From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners^©

A joint effort by Glen E. Fryxell and Robert L. Applegate

Table of Contents

Glen E. Fryxell

Rob L. Applegate

Acknowledgements

          I am a student of the gun; or perhaps more accurately, I am a student of the bullet. I learn something every time I cast, load or shoot. Such an education clearly did not take place in a vacuum. I have the unwavering support of my lovely wife (who is still the nicest person I have ever met), a couple of great kids, and the most wonderful grandkids in the world (OK, so I’m a little biased!). My parents have always been loving and supportive teachers, who valued education (and paid for much of mine), ensuring that I would have the ability to be a good provider. The resulting career has provided me with the wherewithal (and occasionally enough free time) to pursue those things that have fascinated me since early childhood; guns, hunting, bullet casting and handloading ammunition. Building upon that foundation are the contributions of a multitude of teachers, who have taught me these things, as well as gunsmithing, metallurgy, machine work and the art of integrating all of these disciplines in the pursuit of my own personal vision of ballistic perfection. The list of such teachers is far too long for any sophomoric attempt at completeness, but there are several men that I have been privileged to call friend whose guidance and insights must be acknowledged; Colonel Loveless of Pleasant Acres (College Station, Texas), who taught me marksmanship and ethics as a part of the NRA Junior Marksmanship Program when I was growing up back in central Texas; Dale Harber, who adopted me as a “kid brother” and took me hunting and nurtured my fascination with guns and handloading; Reo Rake, who got me started handloading and taught me the joys of the lead pot; Lyle Eckman, who taught me much, including how to shoot, listen and teach (once again, as a part of the NRA Junior Marksmanship Program); Dave Ewer, who is patiently teaching me the art of gunsmithing, and has helped me rediscover the joy of plinking; and John Taffin, for his guidance, advice and encouragement, for contributing to this book and for being a shining example of what a gentleman and gun-writer should be. Each one of these men is a crack shot, seasoned competitor, knowledgeable handloader and darned fine man. Thank you gentlemen. 

          Lastly, I would like to thank Rob Applegate for being the ideal partner to write this book with. Rob is the kind of man that is met all too rarely these days, unfortunately. He is a hard-working, good Christian man. He is honest and industrious not just because he was taught that was the right way for a man to handle himself, but because he simply cannot operate any other way. It is his fundamental nature. He is a quiet gentleman, usually of few words, but when he speaks I listen, because Rob is a goldmine of knowledge on all things ballistic (among other things). Rob is the kind of friend that you can walk for miles through the mountains with and never say a word, because nothing needs to be said -- the mountains, wildlife, wind and clouds speak volumes, and he hasn’t the rudeness to interrupt. He’s the kind of man that can be caught a mile and a half from the truck in his shirt sleeves in a surprise rainstorm and in conversation during the soggy walk back never once complain about the weather. He’s a giddy little boy who can spend hours out in his shop talking about the vice he made to cut mould blocks with, and while he’s justifiably proud of his gadget, his real joy comes from the fact that his skills have created the ability to build new things, and to build them right. Much of Rob’s life revolves around building things. My Mother taught me many years ago, “Any fool can destroy. It takes a real man to build.” Rob is a real man, a man who builds. He is a meticulous craftsman whose attention to detail is exquisitely apparent from the exceptional quality of his work. His nickname is  “Persnickety”, and for good reason. Rob, we live too far apart. We should get together more often, you and Marilyn are special people. Thanks for everything, my friend.

          This book is a partial summation of these educational gifts, my primary contribution being my fascination with the subject and my unquenched desire to learn (and shoot) more. If the reader finds this book enlightening, educational or in some way of value, it is simply a reflection that I have been blessed with so many good teachers. Any flaws in the presentation are clearly my own.

          Without Glen, this book would most likely have never happened in its completeness of text on the subject of casting bullets for handguns. His education in the sciences put a finality to the quandary about how and why alloys perform (or don't perform), both in the mould and in the bore. Glen is one of a handful of friends I have who looks past my stubbornness and basic anti-social behavior to have many deep discussions about cast bullet use and performance.

          To the men who were responsible for my education and training (my father, Uncle Rex, great-Uncle Gus Perot, etc.), I have said thank you and farewell, for they have all passed from this earth, as I will one day also.

          I have a few of the dearest friends anyone could hope for. To them I owe many thanks, not only for their encouragement for me to keep writing, but in many other things as well. For anyone who learns anything from this book, or who receives much needed help of advice, you can thank my lovely wife Marilyn for sorting out my hand-written scribbling and putting it all into an intelligible type-written manuscript. Without her, none of this would be possible.

          Each and every day, I thank God for the wonderful life I've had and for his Son, Jesus, the Great Forgiver.

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