Load data?

I have the Lee manual and have the Hogdon on the way. My question is if there was 1 loading resource you’d use, which do y’all consider the best? There is a ton of info on the web but I want something that is at my fingertips and can just open it up to the info I’m wanting. Does this exist or do I need to get as many manuals that I can?

I always recommend the Sierra Loading Guide.

Buying loading books is a waste of money to me. Just about everything is online now. I use load data from the bullet manufacturer that I’m using. If you’re just wanting to buy a book, get one from the bullet brand you’re using.

to me theres no 1 book that does it all. the Lee book isn't great (I find its waaaay conservative on a lot of its loads) but the main perk is they list bullets from multiple manufacturers. I really Like the Hornady book also, and p[probably use it more than any other overall, but, like all the other bullet makers manuals, they only list data for their bullets. Hornady works for me because I shoot a lot of their bullets.

To my knowledge you can’t find anything but basic Hornady load data online for free.

https://hodgdonreloading.com

I always look at the few hardcover data books I have and hodgdon's online data.

I don’t have Lyman’s but hear it mentioned often.

I use Nosler, hodgdon and online

I’ve been studying the Hodgdon load data and the Barnes load data also. Thanks for the info.

+1 for the Lyman. It is the one I go to most but the collection of manuals will grow over the years. It also has a lot of data for cast bullets in case you want to load some more comfy ammo instead of bazooka loads. Of course it has top end loads as well and another benefit is that is has pressure values too. The front end of the manual is a good read too.

That is correct, I suspect if they gave it away online that would significantly cut down on book sales.

Richard Lee second edition has the most data I've found.

There is so much load data online the data part of the book is not worth it it's the how to in these books for a new reloader that's worth having one. Eventually you newbies will figure out what's good and what's bad but start low and work up with any data. I haven't owned a reloading manual in years and years

Exactly. The how to section in the forward sections is the value in loading guides, and the Sierra guide is second to none.

I started digging deeper online and found lots of good load data. Thanks for all the info!! However I tried to load 130gr Barnes TTSX for my 308 using multiple Powder’s for tests. The loads the Barnes recommends for BL-C2 didn’t work out to well for me. Min charge was 50.7grs and max was 56.4. The min charge barely fit in the case (starline brass). I had to tap it to settle the powder and only got it down about half the neck. It was one of the loads that shot the best and no signs of any pressure issues. 2nd to the load with TAC. Anything above the min charge rate wouldn’t fit in the case. Benchmark shot well also. I’m happy with all of the groups I’ve shot so far and am convinced that they all shoot better then I can shoot them. I only thought my 308 shot the Norma ammo well!! There’s no comparison. Thanks again for all the help. I’m sure I’ll be asking many more questions.

If youre trying to work up to max with compressed loads, case capacity becomes critical. the Barnes load is listed with a Winchester case, which likely has a greater capacity than the Starline brass you're using. For Barnes bullets, the load data listed on their site is usually excellent. I'f you're wanting to work up a TTSX load I'd go with their data. I've also found that for most any cartridge I get the best performance and accuracy from a load that totally fills the case or is compressed.

I'd use TAC. Excellent powder for light bullets in 308

That’s the decision I made. 3 out of the 5 shots were clover leafed and the first and last shot was with an inch of those 3 shots. I can’t ask for better then that. I do want to load some heavier bullet weight rounds for my older 308 with some Varget. The older rifle loves the heavy bullets.

Lmao

Didn’t realize anything posted was funny!! Care to elaborate?

Alot of the time, now especially, you have to work with whatever powder you can find.

A load that shows promise in my 308 is 45 gr of VVN135 under a 150 grain. 44 grains also shot well, but splitting the difference didn't. The problem with that powder when you can find data online, is the "max load" is all over the place for different 150 grain bullets. This is over it, yet shows no signs of pressure. It cycled fine through my AR10 too.

Varget and IMR 4064 are good powders for a 308. One of the Reloader powders is really good and so is Tac. I haven't shot varget yet. I was looking for some at the gun show last weekend, but didn't want to pay the sticker price.

TAC shot very well in my 308 with the 130gr TTSXs. The local shop that I found the different powders at can’t get Varget right now. I have found plenty online but I really don’t want to pay the hazmat fee for just 1lb of powder. There’s a few other powders that I need for other rifles so I’ll get multiple containers once o decide so it would be worth the extra fee.

.308 loads well with lots of powders!

I really wish I could find something all 3 of my 308's would shoot well. That seems to be elusive.

The answer is Varget. I prefer the books but everything else is online. The whole secret to an accurate .308 load is medium burning powder rate. Anything in that range will do the job.

I too like to start with the loading data provided by the bullet manufacturer. Then I search online for other sources, find a happy medium and go from there. May not be the right way but works for me. I load for a .308, a couple of 7mm-08’s and a 6.5x.284 NORMA. All sub moa shooters.

Have you tried VV N140?

No I found a load online with N135 that the guy claimed shot well out of every 308 gun he ever ran it through. Using a 150 grain core loct. I loaded with some hornady SP's and my 700 SPS likes it. My Ruger M77 carbine and AR10 didn't. Those two seem to shoot the barnes 135 TTSX ammo ok though. So I may have to try that in my SPS and see if it likes it.

44 and 45 grains both shot well out of my 700. Around 1 inch, which seems to be about as good as that gun likes to shoot. I don't get it. Wonder if I rebarreled it if it would do better?

I'd look at H4895 Blc2 if I couldn't get Varget. New barrels always make you feel better and if you think you need one I'd recommend our own Gundoc for the install. If it won't run with Viht Varget 4895 Blc2 then yeah spend that money.