Review by
John Markwell
Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Manual; Thomas J. Griffon, Editor. 2016.Lyman Products Corp., 475 Smith St., Dept. TGM, Middletown, CT 06457. 81/2×11” illustrated soft cover, 528 pages $ 29.98 (hardcover available for $39.98)
Debuted at the 2016 NRA convention, this is #50 in a long line of Lyman Reloading Handbooks. Lyman has long prided itself on listing loading data for the widest range of cartridges in the industry as well as using bullets and powders from all the major manufacturers in compiling their data. This 50th edition is no different. However, the 81/2 x 11” format is quite a change from the early Handbooks. This is also the first Reloading Handbook to be produced in full color.
The first three sections of the Handbook deal with the why and how of reloading in great detail. The full color photos and detailed diagrams take the reader through an inventory of the tools required to make ammunition and offer step by step(fully illustrated) instructions on how to take a fired cartridge case (either rifle or handgun) and turn it into a complete ready to fire cartridge of whatever persuasion. Section Three is divided into 5 chapters with detailed information on; Cases and their preparation, Primers, Propellant Powders, and jacketed and cast lead bullets. Section Three has much in the way of good information that all reloaders can benefit from reading.
Section Four offers readers a look back at previous Lyman Reloading handbooks as well as a few really good articles. John Haviland has penned a piece on advanced case prep techniques that should be mandatory reading for anyone getting into long range shooting. Dave Emery and Layne Pearce deal with the mysteries of ballistic coefficients and sectional density as they relate to long range shooting and terminal ballistics. And finally, Ryan Newport has written an article dealing with a rifle’s bore condition as it relates to accuracy. This article makes purchasing a bore scope seem mandatory for those who are truly concerned with wringing the ultimate in accuracy from their barrels.
The majority of the 50th Edition of the Lyman Reloading Handbook (400 pages) is reloading data that is broken down by rifle, handgun and T/C Contender & Encore. Along with old standards like the 30-06 and 250-3000 data is included for new rounds like the 17 Hornet, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, and the new Nosler rounds; 6.5-284, 26, and 28. Cartridges for the AR series rifles include the 300 Blackout 450 Bushmaster, 458 SOCOM, and the 50 Beowulf. Data for many cartridges includes cast bullet loads in addition to loads for jacketed and solid copper projectiles.
Additional information on useful formulas for reloaders, relative powder burn rates, bullet type abbreviations, and a complete shell holder chart, are found on the last few pages of the handbook.
Whether this is to be your first loading manual or an addition to a reloading library, the 50th Edition Lyman Reloading Handbook is a complete reference book that should be on the loading bench or book shelf of all serious shooters.
