Do I Need a New Book?

[almrl]

I am new to the forum so I have been going through the old posts for info, reviews, opinions, etc that I've missed.

I've noted significant differences in loading data between what has been posted and my 1975 edition of the "Lyman Black Powder Handbook."

Has more modern research/testing been done so that I need a new book?

Old Coot

 

[Le Grand]

Old Coot, I still refer to my old Lyman 1975 book too but that must be done with certain realizations. For one thing, the powders mentioned and used for the 1975 book aren't made anymore. Curtis & Harvey (C&H) powder is long gone and the GOEX they used then was the Pennsylvania powder while the GOEX of today is the Louisiana powder. The two GOEX's are not exactly the same. Lyman did bring out another book on black powder but I don't remember when it was published. At best that newer Lyman book, by now, is incomplete because I don't think the Swiss powder is included or the other imported powders either. You can, of course, continue to use your old Lyman book for the GOEX loads and consider that as a rather general guideline. For specific loads and performances, you really must depend on your own guns and experiences in addition to the data that is shared in chat groups like this by other shooters. Le Grand

 

[almrl]

Thanks a lot.

I was mainly concerned with safety.

Besides for a .50 PRB they were loading a .498 ball with a .015 patch in a .503 bore, .526 groove barrel. I doubt if I will ever load that tightly.

So I will consider their data as ballpark figures.

Thanks Again,

Old Coot