OP
spencerdiesel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2020
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 25
I’ve skimmed through in search of it but I’ve most certainly missed it, I’ll check again thanks!
Sierra no. 6 vs all
- Thread starter spencerdiesel
- Start date
imo, Sierra's manual is the best out there of the major ones (at least of the ones i have access to). They even brought back a description of "squaring" your dies.
in 1972 I started reloading with the "infamous" Speer #8..........All loads worked and I didn't damage anything.........NO 2 manuals with have identical load data.......Cuz they use different test guns/barrels.......Different guns produce different data......Safe is to start midrange and work and work up to your/ your gun's max.
Model 15-4ever
Member
Speer Number 8 looks through Sierra No. 6 and says "Hold my beer"...
I have a "Complete" 2011manual for 9mm Luger with
Acc, Alliant, Hodg, Hor, IMR, Nos, RCBS, Speer, Win Sierra and others...
and have to agree that Sierra has the most power of a brand in it's data
with their maximum loads.
I use most of their pistol/rifle data but there are a few that I have not used,
due to my fps read out on my chrony.
Safe loading.
Acc, Alliant, Hodg, Hor, IMR, Nos, RCBS, Speer, Win Sierra and others...
and have to agree that Sierra has the most power of a brand in it's data
with their maximum loads.
I use most of their pistol/rifle data but there are a few that I have not used,
due to my fps read out on my chrony.
Safe loading.
guess the biggest difference between the 2 is Speer didn't pressure test till #9
/broken record mode/
Start with data directly from your bullet manufacturer whenever possible. If you don’t find it published, call them. Sometimes the tech will teach you a lot in a short period of time in addition to getting you data. If remember getting data by fax machine…
Powder distributor is my #2 data source.
Everything else is confirmation/conjecture.
/broken record off/
Start with data directly from your bullet manufacturer whenever possible. If you don’t find it published, call them. Sometimes the tech will teach you a lot in a short period of time in addition to getting you data. If remember getting data by fax machine…
Powder distributor is my #2 data source.
Everything else is confirmation/conjecture.
/broken record off/
gwpercle
Member
I started reloading 357 Magnum in 1970 with a brand new Speer #8 Manual and a Ruger Blackhawk 357 ( my only 357 magnum) ...
the Good Lord must look after children and fools ... we may have loaded some hot rounds but the Blackhawk was hell for stout and held together .
I honestly believed Speer knew what they were doing ...
I still have that book ... it still contains some of my favorite loads !
Gary
the Good Lord must look after children and fools ... we may have loaded some hot rounds but the Blackhawk was hell for stout and held together .
I honestly believed Speer knew what they were doing ...
I still have that book ... it still contains some of my favorite loads !
Gary
Still got mine too........Still use it occasionally.
rockquarry
Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 8,663
- Reaction score
- 10,665
I did the same in 1971. #8 was my second Speer manual. I got a #6, my first manual, in '64 or '65. I tried some of the hot #8 .38 Special and .357 loads as well, doing no damage.
I remember reading all about pressure signs and handloading safety in the front part of manuals. Some of those signs have since been proven ineffective or maybe even false, but there was still much good information and data in the books that holds true today.
I wonder how many of those who make fun of or criticize #8 have ever seen one?
The only manual i see being made fun of is sierra # 6. According to Speer, stating they didn't pressure test till Speer # 9 is a factual observation. Am guessing most earlier manuals used the same pressure observations as Speer did. The early pressure observations can be useful for observing pressure increases, just not max pressure.
Imo, Sierra used pressure observations till #6, and if memory serves they stated they still did for some older/less common calibers.
Course the only ones appearing upset are the ones holding on to Speer # 8's high pressure 38 special loads. And yes, am in possession of #8
There is a lot of very valuable information/methods in the earlier manuals that has been lost or neglected by modern manuals. One of the reasons i try to collect and actually read some older manuals.
cadmike
Member
I have a Sierra loading manual, not numbered, but copyright 1978. I have noticed some warm loads in there. For .38 special, they publish a 6.4 gr charge of unique for a 158gr sjsp. I would call that warm.
Probably a great load for OP’s heavy duty!
Probably a great load for OP’s heavy duty!
OP
spencerdiesel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2020
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 25
I would call that very warm, indeed! If I had unique, I would certainly be testing it as well. I seem to have noticed a trend collected from many forms/handlers that unique can give exceptional velocities in 9 mm.
Yendor357
Member
You can get manuals, and quick loads and any other jazz.
Unless you have a chronograph, you have no clue. Youre just guessing. Garmin. $600.
Unless you have a chronograph, you have no clue. Youre just guessing. Garmin. $600.
OP
spencerdiesel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2020
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 25
I’ve got the cheap Caldwell, it’s been consistent for whatever that’s worth. What do you think of the Lab Radar?
Most of my buddies have ditched their Labradars and gone to Garmin. Labradar was revolutionary in its time, but they let it stagnate and get lapped by others. Labradar can be finicky, although some people have no issues. More folks just hate the thing. The Garmin just works. Turn it on and set it down beside the gun and start shooting. That simple. I sent my Labradar down the road for $375 and was happy. Now they don't really budge even at $250.
rockquarry
Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2005
- Messages
- 8,663
- Reaction score
- 10,665
I may eventually buy a Garmin because I enjoy chronographing new loads, but for basic chronographing (all I've ever needed since I bought my first one more than forty years ago), the LabRadar works very well. All six chronographs I've used have had quirks of some kind, but they generally worked fine. I used all mine considerably, often chronographing well over one hundred rounds per trip to the range.
What more does one really need in a chronograph?
For years depended on inexpensive Chrony, and it's results closely align with the Garmin.
But the Garmin fits in a very small case in the range box, is not affected by the sun, it's set up doesn't disturb other shooters, takes up very little space on the bench, always works (given adequate battery power) and is super simple to use for the basic stuff. It does have a lot of features i don't use or need, especially anything requiring a "smart" phone.
imo, if you do alot of chronoing, it be worth it
It passed the idiot test with flying colors.
OP
spencerdiesel
Member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2020
- Messages
- 31
- Reaction score
- 25
Interesting, I’ll have to check the Garmin out!
What does everyone think/ know about this? I have tested the 6.6gr .38 +p load (after working up) and have had stellar performance.[/QUOTE]
These days, +P loads are an ingenious solution to a non-existent problem. With modern bullets you do not need +P pressures and velocities to make a bullet perform. Buy good bullets and load to standard pressures and call it a day.
These days, +P loads are an ingenious solution to a non-existent problem. With modern bullets you do not need +P pressures and velocities to make a bullet perform. Buy good bullets and load to standard pressures and call it a day.
