If you ever see a Lyman Reloading Manual 45th Edition, buy it now. It's from the mid 70's and has fantastic data for cartridges many have never heard of. Some people call it the Unique Manual, It has a useful load using Unique for every cartridge in production at the time!
Lyman only makes loading equipment: Presses, Dies, Molds, & Accessories. They just want you to load the correct way. Current Edition is #50, it is only a little different than #49. Get one of those. Their Cast Bullet Manual is on #4, it's definitely worth owning.
Every bullet and powder company has a manual, some are better than others. If you are going to shoot Jacketed rifle bullets, get a Sierra Manual, They have a accuracy load for each round/bullet combination. It works well with other bullet brands also! (I bought a rifle in an oddball cartridge-6x284 Win- and using their data worked up a great load the first week, the second week I won a "One Shot" match with that rifle! That is a cold barrel shot with NO spotters, at unknown distance. You miss and you are out. This match turned out to be at 523 yards, each tier of fire the targets got smaller. The order was First Round- 2 Liter pop bottle of Orange Soda, Second Round- 16 ounce bottle of Red Pop, Third Round- 6 ounce bottle of Coke! Nobody hit the 4th round- Golf Ball on a string! Just remember, it isn't the elevation! It's the wind that will get you every time!")
Will a Sierra manual make you win a tough match? I can tell you that it won't hurt! Most other manuals don't list my cartridge, so they were of no help!
The other manual that is a must is for Black Powder shooters. The SPG Black Powder Reloading Manual. Pretty much for Single Shot and Lever Guns rifles from 32-40 to 50-140! Not only explains what you need, but why you need it! Also only cast bullet manual that recommends different alloys! (very important)
At last count I load 117 different cartridges, These are the manuals I use.
Ivan
