It’s great to be able to access online load data for your cartridges. You can quickly get load data for a particular powder and bullet weight. However, there are times when we prefer to consult old-fashioned printed/bound load manuals. The primary reason is that manuals produced by bullet- and tool-makers will, for a particular cartridge, include data for powders from multiple manufacturers. Having a single source can save you time and trouble. For example, if you want to find 6.5 Creedmoor loads using H4350 (Hodgdon), Reloder 16 (Alliant), and N150 (Vihtavuori) you would have to visit three different powder-maker websites, one after another. OR you can pick up a modern load manual and find everything in one place.

There are many excellent printed load manuals on the market. We have used the Berger Manual, Sierra Manual, Speer Manual, Lyman Manual, and Hornady Manual. We like the Berger and Sierra manuals for match rifle cartridges, and the Lyman and Hornady manuals for hunting loads and pistol cartridges. Unfortunately, the popular binder-format Sierra Manual is currently back-ordered. But the excellent Nosler Reloading Guide 9 is back in stock at Midsouth for $28.99.

The Lyman Reloading Manuals have earn praise over the years:
“Every other reloading book I’ve used favors their own bullets over every other manufacturers. With Lyman you get an honest representation of a wide variety of different… manufacturers. [Lyman has] a ton of reloading data on just about any bullet style you can imagine. I’ve tried a wide range of their recipes and everyone I’ve tried has been spot on. The overall breadth of information this book covers is impressive.” Review by RangetoReal.com.

Along with the Lyman 50th Edition Manual, here are other recommended Reloading Manuals:

Here Are Four General Instructional Books That Cover Reloading Procedures:

POWDER BURN RATE TABLE

Here is the most recent powder burn rate chart from Hodgdon/IMR that we could find. Click links below to access printable PDF. Note, some readers have suggested a couple powder ranking issues in the table. However, this is the latest official version from the IMR website, released in November 2019.

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

1. March Optics — Norma .284 Win Brass, $65 per 100 Cases

This could well be the best brass bargain in recent memory. This Norma .284 Winchester brass is outstanding. It is quite capable of winning F-Class matches right out of the box, and there’s no need to expand a 6.5-284 neck! This Norma .284 Win brass was commissioned by Shiraz Balolia for Bullets.com, a company he founded. Now that entity is closed, so this brass is being sold through MarchOptics.com. Shiraz tells us: “For those of you who shoot the Norma .284 Win F-Class brass, this is an amazing deal — well below cost. This is the last from the original Bullets.com lot. If you bought some of the original Norma .284 Win brass, this is the same lot.” NOTE: Quantities are limited — grab it while you can!!

2. Sightron USA — $100 SIII and $250 SV Factory Rebates

Sightron USA is offering HUGE rebates on SIII series and SV series scopes. Sightron calls this “Christmas in July”. Get a $100 rebate on an SIII optic or a whopping $250 rebate on a top-end SV scope. To qualify for the SIII Series $100 or SV Series $250 rebate program your scope must be purchased from 7/1/2019 through 7/31/2019 at an Authorized Sightron USA Re-seller, and this applies to USA customers only.

SIGHTRON SIII Scope REBATE FORM | SIGHTRON SV Scope REBATE FORM

3. Grizzly Industrial — Bald Eagle Slingshot Rest, $129.97

Maybe you’re just getting into F-Class or just need a good stable front rest to shoot from and don’t want to spend a ton of money on one. Don’t worry because Grizzly now has the Bald Eagle BE1129 aluminum slingshot rest for an amazingly low $129.97 Closeout price. Just add your favorite front bag and you’re ready to go with a competition quality elevation adjustable rest. They also have the Bald Eagle BE1209 – Big Fifty Rest on sale now for $202.97, nearly 50% off. With a much wider span and cast-iron legs, the Big Fifty is designed for larger guns up to .50 caliber. Either way, these rests are a great value.

4. Stocky’s Stocks — EuroTarget Ruger 10/22 Stocks $176 – $199

Ruger’s semi-auto 10/22 rimfire has become one of the best-selling rifles in history for good reason — it’s inexpensive and fun. Now you can have the best-looking 10/22 ever. Stocky’s Stocks has a beautiful series of EuroTarget™ 10/22 Stocks in six laminated colors for just $199.99. Or choose a plain hardwood model for $176.40, a “soft-touch” coated hardwood version for $183.60 (in black, green, or sand), or a handsome “EuroMatch” laminated version with adjustable cheek-piece for $299.99. We really like the looks and ergonomics of these stocks — they are a great upgrade for your Ruger 10/22.

5. Midsouth — Lyman BoreCam (Digital Borescope), $199.99

Here’s the best deal we’ve found on an excellent product in high demand. The Lyman BoreCam is an electro-optical borescope with a digital display. You can record “stills” on a SD card. Our Forum members really like the BoreCam (although some wish the digital view-screen was larger). Midsouth now has the Lyman BoreCam for $199.99. Grab it while you can at that price. Other vendors are charging a LOT more. For example, Walmart is charging $269.75, while MidwayUSA is asking $299.99!

6. Precision Reloading — 10% Off All Orders Over $100

Precision Reloading offers three ways to save through today July 8th. First, you can get 10% Off All in-stock items for an order of $100.00 or more using Promo Code SAVE 10. You can also save on shipping (Code SHIP6) and HazMat (Code FREEHAZ), with orders over $75 and $150 respectively. But act quickly!! This sale is almost over — these promos end at 11:59 pm on July 8, 2019.

7. Midsouth — NEW Sierra 6th Edition Manual, $28.89

Yes you can get starting load data from friends (or websites) but official loading manuals help ensure you’re stay within safe margins. In addition, these printed manuals provide more data, more recipes, and more details than you can readily find online. We like Sierra Manuals because they cover a wide selection of powders (from all major propellant-makers) and Sierra’s max loads run on the conservative side. Midsouth now offers the new-for-2019 Sierra 6th Edition Loading Manual for just $28.89. This is the best price we’ve seen — save $8-$10 at Midsouth.

8. Amazon — Carbon Fiber Bipod and Pic Rail Adapter, $25.99

Looking for a new bipod that can work with a Picatinny rail? You’re in luck because we just found this 6″ – 9″ adjustable Carbon Fiber Bipod and M-Lok adapter combo for the amazingly low price of $25.99 including a handy adapter allowing you to securely attach the bipod to a standard Picatinny Rail. There are also versions with KeyMod or M-Lok Adapters for $27.99. Purchasers have given this unit high praise, with a 4.5-star rating. Here is an actual buyer review:

“Excellent bipod at an excellent price. It seems well-built and is far more rigid and sturdy than others like it. The bipod came with a Picatinny adapter [M-Lok or KeyMod optional]. Mounting was quick and easy. Overall I think this is by far the best bang-for-your-buck bipod.”

9. Amazon — Howard Leight MAX NRR33 Earplugs, $7.80/50 Pairs

These Howard Leight NRR33 Max plugs are your Editor’s favorite foam earplugs. Between shooting, motorcycling and mowing lawns, I probably have Max plugs in my ears 2-3 days a week. This is a very good price for a bulk pack of 50 pairs. And if you act soon, you can get free shipping to boot.