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Thread: "New to me " reloading manuals!

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    Question "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!
    IT IS A FINE AND PLEASANT MADNESS !

  2. #2
    Boolit Master

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    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
    Scott

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  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master

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    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.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

    BigAlofPa.'s Avatar
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    Blue dot banned?
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

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    "New to me " reloading manuals!

    Quote Originally Posted by BigAlofPa. View Post
    Blue dot banned?
    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.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

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    Ok thank you. I use it in 10mm when i want to crank up the velocity . I was hoping it's not banned.
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master

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

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    BigAlofPa.'s Avatar
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    Thanks for the tip. I have longshot on hand too.
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  9. #9
    Boolit Mold
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    I use Blue Dot in 10MM and 41 Magnum its listed in newer manuals and works fine!

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master Bazoo's Avatar
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    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.

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    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!

  12. #12
    Boolit Master


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

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

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