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?
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?
Lyman CAST BULLET Handbook is my bible for cast loads.
NRA Benefactor Member
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.
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!
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
lyman books are high on my hit parade, but the lee manual also has data.
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
Colorado Rifle Club member
Rocky Mtn Gun Owners member
NAGR member
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.
check cornell publications for out of print, I picked up the lyman 1 and 2 books there 3 and 4 from ebay
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.
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 |