Midway has these called "Loadbooks USA" , anybody here use these? I hate to spend the money for several loading manuals when I'm only loading for one caliber right now.

If someone with the latest Sierra book would take a peek and tell me what they list as the max charge of Unique in the .44 magnum, with their 210 grain JHC bullet, I would surely appreciate it...........I don't plan on getting near it, would just like to know.

I've got several of these, they contain the info for "that" caliber from many sources, but as always you should have several sources to "cross refeance" for "clerical" erors, they should tell you the same thing, some times you will find that they don't, it only takes one mistake to ruin your day, or your life!
Take your time and do the job right, it's "loads" of fun!

I bought one of these for 9MM and I really didn't like the layout or how the information is presented. It seemed to me that all of the info was just photocopied from other manuals. I would recommend one GOOD manual in paper form, then hit the net. Almost all of the powder and bullet manufactuers have some load data, it might be hard to find at first glance, but it is there most times. And then you always have the webpages like loadswap.com

Have some on the shelf, primarily for the Thompson Center Contender, way before the G-2 or Encore were ever thought of. Also, before the other manuals began listing rifle cartridges in Contender type firearms. Had lots of useful information at the time. Today, any good manual will have everything these specific booklets will have.

Ken, I just happen to have that manual right here with me...
The max load for the 210 JHP with Unique is 13.2g @ 1350fps, and a starting weight of 12.0g @ 1200fps. They are using CCI 350 primers. I havent loaded with this bullet, so I cant offer any input on its performance. Good luck.

Thaks JR, that is just a hair (7 tenths) more than Speer has for their max charge on the 210 grain Gold Dot.
I have ten each of 7, 7.5 and 8 grains loaded up to test today. I doubt I will get to 10 grains, I'm a "max load phobic"!

I believe I will buy the one caliber book and either the Speer or Sierra manual to back it up.

The other thing I didn't like was the fact that I paid $6.95 for a single caliber and $24.95 for a manual that covers more than I will EVER shoot.

Midway has these called "Loadbooks USA" , anybody here use these? I hate to spend the money for several loading manuals when I'm only loading for one caliber right now.

If someone with the latest Sierra book would take a peek and tell me what they list as the max charge of Unique in the .44 magnum, with their 210 grain JHC bullet, I would surely appreciate it...........I don't plan on getting near it, would just like to know.


Ken, I like the Loadbooks. Very good idea. sure they are xeroxed, so what. They are what they are. And not so very expensive or full of useless caliber data you will never need.

The other thing I didn't like was the fact that I paid $6.95 for a single caliber and $24.95 for a manual that covers more than I will EVER shoot.I feel that way about it too. In addition, the manual will often give you information on how to reload, reference library, and even casting bullets. Just because the manual contains more information than I will ever use doesn't mean it doesn't come in handy like answering questions on the Shooter's Forum. :p

I'm not sure why a minimum load like 12 grains is listed for a fast powder like Unique? It must be a minimum for maximum performance. More like 6-8 grains is pretty common for target and plinking loads. There generally are no safety issues with small loads of fast powders like Unique, unless you get so small the bullet hangs up in the barrel.

The maximums are another story. With that powder the pressure will change rapidly with different case capacities. Be sure you are using the same case brand as was used by Sierra (Federal). Otherwise, knock another grain off at least. If you are plinking, then about 6 grains will give you about 800 fps, give or take, from a 6" tube. 8 grains will get close to 1000 fps with that barrel length.

Nick

I have several Loadbooks and like them. They're handy to have when I am out of my preferred bullet or powder for a caliber, and need to hunt up an alternate load to match the components I may have on hand. Generally, once I find a load to try I'll verify it by going online to the powder manufacturer's loading site, just to be sure nobody transcribed a number or whatever.

I got my one caliber manual in and I have to say I'm pleased with it. It has the published load data from all the major bullet and powder companies. It is directly copied from those materials so I don't feel I have to worry about someone from THIS publisher making a mistake transcribing or paraphrasing other peoples data.

A couple of the pages aren't copied as well as they could have been but otherwise I have no complaints.

Were do you find these? I would like to find a couple. Do they have odd calibers or wildcats?


AL

I have bought them at Cabela's and Gander Mountain. I have also seen lots of them at the local gun shows. And I beleive that they are sold at www.midwayusa.com

If you can verify that the data contained is correct then whats the problem, I have one for each of the Calibers, and Gages I load and shoot, the only problem I have found is it seems that for the most part the load data is on the consertive side, but that is ok too.

I have one for most every caliber I shoot, except .204 Ruger, that one isn't out yet and there is a new bullet every week for that thing...

I like them because they are handy.... one manual will give you nearly every powder charge or bullet weight and style for any caliber... its the most diverse load manual you can buy, and its copied directly from major manual publishers, so you know there is some serious science behind it... I highly recommend them.

While they are no substitute for a good manual, they are handy to reference a good amount of data for one caliber.