basics of reloading in a different way. Buy the latest of one manual, then look for used versions at second book stores or yard sales for long proven cartridges. I have a Speer manual that doesn't have the 480Ruger in it.. Big deal. I don't reload for one. Updated manuals will have new cartridges and the new phase of their bullet offerings. You don't have to be up to date on all of those publications as there is some info on the web that's useful for a seasoned reloader.

The Sierra software would also be a fine choice.

Your best friend will be a Chronigraph though. All the charts in the books mean nothing unless you know for sure that you're getting the velocity you're looking for and know that all of your reloads have a standard diviation that is within your imposed limits and provides the accuracy you desire.

-Steve
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 07, 2011, 01:41:46 PM: I like hodgons the best. I just use there on line stuff most of the time. I have several of there printed manuals and a few speer books as well. Some loads really vary, from manual to manual. I always tend to trust the powder companies info over the bullet manufactures. Just my way of thinking.
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: bod on January 07, 2011, 01:49:26 PM: When I started reloading a guy gave me some good advice if you shoot hornady bullets buy a hornady manual and so on.
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: mazama on January 07, 2011, 08:32:25 PM: I have used Lyman the most,but also have Speer,SIERRA,Hodgdon,Hornady and P.O.Ackley,i now use online data for powder recipies,also AR RELOADING.
Title: Re: Best Reloading Manual
Post by: C-Money on January 07, 2011, 08:39:47 PM: I shoot a lot of Nosler bullets, an I find myself going to the Nossler manual the most. Hornaday manual is next in use.