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Lyman Reloading Data vs Hodgdon data

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Hunter33

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello,
Let me start by saying that am fairly new to shotshell reloading and typically just reload “shootoff” shells for playing games. My question is why is there so much variance between the Lyman Manual vs Hodgdon or Alliant website? The components will be the same, however the grains, pressures, speeds seemed to vary? Can someone provide some insight? Thanks in advance.
 
#4 ·
I use the Lyman manual as starting point, but always double check with the powder manufacturer's online data (not old manuals as there can be changes over time) - the powder manufacturer's online data overrides all other sources. I figure it is their product, they should have the most trustworthy testing and data.
 
#5 ·
As pheasantmaster said, 3 different labs, 3 different days, 3 different lots of powder and primers. Whose to say any of them are wrong? Lyman's #5 has its good points and bad points. The bad point it is about 20 years old and outdated. The good point is has loads you won't find in the powder company manuals.
 
#7 ·
Davesch said:
Nebs, my Lyman's #5 was copyrighted in 2015. Data may be outdated, but the printing is fairly current.
Click to expand...
My apologies, the first printing of Lyman's 5th edition Shotshell Reloading Handbook is January 2007. The major fault is its age as it has no data for the powders released after its first printing. Powders like 20/28 come to mind. How current the printing is is irrelevant to how current the data is. Regardless of its age, every reloader should have a copy on his/her shelf.
 
#8 ·
I have old reloading manuals from the early 70’s that I bought when I started loading. Many of the components aren’t even available anymore. Data in the newest manuals are safe but I’d trust the ones online, from the powder manufacturers, before the others.
 
#9 ·
It is quite handy to have old manuals around for data for old powders and stuff that people ask about. I was able to furnish manuals the other day for WW452 AA and WW473AA. It was appreciated by the recipient!
 
#10 ·
Nebs said:
My apologies, the first printing of Lyman's 5th edition Shotshell Reloading Handbook is January 2007. The major fault is its age as it has no data for the powders released after its first printing. Powders like 20/28 come to mind. How current the printing is is irrelevant to how current the data is. Regardless of its age, every reloader should have a copy on his/her shelf.
Click to expand...
That's interesting about the date. Most publications list the dates of previous editions chronologically. My copy simply says "Copyright 2015" as if it's the first edition.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
It seems that I have gotten mixed answers. My question is this. I have found a load in the Lyman manual that a friend has been shooting for years, however it does not show this load at all on Hodgdon Website? Is it not safe to load because it’s not on there website?
 
#14 ·
In order to post a load it needs to be tested. Hodgdon may not have tested the load, and thus doesn't display it. The only concern is if Hodgdon removed the load because it tested poorly (unsafe). Call Hodgdon to confirm. Alliant has pointed me to the Lyman manual for loads they didn't have on their site.
 
#15 ·
Lyman does some of their own testing - just because Hodgdon didn't test and publish their own load data for those components doesn't mean that it's not safe. As said above, you can call Hodgdon directly and a person will answer your question. They are very helpful people.
The lyman book, while a little dated at this point, is still good information.
 
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