Lyman cast boooolit book

[Fastleo]

My Lyman cast boolit book is the 3rd edition, and unfortunately is falling apart. I was just going to order a new one but I saw on evilbay that there is a good selection of the older versions. Do any of you have experience with all the versions? Should I just snag a new one or look for a older replacement?

Thanks

[pworley1]

Download it here. https://ia800909.us.archive.org/14/items/LymanCastBulletHandbook3rdEdition1980Ocr/Lyman%20Cast%20Bullet%20Handbook%20-%203rd%20Edition%20-%201980%20-%20ocr.pdf

[dannyd]

the new edition is way better, but it depends on what your looking for.

[alamogunr]

Being somewhat of a book nut too, I have all 4 editions of the Cast Bullet Handbooks. If you want a print copy, look on the used book sites(ABEBooks is one) or go to Cornell Publications(https://www.cornellpubs.com/index.php).

I tried the above link to us.archive but it wouldn't load.

[Fastleo]

Being somewhat of a book nut too, I have all 4 editions of the Cast Bullet Handbooks. If you want a print copy, look on the used book sites(ABEBooks is one) or go to Cornell Publications(https://www.cornellpubs.com/index.php).

I tried the above link to us.archive but it wouldn't load.



Is the content wildly different from version to version?

[alamogunr]

I wouldn't say "wildly different" but definitely updated. Others can probably be more specific.

[bedbugbilly]

All depends on what you load. Over the years, I have accumulated all 4 editions. The 3rd edition is my "go to" edition . There are differences. In the 4th edition for example, it does not include the 32 S & W "Short" (which is load some of) but it is in the 3rd edition. The 3rd edition does not include the 45 Schofield cartridge (which I load) but it is in the 4th edition. The same may apply to other cartridges . . I don't know . . . all depends on what you load.

The 1st and 2nd editions I use the least . . . BUT . . . I do use them once in a while and when I do, I'm glad I have them. As noted in an above post, the 3rd edition is available on-line and I have that link bookmarked - and I use the link often even though I have a printed copy.

Fleabay is where I bought most of mine in past years.

[Fastleo]

All depends on what you load. Over the years, I have accumulated all 4 editions. The 3rd edition is my "go to" edition . There are differences. In the 4th edition for example, it does not include the 32 S & W "Short" (which is load some of) but it is in the 3rd edition. The 3rd edition does not include the 45 Schofield cartridge (which I load) but it is in the 4th edition. The same may apply to other cartridges . . I don't know . . . all depends on what you load.

The 1st and 2nd editions I use the least . . . BUT . . . I do use them once in a while and when I do, I'm glad I have them. As noted in an above post, the 3rd edition is available on-line and I have that link bookmarked - and I use the link often even though I have a printed copy.

Fleabay is where I bought most of mine in past years.



Thanks what I needed to know.

[Scrounge]

Being somewhat of a book nut too, I have all 4 editions of the Cast Bullet Handbooks. If you want a print copy, look on the used book sites(ABEBooks is one) or go to Cornell Publications(https://www.cornellpubs.com/index.php).

I tried the above link to us.archive but it wouldn't load.

The archive.org site takes a while to load when you have large files. I currently have a copy downloading, and I'll let you know how big it is, filewise, for the PDF version.

Bill

[Scrounge]

Download it here. https://ia800909.us.archive.org/14/items/LymanCastBulletHandbook3rdEdition1980Ocr/Lyman%20Cast%20Bullet%20Handbook%20-%203rd%20Edition%20-%201980%20-%20ocr.pdf

That pdf file is 354mb. Big file! Took about 11 minutes to download.

I've also got a copy of the reprint from Cornell, btw. It's hand to have both. Got a copy of the file on both my phone and tablet. Absent an EMP event, I'll be fine! ;)

Bill

[mdi]

I believe the differences are from the editor. For my use I haven't seen much difference in the data section, but the "First Half" differs. If you do a lot of black powder cartridge loading the 4th has more info and I found the 3rd to be more new caster friendly...

[gwpercle]

Go ahead and get the 4th Edition Cast Boolits Handbook ... new boolits by other makers , some new powders and new cartridges .
Keep the 3rd Edition ...you will find lots of info not in #4 that6's necessary .
Mines falling apart also ... I'm keeping it together with Elmers Glue and wide clear packing tape .
I use both a lot ... and cross reference .
Those are the only editions of Cast Bullet Handbook manual I have ... my other Lyman books are the
46th edition and 50th edition Reloading Handbooks .
It's good to keep a few older manuals around but I wouldn't go too far back in time ... so much has changed .
I did buy Elmer Keith's 1936 book "Sixgun Cartridges & Loads" ... a good read with a lot of revelant information but a few powders are long out of production ... reloading data with good old Bullseye , Unique and 2400 are given most often .
The book is a reprint and sells for $10.00 on Amazon ...worth every penny , just be sure and cross check Elmer's loads . He usually list a recommended load ...then the load he uses ...he was into +P+ big time so be careful .
Gary

[Bazoo]

The first and second edition are basically the same as far as I could tell. Info in the front didn’t change and data didn’t. The second just added data to it. Neither offers rifle data with rifle powders best I recall. It’s all reduced loads.

The third had decent articles in front and added rifle data that had rifle powders. Like 31141/3031 in 30-30.

The fourth has good articles, and adds tons of data. It keeps most of the 3rds data and adds new bullets and powders. It shows some other makes of bullets like Lee’s 309-150-f in 30-30. It adds titegroup as a reduced rifle powder. It includes most of the calibers of interest other than the very new.

The 4th is the best.

If you’re looking for an exciting addendum, the RCBS cast bullet manual is fun too, but not nearly as useful.

[lesharris]

Some loads are changed from Edition to Edition, by caliber and also by powder and bullet data. I use to compare all editions when looking up new loadings.

[ABJ]

For reloading the 3rd and 4th. The first and second has a lot of neat info and are good historical references but not much modern day reloading info.
Tony

[dverna]

After reading this thread I ordered the #4 Edition to go with my #3.

[Bazoo]

I’m excited at the prospect of a 5th edition. I bet it won’t be long now with the 51st handbook being announced.

[Duckiller]

A few years ago I was at a gun Show and saw a reprinted version of the 2nd edition of Lyman's cast bullet handbook. Bought it and it had lots of good info. Not sure if I ever got a load out of it but it is a very useful manual. Depending on the condition of your 3rd Edition I would be tempted to replace it and get a 2nd and 4th edition of the cast bullet manuals and a 5th edition when it comes out. I just hope they include loads for 25/35 Winchester instead of/ or also 25/20. Got a 1899 Model 94 that I must feed.

[sukivel]

I have been wanting the latest Nosler manual. At the price of manuals on evilbay, I would just buy a new book. I regularly pick up older versions at bookstores or sales I find when I am walkabout, and they are usually cheap.

[Larry Gibson]

My old original CBH #3 from the '80s was coming apart. I simply took it all the way apart separating the pages. Then I 3 hole punched the pages and put into a 3 hole binder. I insert my own load data pages and have it now separated into 2 rifle binders and a handgun binder.

I also have the last edition of CBH #3 and the 1st edition of CBH #4. I consider having both is very worthwhile for the data. The technical knowledge and up front informationin CBH #3 is much better but the data in CBH #4 is better as it has more data on various bullets for many cartridges plus newer tested loads with newer powders.

Both #3 and #4 CBHs are well worth having for the cast bullet aficionado.

[oley55]

I asked about the same question a couple months ago: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?437682-layman-casting-manual-which-edition

I bought the 4th but I am still watching for a 3rd edition hard copy at a reasonable price.

[MT Gianni]

I find one and two to be near duplicates. Three is my most used. Four makes me too sad to think about what could have been. I rate them in order of usefulness 3, 1, 4, and 2.

[Bigmancrisler]

I actually just got my #3 in the mail yesterday. I had the 4th and had been using that. But #3 has a lot more milsurp calibers that I shoot.


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[JonB_in_Glencoe]

3 and 4 are different formats.
It seems those that like 3 are old enough to have read and used 3 for many years and are use to that format, and then of course they tend to not like 4 as much, for that reason.

I started casting when 4 just came out. I really like 4 and think it's the best. I was given 3 a few years later and I do like it, but am not crazy about the format, as I got use to the format of 4. BUT I am happy with 3 and like that the load data has different powders than 4. The publishing date of 3 is old enough to have older powders that while they are no longer made, you do find them at gunshows and estate sales, so that data is valuable.

[trapper9260]

I have all of them and I got the reprints of the 1 &2 that way I have them all so I can compare and go back on them . I started off with the 3rd and still will get the newer ones also. When I have someone ask me what one to get I tell the them the 3rd for you got more to learn from but also tell them to get the new one also. because of the update data .

[gwpercle]

Another good cast manual is the 1986 "RCBS Cast Bullet Manual number 1"
It has data on all of the RCBS designs ... Only problem is the RCBS #1 is hard to find . I use it a lot and for those who don't have one I sure wish a company like Silver Rock would do a affordable re-print like they did on Elmer Keith's 1936 book
"Sixgun Cartridges & Loads " ... that re-print sells for $10.00 on Amazon ... in case anyone wants a copy .
Gary

[SpiderX]

My Lyman cast boolit book is the 3rd edition, and unfortunately is falling apart. I was just going to order a new one but I saw on evilbay that there is a good selection of the older versions. Do any of you have experience with all the versions? Should I just snag a new one or look for a older replacement?

Thanks

Each edition contains some information not found in other books. But the 3rd edition is my favorite, I think it will be appreciated in the future. You can easily download any edition. But I prefer paper books. I recently found a series of several essays with an overview of modern production technologies https://graduateway.com/essay-examples/technology/ (https://graduateway.com/essay-examples/technology/) Modern weapon steels are much better and can withstand heavy loads. I was surprised, but part of the essay was described on the basis of information from the third edition. The fact that modern scholars use this book for me is an important indicator of its quality.

[georgerkahn]

One of my minor, but it's there! -- annoyances with many current loading magazines (the paper ones) -- is their employing components I neither have, nor are available in my area should I have a change in heart! I'm an old fellow, as are most -- if not all -- of my firearms. Hence, after reading this thread -- thus far -- I came to the conclusion that the best printed manual is one which was printed at roughly the same time as the calibres one wishes to (re)load were introduced and/or still popular.
IF one wants/needs loads for even what is NOW not anywhere "new" -- the 10mm Auto or 40 S&W as but one example -- the older manuals are not going to provide any data for them. On the other hand, if, say, you wished data for the .30 Remington (.30-30 Rem), the .38WCF (.38-40) -- or pretty much any/all now considered obsolete rounds -- you WILL need the older manuals.
Hence -- if it were me, I'd write down ALL the different calibres you plan on reloading -- and then find an edition which provides data for all. An added note, too, I just found a published listing for an old calibre I shoot -- BUT, in the accompanying load chart appeared NOT any powder I either have, or is locally available. So, ascertaining the components listed are those readily available for you is, imho, most important, too! (E.g., the "new to me" listing I mentioned employed a powder made in, and imported from the Czech Republic. Huh???)
Decisions....
Good luck!
geo

[rintinglen]

The 4th edition is far inferior to the 3rd when it comes to general casting information, but the data in the 3rd is often obsolete, with powders that haven't been made in years. Then too, if you load the 327 Federal, the 357 Sig, the 40 S&W or any of the 21st century rifle cartridges, you'll get nothing in the 3rd. Even if your cartridge is listed, half the powders aren't made any more, and there is no data for newer powders like Autocomp, Power Pistol, or even more recent ones.

My recommendation is to buy the 4th, download the 3rd and ignore the first and second except for the pictures of older Ideal molds.

[GeniUS]

Go ahead and get the 4th Edition Cast Boolits Handbook ... new boolits by other makers , some new powders and new cartridges .
Keep the 3rd Edition ...you will find lots of info not in #4 that6's necessary .
Mines falling apart also ... I'm keeping it together with Elmers Glue and wide clear packing tape .
I use both a lot ... and cross reference .
Those are the only editions of Cast Bullet Handbook manual I have ... my other Lyman books are the
46th edition and 50th edition Reloading Handbooks .
It's good to keep a few older manuals around but I wouldn't go too far back in time ... so much has changed .
I did buy Elmer Keith's 1936 book "Sixgun Cartridges & Loads" ... a good read with a lot of revelant information but a few powders are long out of production ... reloading data with good old Bullseye , Unique and 2400 are given most often .
The book is a reprint and sells for $10.00 on Amazon ...worth every penny , just be sure and cross check Elmer's loads . He usually list a recommended load ...then the load he uses ...he was into +P+ big time so be careful .
Gary

Elmer Keith's book is really very good. I was surprised when I found out that it is sold at such an affordable price.

[WRideout]

I find that having a broad selection of older manuals is very helpful for those of us who load antique cartridges. In the 3rd edition CBH there aren't any references to SR4759 but they do have some in the fourth edition. I was lucky enough to acquire a pound of the stuff. For the 7.5 Swiss I go to an old Hornady manual that has the general appearance of the Dead Sea Scrolls. You almost can't have too many books if you like to experiment. I still haven't found any book data for the 7.62x38 Nagant pistol.

Wayne

[rintinglen]

Although not as prevalent in the 3rd, 4759 figures prominently in the data for the 222, 223 30-30, 300 Savage, 308, 30-06, 45-70 and a number of others. Yet another of my pet peeves was the abysmal powder choices in the 2nd edition. Pistol and shotgun powders predominate for rifles with 2400 about the slowest powder used, resulting in some very puny loads.