Reloading Handbook Updates

[oldgranddad]

I bought a Lyman's 49th Edition last weekend. Disappointed that there is no load data for Winchester AUTOCOMP. The 49th was first printed in 2008. The one I bought was 8th printing July 2013. AUTOCOMP was introduced Sept, 2010. Do they not revise/update their listings between printings? Hodgdon has load data on line but it's minimal and doesn't cover some of the bullets I load.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I guess three years is not enough time to check out a powder ?

Sorry about that....................Bummer.

 

[venomballistics]

Lyman prints a good manual.
They do, however, drag behind the curve more than a little.
With metallic loading, we can always supplement with powder manufacturers data to reduce our frustration.

Now, if you really want to rant ... check our the shotshell manual.
stuff seems to come and go from the scatter gun market so fast that something in a shotshell manual will be antiquated before it passes final edit before the print run.

 

[oldgranddad]

No rant intended. If you know of a manual that is likely to be more up to date, please share. I'll buy another manual...but I'll check the contents first. This one was in the cellophane wrap so I didn't look inside. Thanks.

 

[Jaymo]

I think the current Hornady manual has Autocomp data.

 

[AveragEd]

I'll bet that if Lyman now has AutoComp data on hand, they would share it with you if you tell them you recently bought that manual.

Ed

 

[Vortec MAX]

Look at the Hodgdon 2014 magazine style manual. I am sure that Autocomp is in there. They have data for the new CFE Pistol as well.

Mike

 

[rwsmith]

What bullet are you loading??

Lyman's strong suit is in cast lead data. If you ask me almost any reloading manual could have 5 or so additional powders for each listing. What bugs me too is not having popular powders for a particular weight of bullet. I can see manufacturers only listing the best performing powders for a load, but we can't be too choosy these days. And unless a powder is really new, i.e. 3-4 years old, they should have scads of data on about anything. All they have to do is publish it. Put a mark on the best loads and don't spare the ink.

 

[venomballistics]

I liked how IMR ran shop. They'd list everything that could work even if it was less than ideal.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Well I know that powder was in this magazine !!

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Powder Manuals

I bought a Lyman's 49th Edition last weekend.... The 49th was first printed in 2008. The one I bought was 8th printing July 2013.

Sierra is worse. Their 5th Edition was copyrighted in 2003 & it's on the 7th (?) printing now. When I got mine (6th printing) I emailed them to ask when a new one was coming out rolleyes & they said their range is all tied up testing new bullets rolleyes & there was no open time available for load testing!?

.

I liked how IMR ran shop. They'd list everything that could work even if it was less than ideal.

The old Hercules & early Alliant manuals were pretty good like that too. Way better than today's.

.

 

[venomballistics]

The old Hercules & early Alliant manuals were pretty good like that too. Way better than today's.

.

Yeah ... the herc chart
kind of a shame that they seem to cherry pick bullet and powder combinations now.

 

[oldgranddad]

I'll bet that if Lyman now has AutoComp data on hand, they would share it with you if you tell them you recently bought that manual.

Ed

I did...very politely. We'll see what happens. Thanks

 

[oldgranddad]

Trust

Ya know, I participate in several handloading forums. The first thing a "newbe" is always told is to buy a manual. When powder is inexpensive and available all over the place, even an old manual is useful. When powder is scarce, we sometimes have to depend on one another for guidance. That's not really a bad thing even though there's some risk involved.
Thanks for the help.

 

[venomballistics]

Ya know, I participate in several handloading forums. The first thing a "newbe" is always told is to buy a manual. When powder is inexpensive and available all over the place, even an old manual is useful. When powder is scarce, we sometimes have to depend on one another for guidance. That's not really a bad thing even though there's some risk involved.
Thanks for the help.

Go to the powder manufacturer sites and load up on all the freebee data you can glom. Out of that, you end up with a good list of viable options.

No one has to take our word for it, manufacturer data trumps anything we have to say. And it's free for the taking.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Some manuals are a waste of Paper! I decided to update my stack of manuals and bought 5 or 6 in the last 18 months. The new Lee manual has all sorts of loading data, but at the same time doesn't tell you a whole lot compared to most other manuals. It is well suited for those that load with dippers! The Berger manual is computer generated data not worked up on the range, so the top end seems to be VERY conservative. Nosler's newest offering is a top notch manual but only for their bullets (of course)! I bought Hornady's newest but just don't load many of their bullets anymore. I pick up Hodgdon's magazine every other year or so, and keep them on file for the development articles. Dyed in the wool shot-gunners seem to find a load and stay with it for decades. I know two trap shooters that still loading with Red Diamond, a powder that was recalled 30 to 35 years ago (it hung up in the powder drop). They both have about 80 pounds each. When it comes to old manuals the oldest Lyman that I use is #45 and I use it all the time! It just is early 70's info, but very, very good info at that. I looked at some loading books (I wouldn't call them manuals) from the 50's and 60's and most of the powders I never heard of! So you do need to up date now and then. Ivan

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't think any company's load manual is updated in between versions to add new powders or bullets. They will correct a typo or misprint in the next printing but not add data. New data comes with the new version.

We usually make due with the data provided for new powders or bullets that the manufacturer supplies.

 

[joeintexas]

I agree, I have found the manufacturers data is reliable enough for me to get decent loads, especially on the newer powders. I like AutoComp and their numbers for 9mm and 45 acp work well.

 

[Rule3]

It is a electronic data World now. Even Newspapers are slowly fading away.

There is data for Auto Comp in other manuals but then they are tested with that companies bullets.

The best source of data not found in a manual is the powder companies website. Hodgdon is very good, Alliant well I do not know what happened to them. The Hodgdon Magazine is just their online data.