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best reloading manual?

15K views 35 replies 26 participants last post by  Hurkamer 
#1 ·
Hello all,
I've just started reloading, and havent a clue as to what I'm doing yet. I just bought this Lee anniversary kit that comes with the 'Modern Reloading' manual.
I also bought 'The ABC's of Reloading'.
I will be loading for 40 caliber .380 auto pistols, and 204 Ruger. The rifle will be only used for targets at the range.
some older books may not even have 204 info, or very little?
Will these books i already have be sufficient for my uses?
Thanks for you time,
randy
 
#29 ·
Well, now that this old thread is dusted off and running again, has anyone ever used the reloading manuals written by Nick Harvey? They really seem to think a lot of Nick over at Hawk Bullets. I have never seen one of his manuals. Anybody?
 
#32 ·
Always good to have at least 3 or 4 manuals to compare when you are starting a new load. I have used Speer, Lyman, Hodgdon, Hornady and a few others. The Lyman cast bullet manual is great if you get into shooting cast loads later. If you compare a given load between several manuals you will sometimes see quite a discrepancy between them, sometimes several grains difference. Some manuals are more conservative, some list hotter loads. My favorite is the Hornady manual, and the current one ( 8th Edition ) lists most all of the newer calibers.
 
#33 · (Edited)
stripe I think fellow looaders on her have more than adequately pointed ou in the direction you need to go to find the likely load but if you have just started loading then there are many other variables and one book I have which although written back in the late eighties still contains some very relevant advise. The book is "The Complete Handloader" by John Wootters, when it came out it was around $30 but you may be able to pick one up somewhat cheaper and I think you will find it a good read. Best of luck with that 204, my colleague has one and raves about it. I chose the 22BR as here in the UK we cannot just go buy another gun, but I would very much have liked a 204 as well. May I take this chance to wish you a happy and healthy new year to come.
Oooops only just noted the originalpost date:eek::D Still a book worth adding to your library.
 
#34 ·
I have the Lyman 48th edition, and just ordered the 49th edition after reading this post. Other than that I look online at powder companies data. The Lyman is a very informative read. I have never used any other type, so I do not have anything else to compare it to. But you will be satisfied with the Lyman.

I will say the 48th edition lists 2 pages worth of loads for the 7mm Rem SA ultra Mag but only a few loads for 7mm WSM. I hear lots on the wsm line, but little to none on the SAUM stuff. You may find other examples of popular cartridges with little data, but I dunno.
 
#35 ·
I Like Lee

I've bought several reloading manuals over the years, and downloaded data from a couple powder manufacturers websites. All are useful.I really do like Lee. I reload for my .40 S&W, a ruger 7mm-08, and my son's .223. With the 7mm-08, I also cast and load lead bullets (wheel weights). His information for developing reduced loads is very helpful.

Have fun,

MichiganMike
 
#36 ·
While not really a reloading manual, Cartridges of the World has a lot of data on factory loads, and optimum loads for old obsolete cartridges that aren't available in some modern manuals. CoW is also a good source for data on certain wildcats which are seldom found in manuals by Lyman, Hornady, ect.
 
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