Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook

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  • Last Post 31 May 2011
CB posted this 29 August 2009

Yesterday I purchased a Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd edition. I believe I also have the original and 2nd edition. The original Handbook of Cast Bullets I know was published in 1958. The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook not sure but I puchased it in the early 80's the manual has no published date that I can find. Anybody have a clue of the 2nd publishing date I would appreciate the info.

As most you with pre 2009 manuals know Cast info was a part of allot of manuals. The Lyman 47th Reloading Handbook is excellent  first published in 1992. Any new shooter if they can absorb what is in the 47th is far on his way to a good cast career. My favorite the one I grew up on in addition to the Hand Book of Cast Bullets is the Lyman Reloading Handbook 45 published in 1970. Cast loads as well as jacketed are well covered as in most Lyman Manuals.  I have the Ideal Hand Book back to number 36. The 1958 Hand Book for Lyman seperated Cast from Jacketed in a seperate manual. But every Lyman Manual since includes both. The seperate Cast manuals have been a handy addition.

Stephen Perry

Angerles BR:fire

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RicinYakima posted this 29 August 2009

The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook was printed at least three times. The first was spirel bound, 1972, as were the older Lyman books. The second was paperback, printed in 1974, at 1/2 the cost of the printing. Last printing was about 1977, paperbacked, and had plastic coatings on cover pages. This was at the at the height of the post-WWII revival of cast bullet shooting. Some data was reshot for the 3rd Edition of 1980. It has not been updated since. HTH, Ric

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CB posted this 29 August 2009

Ric

The spiral bound one is the one I have. I also have the same in bound cover. I bought my spiral bound in about 79/80. Yesterday I bought the 3rd edition 12th printing December 2008. The bound one I'll have to look I got it from the same guy that is going to sell me the 03A3 barrels. Thanks for the time line Ric.

Stephen Perry

Angeles BR:fire

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JeffinNZ posted this 29 August 2009

The Lyman handbook is a good fundation tool but I would argue I have learned as much from forums like this one and those willing to share their knowledge.

Cheers from New Zealand

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JetMech posted this 31 August 2009

That's a true statement, Jeff. On the other hand, I would argue that too many times (especially on other forums) guys ask some rather ignorant questions that show they have never cracked a book on the subject, in particular, basic handloading and casting techniques. There's no disputing, on my part, that I've learned more here than I did in 20+ years of casting, experimenting, and shooting on my own, with just the Lyman, and other books on the subject. But the Lyman manual gave me the basis to successfully cast bullets that have been proven on target and in the field.

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loco posted this 13 May 2010

Check out MidwayUSA ,they have a Lyman 4th ed. cast bullet coming soon.

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jppr26 posted this 13 May 2010

thats right i sent a request for it to lyman and they said that it wouldn't be till late this summer

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CB posted this 14 May 2010

My Lyman 3rd Edtion casting hand book is coming apart from being opened tomuch and so is the 48th edtion of the Reloading Handbook. Mine get a lot of use and for me is a great reference. But they wear out. So I keep the pieces together, I may take my 47th Edition over to a copy place and have them drill holes for a 3 hole ring binder, then shave the spine off.

Jerry

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Dale53 posted this 14 May 2010

I cannot imagine being without the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (3rd Edition). It has thousands of cast bullet loads for many, many cartridges. It is a great reference manual and will be useful nearly forever. I have no idea of the content of the upcoming 4th Edition but I have pre-ordered it.

I would NOT wait until the 4th Edition comes out. Get the 3rd Edition and use it NOW and then you can get the 4th Edition later.

FWIW Dale53

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Coydog posted this 14 May 2010

When I started to cast and reload I use the lyman 47th and 3rd cast manual . I did not have the internet when I started. I learn alot by it. But I also learn alot from this and orther sites of some stuff I am not sure of. What I like to know if anyone got the 49th manual and dose it have any data on 327 Fed mag? Just wondering.

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CB posted this 14 May 2010

My copy of the 49th doesn't have anything about the 327 Mag in it.

Jerry

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Coydog posted this 15 May 2010

Thank you Jerry

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billglaze posted this 29 April 2011

I have the new 4th edition of the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. Venturino kind of takes over the text, with several articles, some by other folks, all highly qualified, IMHO. Lots of information, something in there for everybody, and interesting to compare with the last (#3) Manual. Many of the loads have appeared in the past, but there are some new ones with current powders. Also,an interesting article by a Dr. Block wherein he says that tempering lead (age hardening) does no lasting good, lasting only hours to--well, a short time, if at all. Inasmuch as I was having little or no luck with cast bullets until, years ago, I got the LBT book about shooting cast bullets; things quickly improved when I was able to temper the bullets. I'm looking for opinions here; not laboratory tests, but at-the-range shooting results. Anybody?

In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is. My fate is not entirely in Gods hands, if I have a weapon in mine.

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dave22250 posted this 10 May 2011

I have one that is plastic coated cover does'nt say what edition but made in 1973 in mint condition and its been used abit,but have'nt been shooting cast since the 70s just getting but into,but not csting my own yet.

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Clod Hopper posted this 10 May 2011

I would caution those using the Lyman 45th handloading manual. I have found the 9mm Red Dot loads are too hot! Some of the .30-40 Krag loads exceed Kenneth Waters loads in a Ruger No. 1! I won't use the starting loads from the 45th Lyman in my Krag.
Also, I believe some of the most popular powders have changed since then. I would compare any load in that manual to the latest data from the powder manufacturer's website. And remember, all their data was with every bullet made of Lyman No, 2 and resized to .001 over the bore diameter, without measuring the throat. We have learned a lot since then.

Dale M. Lock

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JetMech posted this 11 May 2011

dave22250 wrote: I have one that is plastic coated cover does'nt say what edition but made in 1973 in mint condition and its been used abit,but have'nt been shooting cast since the 70s just getting but into,but not csting my own yet.

Welcome, Dave.:wcome:

There's lots of information here, just use the search function. Check out the match results to see what basic elements (components) folks are using to get great accuracy, and read some of the old threads. there are little tidbits of information from folks who really know how to obtain consistant CB performance in just about any firearm/load/performance level you want. Ask questions, watch for molds and equipment for sale. Most guys, if they're getting rid of equipment, usually offer it here first and reasonable (read:Not evilbay) prices.

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jaguarxk120 posted this 30 May 2011

In my edition of the Handbook of Cast Bullets there is a ad to buy the Lyman loading handbook. The picture shows the 41st edition book. My 43rd edition of the Lyman handbook is copywrited 1964. I would say the 1st edition of the Cast Bullet Handbook came out before 1964.

That 1st edition is one of my most used book on the shelf as I'm always researching a bullet type or looking for a load.

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RicinYakima posted this 30 May 2011

The 1st edition came out in 1957, at the same time as the 39th reloading manual. They are the classic and bring a fair amount of money in nice condtition.

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linoww posted this 31 May 2011

the two 1st Ed's i have are marked 1958.Both are plain worn out from use and classics as Ric said.There are a couple of entries by Jack Floyd from BC Canada in there.He still shoots CBA matches in Spokane and wins.

George

"if it was easy we'd let women do it" don't tell my wife I said that!

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