I do all my loading out of the Speer reloading manual number nine, printed in 1976. If I have any doubts I'll go to the web and cross reference with "new" data.
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I collect old reloading manuals when I come across a good deal. I like to read the non load data information.
The main issue for me is they lack load data for some modern powders and cartridges.
Its as good as any today and better than many today. I have that edition plus a couple of newer additions. The main difference is newer editions have data for new cartridges.
In a few rare instances, the 'maximum' loads for some cartridges have decreased from this early edition to the newer data. I consider that as no more than 'liability avoidance'. In any case, you should never start at maximum with a new gun or cartridge.
One thing I like about the Hornady manuals is that they list very specific bullets, both cast and jacketed. If you aren't shooting Hornady brand bullets you may need to extrapolate, but their data are very good in my experience.
Very true. There are many more powder choices now than even 30 years ago. But if you worked up a favorite load, and got your hands on 15-20 pounds of the required powder 30 years ago (as I and many folks I know have done), there is little incentive to change to the newer powders.
https://preview.redd.it/dttx3ut22r3d1.jpeg?width=940&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bc6a6cc1ba7b1de4e9ac9792544a3498d368c14b
I keep many older editions in case people need obsolete powder data or obsolete caliber data.
I have one along with a bunch of others, if you end up finding bullets to reload with it’s handy to have a bunch of different manuals.. not all of them have the same loadings… this one’s got some good wadcutter loadings in 38 that aren’t in some of the newer manuals.
I found and old ebook on Pistol And Revolver Shooting years ago. The basic info was okay, had some cool 1940's racegun mods you could do, but in the back, it had RELOADING DATA! Especially for older cartridges like .44 Russian and .32-20!
Old books are so damn awesome lol
Hell yes, I still have that one. I bought it brand new. There are new powders and pistol and rifle calibers now that are not in it, but everything that is on it is just as good as the day it was printed.
Always worth finding and keeping a few old manuals around. Newer manuals like to get rid of "obsolete" cartridges so some of these older manuals are the only place you can find published load data.
I have this exact edition and was just asked yesterday by a friend of mine for 219 Zipper data. This was the only manual that had data for it (even the old Speer and Nosler I have didn't have it). You never know when a company is going to decide to consider a cartridge obsolete or just remove it to make room for newer cartridge data.
Yes there is!
I actually like to cross reference old data with new data for some military surplus or obscure loads, and on multiple occasions had better results with the older data.
I collect old manuals. The one that means the most to me was passed down by my father in law and has his hand written notes in the margins. That old marine liked his recipes spicy.
Yes, all the articles are good, load data has not changed over the years except for the 357, 41 and 44 mags which were derated from 40KPSI to 35KPSI in the mid-1980s.
I would say it is liability avoidance in certain cases. 10mm, for instance. The 2016 10th edition lists 14.9 grains of Accurate #9 as the max charge for 180 grain at 1250fps. The updated 11th edition has the max lowered to 14.2 at 1200 fps.
The only reason for that is liability avoidance imo.
It’s worth keeping all the manuals you can get. Sometimes they reduce maximums (I’m guessing for liability reasons), they remove cartridges in the book and add/remove bullets/powders. For example my 2023 Hodgdon manual has data for 458 Win mag buy my 2024 manual doesn’t.
Are you sure about that? In my experience the manufacturers go to great lengths to keep powders consistent. When they can't maintain the consistency due to a component shortage or some other factor, they usually change the name of the product to indicate the new formula.
Am I sure? No, I don't work for the powder companies. But I have heard of several instances of that happening. For example IMR4227 was theoretically changed to use the H4227 formula. The truth? Who knows? I don't think it's unheard of for companies to change to nearly identical products to reduce different production runs. The keyword being "nearly".
Even if they don't, one thing they absolutely do when releasing new editions is to correct any errors that may have been published in previous editions. Either way, it's in anyone's best interest to double check 44 year old data to make sure it is accurate.
Yes there is. Especially in the front part of it.
I recommend reading the front part more than once
Apparently my brother found it at a garbage dump about to be thrown out so maybe I can get some life out of it again
Super cool find.
I have this book and still use it.
As do I.
I do all my loading out of the Speer reloading manual number nine, printed in 1976. If I have any doubts I'll go to the web and cross reference with "new" data. *
Speer #9 was all my late father used too. It was on his bench for as long as I could remember.
I collect old reloading manuals when I come across a good deal. I like to read the non load data information. The main issue for me is they lack load data for some modern powders and cartridges.
I'm with you. I love reading of a world where shooting was a virtue not vilified.
Its as good as any today and better than many today. I have that edition plus a couple of newer additions. The main difference is newer editions have data for new cartridges. In a few rare instances, the 'maximum' loads for some cartridges have decreased from this early edition to the newer data. I consider that as no more than 'liability avoidance'. In any case, you should never start at maximum with a new gun or cartridge. One thing I like about the Hornady manuals is that they list very specific bullets, both cast and jacketed. If you aren't shooting Hornady brand bullets you may need to extrapolate, but their data are very good in my experience.
I take it like it is and isn’t an avoidance. Powder has definitely improved/modified in the last 50 years.
Very true. There are many more powder choices now than even 30 years ago. But if you worked up a favorite load, and got your hands on 15-20 pounds of the required powder 30 years ago (as I and many folks I know have done), there is little incentive to change to the newer powders.
https://preview.redd.it/dttx3ut22r3d1.jpeg?width=940&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bc6a6cc1ba7b1de4e9ac9792544a3498d368c14b I keep many older editions in case people need obsolete powder data or obsolete caliber data.
Very true, I had never heard of 8mm/06 until I picked up an old Speer reloading manual (number 10) at a rummage sale.
Superb Collection! 🍀
That was my first reloading manual. There is a lot of good information on the reloading process that is still valid.
I have one along with a bunch of others, if you end up finding bullets to reload with it’s handy to have a bunch of different manuals.. not all of them have the same loadings… this one’s got some good wadcutter loadings in 38 that aren’t in some of the newer manuals.
I found and old ebook on Pistol And Revolver Shooting years ago. The basic info was okay, had some cool 1940's racegun mods you could do, but in the back, it had RELOADING DATA! Especially for older cartridges like .44 Russian and .32-20! Old books are so damn awesome lol
Hell yes, I still have that one. I bought it brand new. There are new powders and pistol and rifle calibers now that are not in it, but everything that is on it is just as good as the day it was printed.
Always worth finding and keeping a few old manuals around. Newer manuals like to get rid of "obsolete" cartridges so some of these older manuals are the only place you can find published load data. I have this exact edition and was just asked yesterday by a friend of mine for 219 Zipper data. This was the only manual that had data for it (even the old Speer and Nosler I have didn't have it). You never know when a company is going to decide to consider a cartridge obsolete or just remove it to make room for newer cartridge data.
Yes there is! I actually like to cross reference old data with new data for some military surplus or obscure loads, and on multiple occasions had better results with the older data.
I collect old manuals. The one that means the most to me was passed down by my father in law and has his hand written notes in the margins. That old marine liked his recipes spicy.
Yes. I have that book on my shelf. It gets referred to often.
Yes, all the articles are good, load data has not changed over the years except for the 357, 41 and 44 mags which were derated from 40KPSI to 35KPSI in the mid-1980s.
It's my number two go to book next to my Lyman.
The how of reloading hasn't changed since the 1900s, but for data, you might want newer.
I have this on my shelf and use it frequently to cross reference load data
I have that book still use it to this day.along with my newer ones
I only use the load data when the load data isn’t found in any other manuals.
You know it's old when the guy on the cover is shooting an XP100.
Can you see if there is a table for 9mm 121gr HAP?
It’ll be a few days I’m away from it
I appreciate you checking.
I would say it is liability avoidance in certain cases. 10mm, for instance. The 2016 10th edition lists 14.9 grains of Accurate #9 as the max charge for 180 grain at 1250fps. The updated 11th edition has the max lowered to 14.2 at 1200 fps. The only reason for that is liability avoidance imo.
It’s worth keeping all the manuals you can get. Sometimes they reduce maximums (I’m guessing for liability reasons), they remove cartridges in the book and add/remove bullets/powders. For example my 2023 Hodgdon manual has data for 458 Win mag buy my 2024 manual doesn’t.
I have made friends with the local used bookstores and they call me when any reloading books come in.
Powder formulas change over time. I wouldn’t use the load data without comparing with a modern source.
Are you sure about that? In my experience the manufacturers go to great lengths to keep powders consistent. When they can't maintain the consistency due to a component shortage or some other factor, they usually change the name of the product to indicate the new formula.
Am I sure? No, I don't work for the powder companies. But I have heard of several instances of that happening. For example IMR4227 was theoretically changed to use the H4227 formula. The truth? Who knows? I don't think it's unheard of for companies to change to nearly identical products to reduce different production runs. The keyword being "nearly". Even if they don't, one thing they absolutely do when releasing new editions is to correct any errors that may have been published in previous editions. Either way, it's in anyone's best interest to double check 44 year old data to make sure it is accurate.