"New to me " reloading manuals!

Like many others, I have figured the newer editions of reloading manuals will have "newer, more correct" information, until I discovered that generally, some newer information was added, and some useful data has been eliminated, while most remained the same.
I am looking for 2 manuals, one that is comprehensive for cast bullets, and the other for all types of bullets/loads, using some of the "vintage" powders, like Herco and 800-X or the the banned powder, Blue Dot, which I used and liked.
At this point, I have had the RCBS cast bullet handbook, which I didn't find really helpful, and Lyman #49.
I am thinking to avoid the "Thermonuclear" Speer #8, but possibly#10 or 11 may have the range of loads/cartridges I am interested in. Also, I am wondering if Lyman #44 or 45 might have a greater range of information on the "older" powders and bullets. So far, I only have one reference to cast Wadcutters, which looks a bit stout to me.

Any suggestions will be appreciated!
Thanx!:cool:

Lyman has four Cast books published.
1958 #1, 1973 #2 198?#3 20?? #4

I have Speer #1 - #13

I have a couple of the older Lyman in PDF if your email can handle to large size.

PM me if you want them emailed ...
Scott

There are a lot of old Alliant/Hercules manuals available online in .pdf format. I know I have them back into the eighties. If you’re looking for a particular powder you want the manufacturer’s manual.

For a lot of cast data the Lee manual is what you want. It’s generic unlike the Lyman manual. But if you’re not using the Lyman molds the data is generic anyway. You can find Lyman #3 in .pdf as well as the first version of Lee’s manual.

Blue dot banned?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigAlofPa.

Blue dot banned?

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It’s not banned. It’s not supposed to be used in 357 Magnum w/ 125 grain bullets. It’s not to be used at all in 41 Magnum. Alliant put out a warning about this years ago.

Ok thank you. I use it in 10mm when i want to crank up the velocity . I was hoping it's not banned.

Switch to Longshot or 800-X if you want top performance. Upside is they’re not as flashy.

Thanks for the tip. I have longshot on hand too.

I use Blue Dot in 10MM and 41 Magnum its listed in newer manuals and works fine!

Personally, I find the two most useful older manuals to be the Lyman 46 and 47. The data is new enough to be relavent, but it also includes older powders. The front section is very informative as well, with some historical stuff.

BlueDot's GONRA's standard powder for .44 Mag, .44 Auto Mag and .45 Win. Mag.
I KNOW - supposed to use 296 but I like Blue Dot!

The Lyman cast bullet handbook is invaluable if you shoot lead....