IMHO, the Lyman book has the best section on intro to reloading, but the Lee book is the best all around and is a conglomeration of all the others for load data, others tend to focus mainly on their reloading components.

 

lee, Lyman, and Hornaday cross all three and also watch a few videos from u-tube

 

I would say Lyman 51 for pistol and Sierra 6 for rifle.

 

I find myself grabbing Lyman's 51st most of the time. That said, I print data off the internet, for most of my go-to powders, and compare that to Lyman's. Being old and retired I have a small amount of disposable income (a little less every month, thanks to Brandon's economic policies) so my library contains Lyman's 47th, 49th, 50th, and 51st (don't know why I missed the 48th). 😆

Grumpy

 

Improvements in pressure measuring technology have shown the bullet construction plays a major role in how much pressure results in a loading (as would be expected). Thus, best is to use data developed with the bullet. If you are using Hornady bullets, use Hornady's data. Speer - Speer data. Sierra - Sierra data. Manuals such as Lee and Lyman, companies that do not manufacture bullets, will vary as well - likely on the conservative side - which is not bad.

Just because the bullets are similar does not mean they will build pressure the same. A 45 230gr FMJ from Hornady versus a Speer versus a Sierra will all show differences. There may be overlap, but best to start with the more conservative data and work up from there since you gun and components are different.

Staying with the most up-to-date data is recommended. Components change. One manual had a particular load that began having complaints from users. Testing revealed hat powder showed different pressure results for different production lots, so the powder was removed from subsequent printings of that manual.

Always begin cautiously.

 

I started with Lyman and it was a good overview. I still look at it from time to time. I look at it more for projo options than data but will always check to see if a specific combo is listed.

For 95% + of my data needs, I keep an electronic library of current manuals as well as consulting Hogdon's data online.

I always try to find both bullet and powder manufacturer's range in any [new] combination I'm trying.

 

I enjoy Hornady. The data is very easy to navigate and easy to read.

 

There may be overlap, but best to start with the more conservative data and work up from there since you gun and components are different.

Always begin cautiously.

Quotes new reloaders need to hang over their press.

Grumpy

 

Yeah, we've discussed the variations in loading data between the various published 'guides' and the reasons for them. Lot to lot powder variations, test conditions, equipment, and the 'fudge factor' to keep the publisher safe from lawsuits.

They're "guides", not "gospels"!

 

I used to buy them all, but I really do like the Lyman manuals because at #47 (perhaps earlier) they started listing some handgun loads in a 4" "vented" barrel which sure as heck beats guessing what you were getting when other makers listed velocities in 7.5" universal recievers.

I also liked Lyman's cast bullet handbooks as well, but I also like the Speer manuals.

I even have the 60's Lee harback book - it is entertaining if nothing else.

One of the better instructional manuals is Art Alphin's "Any shot you want" (I think that was the title) - hard to find now.

Also "Pet Loads", in two volumes by Ken Waters.

And yet another, though not technically a handloading manual, is Bob Hagel's "Game Loads and Practical Ballistics for the American Hunter" - I wore out my first copy and had to buy a spare!

These days I subscribe to "Ammo Guide" and can get some ideas from them and they have lots of interesting articles on their site.

Riposte

 

I reckon there's enough differences between bullet makers to be a factor. Already mentioned seating depth, but also hardness of jacket and core, coefficient of friction between different bullet jacket materials, different amounts of bearing surface between bullet designs.

 

I am very surprised that some think the Lee Reloading Manual is worthwhile. I have not seen their manual for many years and have no idea which volume is current. I bought Vol. #1 when it first came out and, IMNSHO, it was a waste of my money. It was just a abbreviated compilation of data from all the other manuals. I use my Hornady the most and Hodgdon's when I can't find what I want in my Hornady's - or need a 2nd opinion.

 

I haven't read it in a while (which means I need to) but someone gave me a Cast Bullet Benchrest Association handbook - of course it only deals with cast bullets in rifles but a bunch of information, including harness testings is in it!

Riposte

 

I definitely like to cross reference. So multiple manuals are the way to go as well as on line resources. I only refer to the Lee manual when I am having difficulty finding what I am looking for elsewhere.

 

Try this first. It is free and I use it almost exclusively

Hodgdon Reloading Data Center – The Brand Thats True

www.hodgdonreloading.com

 

I started with a Lyman, added Speer as I equipped with RCBS equipment.
I think operating procedures are more important than load data; I get that off the www.

 

I have Lyman's Cast Bullet guide and wish they listed more bullet weights. Some calibers have large gaps between weights. The different shapes make dialing in a load interesting (OAL differences between SWC and RNFP and TC). I have some 130gr cast .358" bullets. I can find data for 120gr then it jumps to the 148gr WC.

Grumpy

 

I recommend to noobs the Lyman book because it has the process, in the simplest form to understand, of the steps of the process. From case preparation, to case life, to primers/powders, and most profiles of bullets for noobs to get a good inkling of the process and component considerations. When I got home from overseas more than 50 years ago, my older brothers had two Speer manuals and one Sierra. I found the Lyman (45th Edition) the best coverage of the process and considerations of changing components of any of them. Later, we added updated Speer, updated Sierra, updated Lyman, plus Hornady, Barnes, and a few others.

As an experienced loader, I think updated loading manuals are great additions to the home library because methods of measuring pressure are changed, powders are discontinued sometimes, and newer powders with updated formulations are added. There are always change to the component composure or configuration, which experience says to cross-check other manuals (or online manufacturers' sites) to verify new data listings. This strategy has worked for me and several of my reloading peers for over 50 years.

 

I like Speer

 

I used to really like Handloads.com. It has been removed from the internet and I never printed any of it for safe keeping. I wish there was a way I could get it back. Lesson learned.

There is a wealth of old(still valuable) and current data available for free online. Western 8.0 is still available on Hodgdon's website and it contains many more load combinations than Hodgdon seems to have absorbed into their online catalog when they took over, so I printed that baby out. Never know when somethin online"s gonna disappear.

I have several 3 ring binders full of such data.

 

I have/use Speer, Lyman and Hornady. Additionally, I use data from powder/bullet manufacturers.

 

Lyman, hands down then decide on another after a year or so.

 

Best hard copy for new reloaders would prolly be one of the Lyman or Lee manuals. The Lyamn 49th has gotta be the best reloading manual ever printed. I fail to see the value of dumpin the cash on the 50th or 51st because there's simply not enough new information to justify the cost.

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I use data from the bullet manufacturer as my primary data source any time I can get it. Powder manufacturer second. I’m sure some bullet maker told me to buzz off but most are more than happy to help.

For a book, I’d start with Lyman for handguns because it includes a lot of lead bullets other sources may not cover. As someone else said, I might choose Sierra for rifle cartridges. Then there are special situations like .45-70 where there are 3 different chamber pressure specs depending on your rifle. I forget which one it is, but at least one of my manuals lists 3 sets of .45-70 data. One manual has a separate section for 7.62 NATO “service rifles”, while another has a special section for AR-15s in 5.56.

More data points is more better.

 

I like
Lyman
Speer
Sierra
Hornady

I'm not a fan of LEE, they don't test anything, just collect data from other sources

 

New shooters need an old timer with them if they look in these 2, LOL. Some scary loads for today but we loaded 10’s of 1000’s of rounds with them “ back in the day”.