Lyman needs to release a 6th edition

[Duckwyatt80]

It is time for Lyman to release a 6th edition shotshell reloading manual. Many of the powders and wads in the 5th edition have been discontinued or phased out in one form or another. Has anyone heard if they have one in the works?

[Dave in AZ]

Lol...
I doubt Lyman will ever publish a 6th edition.

I talked to the guys at Alliant last year, about the possibility of any shotshell testing with different primers or powders. They told me they have done 0 shotshell testing for years unless it was a brand new powder, and they expected to do absolutely zero shotshell testing in the coming year or two, because all of their testing is taken up with things like reloader 17 for various bullets in the 6.5 Creedmoor. They said to expect no update or additions to any shotshell data they've published for the last 20 years.

People complain and moan about BPI all the time, but they are the only guys in the universe who are testing and Publishing shotshell data. Besides private individuals. Lyman certainly isn't testing anything. Why would they? They have no skin in the game, no product to sell, no shotshell reloading parts or machines, no reloading supplies, nothing but a book. Since 5th edition, book publishing has completely changed, and a book can and will be pirated in the 1st week, losing 90% of revenue from sales... there is just zero reason for them to increase their liability for zero profit.

[Duckwyatt80]

You make a good point about Lyman not having any skin in the game. I haven’t shout of it that way. Things have surely changed. I just want updated loads with the newer powder for American hulls and components. (Federal, Remington, and Winchester) I have checked Preision as they released newer steel data last year (2019) I think it was. Though thankful for the data, some of it seemed slower than my taste, especially for the 16 gauge.

[Duckwyatt80]

I guess its time to get a Pressure Trace II and start testing.

[Dave in AZ]

I guess its time to get a Pressure Trace II and start testing.

I want one of those too, and I would love to have a setup or I could go out and test stuff. But honestly ensuring that your test gear meets Saammi specs and is giving solid information, would be quite expensive and difficult. Even if I had a pressure Trace 2, I would never publish any results for other folks to use since it's a totally amateur set up. I would end up sending in shells to be tested by Precision or Tom armbrust anyways, but I'd still love playing with it.

What would actually be the most useful thing I can think of, would be for precision to release all the data from all the test results folks like me have paid for. I bet they have retested the same loads 30 times, and if I was aware of the data points I would certainly send in different loads. Of course that would cut into their profits, and they probably couldn't afford to keep testing if guys stop sending in the same loads :-)

[Duckwyatt80]

That is true about them not releasing the results of tested data to the public. I want the Pressure Trace because it will at least give me an idea if a load is worth sending in for testing. If it is showing way over on my end it probably won’t be worth messing with. I am just really guessing as I don’t have an idea, but the strain gauge that is glued to the barrel of a shotgun is best served for a single shot. But I wonder if you need to have a new gauge for 12, 16, and 20 or if the gauge will swap from barrel to barrel. I have heard they can be a booger to get set up and reading sometimes, but once they are dialed in they are a lot of fun.

Joe did tell me he had a Pressure trace he played with from time to time. Man how I miss his posts on here. Even if it was to rant about something someone else posted I still miss it.