Who has the best lead bullet casting book out there?

[RaymondMillbrae]

Hey folks,

I am also on the search for the best bullet casting reference book out there.

I was looking at the LYMAN CAST BULLET HANDBOOK (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=796528), but a few folks said that it was copyrighted in the 1980's and has had about 10 revisions. On top of that, some of the powders and molds are not being sold any longer.

For shotshell reloading, there is the Lyman "Shotshell Reloading Handbook". For basic reloading, there is "The ABC's of Reloading". So what about for cast lead bullets? Is there a "book of books" for lead bullet casting that is recognized in our camps as the industry standard?

Thanks.

In Christ: Raymond

[Suo Gan]

Get the Lyman Handbook. Most of the data is outdated, but the practices of the trade are there in a linear fashion. I bought all three editions. I have heard rumors a fourth is coming out soon. The regular Lyman Handbook is a good tool and reference as well.

Here are some more:

Buy this cd! It is worth every penny, and contains some hard to find and expensive books if you can even find them. http://www.riflemagazine.com/catalog/detail.cfm?ProductID=809

Buy this one too!! http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/CB-BOOK/

Many like this one. I think it will be looked at as one of the best in 30 years, but requires some noggin time. http://www.lbtmoulds.com/books.shtml

I like this one a lot, buy it in good faith, realizing that they do spend much time praising their own bullets and designs though. Some say there is overlap betwixt this one and Verals, A little maybe, but not a reprint that's for sure. http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/book.htm

Don't forget that Lyman produces a little casting booklet, that it sends complimentary with sizers and such...contains some pretty good info.

Don't forget Dick Lee, Phil Sharpe, Earl Naramore, Charles Landis, and Elmer Kieth either.

And if you have a rich uncle have him spring for a copy of Col. Harrison's articles in the NRA published "Cast Bullets." It has a supplement. Together they will run ya about $100-$200 though!!!

The Cast Bullet Association, and its bi monthly pub, "The Fouling Shot" is quite good. Get the "Speaking Frankly" cd from them too.

And last but not least this site (and its archive ) and castpics will keep ya readin for at least a year and a half straight :-o But its all good!

Good Shootin!

[cbrick]

The Lyman book you referenced is the third edition, in about 4 months the Lyman 4th edition will be out. It's supposed to be all new and expanded.

http://www.lasc.us/SHOT2010_files/image011.jpg

The NRA book is great but the NRA refuses to do a reprint, see them on fleabay sometimes.

Wolfe Publishing has a few good books, out of print but available on CD and DVD @ Wolfe Publishing (http://www.riflemagazine.com/home/index.cfm?CFID=11037394&CFTOKEN=86912997)

RCBS had a basic casting book for beginners a few years ago but haven't seen anything of it in some time.

Glen E. Fryxell is supposed to be coming out with a cast boolit book but it's not yet published.
The most complete index of Glen E. Fryxell articles on the internet. (http://www.lasc.us/ArticlesFryxell.htm)

There's this Cast Bullets For Beginner And Expert (http://www.lasc.us/IndexBrennan.htm)

The single best source of info on any aspect of cast bullets is this forum. Literally thousands of years collectively of experience right here and no shortage of folks willing to share the knowledge.

Rick

[dromia]

Yep got recommend Joe Brennans Cast Bullets for Beginner and Expert. Its the best compilation of current data around, other than on these fine forums. Many of its contributors are members here and best of all its a free download.

Looking forward to the new Lyman book, that should be interesting in a number of ways. Lyman used to be the font of casting knowledge and supplier of kit. There manufacturing side has lost its way someahat over the past few years it will be interesting to see how up to date the new book is.

The RCBS book is worth geting a hold of second hand if you can, it deals well with heat treating.

Glen Fryxels articles are a good source too.

[anachronism]

Are you looking for reloading data, or a "how to cast" book? LBTs "Jacketed Performance with Cast Bullets" really delves deeply with the science of cast bullets. Beartooths cast bullet manual is great for getting oriented to cast bullets & covers much of the same material as the LBT manual, but in an easier to digest format. Verals (LBT) book is a little tough to follow in spots. Neither of these two books include any reloading data. Lyman handgun reloading manual has a lot of usable reloading data for both cast & jacketed bullets. Lymans "Cast Bullet Handbook" covers everything, and is probably the one to buy if you can only afford one manual to start with. RCBS' Cast Bullet Manual" is pretty good, but badly outdated. I keep all of these books on hand, both the current & past editions. For data only, Ken Waters "Pet Loads" belong on every bookshelf, but it's the most expensive of the lot.

[JeffinNZ]

You are reading the best source of casting info I have found to date. This site and the CBA forum.

[RaymondMillbrae]

I agree.

But don't forget LASC (http://www.lasc.us/)...or CASTPICS (http://www.castpics.net/)!

In Christ: Raymond

[wheelgunner]

The earlier editions of the ABC'S of Reloading that were written by Dean Grennel (RIP Dean) have some really good info on bullet casting in addition to all the great info on reloading in general. Dean had a way of keeping it interesting with his writing style and stories related to the subject. Try fleabay for these editions.

[Shiloh]

You are reading the best source of casting info I have found to date. This site and the CBA forum.

Amen!! Jeff!!

Shilloh

[462]

Raymand,
I think that Lyman's book is the best and await their 4th edition.

The RCBS book (originals and re-prints can still be found on ebay, but buyer beware!) has some worthwhile information that Lyman's book doesn't cover. Quite skimpy on load data, though.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Thanks, guys.

I think I will wait for the newest edition of the LYMAN CAST BULLET HANDBOOK.

June is around the corner as we talk, so the wait time is not that bad - especially for a great reference book.

I figure if I need additional information, that it can be gotten from all the excellent website references available. (I really only needed one book, as I like to PHYSICALLY have something in my hands, instead of zoning on the internet for hours on end.).

Thanks again!!

In Christ: Raymond

[runfiverun]

lymans 3rd edition is 30 years old now and is still by far the best read you may need to read it a few times to get the jist of it.
richard lee's self promoting book has some good tidbits too.
iv'e read and have the rcbs book and it deals with heat treating much better than the others.
i am awaiting the new lyman book eagerly,and dearly hope they don't let us down with their data.
and deal fairly with their higher velocity loads.
this sight is by far and away the very best information available about cast.
the opinions generally are backed up by b.t.d.t not theory.

[Bret4207]

The best thing you can do is get a variety of books. My casting info runs from the late 1890's to present day. You'll find tidbits all through the material that helps. More importantly you'll soon figure out this is the golden age of casting and that nothing we discover is new, it's all been done before to one degree of another.

[Lloyd Smale]

I agree that theres more accumulated knowlege here then anywhere on earth. If you want a book id have to recomend verals. I dont like the man personaly and dont agree with all of his theroys as a good number of them in my opinion that are there to sell his own stuff. But the technical parts of his book are accurate.

[Char-Gar]

I vote for the Lyman and think Joe's book is anothe first rate resource.

[1Shirt]

If you have to have only one source, go with the most current lyman!
1Shirt:coffee:

[Slow Elk 45/70]

Yup, the Lyman has a lot of info, good starting point, the RCBS Cast Bullet hand book is not hard to find...BUT if you want the best up to date info...go to the Classics & Stickies here on this site and also the LASC site at the bottom of the page...Good luck :cbpour: :redneck:

[Casting Timmy]

Like another suggested it's good to draw from here and as many books you can get a hold of. I wish there was a gun library that you could check some of these books out from.