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Thread: Load book for Cast Boolits

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Load book for Cast Boolits

    I'm looking at getting a good loadbook for loading boolits from Lee Molds or Lyman or any molds for that matter. What one has the most data loading cast in Pistols and Revolvers?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master pjames32's Avatar
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    Lyman CAST BULLET Handbook is my bible for cast loads.
    NRA Benefactor Member

  3. #3
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    ShooterAZ's Avatar
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    Ditto, Volume 4 is the most current (I think). If you can still find a Volume 3, get it too. More info in that one.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

    mdi's Avatar
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    First two replies are right on. I have a few Lyman manuals, 48th, 48th, and 59th manuals, and a 3rd Edition and a 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook, and these cover all my cast bullet reloading data (I much prefer the 3rd Edition over the 4th, but that's just my opinion). I have a couple other sources, but these are my go-to manuals...
    My Anchor is holding fast!

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    RCBS printed a cast bullet manual but they have been discontinued.
    They used to be really cheap on ebay but the last few I noticed were expensive.
    EDG

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    Here is the lyman cast bullet handbook 3rd edition in PDF if that suits your fancy. It has no data for other than lyman bullets, but it sure does have a lot of info on casting and metallurgy.

    http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manu...-%20Reduce.pdf

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

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    As stated above, the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #4 should be on the list. Also, the Loadbooks for each caliber will often still have the RCBS data. The powder companies often have data for a few cast bullets in handgun cartridges. Free online.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    Lyman !

  9. #9
    Boolit Master trapper9260's Avatar
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    I was going to say Lyman 3rd for cast. That is the one I learn from when I started to cast boolits. I did cast fishing sinkers I learn from my Dad. I got the 4th one also but if someone ask me about it I would say also the 3rd one is the best.
    Life Member of NRA,NTA,DAV ,ITA. Also member of FTA,CBA

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bazoo View Post
    Here is the lyman cast bullet handbook 3rd edition in PDF if that suits your fancy. It has no data for other than lyman bullets, but it sure does have a lot of info on casting and metallurgy.

    http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manu...-%20Reduce.pdf
    This is awesome. Thanks Bazoo! You saved the day and $$. Now if I can get a 4th edition PDF I'll be set. This one has no 40S&W or 480 Ruger data.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
    DonMountain's Avatar
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    The newer Lyman 4th edition has more newer powders and bullets from other manufacturers than the 3rd edition Lyman I have. I also have the RCBS manual also. But the Lyman 4th edition Cast Bullet Manual is almost aways laying out open in my reloading room as I work on loads. As it is right now as I am working on 314299's in one of my Argentine Mausers today.

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    The book to find is the Lyman 1st edition cast bullet book.

    Not only do they list load data but all the bullet molds made.

    Best of all is the real load data from users like us.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master pjames32's Avatar
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    I have 2, 3 and 4 Lyman Cast Bullet Handbooks. I use #3 most and 4 does have data for some newer Calibers.
    NRA Benefactor Member

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master
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    lyman books are high on my hit parade, but the lee manual also has data.

  15. #15
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    Minerat's Avatar
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    Brassmagnet turned a bunch of us on to Cornell Publishing not long ago. They reprint books and are great to deal with.

    http://www.cornellpubs.com/
    Steve,

    Life Member NRA
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  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master GhostHawk's Avatar
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    I have both the Lyman #3 and #4, love #3 for its red dot recipes. #4 has more lee molds.

    Would love to see someone put a cast manual together that would cover "more" or even "Most" of the Lee molds from the last 30 years.

    I don't see there being that much difference between a 200 gr commercial cast lead and my 200 gr cast in most cases. Considering that I am often running below starting loads anyway.

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by 725 View Post
    lyman books are high on my hit parade, but the lee manual also has data.

    I was able to download both copy's by Lee.

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy Gunners Mate's Avatar
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    check cornell publications for out of print, I picked up the lyman 1 and 2 books there 3 and 4 from ebay

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master
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    The new Lee book has some cast load data.
    My go to is the Lyman.
    I have many of them. Old small books and newer larger books.
    I have the RCBS book also. Not to much in it.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check