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one of us |
Hodgdon and Lyman | |||
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| one of us |
In Hodgdon�s manual nearly always Hodgdon powders come out best ( no wonder ), but they do everything for this: longer tube in extra tast barrel ... I prefer to have different manuals and compare before starting for a project ( caliber, use, gun, powder preferences, component availability ). I like the Speer. From others I usually buy every second edition, from Speer I have 10, 11, 12, 13. I wish data for sixguns would be shot with reasonable barrel lenghts or vented test barrels. I hate handgun data with 7.5" test barrels ... Good shooting! H ------------------ | |||
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| <SlimL> |
I personally would start with the Sierra Manual. Then go for the Hornady, Lyman, and Speer in that order. Hornady & Sierra give the best data, with Lyman giving you a little of everything. I have a low confidence factor in the Hodgdon manual even though I use a variety of there powders in my Encore. Please remember though, this is all IMHO. Slim | ||
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one of us |
Why not get them all in one book. I don't remember the name of it but the book consloidates all the manuals for the most popular rounds and the cost is about $7. I have a couple at home and I'll let you know if interested. | |||
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| <robv60> |
The $7 book is the one i was talking about more than likely. Midway has them here.... http://www.midwayusa.com/online/prodsearch.exe/BuildLink?SaleItemID=786060 . Seems like it might be pretty informative. But, i wonder how up to date it would be. If anyone has one of these could you flip through it and let me know what's in it? I am mainly looking for self defense loads. What i would really like to do is copy as close as possible cor=bon's 38 special +P 110 grain cartridges as that is what i keep my gun loaded with but they are too expensive to practice with as much as i shoot. Also, i wouldnt think that any of the reloading manuals would have my particular gun in it. I just have a Rossi 5-shot snubby, stainless steel. Not a very "popular" gun, but it shoots REAL nice. | ||
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| <nated> |
as for your snubby, how long is your barrel? you may want to consider some 95 grainers, they may pick up a bit more speed from that short of a barrel. what powders do you normally load with? some of your best will likely be $$$, specially if you're looking low muzzle flash (self defense). hope it helps, nate | ||
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| <robv60> |
the barrel is 2 1/2". I am justbstarting handloading so I actually do not have a powder that I normally use. I have been looking at Winchester's 231 and Alliants bullseye. | ||
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| <Gary Rihn> |
rob- Have you checked their websites? I bet they are giving loading info, and it's free. I know that I just looked at www.hodgdon.com the other day, I imagine others are doing the same. If you're good at searches (I'm not, I got my link straight off of the powder can | ||
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| <Loren> |
The $7 loadbooks are ok provided you already have a good reloading manual that covers the basics. They are about one - two versions out of date - I just bought the 2000 version for .30-06 in late 2001, all the data is at least one version older than the manuals I bought a few months before. I would still try to buy the manuals from the bullet manufacturers. The powder companies usually give enough free data that you don't need to buy their manuals (check web pages and your local dealer for freebies). The older cartriges like .38 sp have a few quirks that a good manual will detail. The loadbook will not have this information. | ||
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| <Roger 4> |
RobV60,,,for one single manual the Lyman 47th edition is a wealth of information to the beginner,,and covers many powders and bullet types,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Roger | ||
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one of us |
Although it is sometimes a bit dated, I sure like Ken Waters "Pet Loads" book. When working with a new caliber I just try a couple of his top loads and invariably one of them become my "best load". | |||
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| one of us |
Much ado for a 2.5" gun. For the beginner, Lyman is great. Lee has a reloading book which compiles most of the loading data off the loading manuals available. I liked reading this book, interesting and amusing. | |||
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| <Bill> |
I love the free one Allinat gives you. Lyman is excellent for the beginner. ------------------ | ||
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one of us |
I have at least one copy of them all & I am cross referencing & making notes all the time.  ------------------ | |||
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| <Daryl Elder> |
Pretty tough to get by with one reloading manual. I have over ten and I still search for new/different data. | ||
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| <Paul Dustin> |
I would agree with Bear Claw I have 2 or 3 copys of them all and I use them for cross reference | ||
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| one of us |
.38 Special???? That is about the easiest handgun cartridge to reload known to man. You're not loading some super-magnum or trying to win at Camp Perry. Buy one manual from a bullet manufacturer you like and you're covered. | |||
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| <robv60> |
It may not be the hardest load in the world but there's nothing wrong with wanting to be safe and informed.... | ||
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Moderator |
Rob, If you want to be safe and informed, then you'll have to get more then one manual! I'd recomend the Speer and Lymann manuals. You can get data off of Hodgdon's and Alliant's web sites. There are a host of suitable powders, you might also want to consider Alliants red dot and/or unique. Hodgdon's universal clays is also a good one. I'd suggest starting with a single powder, and try different charges with different bullets. | |||
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| <Zeke> |
I have four manuals on hand, Speer, Nosler, Lee and Oregon Trail(for cast bullets). I also have some issues of Anerican Rifleman and Handloader that deals specifically with the calibers that I load for. I really like the Speer manual because they tend to use real world off the shelf rifles and pistols. Noslers habit of using expensive custom rifles for testing doesn't help someone like myself who shoots a el-cheapo department store special. Nosler's hottest loads are about what I use for practice and plinking with my 270. When I am working with a new load, as I am now with .300 Savage, I tend to look at all the manuals and pick a starting load from all the data I have, start in the middle and go from there. The best reloading information I have found is these forums. Whatever I have thought about trying, someone has already done it, and their experiences has saved me much grief and money. ZM | ||
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| one of us |
quote: Then why ask everyone which manual you need? Go buy them all like the rest of us. Or is this a Socratic exercise? | |||
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| <robv60> |
Because I'm NEW at this and i value the opinions of people with experience. If the best thing for me, based on the help given to me here,is to buy multiple manuals then that is most likely what I will do. I just wanted to know if there was a single, good all around manual that i could use to get me STARTED. Just something to give me good load data for a variety of bullets and powders so that I could experiment with different combinations. I just need a starting point. | ||
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| <Bill> |
robv, There are a bunch of free laod manuals out there. IMR, Alliant, Winchester and others publish this material and distribute it for free. I would recommend getting some of this stuff in addition to the book you will buy. ------------------ | ||
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), you may find what you need that way. Good luck!