How good is loaddata? I've looked before and just never pulled the trigger on paying for it.
38 Special Alliant data for LSWC or Cast bullet?
- Thread starter ike1518
- Start date
How good is loaddata? I've looked before and just never pulled the trigger on paying for it.
More reloading manuals that you can download for free
Lyman cast bullet handbook 3rd edition
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Man...et Handbook - 3rd Edition - 1980 - Reduce.pdf
lyman 44th edition reloading manual
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Man...oading Handbook --- 44th Edition --- 1967.pdf
lyman 48th edition reloading manual
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Man...ding Handbook - 48th Edition - 2002 - ocr.pdf
Lyman cast bullet handbook 3rd edition
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Man...et Handbook - 3rd Edition - 1980 - Reduce.pdf
lyman 44th edition reloading manual
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Man...oading Handbook --- 44th Edition --- 1967.pdf
lyman 48th edition reloading manual
http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Man...ding Handbook - 48th Edition - 2002 - ocr.pdf
All lead bullets are not the same when it comes to handloading. Swaged lead bullets yield less velocity at higher pressures than harder alloy cast bullets of the same weight and shape.
ironhead7544
Member
I have found almost any load you might want. I have a large library of print outs.
One thing about looking for loads is that you have to have the right spelling. If you want Unique loads for the 44 Magnum, first put in the request without a powder type. Then find Unique and use that in your next request. The same thing for bullet weight.
rockquarry
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I subscribed to it some time ago. The data comes from a variety of sources as I recall, much of it from the pages of HANDLOADER magazine (also reprinted in Ken Waters "Pet Loads" book). A lot of the data is old but still useful and there are a number of powders listed that haven't been available in years. There is also a lot of current data.
I have many paper load manuals and other paper reference sources and didn't find loaddata that useful for my purposes. However, if you don't have access to lots of data, the service is not that expensive and would be worth trying for a year.
Some refuse to pay for data and claim they can get everything from free Internet sources, but that simply isn't true. There is free data available, but there's a lot that's not on free Internet sites.
Sistema1927
US Veteran
I have a favorite formula for either 148 WC or 158 LSWC, coated or uncoated.
.5 cc of Unique on the Auto Disk gives ~4.6 grains. Mid-range, and accurate.
When I want to relax, I use a .5 cc Lee Dipper and an ancient .38 Special Lyman 310 tong tool.
.5 cc of Unique on the Auto Disk gives ~4.6 grains. Mid-range, and accurate.
When I want to relax, I use a .5 cc Lee Dipper and an ancient .38 Special Lyman 310 tong tool.
They just want you to pay for the full data in their Speer Reloading Manual.
But it was nice when the old Alliant guide listed pressures too.
.
gwpercle
Member
If you are a beginner ... it is best to use the data worked up for your bullet ... you are loading a SWC then use SWC data .
Look at the loads and velocities for SWC and RN compare the two with the same powders and you will notice one desinn of bullet is seated deeper into the case ... deeper seated bullet = Higher Pressure .
You may not want to take maximum data for the RN and substitute it for the SWC ... the labs had reasons for doing testing on the different bullets .
When you get into jacketed bullets , some manuals (Hornady and Speer) will list three different bullets , all the same weight , under one heading and use the same data for jacketed TC , HP and RN ...The bottom line is follow the manual ...use data for the bullet you are loading .
Handloading is the one place you don't want to be acting the fool ...as my Daddy would say !
The best advice I can give you is to buy published loading Manuals ... at least 4 .
Lyman Cast Bullet Manual , Hornady , Speer and Lyman 50th Guide or the new Accurate / Western Powder manual .
They will pay for themselves many times over ...Load Safe !
Gary
Look at the loads and velocities for SWC and RN compare the two with the same powders and you will notice one desinn of bullet is seated deeper into the case ... deeper seated bullet = Higher Pressure .
You may not want to take maximum data for the RN and substitute it for the SWC ... the labs had reasons for doing testing on the different bullets .
When you get into jacketed bullets , some manuals (Hornady and Speer) will list three different bullets , all the same weight , under one heading and use the same data for jacketed TC , HP and RN ...The bottom line is follow the manual ...use data for the bullet you are loading .
Handloading is the one place you don't want to be acting the fool ...as my Daddy would say !
The best advice I can give you is to buy published loading Manuals ... at least 4 .
Lyman Cast Bullet Manual , Hornady , Speer and Lyman 50th Guide or the new Accurate / Western Powder manual .
They will pay for themselves many times over ...Load Safe !
Gary
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I have been loading Acme 158, .357" SWC for a while in 38 and 357 (must have been a lot 'cause I have 3 empty boxes and 1 @ 3/4 full). I use the same data/methods I use for my cast 158 gr/160 gr SWCs. Many of my loads use Universal, BR-5, and the old standbys, Bullseye, W231 and Unique...
When in doubt about differing data, use the lowest of the different loads from your manuals, and work up if necessary. (If one manual has a starting load of 5.5 gr. of XXX and another manual has a load of 6.5 gr. of XXX, start with the 5.5 gr load).
FWIW, most of the lead bullets in bullet manufacturer's manuals are swaged, soft bullets and use different data than cast bullets. For cast bullet data use a cast bullet source, Lyman being the most popular...
When in doubt about differing data, use the lowest of the different loads from your manuals, and work up if necessary. (If one manual has a starting load of 5.5 gr. of XXX and another manual has a load of 6.5 gr. of XXX, start with the 5.5 gr load).
FWIW, most of the lead bullets in bullet manufacturer's manuals are swaged, soft bullets and use different data than cast bullets. For cast bullet data use a cast bullet source, Lyman being the most popular...
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rockquarry
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Another good reason to have lots of paper load data sources. If I use an unidentified cast bullet and find a similar bullet of the same weight and design and with a similar bearing surface length and a similar overall cartridge length listed in a manual (often a Lyman), I use that data beginning with a less-than-maximum charge and work up.
In my case, I'm speaking of the 160 grain Hensley & Gibbs #51 design, the original .357 Magnum bullet, but one that also works very well in the .38 Special. You seldom see data for this specific bullet design, but other data works well.
In my case, I'm speaking of the 160 grain Hensley & Gibbs #51 design, the original .357 Magnum bullet, but one that also works very well in the .38 Special. You seldom see data for this specific bullet design, but other data works well.
