Classic books on reloading or about reloading?

[Peter M. Eick]

I am slowly building up my library of the classic reloading books, classic manuals or books about reloading. I am looking for the more technical manuals and books that really educate you and taught you something. Or manuals where there was that critical break point like Speer 8 was really different then Speer 9 which did not change much until Speer 12. Where are those critical books to have?

Could you please suggest ones that you think I should get?

For example, I have all of the speer manuals but 1,2 &4
I have ideal 38, 40, 42, 43 and most of the lyman manuals.
P.O Ackleys set of books on loading.
Seirra 3, 4, 5
Keith's Sixgun Cartraiges (signed orignal)
Sharpes original Manual, 1949 reprint
Naramores Handloading Manual (1937?)
Naramores Principals and practices
Hornady 26 and higher
Ken Water's Pet loads
Handloaders DVD along with Rifle DVD.
Both of the Lee books
Etc.

So, what suggestions can you offer?

 

[Clarence]

P.O. Ackley's Vol 1 and Vol 2 are the most informative books on cartridges and loading I could possibly recommend.

Ackley was way ahead of his time.

It constantly amazes me to read articles written today as if the stuff was groundbreaking that Ackley wrote about 50 years ago.

I would recommend Hatcher's Notebook be added to your library. While it isn't specifically about reloading, it contains a wealth of valuable information that is related.

 

[WatongaJim]

I agree that Hatcher's Notebook is a must, especially for those that own or are interested in the Springfield 1903 or M1 Garand.

 

[Offfhand]

The all time classic book on reloading is Earl Maramore's "Principles and Practice of Loading Ammunition" which has over 50 chapters and is over 900 pages long. Another top one is Phil Sharpe's big book on handloading.

 

[MMCSRET]

"Why Not Load Your Own" by Colonel Townsend Whelen
"Game Loads and Practical Ballistics for the American Hunter" by Bob Hagel

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I forgot to add hatchers notebook. Got that one also.

The last two are new to me. I will get them ordered. Thanks

Any others?

 

[Vacek]

Complete Guide to Handloading by Philip B. Sharpe. Written in the 20's, updated in the late 40's. I can't believe all of the interesting material.

 

[Kerf]

...know how good you got it!!!

PME: nice to see some one is interested in collecting a library on reloading. So many times one hears of a new reloader who doesn't even have a reloading manual to use. They're asking for opinions or a good load for x cartridge and some powder that's way too fast for what they're trying to load. There's a lot more to it than that and it's valuable to have multiple reference material other than what you heard at the barber shop.

Chappel's book How to Reload Metallic Cartridges(?) was the first book I ever bought on reloading. It was hardbound, about 8x11, 300 pages with photos, and published in the thirties. Unfortunately, the powders used in the book were totally obsolete when I purchased it. But what did I know? Nothing. Ever hear of Lightning #16? Neither had I! But it was invaluable in learning the mechanics of the reloading process. I read that book over and over several times before deciding what equipment to buy. Got laughed out of the store when I asked for Lightning #12, AND, sold a box of 9mm 'heads' for my .38 Special. That was back before TV and there wasn't much information floating around as there is today.
(Funny! there were three TV channels, and something good on each that someone wanted to watch and now there's three hundred channels and nothing worth watching.)
Anyhow, there was one chapter in the book I'll never forget. It was titled "And the Angels Sing". Wherein, he recounts the various mistakes in reloading caused by ignorance, inattention, poor execution, and just stupid. He ended the chapter with "They all blow at 130,000 psi". (Don't remember the exact number of psi, but remember thinking that according to Ackley the Japanese Ariska 7.7mm might not.)
So, the next time you crank up Loads on a Disk, remember...

Kerf

 

[Kerf]

Or, am I thinking of Phil Sharpe's book...

I don't remember. I don't have it in front of me... anyone?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have an original Sharpe's 1937 "complete Guide to Handloading" in a signed copy. I also picked up a third edition from 1953 that has his updates in it. I think that is what you are thinking of.

I am currently reading Naramore's 1939 "Handloading Manual". Great book and it really discusses the differences between mercuric and corrosive primers. I also learned how to etch the brass so it can be studied to see how hard it is and the need for annealing.

Now you have to ask yourself, when was the last time you saw a reloading manual discuss etching brass and how to test the hardness and annealing? You just don't get this type of technical detail in modern loading books. I am not saying that the technical detail is required, I would just like to know more about the topic then just guess.

 

[beefyz]

"I also learned how to etch the brass so it can be studied to see how hard it is and the need for annealing.......You just don't get this type of technical detail in modern loading books".

Pete....From your statements above and seeing that it might me impossible to get a copy of this book on this subject, maybe you wouldn't mind if you have some time "critiquing" the process so some of us who are interested in it can proceed. nothing that takes to much of your time , maybe just 10,000 words or so (lololl) just to give us an idea of how its done ?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

You can find the book online, you just have do diligently search.

Naramore's "principles and practices of loading ammunition" was published in 1954 by Thomas G. Samworth. Great book is all I can say!. 952 pages on how to load and make ammo.

Lets look at just the topic of how to tell the grain structure and tensile strength of brass. First on pg 583 you are shown how to properly cut a brass casing in half and then how to polish the edge so you can etch it in detail. This is covered over 2 pages in very detailed discussion of how to polish ad get the case ready for etching. On pg 585 and 586 he gives two formulas for etching solutions which brings out the crystal nature of the brass. He discusses procedures of how to do the actual etching and then how to handle it if you over etch the edte. he also discusses the problems with inclusions on how this impacts the etching.

Now on pg 587, he goes into the significance of the grain structure and its significance, then he discusses the differences in ductility and strength vs. toughness. Pg 588 gives a series of pictures showing the different grains and structure and what they mean and look like. Over the next 4 pages he describes each micrograph and provides 5 more examples of what to look for and how they can be interpreted.

This is the level of detail you get in his book. Where are you going to find that type of information in a modern loading manual? For example, the current speer #14 has 2 pages on brass cartridges and describes cartridge types, but does not mention etching once to determine grain size or need for annealing.

 

[Sunray]

"...Hatcher's Notebook is a must..." Absolutely. Should be required reading for any shooter. General Hatcher could write too. A text book that doesn't read like one.
You'll want the latest Lyman Manual(both their regular book and their Pistol and Revolver book), The ABC's of Reloading, Cartridges of the World and Cartridge Conversions too.