Cast bullet books

[RyanJames170]

What are some of the best books to have for cast bullets?

[THE_ANTIDOTE]

All of them.

[Joe504]

From Ingot to Target, Free online as a PDF
Any of the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbooks


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[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Cast Bullets
by E. H. Harrison
this is a NRA publication.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

RCBS has a cast bullet manual.

[rintinglen]

In the past, I recommended Lyman's 3rd Edition Cast bullet Handbook over everything, but so many of the powders listed are no longer available, I grudgingly say get the 4th edition. Especially, given that the 3rd edition is available on line as a free download, buy the newer one, download the older one have both! Another that I like is the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual, although somewhat dated, if you have RCBS molds or clones thereof, you have tested data available. The one thing I don't like is that they did not include OAL info, assuming that people would use the crimp groove as St. Elmer intended. This can be a problem in some uses. One other book, if you can find it, is Phil Sharpe's Complete Guide to Handloading. Most of the load data is as obsolete as David's Sling, but there is a ton of info on manufacturers and practices from the 1930's that still have relevance.

Online, look to Hodgdon for data for many, modern propellants, but take their velocity info with a large pile of salt, at least for handguns. Most of us aren't shooting TC Contenders, so the data from 7.7 and 10 inch universal receiver barrels can be very deceiving. Alliant also has cast data available, primarily in their Cowboy data info.

+1 on "From ingot to Target." That was a sticky here and has a ton of information on all manner of cast related topics.

[gwpercle]

Another book I have found useful is the reprint of Elmer Keith's 1936 book
" Sixgun Cartridges & Loads " the reprint is available on Amazon ... published in 2016 by Silver Rock Publishing . Amazon shows a paper back for $12 and Hard cover for $25 ... I got the Hard Cover .
Lots of good info and history on casting boolits and alloy to use ...
The loading data is old but contains info on Unoque Bullseye and 2400 powder loadings that I found helpful .
Read first hand what Elmer "realy " said about things !
The photo's are pretty awesome to boot !
Gary

[405grain]

Just my humble opinion but I think we're ready for the "5th Edition, Lyman Cast Bullet handbook". There are several newer cartridges like 350 Legend, 300 Blackout, and 450 Bushmaster (plus more) that weren't around when the 4th edition was published. Some of the powders in the 4th edition aren't made anymore, and some other useful or newer powders aren't listed. Cast loads for many popular wildcats aren't well represented in the 4th edition (I'd like to see cast data for the 7mm TCU, but then - everybody wants to see data for whatever wildcat they're loading for). Also, some cartridges listed in the 4th edition have a limited bullet selection. In example, the 7.62x39 is only represented by four bullet weights, topping out at 160 grains. There are lots of people that would like to see cast load data for heavier bullets in this caliber, like 180 grain or even 200 grain. Cast load date using Leverevolution in cartridges that can utilize it would be welcome. All of the cast bullet reloading manuals that we already have are very useful, but they're starting to get long of tooth. I think it's time that a newer cast bullet manual could find an eager market.

[RyanJames170]

Just my humble opinion but I think we're ready for the "5th Edition, Lyman Cast Bullet handbook". There are several newer cartridges like 350 Legend, 300 Blackout, and 450 Bushmaster (plus more) that weren't around when the 4th edition was published. Some of the powders in the 4th edition aren't made anymore, and some other useful or newer powders aren't listed. Cast loads for many popular wildcats aren't well represented in the 4th edition (I'd like to see cast data for the 7mm TCU, but then - everybody wants to see data for whatever wildcat they're loading for). Also, some cartridges listed in the 4th edition have a limited bullet selection. In example, the 7.62x39 is only represented by four bullet weights, topping out at 160 grains. There are lots of people that would like to see cast load data for heavier bullets in this caliber, like 180 grain or even 200 grain. Cast load date using Leverevolution in cartridges that can utilize it would be welcome. All of the cast bullet reloading manuals that we already have are very useful, but they're starting to get long of tooth. I think it's time that a newer cast bullet manual could find an eager market.

I will agree with you there, they also need to bring back “pistol powders” in there rifke load data red dot is not out of production and there are also plenty of new powders there missing in there that would also be very good choices, I bring up pistol powders because with the price per pound of powder there a good way to lower the cost per shot,

[Outpost75]

Join the CBA and buy a set of CD archives of The Fouling Shot.

[Shawlerbrook]

Are there websites that offer more updated information than the printed manuals mentioned above ?

[405grain]

Outpost75: Really getting off topic, but; I just checked out the CBA website. It looks great, and I'd like to join, but there's a problem. I had intended to join a couple of years ago, but i didn't. Going over there just now reminded me why I didn't join. All of the transactions have to be in PayPal. Even credit card transactions need to be through PayPal. I don't do PayPal. I especially don't do credit card transactions through PayPal because the one and only time that I did, the credit card company considered it a "cash advance" and billed me at the highest possible rate. If there were some other options besides PayPal then I would gladly join.

[Outpost75]

You can mail a personal check with paper copy application printed from back cover of The Fouling Shot.

[alamogunr]

Anytime I see a thread about books, I click immediately. This thread only confirmed what I found out by getting every one recommended plus some others not mentioned.

When I was still working, I printed out several books(?) that I then comb bound. Most of these, while not solely about cast bullets, have a lot of interesting information about cast. For instance, Paco Kelly's books about lever rifles. Just don't try his loads without working up. Thank goodness someone else gave me that advice.

[Wolfdog91]

Lyman 3rd , toss the Lyman 4th in the trash,

[waksupi]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Veral Smith's book.

[SSGOldfart]

this site,as it will lead you to everything about casting and most things about shooting/reloading.[smilie=1:

[30calflash]

All of the above plus Wolfe publishing had a hardbound cast bullet book, mostly excerpts from Handloader magazine back in the day.

[hermans]

Cast Bullets
by E. H. Harrison
this is a NRA publication.

This is a very good publicationin my humble opinion. Got mine from the old gentleman who taught me to cast.......he said that this book is all I would ever need.

[foesgth]

Cast Bullets by Col. E.H. Harris is on the internet archive.

https://archive.org/details/225468029-cast-bullets-by-col-e-h-harrison-nra-1979

[DxF]

All of the above plus Wolfe publishing had a hardbound cast bullet book, mostly excerpts from Handloader magazine back in the day.

https://www.alibris.com/The-Art-of-Bullet-Casting-Collection/book/-187935675?matches=1

There's also a DVD on Amazon for $25.

[nicholst55]

Lyman 3rd , toss the Lyman 4th in the trash,

Agreed. I wanted to ask for a refund after I bought the 4th edition. What a disappointment! I'm really glad that I have the 2d and 3rd editions!

[danmat]

Number 1 gota have is Lyman #2, mainstay for all the older cast bullet powders rifle and pistol that most on here still rely on.

[Scrounge]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Veral Smith's book.

https://lbtmolds.com/products/jacketed-performance-cast-bullets/

There's a pop-up that says their machine shop burned, but I don't have a clue how recent that was. IIRC, there was going to be a 4th edition of his book, but I didn't see it mentioned in a quick look at the website.

[Bronco72]

+1 for Veral's book!
I found it the most informative of the other casting books I have read.
From what I read his shop burnt down December 24th, 2022 and he will no longer be making molds! When he can he will start selling his book and bullet lube. On February 29, 2024, Veral had a major stroke. And this was not the kind that stems from a blood clot, but a was a brain bleed that caused extensive damage to the right side of his brain. Keep checking his web site for updates.
https://lbtmolds.com/