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Q:
im just getting started reloading what manuals should i get?

Question by kolbster. Uploaded on November 02, 2009

Answers (5)

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from Clay Cooper wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

These are a must have, Hornady and Lyman you have to pay for these two, but like I said, they are a must have! Winchester, IMR and Hodgens you can either obtain from there web site or access the data online from there web site. Of all the reloading manuals, I find Hornady the most accurate to print and verified across my chronograph. Others tend to be watered down and limited for bias to components to use.

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from Clay Cooper wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

Winchester, IMR and Hodgens manuals are free from there web sight!

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from kolbster wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

i have the lyman manual ordered, but what edition of the hornady do i need? i have seen about 3 different hornady manuals that say 2009 edition.

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from 007 wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

Ditto Clay, I would also add Speer's new book to the mix. I suggest you decide upon the bullet you want to try and buy a manual for that manufacturer, Hornaday being a good example. Whatever you settle on, make sure you follow it to the letter, don't deviate from the "recipe" until you get some serious experience under your belt. Good shooting!

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from Beekeeper wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

Choose the latest manual in print for the bullet brand you intend to shoot. As has been said the Hodgdon site is an excellent source for info on Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester Powders. The Lyman manual is also an excellent reference.

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from Clay Cooper wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

kolbster Hornady is very consistent along with with Lyman. As for Speer, the one I chucked into the trash had a couple misprints

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from sgaredneck wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

I use the Hornady, Nosler, and Lyman mostly. I have others but those are go to's. I highly recommend www.loaddata.com. I just started using it not long ago and it has data from all the sources posted above and then some.

Like Clay is hinting at, you see some stuff in manuals that doesn't jive. I like to use multiple manuals to consult, especially on a new load or caliber. For instance, if you have one manual that stands out with a stronger powder charge for a given bullet than others, maybe err on the side of caution. I like having and keeping all my digits and appendages attached. And my guns undamaged as well.
Best of luck reloading!

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from Jim in Mo wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

sgaredneck,
Thanks for the link.

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from Beekeeper wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

Choose the latest manual in print for the bullet brand you intend to shoot. As has been said the Hodgdon site is an excellent source for info on Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester Powders. The Lyman manual is also an excellent reference.

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from Clay Cooper wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

These are a must have, Hornady and Lyman you have to pay for these two, but like I said, they are a must have! Winchester, IMR and Hodgens you can either obtain from there web site or access the data online from there web site. Of all the reloading manuals, I find Hornady the most accurate to print and verified across my chronograph. Others tend to be watered down and limited for bias to components to use.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Clay Cooper wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

Winchester, IMR and Hodgens manuals are free from there web sight!

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from kolbster wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

i have the lyman manual ordered, but what edition of the hornady do i need? i have seen about 3 different hornady manuals that say 2009 edition.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from 007 wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

Ditto Clay, I would also add Speer's new book to the mix. I suggest you decide upon the bullet you want to try and buy a manual for that manufacturer, Hornaday being a good example. Whatever you settle on, make sure you follow it to the letter, don't deviate from the "recipe" until you get some serious experience under your belt. Good shooting!

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Jim in Mo wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

sgaredneck,
Thanks for the link.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Clay Cooper wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

kolbster Hornady is very consistent along with with Lyman. As for Speer, the one I chucked into the trash had a couple misprints

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from sgaredneck wrote 2 years 28 weeks ago

I use the Hornady, Nosler, and Lyman mostly. I have others but those are go to's. I highly recommend www.loaddata.com. I just started using it not long ago and it has data from all the sources posted above and then some.

Like Clay is hinting at, you see some stuff in manuals that doesn't jive. I like to use multiple manuals to consult, especially on a new load or caliber. For instance, if you have one manual that stands out with a stronger powder charge for a given bullet than others, maybe err on the side of caution. I like having and keeping all my digits and appendages attached. And my guns undamaged as well.
Best of luck reloading!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report

Post an Answer