VII. Reloading Information
C. Manufacturer Information
4. Hornady
a. Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, Third Edition?
by Dave Munroe (dmunroe@hpvclmun.vcd.hp.com)
Detailed comparative review of:
Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, Third Edition
(seventh printing, 1987)
The first section of this manual deals with accuracy. It has an excellent
color section that shows what happens in the chamber of a rifle when it is
fired and how the case and bullet are affected. It visibly demonstrates
headspace, case stretching, expansion, and pressure. This is an excellent
section which would be of interest to all reloaders and shooters.
The manual has separate step-by-step instructions for reloading rifle and
handgun cartridges. Yet another separate section discusses improving accuracy,
reloading techniques, case problems, headspace problems, bullet pulling and
the like. The section also has interesting comparisons of weighed vs. thrown
charges, pressure differences with different brass, and new vs. eroded barrel
comparisons. The step-by-step instructions are accompanied by photographs and
the text is moderately thorough. By comparison, the SPEER manual goes into
more detail and has more useful photographs. For example, the SPEER manual
has more photographs illustrating pressure and headspace problems.
Since Hornady is a bullet manufacturer, there is a good deal of information
on numerous bullet types and their uses. All reloading data used Hornady
bullets. The reloading sections list over 80 rifle cartridges (from the
.17 Mach IV to the 460 Weatherby Magnum), 19 pistol cartridges, and 10
Thompson/Center Contender cartridges (these are all listed below).
In the Rifle Reloading section, each cartridge has a brief one-page description
about its history, intended use, good points, bad points, and any special
considerations. Case dimensions are given, along with overall length for each
bullet type. Ballistic coefficients are not given here, but rather in the
tables at the end of the book. Often reloading data is given for fewer bullet
weights than one might expect, or for a narrower range. Powder selections are
mostly IMR, Hodgdon, Winchester, and Norma. Rather than having a starting,
medium, and maximum load, load data for a particular cartridge and bullet is
organized by velocity. For example, with a .30-06 and a 168gr BTHP, you get
a choice of 11 powders starting at a low velocity of 2500fps and topping out
at either 2700fps or 2900fps, depending on powder choice. The manual does
indicate which powders seemed to work better for a particular caliber. No
pressure information or load density information is given for individual loads.
The format of the Pistol and Thompson/Center Contender Reloading section is
similar, but with more variety in powder choice. Again, loading information
is organized by velocity which gives the reloader a good idea as to how small
changes in charge weight affects velocity. Compared to the SPEER manual, there
is slightly less information. Using a .30-30 Contender for example, Hornady
lists loading data for 110gr, 130gr, and 150gr bullets and a total of five
powders. SPEER, however, has data for 110gr, 130gr, 150gr, and 165gr, and a
total of twelve powders.
The ballistic tables are organized on bullet diameter and type. There are
actually five sets of tables: short range rifle (300 and 600 yds), long range
rifle (1000 yds), rifle silhouette (500m), short range pistol (125m), and
long range pistol/silhouette (200m).
Other interesting items are the wind drift tables, uphill/downhill tables, a
primer chart (various manufacturers), and shell holder chart (various
manufacturers).
An illustrated glossary is also provided.
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nice features:
- excellent description of what happens in the chamber when a round
is fired and the effects on the case and pressure
- provides reloading data for an extensive list of rifle cartridges
- for a given caliber, bullet, and powder, shows numerous charge
weights and the resulting velocity
missing features that would be nice to have:
- more photographs to illustrate pressure and case problems
- more specific accuracy information
- pressure information
- load density information
- load data for a broader range of bullet weights and powders
- description of powders
pages: 665
typical cost: $13.00
overall impression:
I found this manual to be somewhat of a "sleeper" -- it contains
much more information than you might think by paging through it.
Perhaps it's the generous use of whitespace that gives it a
deceptively sparse appearance. Although not quite as extensive as
the SPEER manual in providing load data; it has many descriptions
and illustrations that are excellent. Because it does such a good
job describing the firing process and pressure, I would especially
recommend this manual for someone getting started in reloading.
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The Hornady manual has reloading data for these calibers:
Rifle cartridges:
17 Mach IV
17 Remington
22 Hornet
218 Bee
222 Remington
223 Remington
222 Remington Magnum
22 PPC
5.6x50mm Magnum
219 Donaldson Wasp
219 Zipper
225 Winchester
224 Weatherby Magnum
22-250
220 Swift
5.6x57mm RWS
5.6x52R (22 Savage High Power)
6x47mm
243 Winchester
6mm Remington (244)
6mm/284
240 Weatherby Magnum
25-20 WCF
256 Winchester Magnum
25-35 Winchester (25 Remington)
250-3000 Savage
257 Roberts
257 Roberts Improved
25-06 Remington
257 Weatherby Magnum
6.5 Japanese
6.5 Carcano
6.5x54mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer
6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser
6.5mm Remington Magnum
264 Winchester Magnum
270 Winchester
270 Weatherby Magnum
7mm-08 Remington
7x57mm Mauser
284 Winchester
280 Remington (7mm Express Remington)
7x65R
7x61 Sharpe & Hart
7mm Remington Magnum
7mm Weatherby Magnum
7.5 Schmidt Rubin (7.5 Swiss)
30 Carbine
30-30 Winchester
300 Savage
308 Winchester (7.62mm NATO)
7.62 Russian
30-40 Krag
30-06
300 H&H Magnum
308 Norma Magnum (30-338)
300 Winchester Magnum
300 Weatherby Magnum
303 British
7.7 Japanese
32 Winchester Special (32 Remington)
8mm Mauser (8x57S)
8mm/06
8x68S Magnum
8mm Remington Magnum
33 Winchester
338 Winchester Magnum
340 Weatherby Magnum
348 Winchester
357 Magnum (rifle)
35 Remington
358 Winchester
350 Remington Magnum
35 Whelen
358 Norma Magnum
375 Winchester
375 H&H Magnum
378 Weatherby Magnum
44 Magnum (rifle)
444 Marlin
45-70
45-70 (1895)
45-70 Ruger
458 Winchester Magnum
460 Weatherby Magnum
Pistol cartridges:
221 Remington Fireball
25 Auto
256 Winchester Magnum
7x45mm Ingram (7/223 Improved)
7mm BR Remington
30 M1 Carbine (pistol)
380 Auto (9mm Kurz)
9mm Luger (Parabellum)
38 Super
38 Auto
38 Special
357 Magnum
41 Magnum
44 Special
44 Magnum
44 Auto Mag
45 Auto
45 Auto Rim
45 Long Colt
Thompson/Center Contender load data for:
22 Remington Jet
22 Hornet (pistol)
222 Remington
30 Herrett
30-30 Winchester (pistol)
357/44 Bain & Davis
357 Herrett
44 Magnum
45 Colt (for Ruger or Contender only)
45 Winchester Magnum