My manuels are late 1980s. asking for suggestions for a new one. thanks

You have two choices either go with the powder or the bullet manufacturers outside of these two sources there are Lyman but in the end of the day I found that today most of the manuals are online what becomes difficult is to find loads with your bullet and powder of choice which may not be available from any source.
I recommend that you find a safe published starting load for a particular bullet weight and powder and increase slowly until you start seeing pressure signs or you get to a published maximum if available.
BB

I would suggest getting either the current Nosler or Hornady manual.

They have pretty good safety and guideline sections and have good general coverage (with their products) of cartridges and powders.

After you have that, looking at specifics by the manufacturer of what you want to use is the next step.

I find the Lee manual to be a very good compilation source, but not very easy to use, comparatively. If you feel you know what you are doing, but are just looking for data, that is another source.

For all the online stuff, it’s there, but I’m more comfortable using it after comparing it to hard copy published sources.

Occasionally you see something that doesn’t look right and thus avoid problems.

Hornady or Lyman.

I like Lyman, Speer and/or Hornady manuals. Nosler makes great bullets, but I find their manuals lacking and less consistent.

It's Manual.
I guess I don't see the problem. Many of my manuals pre date 1980, but that doesn't mean they are obsolete.
For newer cartridges, data can be found on this new invention called the internet. Which we did not have in 1980.
I also use Ken Waters Pet Loads for a lot of my loading.
Get a new Hornady manual anyway.

Tom hit the nail on the head with Ken Waters “Pet Loads”. It’s been a great source of information and reading for a great many years for me.

I use the Hornady manual for their bullets.
after that it's generally the powder manufacturer.

a hodgdons book does me dick if all I can get is Accurate powders.

One needs many resources when trying to find the best data.

I have more then 10 manuals and powder company booklets.

I still find myself going to the net to find more information.

But then I have dies to load for some 50 different cartridges

Hornady. Berger is also good for rifles using their bullets.

I buy a new Lyman every few years. The Lee manual is comprehensive but seems to be a conglomeration of other manuals.

hornady web site since they sell most of the avail powders

I use LoadData.com most of the time with some reference to my old manuals.

I started off with the old Lyman book because it gave factory duplicating loads as well as most accurate loads. Progressed to Nosler, Hornady, Speer, now I use all those plus Swift-Aframe and Barnes. When a new book comes out I have to have it. The newer books give the newer powders and bullets. If I shoot a particular bullet I will look at that manual first and then go from there. My chronograph tells me more than the manuals after I get started on a load. Good Shooting.

I have a bunch of old manuals that I still mess with, but those one caliber spiral books are by far the best and at a couple of bucks each..they use all the reloading books loads for one caliber, best thing since sliced white bread... I have a bunch of them one for each caliber I have.

quote:

best thing since sliced white bread...

Most nutritionists will tell you that white bread isn't all that good for you,

For those of you who have never used or read Ken Waters “Pet Loads”, you need to look into it. It is much more than a reloading manual Ken gives a lot of insight into each cartridge, from case volume, to bullet weights, to which powder works best with a particular bullet along with quite a bit of load data. It’s actually enjoyable reading.

Sierra manual,for me, hands down.

I shoot such a variety of powder/bullet and cartridge combinations I have around 10 books I reference.

Most manuals have excellent info in them. however with many new powders on the market it is nice to see what is being published about the bullets you use and the new powders availible. Its great if you can go into a large store and browse through a couple manuals to see if they list the bullets and calibres you load for with some of the new powders. If you are not close to a large store you may have to resort to asking on this website or others for the manual that has the info you are looking for. Just buying a manual from Hornady or Sierra because someone else liked it makes no sense to me.

They all print some screwy data---check them out carefully and you will see!

I use a lot of manuals and review data from most when working on a new load/caliber.

Lee Is good as they print the data from other manuals in theirs.

Hadgdons is very good for data on SOME of the new powders although I find a bit light.

Ken Waters PET LOADS is also good but some of the powders are no longer with us and again seem to be on the light/mild side

OLD AND NEW----CHECK THEM ALL!!!

Hip

I have found that rarely do manuals agree with each other. I have found Nosler Max loads to actually be a couple grains low and Sierra closer to actual max charges. As we all know of course that every gun is different. I prefer Lyman and Sierra but have Hornady, Hodgdon, and Nosler. My Sierra is in need of replacing just for the newer powders

Nowadays I look up load data on-line.
I look at the bullet manufacturer's site, the powder manufacturer's site and sometimes will ask a friend to do a calculation on Quickload.

There is often a significant difference, in which case I usually start with the most conservative source, until I know the combination of rifle, bullet and powder fairly well.

Apart from when using powders which don't have web-published data, I haven't opened a paper manual in many years, although I still feel the compunction to own a couple. A new reloader should read one though. Not for the loads but for the techniques and the cause-and-effect stuff.

Kolo Pan
Ill be 89 tomarrow and been eating white bread, flour tortillas, and biscuits since I was weaned!!

Happy Birthday, Ray, and may you have many more!

Thanks pard! (thats Texan for partner Mate)

I prefer Lyman manuals or on line data from manufacturers.

All one needs is the minimun load in any manual and work up from there to fit YOUR gun!! However I doo like manuals that provide "Pressure DATA" and some have some interesting reading..Sierra is a top manual but for big bore 9,3x62 and up I like African Dangerous game Cartridges by Pierre van der Walt. Expensive but worth every penny and a ton of great reading.