Handloading/commentary; Newest Speer manual puts latest data in reloaders' hands

Shooters and reloaders have not had a lot to cheer about so far this year, but one bright spot is the publication of the "Speer Reloading Manual #12.''

The first ''Speer Reloading Manual" was published in 1954 and has since become one of a long line of outstanding reloading manuals that have become the standard reference work for those shooters and hunters who load their own ammunition.

The first manual was 134 pages, including 78 pages of loading data. It covered 39 rifle calibers (no pistol) and contained approximately 3,500 individual loads. None of the data were ''pressure tested" and all were developed by other means, such as case head expansion, etc.

This is not to say the information was of no use, but it was developed by a different method than what is used in most of the current manuals. There are a number of proprietary cartridges that still have no pressure standards established by the Sporting Arms and Ammuinition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI).

This mean that load development must be done by these means.

The No. 12 manual has all new text and the largest yet with 720 pages. The first sections cover company history and component descriptions, along with a thorough discussion on the mechanics of handloading. The following 433 pages contain more than 9,000 tested handloads for 67 rifle calibers and 39 pistol cartridges.

All of this is followed by a 142-page reference and ballistic table section.

The rifle cartridges covered range from the old standbys, such as the .22 Hornet and the .45-70 (three pressure levels given to suit the strength of the rifle action), to the newer cartridges, such as the .338-06 and the .416 Remington.

The pistol data cover the older, established cartridges as well as many of the newer cartridges, including the 9x18 Makarov, .40 Smith & Wesson, 10mm, .50 Action Express and several of the popular rifle cartridge chamberings in the Thompson Center handguns.

There have been more than 50 bullets added to the Speer line since the last manual and all are covered in this edition. Of particular interest are the loading data and application of the TNT (tm) line of varmint bullets and the very popular GOLD DOT (tm) hollowpoint pistol bullets.

There are now more than 125 available reloading powders, many of them having come into existence or been introduced by component importers since the last manual was published. Loading data for many of the VihtaVuori, Accurate Arms and Winchester new powders are shown in their various applications. The majority of the bullets shown give the reloader a choice of 15 powders.

In preparing this manual, more than 42,000 cartridges were fired and measured for pressure and velocity in special pressure-measuring barrels and standard sporting firearms for velocity. The very volume and components used, the number of primers, bullets, cases and approximately 225 pounds of powder give the handloader an idea of the work that went into producing this reference book.

The book itself has an attractive plastic-laminated cover that should make it stand up much better for continuous use on the loading bench. It also contains an easy-to-read typeface and, with the new methods of reproducing the pictures and drawings, it is all in all the best manual produced to date.

The new manual is being shipped and should be on the dealers' shelves soon.

Any reloader, whether he is the rankest amateur or the most experienced, should have a copy of this manual available for ready reference.

There have been so many changes in this hobby that the handloader owes it to himself to have a copy of the latest information available.