I have been loading 45 ACP for quite a while.

I am getting ready to start setting up for .223, .308 and 300 BLK.
All will be run off of the AR Platform.
30-30, 35 Rem and 45-70 will probably creep into the mix down the road.
All will be lever actions. I have really been liking the Leverevolution results, so I'm thinking I'll be wanting the new Hornady Manual. :-)

I borrowed a Hornady Manual from a buddy, but I guess I ought to return it. LOL

I also have (and read) the ABC's.

So all that being said... I plan on putting 3 Manuals on my Xmas List.

Your experienced input would be appreciated.

Since you like the Leverevolution, you are correct in getting the Hornady book. The ABC's of reloading is a very good book as well.

Other favorite books are Lyman, Nosler, Serria and Speer. I get a lot of my data online from the Powder companies and from a program called Quickloads.

After the ABC's

Hornady Lyman Sierra

I would put Lyman first but I agree.

I've always used Sierra, Nosler and Hornady manuals.

I appreciate the recommendations!

Lyman and Hornady are good one's. I'm not a fan of the Sierra manuals, since they are very conservative on their max powder charges. Their max is often a grain or two less than actual max, and most guns shoot best at max or just above book max.

On-line, I use Hodgdon, Alliant, Barnes, and Nosler often. If you email or contact Berger, they will email you their data for a certain caliber, which I find very accurate.

Lyman is really good for the basics and it's an old man. but good. For Barnes copper only use their product..I also have Speer, Sierra,Hornady, and a couple of Lymans..older and newer..
ect..You'd be surprised at the differences in the loads..but some
of it changes with new projectiles..and I assume lawsuits..DD

Some of the differences between manuals have to do with the guns used as test and the pressure measuring instruments. The old copper crusher or the newer transducer systems that measure in PSI. A lot of the time the chambers will be at the minimum of SAAMI specs which will cause higher pressures than a maximum chamber. A lot of the older manuals and some of the newer ones too are developed in factory rifles that vary also. Bottom line each rifle is a beast unto itself and when working up reloads for one a safe load in it might not be safe in another if near the Max recommended load.

Both Lyman and Lee make good recipe books. Neither of these two have other irons in the fire. Hornady makes bullets and a lot of loads based on Hornady bullets. Speer makes bullets and a lot of loads based on Speer bullets. Lyman and Lee make reloading equipment and they don't care whose components you use. Another choice is the internet handloads.com They give recipes and results of different loads. Always check to see if any load you get that is not in a book is within the recommended charge parameters. If a buddy tells you, you can shoot x grains of powder in x cartridge. Check the book before trying the charge. Good Luck

Buy the manuals for the bullets/manufacturers you plan to shoot. That will give you specific data to get you started.

Lee doesn't make their own data. It is from the powder manufactures and is available online for free. What the Lee manual does is give good descriptions of how to use their tools for reloading and the part on pressure is more detailed than in any other reloading manual I know of. They also list the loads for each caliber and bullet in descending order starting at the highest velocity for that combination.

My favorite is nosler... largely because nosler partitions are my favorite bullet of all time and I load them in 4 of the 5 long guns I load for and the 5th one shoots an accubond.

Lymann is another I have looked over and looks good, but never picked one up.

I have several, but I use the Hodgdon/Win./IMR the most, with Lee and Metallic Cartridge Reloading being the next two. Whatever you do, cross-check your desired loads when possible. I've found starting loads in one manual that was over Max. in another.
There's a lot of free info on the 'net, but I like having the printed manuals for quick reference. I also use the Lee Shooter program to keep up with my favorite loads.

Speer, nosler and hornady....i believe sierra is a great book to start with..

nosler, lyman(both the regular and cast), and hodgdon yearlys. and hornaday if you are loading one of thier new bullets

Great info.
Thanks!

I hope this has helped others as well.

BB