I currently have the Lee 2nd edition reloading manual,and the new Nosler manual....can anyone recommend a few others...I was thinking Hornaday and Lyman...any thoughts....thanks

Bob

Lyman 48th ED. is one of the best available. All loads have start and max pressures which is a must in my book.

buy as many different manuals as the pocket book will allow, the more you have the more you can compare data from one to another, six is a nice number and that happens to be what I have. I ahve used them all, but as with most things I have my favorites. also use data from the ammo companies on line, seek and print. lyman 45th is one that I look alot.

Hodgdon and Lyman would be my next choices.

Add Barnes and Swift to your list. Good luck and good shooting.

sierra is my most used, the more the merrier

I managed to grab the new Hornaday...all the rest are on back order...will get a few before Christmas time anyway

Chola:
Just buy all of them, you can learn something new and different in each of them.They also make good reading on those cold and boring nights when you just don't feel like doing anything

Paul K

I personally prefer Sierra and Nosler. This is because they both offer suggested accuracy loads for their bullets, and are usually quite correct. It can save a lot of time with your load development. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

I use Lyman 48, Hodgdon's annual, and A-Square's. All three offer pressures, both for starting and max. loads -- at least you know they used a pressure barrel, instead of the "by golly" case head expansion method.

Most of the powder makers offer most of their loads on their web sites, including Hodgdon, IMR, Alliant, and Ramshot.

Sierra for rifles if you don't have Quickload.

I like Nosler's reloading Guides for the following reasons:

1. The highest velocity for each powder is shown first and marked as maximum.

2. The most accurate load for each powder is marked with an asterisk, *.

3. The most accurate powder tested for each bullet weight is nidicated, as well as the most accurate load with that powder.

4. The ballistic coeficients and sectiona densities for each bullet weight listed is given on the same page as the loads.

5. The balistic charts are easier to read and understand than in some of the competing manuals.

Rusty.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty Hook:

I like Nosler's reloading Guides for the following reasons:

2. The most accurate load for each powder is marked with an asterisk, *.

3. The most accurate powder tested for each bullet weight is nidicated, as well as the most accurate load with that powder.

True, the Nosler manual does give this information.

But it applies only to the rifle/barrel that Nosler used in their tests -- it may not translate to your rifle and barrel.

You can get free copies of loading manuals from Hodgdon, Winchester, and Alliant -- they are in the form of pamphlets. They have the disadvantage of giving loads only for their powders, but that information is nontheless useful. I recommend them highly.

IMR used to supply such a manual too. They may still do so, but now that IMR is owned by Hodgdon, I don't know what will be done.

Yep.you can still get one from IMR..I have those now....
The Nosler one is nice,but it is bullet specific to their brand......Am definatley gonna consider a Lyman manual for sure.....thanks for all the help thus far fellas

quote:

Originally posted by LE270:
You can get free copies of loading manuals from Hodgdon, Winchester, and Alliant -- they are in the form of pamphlets. They have the disadvantage of giving loads only for their powders, but that information is nontheless useful. I recommend them highly.

IMR used to supply such a manual too. They may still do so, but now that IMR is owned by Hodgdon, I don't know what will be done.

Chola: To get all or most is very good advice, reloading is something you can't have too much data on.

I realize that Nosler's data is only accurate for that one round in that one barrel but, if a powder consistently shows the best accuracy and velocity in a number of chamberings, it is also likely that it would also do the same for you. With out that information you would have to just take a stab at a powder and see what you could do with it. Powders have become expensive and bullets aren't cheap, let alone the wear and tear on your gun, anything you can do to shorten the process of load development is all to the well and good.

It would also be a good idea to buy the loading manual developed for the bullets that you will be using. You may not know that yet but you will eventually. If you have them all, you are pretty well covered no matter what...Rusty.

I actually just joined and awesome site called loaddata.com....it's got load data listed for darn near everything...I'm gonna spend a few hours printing data off tonight...
It has loads from users,bullet manufacturers,powder manufacturers,data used n specific rifle makes...pretty much everything that I am ever gonna need....thanks to all for the information and advice again...