Full collection of reloading manuals?

[Andy Griffith]

Perhaps this is "dejavu" or whatever they call it when you think you've been over the same thing before...

But, as many of the old hats at reloading hold one or more older manuals at a higher ranking than others...I'm curious to ask.

Does anyone have a full collection of Speer manuals? Many talk about the legendary #7 as the "holy grail" of manuals...and as my father once told me, "...you can't have too many books, as long as you read them."

I've always thought that a collection of them as necessary as cross references for safety's sake. Of course, I have only five Speer volumes and three Hornady's, two Lyman and many powder manufacturer's brochures.

Just thought I'd throw this out there to chew on...

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I probably have about 30 manuals gathered over the years but I don't have "all"of the Speer's.Many of the manuals simply reprint a lot of the data for the rounds which I use.I can think of numerous examples.One company in particular reprints data from 1970 but simply cuts off the previous max,therefore presenting a reduced (new max)in current manuals.

I have favorite loads which I use with repetition.Since I do very little experimenting anymore,I could hypothetically do without any manuals altogether.

 

[pinkymingeo]

I load down these days, not up, and could care less what grandpa shot in his 38/44. Nothing I shoot is anywhere near max. Both Accurate Arms and Hodgdon publish extensive data on the internet which I use for general reference purposes. I really don't need any manuals at all, except for the general info they provide.

 

[OU812]

I have just over 20 different reloading manuals. I do use most of them because I reload for many different calibers. My favorte is a older Lyman for cast bullets and either a Hornady or Serria for most jacketed bullets.
I find the manuals to be interesting to read.

 

[walnutred]

Until recently I still used the old Lyman #45. Recently picked up the Lyman Cast Bullet manual though which has replaced the #45. While I do have a couple Hornady and Speer manuals I shoot mostly cast bullets these days so the other manuals mostly set unread.

 

[dennis40x]

No I don’t buy and keep all the major manuals. At one time I did. I’ve decided that the Lyman manuals for my endeavors suffice. I tend to use the latest edition exclusively.

 

[n4zov]

I tend to hold onto old manuals mostly for entertainment. Somewhere I have a copy of the Speer #7, and it is interesting to compare loads in it to more recent manuals. Also have an unusual one, the Speer Reloading Manual for Wildcat Cartridges published in 1960. If you need a few loads for the 2-R Lovell or .240 Page Super Pooper, just let me know!

 

[Homie]

I have all the Speer manuals, including #2 and #4, which were grails twenty years ago.

I think you were referrring to #8 as having the "big numbers", not #7.

Ackley's first manual and its supplement were also pretty enlightening.

As n4zov said, if you need loading data just ask!

Good shooting!

 

[Skip Sackett]

"dejavu"

Yeah, all over again!

I don't have all of the Speer manuals. #5, #6, #7, #8! and #13. Lyman #44, #47 and #48. Both Lee manuals, several of the powder manufacturer's manuals.

To be honest, I use the data sites from the web almost exclusively now. I start with the powder manufacturer's website then move into places like handloads.com or here or several other places where "geniuses" congregate.

I have to agree with pinky on one thing. Most of my loads aren't smokers, like "THE LOAD" and to my knowledge, my grandpa never had a 38/44 BUT I have been known to experiment with the loads the HIS grandpa ran in his!

 

[Jellybean]

I have Speer #s 3, 8, 12 and 14 right now. I do have all the Speer data from 1 thru 13 on the RCBS.Load program and after buying no. 3, I'm not in the market for any more of their older ones.

If I was going to collect a whole set I'd go for the Ideal/Lyman family.

 

[DCC]

I'm just a beginner when it comes to Speers - only got the #12...

a "Thank You" to the Forum for putting me onto the Lyman #48 - their 7.63x25mm Mauser load of 7.1gr AA#5 works my Broomhandle really well.

DCC

 

[harry carey]

no collection is complete without PETLOADS by Ken Waters, P.B. Sharps manual, P.O. Ackleys, and the 1970 Lyman (which shows how hot the loads used to be) and I forgot something probably.

 

[n4zov]

+1 on Petloads by Waters. Great stuff!

 

[Gatofeo]

I have every American Rifleman magazine from December 1928 to last month's issue. An unbroken set.
That's about 900 issues, because in the 1990s the American Rifleman went to six times a year.
I'm working on complete sets for Handloader and Rifle magazine. Have about 60 issues left to go on those.
I'm never at a lack for good reading.
I have Speer 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13.
I used to live in Clarkston, Washington across the Snake River from the CCI/Speer plant in Lewiston, Idaho.
You couldn't find any Speer collectibles in the area; too many employees were snatching them up for own collections or office nicknacks.
I still regret not buying a very old box of .22-caliber jacketed bullets made from fired .22 rimfire cases, in their original box.
Alas, the local pawn shop wanted $80 for it, and it wasn't even a full box. Never saw an older Speer reloading manual in that area for the two years I lived there.
I wonder if Colt collectibles are similarly scarce in Hartford, Connecticut?