Bullet puller for 45acp Lead Flat Nose

[akinswi]

I don't know if its true or not, but I have often heard that Lee does not test data, they just print data from other sources (and apparently) don't do a good job stating where they got the data.

One thing I do know, is that when loading data shows you only one load, the same load for both min and max, its...unusual...

My thoughts exactly, There were other bullets such as a 230 FMJ and it started at 5 grains. We all know lead is easier to push than a jacketed bullet so I knew the load was safe. But it was unusual to stop at the one load.

But it was lights out . Done no more testing lee got that load right.

 

[Marco Califo]

I religiously prefer load data from component makers: Powder and Bullet makers. They publish data for the products they sell. Lee does not. Lyman does not make powders or bullets; they make bullet molds, and stuff.
There is a permanent sticky at the top for official online data sources. I use those sources. Here is a good start:
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
https://www.alliantpowder.com/
https://www.speer.com/reloading/handgun-data.html
I do have Lyman 50, and Lee does provides data that is better than nothing. Both should be safe, but if you are looking for top performance using modern powders and bullets, you will not find that in those two.

I want to emphasize one more thing: If you select a load from Lee, before you use it, compare to the powder manufacturers data. They may or may not over-lap or be close. I would expect manufacturers data to be 15+ years fresher, and there are most likely, newer powders that will work better and get you a much higher velocity range.

 

[Jim Watson]

Much Lyman data is pressure tested, which is hard to find elsewhere for cast bullets. Note that the bullet design, bearing surface and seating depth, affect loads a lot for bullets not far apart in weight.

 

[44 AMP]

Lyman does not make powders or bullets; they make bullet molds, and stuff.
Yeah, it's the "and stuff" where their reputation comes from. No, they don't make bullets, but they make molds so you can make bullets, and they make about everything else in the field of reloading tools and accessories, and have been doing that since they were the Ideal Company in 1884.

They became Lyman in 1925, and have been the established "gold standard" since. I began my reloading with Lyman "stuff', press, dies, scale, manual, and so on.

I've never found bad anything with Lyman's name connected with it.

Lyman, I trust, implicitly. Lee...not so much...

 

[zeke]

Good excuse for getting large frame Ruger BH with 45 acp cylinder.

 

[Marco Califo]

Lyman does not make powders or bullets; they make bullet molds, and stuff.Yeah, it's the "and stuff" where their reputation comes from.

True, and I started with, purchase new and recent Lyman products, and use many of there products, but you missed my point:
They are not the best source for Load Data. I get that from the Powder and Bullet makers.
OP is talking about cast bullets, and that area is Lyman's Forte.

 

[FITASC]

IF you go with the hammer style (one company makes them for everyone) put a yellow foam ear plug in the bottom to cushion bullets. I have been able to reuse Sierra SP rifle bullets that way

 

[44 AMP]

They are not the best source for Load Data. I get that from the Powder and Bullet makers.

That's your opinion, and I won't argue with it. I happen to think Lyman is a good source for data, PARTICULARLY because it is less bullet specific.

Lyman does tell you what bullets (and cases and primers) they use in testing. And often they used more than just one brand of bullet. Bullet makers manuals only give you data for their bullets. Powdermakers only for the powders they make.

Lyman gives you data using several different bullets and powders from different manufacturers. Is that the best source of data? perhaps not, depending on your opinion, but I think its a valid and useful source.

I have manuals from Speer, Hornady, Sierra, and others. Have some of the powder companies data manuals as well. They're all useful sources, IF you're using the components they list.

Lyman has been my first (and most often) "go to" book for 50 years, don't think I'll be changing that anytime soon...

No loading data is holy writ, carved in stone, handed down from on high to be considered dogma. The data is guidelines, usually very good ones, but what they got, and what you get CAN be different.