Newbie Question about handbooks

[thejez]

I am new to reloading and so I need some source of load data.  How important is it to have the latest edition of these loading handbooks?  I can buy the edition before the latest for pretty cheap.  I only load 9mm right now so my needs are pretty simple I guess.  Or perhaps I don't need a handbook at all?  Are there better ways to get load data than a book?

thanks in advance.  

[GrumpyOne]

There are many ways to find load data. The powder manufacturer usually has a website that has their load data on it...

As for the book, the previous edition will be a great reference...while it may not have 100% of the current loads people are using. 

[thejez]

2 hours ago, GrumpyOne said:

There are many ways to find load data. The powder manufacturer usually has a website that has their load data on it...

As for the book, the previous edition will be a great reference...while it may not have 100% of the current loads people are using. 

excellent.  thanks for the help.

[Rustygun]

I am relatively new also and I found these sites very helpful

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx?page=/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx&gtypeid=1

http://www.reloadersnest.com/index.asp

http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/winchester.html

 

always cross reference, always double check. These were written by people and people make mistakes.  If you find two sources that differ go to a third source.  You are making small explosive devices so you want to do it as safely as possible.  

 

[rustybayonet]

8 hours ago, thejez said:

I am new to reloading and so I need some source of load data.  How important is it to have the latest edition of these loading handbooks?  I can buy the edition before the latest for pretty cheap.  I only load 9mm right now so my needs are pretty simple I guess.  Or perhaps I don't need a handbook at all?  Are there better ways to get load data than a book?

thanks in advance.  

I collect and load for many older firearms, mostly military, and find that the older books are very useful. They have loads that work great and powders you dont think about. I would say get a book, newer will give you powders that may not have been around when the last book was printed. One example is BE-86 that isn't in my lyman 49. You can also compare internet loads to the books to see if they fall in a safe range. The reloading books have a lot of other info besides the actual load data.

[thejez]

The cross reference / human error aspect is a good point. I'm going to get the book and also use those websites to double check. I see a lot of people posting reloading data here as well and it could be used to double check those as well. I'm sure there are several mistakes here as well.  

[LasVegasBill]

Two of the best places.  I find for load Data are the Hodgdon Annual Manual price around $10.00 .  I get a new one every year and save them, great for Data Info on new

Powders , New Load Data, and so much more.  In a hurry go to the Hodgdon Web site they have all the load data you could ask for.  The books you are talking about are very good but big $$$$$$.  I purchased a few of them, put the Hodgdon Annual is the best.  Sometimes you can find them in Wallmart or the past Issuess on line.

LV Bill

[Sarge]

I don't own a book.

just about anything you need can be found online.

I get all competition load data from these forums. There isn't a book out there with as much data as can be found right here.

[Hi-Power Jack]

44 minutes ago, Sarge said:

 

I get all competition load data from these forums.

+1    +2    &  +3

I never would have tried loading 9mm Major 10 years ago, when I started shooting OPEN,

without this valuable resource.  BE Forums gave me the guts to "go for it" - glad I did.

I think of all the years I subscribed to multiple "gun magazines" that provided so Very Little

practical info - and then, I found BE Forums.   

You don't even have to ask any questions - just read the past year's postings and you will

find most of what you need, to load anything (popular action calibers, that is).