Reloading Manuals

Hopefully this question is in the correct forum.

A search on reloading manuals did not provide the info I am asking for so here is my question:

When buying reloading manuals, is it better to buy two manuals from a powder manufacturer or is it best to buy one manual from a powder manufacturer and one manual from a bullet manufacturer?

Thanks in advance.

most powder mfrs give you data sheets or pamphlets for free. DONT PAY FOR THEM. Bullet manufacturers usually publish a manual. I am not a known lover of Lee but Lee does have a pretty good manual with lots of bullets and powders in it. Also I like Speer and Hornady manuals for the instructions in them. Then I really love the "Complete Cartridge manuals" they have excerpts from every one on that one particular round.

I think the Lyman and Lee manuals are good teaching manuals and have decent load data. You can buy caliber specific reloading books that cost like six dollars from Cabela's. They have data from powder manufacturers and bullet manufacturers.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Loadbooks-USA-CaliberGauge-Specific-Reloading-Manuals/704597.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3D.308%2Bmanuel%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=.308+manuel&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

Although I don't own a Lee manual I hear that it is pretty good. I use a Lyman manual and do a good bit of research on the internet.

I have 4 different manuals I refer too...Lee, Speer, Sierra and Hornady.

Since I mostly use Hodgdon powders...most data for what I need can be found on their website. If I can't find it there...I then revert to the bullet manufactures manual.

If I can't find what I want listed in a manual or online data centers...I find the closest thing to it and go from there.

I recommend at least getting a manual(s) from whatever company makes the bullets you like to use the most.

hawcer wrote:I recommend at least getting a manual(s) from whatever company makes the bullets you like to use the most.

And if the bullets you like are cast lead then go with Lyman.

I would stay with the Power Manufactures i have found that some bullet manufactures charges are higher than the powder manufacures max .
i just fill that they Know there powder a little better .

The load data in Modern Reloading by Richard Lee all comes from the powder manufacturers.

I am a huge collector of books when it comes to reloading. I usually download and purchase when I can book from all of the manufactures. I am not saying it is the way to go, I just like reading them all and compare them. So far, the most used book I use, is the Nosler. I am going to purchase the new Hornady as I have some new powders from them that is in their new books. Other than Nosler, I look at Hornady the second most.

I have found that almost all powder manufacturers have on-line loading data. That aside,I have Lyman, Sierra & Speer, along with a couple of old powder company pamplets.

http://www.atgreloading.com/t146-free-published-load-data-links

Outside of the Speer #13 manual that came with my kit, I have never purchased a manual. Almost all manufacturers provide free data. I have attached a link to a thread that I have linked most of them.

I prefer to use Powder Manufacturers data.

Daywalker wrote:the most used book I use, is the Nosler.

Does the Nosler book list just Nosler bullets?

I usually download the data, and print off the sheets as needed.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

pegleg wrote:I usually download the data, and print off the sheets as needed.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

I bought the Hodgdon Annual Manual and as far as I can tell the info is exactly what is on that web site.

I like sierra 5th it gives more ifo than most it gives a hunting load and a target load. i have Accurate #1 #2 - Lees new book- Lyman 49 - Hornady - old Speer.- old Winchester.