How old is too old for a reloading manual to be useful for the price it might cost...

[Ivan the Butcher]

Lyman manuals #46 and before, tell you the most accurate load tested. The newer issues don't. If they say it shoots well it does! If the give a velocity for a load, that is a take it to the bank velocity!

Not all issues of Lyman's manuals list loads for the same weights of cast bullets, a lot of very useful data!

Nosler issue #1 is now a $600 collector's item. Issue #2 is the same data, but only worth around $50!

Ivan

 

[robertrwalsh]

I still use a Lyman manual over 50 years old just because of the obsolete cartridge section. (A useful thing as others above have noted.)

 

[Gunhacker]

I also have a pretty good collection of reloading manuals Speer #1 to Speer #14.

I refer to the older ones for obsolete cartridges and wildcats, as well as the original non-watered loads, such as the 10mm round, that I use in my 1006, 1066 and 1076.

Some of the tried and true powers have under gone reformulations to be cleaner burning, such as Unique, I don't know if that had any significance in changing reloading data, I always have a current version reloading manual handy to compare the load listing and act accordingly.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Skeeter Skelton's favorite .44 Special load was a 245 grain Keith bullet over 7.5 grains of Unique. Kinda bites on both ends when fired from a 3" Charter Arms Bulldog.

But......That load is my standard in my N-frame & Ruger 44 spl's.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Lyman manuals #46 and before, tell you the most accurate load tested. The newer issues don't. If they say it shoots well it does! If the give a velocity for a load, that is a take it to the bank velocity!

Not all issues of Lyman's manuals list loads for the same weights of cast bullets, a lot of very useful data!

Nosler issue #1 is now a $600 collector's item. Issue #2 is the same data, but only worth around $50!

Ivan

"take it to the bank velocity" Nope......NO 2 indentical guns chambered for the same cartridge will perform the same....You need a cronoraph to be sure.

 

[Muley Gil]

But......That load is my standard in my N-frame & Ruger 44 spl's.

It is a great load for a full-size revolver. I've loaded many a Skeeter load over the years.

 

[mtgianni]

I think those prices are for "shelf books", to be put somewhere and admired rather than used. I have Lyman 39, 41, 42, 45, 46-50. I also have some older manuals from the 70's of other brands. The data is useful, as is the information about reloading history.
If you like old books and reloading manuals, look at used book sites for stained pages and poor conditioned covers. If you are refurnishing a restaurant in a 1960's outdoor theme, look in antique stores. FWIW, I would have asked the store if they would let the books go for $7 each.

 

[gwpercle]

My last Reloading Manual / Guide bought a few months ago ...

" Sixgun Cartridges & Loads " 1936 - Elmer Keith

What does that tell you !!!

Yes , there was some useful information in there ... loads with 2400 , Unique , Bullseye and Hi-Vel ... The chapters on Bullet Casting and alloy hardness and pressures was very valuable .

Allways ... cross and double check data with updated Reloading Manuals ... but dont be afraid to buy an old one .
I was given 3 unopened cans of Alcan #5 powder ... Low and Behold my Speer #8 and Speer #9 Reloading Manuals had plenty of data ...
Where else you gonna find data for Alcan #5 , except in an older manual ! ... Keep those older Manuals ...they look good on your bookshelf too !
Gary

 

[Rat458]

I love my copy of Ken Waters Pet Loads .
Some great stories and lots of useful information.
Also have some older manuals that have some now forgotten gallery loads and loads using roundball .
Very interesting what our fathers and grand fathers were using in the early part of the century..

 

[Skeet 028]

I like the older manuals too. I have much older powder that I have accumulated cheaply or for free in many cases. I am using some Alcan 5 P5066 HS-5 Win 230 and even 295...earlier powders too. The older manuals may have pressure data but it is not anywhere near the same as the current piezo electric pressures. Good ol common sense works real well too.

 

[twodog max]

I have manuals dating back to the late 60's. I don't have them on the bench but do occasionally get one down to compare data. I still use pet loads from those days that are not recommended these days. The loads have worked for all that time, 270 Winchester, in many rifles with no problems and excellent results.
So many variables in reloading one must exercise caution along with experience.

 

[zeke]

I love my copy of Ken Waters Pet Loads .
Some great stories and lots of useful information.
Also have some older manuals that have some now forgotten gallery loads and loads using roundball .
Very interesting what our fathers and grand fathers were using in the early part of the century..

Some of my most accurate and most used pistol loads are from Ken Waters Pet Loads. The compilation of his articles is full of interesting and useful info.

 

[biku324]

I have and occasionally use my Lyman #45 from 1970. The 'obsolete calibers' data is really interesting.

 

[mrcvs]

Handloading Ammunition, by J R Mattern, 1926, is a good read. The loads are outdated and the powders are obsolete, but it’s still a great read.

 

[H Richard]

I've been reloading since early 80's. I still have all the manuals I have accumulated over that time, about 2 feet on the shelf. I did find a Speer #8 in a used book store some years ago, and have used some loads, the 38 Special load old timers speak of, and yes it is stout bur controllable.

 

[glowe]

My book, Hints to Sportsmen, has a large section on reloading that I still refer to today!!!!

 

[AJ]

No manual that I have is to old to use. I have Philip Sharpes "Guide to Handloading", the original copyright is 1937. Lots of good info that is still pertinent. I have used it for the original data on loadings for the .357 Magnum. Sharpes was one of the developers of the .357 Magnum. I have some other manuals from the 50's & 60's and a couple that are up to date. All are useful.

 

[DWalt]

Sharpe’s 1937 manual in digital form is on the internet. Back in the days when DuPont and Hercules powders ruled the roost, they both published fairly comprehensive reloading data booklets for their respective powders. Back in the 1930s, DuPont printed some reloading information on the powder container labels. Early Hodgdon cans did the same.

 

[Patrick L]

It's sort of been thoroughly covered here, but I agree; if modern pressure tested data is available that's what gets used. These older manuals are handy for older cartridges or powders that current data doesn't address. But definitely proceed with caution!

 

[AJ]

Sharpe’s 1937 manual in digital form is on the internet. Back in the days when DuPont and Hercules powders ruled the roost, they both published fairly comprehensive reloading data booklets for their respective powders. Back in the 1930s, DuPont printed some reloading information on the powder container labels. Early Hodgdon cans did the same.

I look up some stuff on the internet. But I am old school and prefer books. My Sharpes was my Father's that he used.