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Posted: 10/12/2015 9:22:13 PM EDT
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Looking to load plinking rounds for 9mm to start--may branch off into rifle for .223 but
thats a few years off. Fun money is really tight but don't want to compromise on safety. What ONE manual must I buy? or try to skate by from powder manufacturers data, etc? I already have a lb of HP-38 but haven't decided on bullet weight yet. That will probably come down to whatever I can get the cheapest. strictly plinking ammo. |
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I can 2nd this. I have the 8th edition. You may find a 8th edition for less than half the price of the 9th and it probably has over 99% of the same content. Motor Quoted:
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Hornady 9th ed I can 2nd this. I have the 8th edition. You may find a 8th edition for less than half the price of the 9th and it probably has over 99% of the same content. Motor I have both, and if money is tight and #8 is cheaper by enough to be interesting, go for it. On Amazon now I think there's only a $2 difference. |
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I have a bunch but started with Lyman and have kept that as my go to .
For cheap but decent pistol bullets the powder coated stuff is hard to beat. When buying bullets on line be sure to check the total including shipping. Some outfits ship flat rate or near cost , some places have cheap prices on bullets but charge top dollar for shipping As long as you the buyer is comparing shipped VS shipped prices you will be fine |
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Lyman 49 all the way.
There is a lot more to a manual that just load data. They have Step-by-Step instruction on how to handload safely. IMO, the Lyman manual is the best in this regard. It is easy to read and easy to understand. Get the Lyman manual, read it. Then once you have red it, read it again. Then you can go in search of load data. |
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The first thing I'd buy is the ABC'S TO RELOADING. Read it cover to cover a few times. The more you know the better off you are. It will answer alot of questions that you don't know that you have yet .
I have the hornady and the Lyman 49 . The Lyman has a wider range of bullets than the hornady. |
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I will also add to those already mentioned as well as the Lee 2nd Edition. I know it's all reprinted material from others but for the amount of different load data per caliber I think it's pretty handy.
The primary source I use now is the Powder Manufacturers data from either their website or printed material. For pistol it's pretty easy it's 99% all Ramshot data. 
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<a href="http://s250.photobucket.com/user/dryflash3/media/How%20To/P9100412.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg272/dryflash3/How%20To/P9100412.jpg</a> The Hornady manuals are great, but if I could only have 1 manual it would be Lyman 49. I agree with dryflash on this one. The Hornady manuals seem like they are laid out by lawyers, not shooters. The Lyman manual is much more representative of what I see in the field. |
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I have and use Hornady #9, great resource and I trust it. Having said that, I like having a second book just to see the range or differences in powder or testing.
Sierra and Speer are also fine. Just ordered Nosler #7 to add to the mix. And I have a lot of Nosler 77s now. |
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I have and use Hornady #9, great resource and I trust it. Having said that, I like having a second book just to see the range or differences in powder or testing. Sierra and Speer are also fine. Just ordered Nosler #7 to add to the mix. And I have a lot of Nosler 77s now. Also found here. http://www.nosler.com/load-data/ |
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I have and use Hornady #9, great resource and I trust it. Having said that, I like having a second book just to see the range or differences in powder or testing. Sierra and Speer are also fine. Just ordered Nosler #7 to add to the mix. And I have a lot of Nosler 77s now. Also found here. http://www.nosler.com/load-data/ I looked that over before I ordered the book. I much prefer to have the book in front of me, rather than a laptop. But yes, the site seems complete. I'm just old I guess. The Book Is The Written Word, to me. Maybe not that old, as I do use QuickLOAD to get some general ideas... |
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I'm going to go against the grain here and NOT recommend the Lyman #49 manual (at least not as a first manual). It WAS a good manual, but it's getting out dated now. I'm holding out for the 50th (I actually have the 47th). There is a plethora of new powders that are out now and calibers as well that are not listed in this (49th) 7 year old manual. |
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The Lyman is a good reference as is the ones from your favorite bullet company.
If you are old school and like paper vs. electronic buy a few books. If you are ok with electronic reading just use the online manuals. I have downloaded several references that I use. I won't buy any books now. |
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I can't see a reason to buy any manual. There is ample data available online.
Handy link to Nosler online reloading data Handy link to Lapua/Vihta-Vouri reloading data Handy link to Hodgdon reloading data If you are looking for basic reloading instructions there are manuals available at the library or even better, find someone locally to get you started. |
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Buy 'The ABC's of Reloading" and then buy Load Books for the caliber(s) you plan to load.
They list load data from a variety of sources for a single caliber. I have them for several calibers I load as well as 2 or 3 manuals. |
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