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hi all

what's the better books to keep handy for reloading data

del

I bought "Modern reloading 2nd edition" by Richard Lee when I first got into reloading early last year, and haven't felt the need to buy any other books since. Nice and easy to read layout of data also.

I would recommend the Lyman latest edition.

It pressure tests much of its loads which is the quality you need in a manual.

I would avoid the Lee like the plague, it has tested none of its loads it has just copied them from other sources including original mistakes and adding a few of their own. It also errs very much on the conservative side so that the loads "fit" within their volume method of powder measuring. Their other whacky systems like bullet alloy to pressure are not conducive to giving a good basic foundation of reloading knowledge.

thanks lads will have a look

del

I have both the Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition and the Lyman 49th Edition.

IMHO both have their place, the Lee manual gives good basic advice to new re-loaders and their load data covers a much wider range of calibres than the Lyman 49th who seem biased towards popular USA calibres.

As for load data, it would seem lawyers write them rather than real shooters these days!

If you want accurate load data, access the powder manufactures websites.

ukrifleman

When I got into handloading 7 years ago I started with the Speer Reloading Manual #14 as that in what came with my press. As you'd expect, all the loads contained within were based upon bullets offered by Speer with no other bullet considered. The book was very informative regarding the concepts of reloading but in all cases I use load data published from the powder manufacturers. Vihtavuori and Reload Swiss are two examples of powder manufacturers who have plenty of load data on their websites.

I use the Hornaday one as that is the make they mostly sell at the shop I go to, very comprehensive.

I find the Lee one a bit like a catalogue and a history of the company. And they certainly like blowing their own trumpet - our @@@@ was the best on the market, no competitor could touch it - time and time again!

got the lee one as it was going cheep but will look out for the others

thanks lads

I have the Lyman book, to be honest I found the powder manufacturer websites to be better for load data. What was available in the book was pretty limited in my view. So whilst it is a handy reference for general reloading I've actually not used anything from it