One Book / One Caliber loading manuals?

[revchuck38]

I have Lyman manuals back to #46.

I've got a #36, plus an earlier one from when they were "Ideal". They're a good source for .38/44 Heavy Duty loads and also have two sections for .32-20, one for pistol and one for rifle. I also have an old RCBS manual from the same era.

[revchuck38]

Here's #44 (1967) if anyone is interested. I suggest printing a copy because things disappear on the internet.

https://www.nzha.co.nz/wp-content/up...08/Lyman44.pdf

I don't throw away any hard copy load data. I still have discontinued powder and load some obsolete cartridges. I need the data from time to time.

Thanks! I downloaded it, and have a supply of three-hole-punched paper for the printer.

I used to have a copy of Speer #8 but tossed it due to internet furor.

[358156hp]

Then what was your point? You said losing power can cost us dearly if we don't have printed manuals. Why is that?

Chris

Because if we rely on electronic information storage without hard copy (books) backup, we lose access to much of our information and knowledge if we simply lose power. The power distribution "grid" in the U.S. has been acknowledged to be substandard and even vulnerable by no lesser source than our own government. Texas found this out in 2021 as a result of unexpected back to back winter storms. It's not just reloading manuals I'm concerned about, it's that hard copies of all the information we have on the things that run our lives is all being discarded in favor of "getting it online"? Most do-it-yourselfers would be totally paralyzed by lack of information if we lost YouTube for 24 hours. Buy books and keep them in safe storage.

[Hambo]

I'm probably not doing much experimental loading (where I'd need a manual) if the power goes out. For one thing, I wouldn't be able to see what I'm doing. Experimental reloading can wait till the power is back on (max of 12hrs here based on experiences in the last 23.5 years of living here).

I keep saying "experimental" because that would be the only reason to consult any resources. My "pet" loads for general use are documented and kept with the reloading supplies.

I have a few paper manuals on hand, but I don't think I've cracked open any of them in at least 10 years. The closest thing I have to a discontinued powder is the 5lb keg of Trail Boss I bought nearly 20 years ago, but you don't really need a manual for that as long as you know the generic process for determining the min/max loads for any given cartridge with that powder.

Chris

No power would mean no RCBS Chargemaster, no case trimmer, and no annealer! I could sacrifice case life without annealing, but there's no going back to beam scales and manual trimmers.

Power outages post-hurricane are a thing, but there fridge is my main concern. My wife's is the AC.

[mtnbkr]

No power would mean no RCBS Chargemaster, no case trimmer, and no annealer! I could sacrifice case life without annealing, but there's no going back to beam scales and manual trimmers.

Power outages post-hurricane are a thing, but there fridge is my main concern. My wife's is the AC.

First World Problems

I still manually measure loads, so I'll be fine at least. My case trimmer has a manual crank option, though I currently use a cordless drill to drive it. I don't anneal cases, but I really need to look into that for my 6.5x55. Brass for that is expensive these days.

Chris

[mtnbkr]

Because if we rely on electronic information storage without hard copy (books) backup, we lose access to much of our information and knowledge if we simply lose power. The power distribution "grid" in the U.S. has been acknowledged to be substandard and even vulnerable by no lesser source than our own government. Texas found this out in 2021 as a result of unexpected back to back winter storms. It's not just reloading manuals I'm concerned about, it's that hard copies of all the information we have on the things that run our lives is all being discarded in favor of "getting it online"? Most do-it-yourselfers would be totally paralyzed by lack of information if we lost YouTube for 24 hours. Buy books and keep them in safe storage.

The grid does need improvement, but as it is mostly regional in nature, what affects one locale won't affect another. Texas' outage had no impact on me here in VA. In fact, I can only count 1 power outage since moving into this house in 2001 that lasted more than a couple hours and that was several years ago. That one was still less than 12 hours. However, my buddy across town has his power go out multiple times per year and sometimes for as long as 2 days. He's about 5 miles away as the crow flies, but his section of the grid is problematic while mine is rock solid.

I question the assertion that do-it-yourselfers would be paralyzed by a 24h loss of youtube. Those people probably shouldn't be undertaking the job in the first place if they can't at least muddle through a task during a 24hr outage. YT and other online resources are great though because they typically show more detail than paper sources. Auto repair is a great example. I keep physical repair manuals for each of our vehicles, but only as a reference if something happens away from home because the level of detail and quality of photography is so poor, they're all but useless. YT videos and online diagrams are clearer and provide more detail.

I can't structure my life around theoretical TEOTWAWKI events. What is likely, based on my own experiences, is a short duration power outage where lack of online resources is a minor inconvenience at worst. If we have a total grid failure with outages stretching into weeks and months, I'll have bigger issues than no YT or no way to work up a load for this weird surplus powder I just found.

Chris

[mmc45414]

I have Lyman manuals back to #46.

I keep my old manuals just for fun. If a young guy doesn't believe that 6gn of Unique used to be a listed load for 38 I can drag them out and say things aint quite what they seem.