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Which manual

You have more than I do! But, I don't see a first edition Lee...it's much better than the 2nd, it was written before the lawyers got into it...a lot more about reduced loads, a lot more about basic principles. The old man did a lot of thinking, testing, experimenting, trying to arrive at general principles... but the kid didn't want to take the risk of lawsuits, so he just copied other people's data. The book looks the same, but it's not...
You are correct, and I agree on the lawyer thing... I think I was using it when I took the pictures, how about now, update? I think the most info on powder is found in the 2nd edition "to" the 2nd edition, the bigger book on the right, the 1st edition being on the left end. 😉 Cheers

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I second the recommendation of Richards Lee's Modern reloading appears to be culmination of all the available book data. Also I found this web site to have great data and it is very conservative with load info 'https://www.xxlreloading.com' . The personalized load calculator allows you to tailor load data to your barrel length and the 'safety buffer' allows amount of risk you can tolerate.
 
@ducky,

Please be careful with using Loaddata information.
I used them when I first started loading for 7mm-08AI.
To say that their loads were hot is a gross understatement!
With any load data you're using it at your own risk, there is a disclaimer on most of it. I think all load data is really only a suggestion in the first place anyway. I've been using loaddata.com for several years now and I cross it with other sources and don't treat any of it as gospel.
 
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You can pick up the 2024 Hodgdon manuel for around $4.00 right now and the 2025 for around $14.00 , they include a variety of powder and bullet type loads.
I was spending up to $15-$16 for it annually, Midsouth was the highest, PLUS exorbitant shipping, but a few years ago found a Canadian distributor, OSG Newstsnd who only charges $10 plus free shipping. Check it out: https://www.osgnewsstand.com/home
 
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You have more than I do! But, I don't see a first edition Lee...it's much better than the 2nd, it was written before the lawyers got into it...a lot more about reduced loads, a lot more about basic principles. The old man did a lot of thinking, testing, experimenting, trying to arrive at general principles... but the kid didn't want to take the risk of lawsuits, so he just copied other people's data. The book looks the same, but it's not...
I was wondering about that! The 2nd Edition loads seem really tame to me, well below other references, so I don't use it that often.
 
I think Lee and Lyman may have the biggest selection as to newer powder(s), the problem, of course, is the online stuff, the paper manuals aren't selling like they need to, to justify the printing of new paper manuals as new powders show up with of course new cartridges, but.. the older and newer paper manuals are still very useful, especially the older ones that worked with higher pressure(s). The problem I see is most manuals were bought based on the bullet selection not for the powder, it was more about advertisements for their bullets by the manufacturer, granted some powder companies did the same thing only it was powder instead of bullets, so my thoughts are; you have to go with what you've got or what feels good I guess. 🤔;) Cheers

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And the Elmer Keith book jumped right out to me! He signed mine for me.
 
I'm not sure when Hodgdon printed their last manual,but they have a pretty good bullet assortment and lots of powders. They make most of them. Their website is my first go to.

The manuals put out by Speer,Hornady, Sierra, Nosler,and other bullet manufacturers just have their bullets. I like manuals, but I'm just an old fart.
You must have gotten into it in your 20's. I got into it in the early ,90's! I'm 76.
 
I use all manuals I have plus the websites for powder and bullets. Get my spiral notebook out and right down my on hand available powders write down minimum and max loads per source and use 5% under the max for my starting development with .2 gr increments for 3 round groups and chrono for lowest SD
Depending on case compacity. If your case handles 60grs + of powder. You can work up at .5gr increase. Smaller size case then the .2grs works. I did that a long time ago. Sure fired a lot of ammo looking for max powder load. You have to watch for pressure signs as you increasing powder charge. You can see at the same time with bullet seating to lands.
 
I think Lee and Lyman may have the biggest selection as to newer powder(s), the problem, of course, is the online stuff, the paper manuals aren't selling like they need to, to justify the printing of new paper manuals as new powders show up with of course new cartridges, but.. the older and newer paper manuals are still very useful, especially the older ones that worked with higher pressure(s). The problem I see is most manuals were bought based on the bullet selection not for the powder, it was more about advertisements for their bullets by the manufacturer, granted some powder companies did the same thing only it was powder instead of bullets, so my thoughts are; you have to go with what you've got or what feels good I guess. 🤔;) Cheers

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Now that's what I call a bookcase of reloading info.👍 You got me beat for sure.
 
You are correct, and I agree on the lawyer thing... I think I was using it when I took the pictures, how about now, update? I think the most info on powder is found in the 2nd edition "to" the 2nd edition, the bigger book on the right, the 1st edition being on the left end. 😉 Cheers

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I like it !!!!!!!
 
Years ago there was a a fellow selling website access for $10 - $12 a year.
Had Standard cartridges , wildcats , powder and loads sent in from patrons.
Used to get a solicitation to come back every month. Haven't seen him around in a while though. Can't remember the name of his site.
 
While I am reasonably sure that the dreaded "lawyer" threat is real, I am also sure that when the bullet and powder manufactures started pressure testing loads it caused a reduction in some of the published max loads. Cheap Chronographs, free ballistic programs, on line manuals, and good bullets have really changed how I load..
 
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