Sharpe's 1937 Complete Guide to Handloading

I found this doing other research. I did a search here and found where lots of folks reference the manul, after after searching the first 15 hits, I found none that had the free online pdf source for it. So I thought some of you folks might appreciate the link.

I don't reload, but found that the 500 or so pages had lots of neat information. It has a lot of period handloading data, ballistic testing, gun performance, etc. Cool.

It is about 100 megs and I haven't found out how to download it, but you can read everything. So if you don't own a copy, you can read this one and see if you want to track down a hard copy. You could print this one, but with so many pages, buying a copy from Amazon might be a better alternative.
http://photos.imageevent.com/badgerdog/generalstorage/pdfpublications/complete_guide_to_handloading%20-%20sharpe%20-%201937.pdf

Spy,
Philip Sharpe was a remarkable man. If you have ever heard of the 7mm S&H, then you've heard of him. S stood Sharpe, H stood for Hart. Mr Sharpe was one of the first advocates of higher velocity, hand loading and the 7mm as the best caliber for hunting. During WW II he was in the Ordnance Department of the Army. His books were highly sought when I was first getting into reloading. :)
Thank you for the reference to books site.

No sir, I do not know much about him, but like I said, I found the above pdf quite interesting. I don't know that he was ahead of his time or not, but the publication sure seems to be.

I bought the manual at a gunshow a few months ago for $50 (there was a signed version for $75). it is a very good read.

I have seen Mr. Sharpe's signed books in good condition going for 100.00. You gentlemen are correct that it's an excellent read. I've had a copy for over 40 years. :)

From an historical perspective it's a good read, especially his part in the development of the .357 Magnum revolver cartridge.

However do not use his loading data as published! Pressure recording equipment and powers have changed over time.

Sharpe wasn't "ahead of his time" but he was the foremost reloading authority of his time and we haven't had his equal since his time. He did the last revision of his Handbook in '49.

We stand on the shoulders of giants from the first half of the last century; Sharpe, Whelen, Nonte, Narramore, Keith, Ackley, Walker, Donnelson, Pope, Page, Powley and others I can't pull off the top of my head at the moment figgered out more about ballistics, firearms and reloading than any group since. They did it with very little instrumentation and no computers; meaning brain power is more helpful than "modern" tools. Even John Nosler's much vaunted partition bullets were not new from him, they were basically copy's of RWS' "H mantel" bullets of the 30's.

Just don't rely too much on the data.

It all was developed before pressure testing was something much done.
And there is some stuff in there using larger capacity ballon-head cases which are no longer made.

rc

Thank You for the link. You saved me a bunch of money.

Isn't this book still copyrighted material???

rc

Sharpe's book as well as many others are available for download on Steve's Pages (http://stevespages.com/page7d.htm).

Seedtick

:)

Isn't this book still copyrighted material???
Appears to be moved to public domain or for public distribution.

Sharpe's book as well as many others are available for download on Steve's Pages.

Seedtick

Cool! I figured there would be a better source, but had not figured one to be that much better! More reading for me...

"Just don't rely too much on the data."

That's true, should have mentioned it. Not that much of the powders in use then are still available so the value of Sharpe's book is mostly historical and technical, it's not a good reloading reference.

I lost a copy in the fire, great history.
There were so many things in those days that had to be considered.
Lots of balloon head brass in circulation that you had to use because that was what there was.
Primers made a lot more difference back then, corrosive or non, rounded or flat.
A chronograph was an expensive lab instrument instead of a consumer product.

There is a lot of fascinating information in this book, everything from state of the art reloading presses of the day (Jordan, Hollywood, Estman) to the manufacture of smokeless powder and primers. When I was first getting into reloading I found a copy at a gun show. I spent many evenings poring over the pages and wishing I could have had a conversation with the man. He had a way of explaining things in a straightforward fashion that was easy to follow (for me at least).

Some may disagree but I consider Phil Sharpe to be the father of reloading. I have read his book many times over the years.
Philip died at the relative young age of 57 from a heart attack.

SHARPE, PHILIP BURDETTE
CAPT 9392 TECH SVC UNIT ORD MAINT MDDIFT DET ABERDEEN PRO
DATE OF BIRTH: 05/16/1903
DATE OF DEATH: 01/24/1961
BURIED AT: SECTION 3 SITE 2417-C
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

I’m not all that enthusiastic about Sharpe’s book. Had it, read it, and sold it. Some have indicated that it is a great reference source arguably an opinion I don’t share.:uhoh::)

I’m not all that enthusiastic about Sharpe’s book. Had it, read it, and sold it. Some have indicated that it is a great reference source arguably an opinion I don’t share.

There is nothing wrong with disliking the work, but if you feel so strongly that you felt the need to tell us of your emotional angst for this work, surely you have some sort of actual justification as to why, right?

emotional angst for this work
While I didn’t think I was suffering the symptoms of anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity. If it’ll make you feel more secure it’s a wonderful book and you have spent your money wisely and should become all knowing on the subject. We’ll just have to agree to disagree on the subject book’s merit and maintain civility.:)

Usually when folks post such emotional proclamations, they have some sort of justication to state why they think a product is bad.

...you have spent your money wisely and should become all knowing on the subject.

Okay, got it. Thank you. You purchased the book without knowing what you were getting and found you didn't like it an had to go through the trouble of reselling it, maybe for a loss, and so you aren't happy with it.

Maybe you didn't follow the thread. The book is free through PDF.

Maybe you didn't follow the thread. The book is free through PDF.

That would have been a nettlesome issue for me as the book was purchased and read in 1968.;)