Review: Hornaday 10th edition

Sasquatch

Sasquatch

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Midway had the 10th Edition of their reloading book on sale for <$18, so I picked it up with another order (of really weird FPFB 180 grain bullets).

The book is nice with color pictures which describe how a cartridge acts in the chamber. Except- the garish colors made it hard to figure out what it was talking about. I was surprised that they really pushed neck sizing- which I do- but thought it had fallen out of favor.

As expected, their loads were all about Hornaday bullets- but that's ok, they are one of the most prolific bullet makers.

What really surprised me was how low some of their loads are- to the point that I'm not trusting them.

Example: .223 with H335 and 55gr FMJBT.

This is a very common combination and from reading others, I have a recipe that is very accurate (and I'm happy to say used in my last three gun match to good effect).

My recipe is 25.2 grains of H335. Seems to be near the top of most loads but that's often where accuracy is best.

Except: Hornaday says max load is 23 grains, while my Lee book says 25.3. That's a significant difference (10% over max from one book to the other).

I did some reading, and apparently older editions had the max load higher- maybe it is their test barrel- but the Hodgdon site also says a 24" barrel, and they match the Lee at 25.3.

Now I'm really doubting other loads they may recommend...

On the upside, I like that for every cartridge there's a history section which makes for good reading. I like having multiple books, and maybe it would be a good 'first' for anyone, but you definitely want more than this one.
 
I have that book. It is well written, IMHO, and I like the section on bullets beginning with page 100 for rifle / 121 for handgun. I don't reload for rifle so I can't speak to their rifle data. I do use it when I reload with Hornady handgun bullets but find little help with anything else but, as you say, that's to be expected. I would like to see pressure data but, of course, that's not included. I am a reloading novice so much of what I do know and think I understand is theoretical, at this point (at least to me), but I often read that the Hornady load data is somewhat anemic. What I've used from this book does not seem to bear that out, though.

Bottom line: If you load Hornady bullets it's a great tool. Otherwise, not so much.

regards
Elmer
 
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There are a couple misprints, not sure if they have been corrected in your copy.
One is in the 300blk load data.
Can't recall the specifics without looking at my copy. I'll bring my corrected copy Saturday so we can check yours.
 
$18 was a deal. I bought 1 for $25 the week it became available. My old one was #5 i think. Dedicated to their entire ballistics staff who died in a private plan crash heading to shot show 20+ yrs ago.

My 55gr Fmj accuracy load is the old Sierra load of 21.5grs Re#7. Nice soft low recoil load.

Wish Hornady would publish their pet loads like Sierra used to.
 
Sas quatch said:
Except: Hornaday says max load is 23 grains, while my Lee book says 25.3. That's a significant difference (10% over max from one book to the other).
Click to expand...

FWIW, all of the Lee data is just data copied from the powder manufacturer's website. If you go to the website, you will find more specific information about barrel length and components used.

I got the Hornaday 10 in PDF form and have it on my iPhone and iPad. I find that more convenient.

I have noticed what appears to be discrepancies in data, but not just with Hornady. That is why I have multiple manuals, I think I am up to 8 or 9 now. I always look for data from as many sources as possible. Start low and work up. I usually give weighting to the bullet manufacturer data, or Lyman, or any data that lists the specific bullet I am using.
 
Slacker said:
There are a couple misprints, not sure if they have been corrected in your copy.
One is in the 300blk load data.
Can't recall the specifics without looking at my copy. I'll bring my corrected copy Saturday so we can check yours.
Click to expand...

Yeah the trim length was effed up in earlier editions. The one I got from Amazon last month was correct.
 
Ikarus1 said:
You can thank the proliferation of semi-autos for that. I find myself worrying about headspacing/seating off the lands more than I do brass life
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That was the only reason I could think of. The only auto I load for is the wife’s AR (stealing the load above and on the why you reload thread,btw). Not sure that it’s warranted but I went ahead with the SB die for that. I think 5 firings is when I normally dump them.

Wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something.
 
Rockchucker said:
That was the only reason I could think of. The only auto I load for is the wife’s AR (stealing the load above and on the why you reload thread,btw). Not sure that it’s warranted but I went ahead with the SB die for that. I think 5 firings is when I normally dump them.

Wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something.
Click to expand...

Don't dump em after 5. cut those bad boys into .300blk, anneal em and send em my way :D In fact, just send me my way after 5 firings :D
 
The prevailing opinion I got from some top F class shooters was to FL resize every time but they were also flame annealing each time as well. But one of those same shooters admits that he only neck sizes for BR shooting in such calibers as 6BR and 30BR. I FL resize 223/556 with a small base die to avoid chambering issues. Same for my AR10 308/762 brass.
 
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