Good/Classic Books

[ExAgoradzo]

What are some good books about guns/hunting that are out there.

I am not talking about technical manuals about gunsmithing/reloading.

Books by/about JM Bell, Taylor, etc?

Classic African Rifles and Cartridges, by Taylor
Big Game Rifles and Cartridges, by Kieth
Books like these. Even stories about situations etc.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[nettlle]

Peter Hathaway Capstick wrote some good ones. "Death In The Long Grass" for example.

 

[Jim Watson]

African Rifles and Cartridges by Taylor is a good read. Just be prepared for a different racial and ethnic attitude in a bygone day.

Robert Ruark wrote fact and fiction about Africa.

Hell, I Was There is Keith's autobiography.

 

[Warp]

Edit: nvm, wasn't hunting. Delete

 

[witchhunter]

Sheep and sheep hunting by Jack O'Connor is really good, although it was written a long time ago, I think it is still one of the best. Hunting Open Country Mule Deer by Dwight Shuh is a great bow hunting how to. You will learn about mule deer in it.

 

[alexander45]

This book on john Browning is a great read, all stories about him growing up, his dad, and brothers, the various shops and deals he made.
there are a few hunting stories and range stories .
John m Browning American gunmaker

 

[ExAgoradzo]

Great suggestions...

My dad is asking for Christmas present ideas and I want to give him some.

Thought I'd ask for an American Hunting Rifle in .375 H&H, but he doesn't make that much .

Thanks guys,
Greg

 

[rcmodel]

Six-guns by Keith is a classic if you have any interest at all in handguns.

rc

 

[Steve CT]

The Art of the Rifle-Jeff Cooper

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I have read and re-read parts of The Art of the Rifle: that's exactly what I'm looking for.

Again, thanks guys.
Greg

 

[Doc7]

My favorite book (any genre) and I am reading it again now, is "American Rifle; A Biography" by Alexander Rose. I don't believe I've seen it referred to by others here but I name drop it as much as I can. If you decide to give it a try, let me know so I can put a big smile on my face.

I consider the art of the rifle almost a technical piece. American Rifle is a rich tapestry and I think right up your alley.

 

[Doc7]

American Gun; A History of the US in 10 Firearms by Chris Kyle is another good read

 

[hank327]

A couple I really like are:

"Use Enough Gun" by Robert Ruark. In fact anything by Ruark is worth reading
"Hunter" by John A Hunter. John Hunter was a professional hunter in East Africa in the early part of the 20th Century and wrote this autobiography. I read this book as a boy and I think it's probably book of it's type I've ever read.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

With a recommendation like that, I will buy American Rifle: A Bio. Many of these others sound great. I just finished a doctoral program and I want to get something I don't have to read in my head....
Greg

 

[X-Rap]

Cooper, Keith, Askins, Skelton are all good reading.

 

[Plan2Live]

My uncle, Harold Rice, a former Game Warden, avid outdoorsman and hunter, cooberated with A.G. Campbell back in the 80s and they published a book titled Hunting The Wild Boar And Bear Of Appalachia. For a species specific hunting book I consider this one a classic.

 

[Cleveland48]

A couple I really like are:

"Use Enough Gun" by Robert Ruark. In fact anything by Ruark is worth reading
"Hunter" by John A Hunter. John Hunter was a professional hunter in East Africa in the early part of the 20th Century and wrote this autobiography. I read this book as a boy and I think it's probably book of it's type I've ever read.

I second Hunter by JA Hunter read it in junior high. Read it many times since. Maneaters of kumeon by Jim Corbett is another great.

 

[Panzerschwein]

"Sixguns" by Elmer Kieth is a must if you have any interest in revolvers whatever.

 

[J-Bar]

Another vote for Robert Ruark..."Horn of the Hunter" and "The Old Man and the Boy" are re-read often.

If you like color photos and revolvers, John Taffin's "Sixguns" will make you drool.

If you like deer hunting, Larry Koller's "Shots at Whitetails" is a classic.

 

[bannockburn]

Anything by Jeff Cooper, Elmer Keith, Jack O'Connor, Bill Jordan, and Skeeter Skelton.

 

[Browning Guy]

I have to second "John M Browning American gunmaker". It is the story of Browning and his development of the iconic guns in history, but the author John Browning (a grandson) also includes many family stories about the Browning brothers and the "behind the scenes" stories. The last part of the book lists all Browning's inventions and the models he developed that never even went into production. He was one creative and busy guy!

 

[swopjan]

I second Hunter by JA Hunter read it in junior high. Read it many times since. Maneaters of kumeon by Jim Corbett is another great.

Same here, any time I went to Grandpa's house in middle school I raided his personal library "Hunter" was one of several PH autobiographies he had, they're always a pretty good read.

I'm currently reading Taffin's "Single Action Sixguns" on my Kindle, lots of more recent history of single action revolvers in it. I knew a bit about the history of revolvers in the 1800's but he covers modern revolvers very well also, such as Ruger and Freedom Arms.

 

[shafter]

"To Ride, Shoot Straight and Tell the Truth" and "Another Country" by Jeff Cooper are excellent reads. I enjoyed "Unrepentant Sinner" by Charlie Askins as well.

 

[damienph]

Hell, I was there!

Another Elmer Keith book that I enjoyed was "Hell, I Was There!" A good bool about guns and reloading that, to me at least, isn't just a technical relaoding book is Ken Waters' Pet Loads.

The Capstick books are good, as are Jack O'Conner's books. I realize that Jeff Cooper made significant contributions to shooting sports, especially in defensive handgun training but I just don't enjoy his writing style.

I've never read anything by Skeeter Skelton that I did not enjoy and Bill Jordan's "No Second Place Winner" is great.

Right now I am reading Paul Matthews "Forty Years with the .45-70". It's good but I think his books would only appeal to .45-70 shooters and handloaders.

 

[Sunray]

"...dad is asking for Christmas present ideas..." Tell him I need a pair of consecutively numbered, SS, Vaqueros in .45 Colt. snicker.
Get a copy of Hatcher's Notebook. Should be, um, required reading for anybody who plays with firearms. Capstick and O'Connor are good. Cooper was certifiable.
If your da can find 'em, back copies of the assorted 'Annuals' are a good read too.