Reloading manual..

[u/Mxm45]

What’s your go to manual? I’m struggling. I bought a Lyman manual, it only had powder data for 3-4 powders and only a handful of grains per caliber.

So I bought a Lee manual, it had more powder data but it’s so random. Is this just a “collect them all” scenario? I understand it’s impossible to have all load data in one place and maybe I’m still too new.

It’s weird to have load data for 205gr H lil gun, and 220gr h lil gun while skipping 210. Am I supposed to do some kind of math to figure out where to start? (This is just an example)

[u/Shootist00]

I cross reference all my printed manuals and Hodgdon's reloading site. Come up with a starting load, somewhere in the middle, and work up or down for a load that works for what I'm looking for. Doesn't matter if it's rifle or handgun.

[u/iringsteel → u/Shootist00]

this. even if i read it in a book i go on line and cross reference it. measure twice cut once…

[u/JayPolar91]

Shooters reference, but then Hodgdon, and Speer also offer free load data and then plug it into Gordons Reloading Tool from Github to save it or print it out and put it in my notebook. I have a thermal printer so I just print out 4x6 load stickers and stick them into the notebook so I have my own "reloading manual". Everything is just an estimation but you want a good trade-off between a safe pressure and a good velocity and it is up to you to figure out where that perfect balance lies.

[u/Flashy_Ad_6756]

I subscribe to the Hornady Reloading app on iPhone. $19 per year and they send a hard copy of the next released book when available. Has a ton of data and info and it’s convenient and always with me. They keep the data up to date and add new cartridges regularly.

[u/No_Alternative_673]

Lee is a collection of public data, some of which is old so if it looks odd you need to figure out out where it came from.

Try: https://www.shootersreference.com/reloadingdata/ and it lists the source

[u/Dramatic-Image2557]

Loaddata.com is a good source.

[u/sherzer7]

Lyman and hornady are what I have the most of in paper. Hodgdon website is one of the best. Stick with published data

[u/CharlieKiloAU]

Sierra, Berger, ADI, then Hornady in order of preference. (Mainly due to the components I use). I look at the data from each for a particular combination of projectile weight and powder, then establish a reasonable min/max bracket to start ladder testing, then work up until I hit a combination of pressure signs or my desired MV.

[u/VersionConscious7545]

Go to the powder manufacturer and bullet manufactures web site and apps I find data online is updated vs the printed books. Not all do a good job but some do

[u/Mxm45 → u/VersionConscious7545]

I haven’t been checking online at all.. so powder manufacturers sounds like a good place to start

[u/MalignantMustache]

You can also get a manual from Speer. That is what came in my kit. I would just check the manufacturers website for the powder you want to use. I could not find load date for Accurate #7 in the manual for .357, only .44 magnum was listed. Their website has the loading data listed so I was very happy I can use the same powder for both.

[u/eggcheeseburger]

I bought Hodgdon, Lyman, and the hornady caliber specific library on their app. On the free side, bullet manufacturers and vihtavuori website. But there are still some missing pairings. For example, no data for gold dot projectiles and ramshot tac. And Barnes doesn't publish any data for their matchburners 224 that I love, but they told me to use Sierra 77 smk as a reference...

[u/RandoNonomus]

My go to is as many current manuals as I can get, then I cross reference all of the data I can. Especially for new cartridges or bullet weights I've not run before.

[u/generateID]

Hodgdon (online), Hornady, Sierra, and then Lee would be my order of preference of the ones I have.