Whenever I find myself approaching something I am not familiar with, which happens more often then I’d like to admit, I try to locate some sources of good basic information that will help me to become familiar with the subject at hand. Lyman’s Black Powder Handbook was the first generalist book I purchased when I wanted to spend some time experimenting with black powder muzzle loading firearms. I’ve subsequently picked up other volumes on the subject, but I think the Lyman book has held up as one of the better selections.
The black powder handbook provided an expanded glossary of terms; from the descriptions, photos and illustrations it was pretty easy to develop and understanding of the various types of black powder and synthetic propellants, as well as their specific application. I figured out which peg on a ball starter is used at what sequence of loading, and I was able to make an appropriate selection of projectile and various charge levels.
When I got to the point of spending actual range time, I employed many of the techniques the book offered for improving or maintaining accuracy, and I felt safe in the loading and shooting procedures I followed from the book’s various guides. I had no misfires, decent group sizes and I was able to manage point of impact, based on charge, with minimal experimentation. It was nice to be observed by range officials as a person who had a handle on the situation, rather than a newbie who was fumbling to find a ram rod, or who brought unsafe amounts of powder to the shooting bench. It’s nice not to hear shrill whistle blowing in your ear, or see people next to you hit the deck out of fear of something you’ve done wrong. Best of all, no short starts, and subsequent self disassembling firearms. The Lyman book provided enough information to make range day an easy deal.
There are probably a few things lacking from the manual that make it less than perfect. The rifle I was working with, a .45 caliber bore inline, was rated for magnum charges. The Lyman load data section doesn’t extend this far. While the data does cover various Pyrodex granulated powder charges, it did not cover the 50 grain pellets I shot. The book release was recent, 2001, so of course Hodgdon’s Triple 7 wasn’t covered. Some of the information may be superfluous; casting round balls and conicals for muzzle loaders and six guns does really require more than 6 pages of coverage to be useful, but it did provide good background.
There were areas that stood out and were particularly helpful. I know I found myself shaking my head and saying, “I didn’t know that”, when I was going through the section titled “Black Powder Fact and Fancy”. “Muzzle Loader Propellants” was a perfect summary that made short work out of explaining what was used when, and under what conditions. “Black Powder Shooting The Safe Way” made it to a photocopied check list that went into my shooting box for the fist shooting day out. All and all, I think Lyman’s Black Powder Handbook is a very valuable source of information, and one I am sure I will continue to reference for some time to come. Lyman has always been a good resource for the average shooter, and this book is just another example.
Thanks
Joe
| Book Info & Summary: | |||
 Retail Price: |
$19.95 | Author: |
Sam Fadala |
| Publisher: |
Lyman | Publish Date: |
2001 |
| Format: |
Paperback 336pp | Available: |
Lyman |
| Quality of information (1-5): |
5 | Quality of Presentation (1-5): |
3 |
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