Reloading manual for hard cast

[tlay]

Does anyone know of a reloading manual that caters more to hard cast? I have an old Lyman that has some hard cast recipes but not many. I have 5 others but they have very little info. on hard cast or lead. Specifically for the 32 cal. guns and also 38 special. Thanks.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Lyman's, "Cast Bullet Handbook", 4th edition is the best I know of and goes beyond the regular reloading manual. Handloader/Rifle has articles also but a lot of their stuff is for big "Buffalo" rifles. How hard are you wanting or is it loading date for cast you need? Ivan

 

[bpev9]

I am new to the forum and am enjoying reading all the posts about Smith and Wesson's. Back in the mid 80's a gentlemen out in Arizona named Veral Smith published a 131 page treatise called "JACKETED PERFORMANCE WITH CAST BULLETS". You could see, if you had the chance to read his publication, that he had done extensive field work on the subject. I think it is probably out of publication so I do not know how one could get the info contained in it. I also believe Mr. Smith passed away several years ago. He also did a lot of experimentation on bullet shape for different uses. Maybe the info is available out there somewhere. I have the book but I think copyright laws would preclude publishing any of it. Thanks again for all the good information.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, the Lyman 4th Edition Cast bullet Handbook and it's predecessor, the 3rd Edition are the best and most comprehensive load manuals for loading lead bullets. The current version for the first time in Ideal/Lyman history also includes load data for cast bullets made with molds from other companies.

If you load using Cast Bullets IMO the Lyman 4th Edition Cast Bullet Handbook is a necessity.

 

[retired_diver]

I agree with the above manual, also.

you can try Cast Bullet Load Data they have load data for cast bullets in various calibers. when you enter the site click on the left side load data in blue, it will get you all their data and you can figure out what you need. Otherwise use the search, but you have to know how they spell or abreviate everything

Or even www.handloads.com they list some lead and alloy.

 

[tlay]

Thanks for the info.

 

[mtgianni]

IME, bhn #'s over 12 are counter productive in the 32 Long, 32 H&R and 38 Special. You may not be able to push hard cast fast enough to obdurate.

 

[358156hp]

Lyman Products Your Primary Source for Reloading Equipment

Available almost anywhere fine reloading supplies are sold.

 

[Alk8944]

I am new to the forum and am enjoying reading all the posts about Smith and Wesson's. Back in the mid 80's a gentlemen out in Arizona named Veral Smith published a 131 page treatise called "JACKETED PERFORMANCE WITH CAST BULLETS". You could see, if you had the chance to read his publication, that he had done extensive field work on the subject. I think it is probably out of publication so I do not know how one could get the info contained in it. I also believe Mr. Smith passed away several years ago. He also did a lot of experimentation on bullet shape for different uses. Maybe the info is available out there somewhere. I have the book but I think copyright laws would preclude publishing any of it. Thanks again for all the good information.

Where do you get your information? Just about everything you said about Veral Smith is 100% wrong!

Veral Smith was the originator of LBT, Lead Bullets Technology, and manufactured LBT bullet moulds. He was located in Northern Idaho. Several years ago he went to federal prison on tax charges but was subsequently released. Several years after he was released LBT was purchased, My understanding is that Veral went with the sale. So far as his passing, the people on "Cast Bullets" may know more, but I have never seen anything on the 'net regarding this. Here is a link to the current LBT web site: Lead Bullets Technology

The company is still located in Moyie Springs, ID, as it has been for at least the past 25 years.

The mentioned book is still available and is an excellent resource, it's $25: http://www.lbtmoulds.com/books.shtml

 

[Alk8944]

Does anyone know of a reloading manual that caters more to hard cast? I have an old Lyman that has some hard cast recipes but not many. I have 5 others but they have very little info. on hard cast or lead. Specifically for the 32 cal. guns and also 38 special. Thanks.

tlay,

Just a bit of clarification as you seem to be confused. While bullets have been cast of several metals and alloys including Zinc and, yes, even Silver, the vast majority of cast bullets are made from various Lead alloys. Even alloys regarded as "hard" are relatively soft compared to jacketed or monolithic bullets, but they are always predominantly Lead.

There is no such thing as "Hardcast" or even "Hard Cast" bullets, they are simply Cast, period. Above you use "hard cast or lead" as though they are two different things.

Lyman publishes its' "Handbook of Cast Bullets" which has data for nothing but Lead bullets. If you do a "Google" search for powder manufacturers you will find that Hodgdon, Alliant, Accurate, Western Powders, and others all have cast bullet loading data. Hodgdon is distributor for Winchester and IMR powders and has their data too. "Beartooth Bullets" also has data on their web site and there is "Load Data" and other on-line resources including "Steves Pages". This is all available on-line at no cost, you simply haven't been looking in the right places. Speer, Sierra and other manufactirers of jacketed bullets only publish data for what they manufacture.

If you can't find what you want from these no one can help you.

 

[Alk8944]

Does anyone know of a reloading manual that caters more to hard cast? I have an old Lyman that has some hard cast recipes but not many. I have 5 others but they have very little info. on hard cast or lead. Specifically for the 32 cal. guns and also 38 special. Thanks.

tlay,

Just a bit of clarification as you seem to be confused. While bullets have been cast of several metals and alloys including Zinc and, yes, even Silver, the vast majority of cast bullets are made from various Lead alloys. Even alloys regarded as "hard" are relatively soft compared to jacketed or monolithic bullets, but they are always predominantly Lead.

There is no such thing as "Hardcast" or even "Hard Cast" bullets, they are simply Cast, period. Above you use "hard cast or lead" as though they are two different things.

Lyman publishes its' "Handbook of Cast Bullets" which has data for nothing but Lead bullets. If you do a "Google" search for powder manufacturers you will find that Hodgdon, Alliant, Accurate, Western Powders, and others all have cast bullet loading data. Hodgdon is distributor for Winchester and IMR powders and has their data too. "Beartooth Bullets" also has data on their web site and there is "Load Data" and other on-line resources including "Steves Pages". This is all available on-line at no cost, you simply haven't been looking in the right places. Speer, Sierra and other manufactirers of jacketed bullets only publish data for what they manufacture.

You say you have an old Lyman manual, but it doesn't have much cast data? That's odd. I have several Lyman manualy dating clear back into the 1950s, and they all have cast data. They list powder type, amount, primer, and specific bullets, several different ones. What do you expect? Even if you aren't using the specific Lyman bullet it doesn't make any difference, simply pick the data for their bullet that is closest to what you have. For standard loads in any .32 or .38 cartridge will be perfectly safe. You won't have any idea what performance you are getting from your gun unless you own a chronograph!

If you can't find what you want from these no one can help you.

 

[tlay]

I have a chronograph and use it on all my reloads. I have just recently started using more lead bullets. Most of the newer manuals don't list many lead bullets. I am even using lead on my 9mm Glock with a wolf barrel. I keep the fps to around 1000 on it. The Lyman manual lists some Linotype bullets but not many.

 

[rwsmith]

Just to clarify.....

The Lyman "Cast Bullet Handbook" is a DIFFERENT book from the 'Lyman Reloading Handbook (49th ed)'.

The 'Cast Bullet Handbook' has ONLY data for lead bullets and is a must have for anyone shooting cast bullets.

The Lyman 49th has data for both jacketed and lead, but the 'Cast Bullet Handbook' has about twice the data for lead than the 'Lyman Reloading Handbook'.

 

[358156hp]

FWIW, "hard cast" technically refers to cast lead bullets hardened by the addition of tin and/or antimony or both. In the old days, lead was hardened by tin alone, and alloys specifically referred to the content of tin to lead by weight. "1-20" would be 1 part (usually 1 lb) tin to 20 (usually 20 lbs) parts of lead, "1-10" would be 1 part of tin to 10 parts of lead. Because 1-10 has twice the tin content, the bullets would be a bit harder. Adding antimony to lead changes the grain structure, and if you add too much antimony, the grain structure gets larger, and the alloy becomes brittle, oftentimes such bullets will break on impact, or even shatter if they hit something hard. I don't fully understand the comment about Lyman only listing a few lino bullets. Some bullet molds are proofed, or designed around lino simply because lino is lino, and there's no two ways about that. S sometimes lino is listed for consistencys sake. Lyman also proofs a large number of bullets in #2 alloy, which I feel is superior to lino in most applications, particularly hunting. It's a bit softer, the antimony content is moderate, and it has plenty of tin to improve castability. The downside? You have to make it yourself or buy it from a foundry. I do suggest you get one of each of Lymans manuals, the "Cast Bullet Handbook", and the "Pistol & Revolver Handbook", and do some heavy reading. They do a great job of explaining alloys, and how to refine your applications.

 

[tlay]

Thanks for the explanations. I will try to find the books.

 

[ChuckS1]

What it sounds like you really want is a cast bullet with a gas check...

 

[Wee Hooker]

Personally, I feel there is 300% more verifiable cast load data on the net than can be found in any five reloading books. In fact nearly all my favorite handgun reloading recipes (all for cast lead) came from the net in one form or another. The thing to remember is to verify sources and/ or cross reference data BEFORE loading.

 

[noylj]

What exactly does the OP think is different about loading hard cast vs. what used to be hard cast vs. what is soft cast? As far as I know, they all load the same. They are all about an order of magnitude softer than copper/gilding metal/brass.
Cast/swage bullets are cast/swaged bullets and all loads are the same. One end or the other may lead the barrel for different reasons, but the loading is the same.

 

[arjay]

What exactly does the OP think is different about loading hard cast vs. what used to be hard cast vs. what is soft cast? As far as I know, they all load the same. They are all about an order of magnitude softer than copper/gilding metal/brass.
Cast/swage bullets are cast/swaged bullets and all loads are the same. One end or the other may lead the barrel for different reasons, but the loading is the same.

Take a look at lead bullet loads in a Hornady or Speer manual and compare them to the loads in a Lyman.

 

[okiersm]

okie newbie would like to see some of your favorite loads for 41 magnum hard cast lead suggestions would be appreciated