Ken Waters Pet Loads Complete Volume

[jwrowland77]

I received my new reloading book Saturday. The Ken Waters Pet Loads Complete Volume. I just HAD to buy it. Lol. It was ok sale for a really good price ($43) and that included 2-day shipping.

Either way, I was a little overwhelmed with how much info is in there and how thick it was....had to be at least 2"-2.5" thick.

Question though. I know everyone talks about this book and how great it is......but how does one use it?

Do you look your cartridge up and look for the accurate ones as a starting place for powder and bullet maybe (I know to always use manuals and workup loads/charges)? Or do you use it just for a great reading/research piece on the coffee table?

 

[Hangingrock]

I view Ken Waters Pet Loads as an historic reference of significance as I would older reloading manuals. My correspondence file includes letters from Waters concerning the 7-30 Waters cartridge among other subjects.

 

[steveno]

when I got my copy it a loose leaf notebook and you had to order the updates. I'm not sure when the last update was but it has been many years ago and Waters doesn't do his loading articles anymore in Handloader magazine. there is a lot of information in it. I believe he is still alive but he must be in his 90's.

 

[Kp321]

I see the Waters book as one more references go with the others. He probably has more data for older and obscure cartridges than any other reference. I also have P.O. Ackleys books but don't trust his data as much as I do Kens. Waters published tested loads and did not push the envelope as much as Ackley.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

How do you use it?

Read it cover to cover and study how he works up his loads on every round. Think of how he sets up his testing. Study the pressure ring method for determination of pressures.

Then just enjoy the writing of a real technical expert who does not ruin a good technical article by going off on a "me and joe go hunting with reloads" tangent that somehow is supposed to relate to reloading.

Once you get to that point, then it is just another really good reference that should be treated with the same careful study of any dated material.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I purchased my copy a few years ago. Recommended by Sir Walkalong for 32-20 loads. An excellent reference for older cartridges. Well written. The first thing I did was read from cover to cover. As said, study the work carefully. Compare the data to other sources and you will find some loads Ken recommends are loaded heavier than the manufacturer's data. Essential to Ken's data is to start low and work up.

 

[zeke]

Several of my most accurate pistol loads came right from his writings. Lots of interesting reading, with some very interesting perspectives on some older firearms.

Like any other resource, not all of it gospel.

 

[jwrowland77]

No doubt. Started reading last night. Never heard of anyone checking pressures by taking measurements of the case. Although, it completely makes sense.

 

[Rule3]

Click this link for the book and scroll down the reviews and see what Brad Albert of MBC writes.

http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Loads-Complete-Volume-Waters/dp/1879356643

 

[41 Mag]

Yep I have had a copy for a while but not quite as long as some here.

I reference it often when looking at new loads or even old loads which might shoot well in something. I usually will cross reference data for something new with current data if the powder is something that I have on hand or might look promising.

But like other mention the details are what really make it a good read. Like you saw measuring the case heads for expansion, I did that with a couple of AI calibers when I worked up my loads to the particular max for these firearms. Not that I load up to that, but it is nice to know when you are close to getting there.

 

[savanahsdad]

I don't have that one YET. but I do have every Handloader back to issue #1 and always have enjoyed his writings , always wondered is that book a stand alone book or a compiled book from all the articles in Handloader, in other words do I already have all that info just in one magazine at a time , or is there more in that book than what was in the Handloader back issues
?

 

[Match10]

I've referenced his Loads book for decades.... It is one more reference I use for my own determination of load data in all other manuals.

 

[sniper58]

Bought my copy a few years on the first day of our annual vacation (camping).

Wife got pretty upset with me because all I did for a week was sit beside the campfire drinking beer and reading. Not much of a vacation for her!

 

[witchhunter]

JRow, would you post a link to the sale, I haven't seen the entire collection of it all together. I would love o have one. Thanks.

 

[jwrowland77]

JRow, would you post a link to the sale, I haven't seen the entire collection of it all together. I would love o have one. Thanks.

Here you go witchhunter.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/18793...SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=41-mvt4SGrL&ref=plSrch

 

[Maj Dad]

savannahsdad, I used to read his articles in Handloader (& the gurus in Guns & Ammo, and Shooting Times etc.) - saved some of them. But if you have them back to #1, you've got them all. Just remember to use his loads as a reference - things have changed with more accurate pressure testing and all that. The book is a lot handier...

 

[savanahsdad]

ok thanks I was just wondering if there was more in the book than what I have , still might get one just because . I have 2 volumes of Propellant Profiles and there just all the compiled articles from Habdloader ,
as for his loads , yep, he liked them hot , and some of the loads are using powder we can't get anymore like DuPont

 

[RPRNY]

Thanks for the thread and the link, just ordered a copy.