Ammunition Books

The ammunition books include topics such as hand-loading, ammo for hunters, big bore cartridges and ballistics.

Frank C Barnes

Cartridges Of The World by Frank C Barnes (2006). Since the mid-1990s, commercial cartridge manufacturers have been introducing new and improved ammunition to keep up with the demand for new chamberings and the shift to nostalgic arms. Now the world's best-known resource on cartridges of all nations, past and present, is thoroughly updated and covers these new cartridges. More than 1,500 rifle, pistol and shotgun cartridges are listed in various categories with illustrations, historical notes and loading data. Cartridge and firearm experts offer exciting articles on shooting, bullets, cartridge identification, military ammunition and reloading. Provides essential information for every arms and cartridge collector, shooter and reloader.

Dave Campbell

Rifle Bullets For The Hunter - A Definitive Study edited by Dave Campbell (2006) is the first comprehensive in depth look at bullets for the rifle hunter. A collection of the top gun and outdoor writers have been assembled to bring you bullet knowledge from their particular fields of experise. The authors are John Barsness, Craig Boddington, John Haviland, Richard Mann, Ron Spomer, and Bryce Towsley. Every nuance of hunting with rifle bullets is discussed in depth. Inside you will find detailed instructions on testing bullets in various media, guidelines for evaluating the results and suggestions on how to select the bullet to best suit your hunting needs.

John J Donnelly

The Handloaders Manual Of Cartridge Conversions by John J Donnelly (2011) offers the handloader all the physical data, how-to designs, tools and drawings needed to convert modern, easily obtainable materials into more than 1,000 different rifle and pistol cartridge cases, ranging from the obsolete patterns to modern, cutting-edge 'wildcats'. This classic guide has been revised with a new, easy-to-reference format, complete with a full index of hundreds of cartridges. This truly is the handloader's one-stop guide for creating personalized cartridges.

Bob Forker

Ammo And Ballistics: For Hunters, Shooters And Collectors by Bob Forker (2000) contains ballistic data to 500 yards for over 125 calibers and over 1,400 different loads. Includes data on centerfire, handgun and .22 rimfire cartridges. Includes authoritative articles by Massad Ayoob, USMC Colonel Craig Boddington and Wayne van Zwoll.

Ammo And Ballistics 2: For Hunters, Shooters And Collectors by Bob Forker (2003) contains data and illustrations on virtually every sporting cartridge sold in the USA.

Ammo And Ballistics 3: For Hunters, Shooters And Collectors by Bob Forker (2006) contains ballistic data on virtually every factory-loaded sporting cartridge sold in the USA.

Ammo And Ballistics 4: For Hunters, Shooters And Collectors by Bob Forker (2009)

Ammo And Ballistics 5: For Hunters, Shooters And Collectors by Bob Forker (2013)

Ammo And Ballistics 6: For Hunters, Shooters And Collectors by Bob Forker (2017) contains data and illustrations on virtually every sporting cartridge sold in the USA. Besides clear and concise writing that clarifies the complexities of ballistic coefficients and energy versus momentum, this revised edition covers more than 200 calibers. It contains information on rifle and handgun calibers, and it covers manufacturers, bullet weights, types, and construction. There are over 3,000 tables with ballistic data for every caliber and every load for all commercially loaded hunting ammunition sold in the United States. Tables include velocity, energy, wind drift, bullet drop, and ballistic coefficients up to 1,000 yards.

C W Harding

Eley Cartridges: A History Of The Silversmiths And Ammunition Manufacturers by C W Harding ((2006) traces the history of the Eley name from its agricultural roots in Derbyshire, England, to its rise as famous London silversmiths and into its production of ammunition in London and Birmingham. For the last two centuries, the name or make of Eley has appeared on domestic flatware, fashion accessories and, of course, on both military and sporting ammunition.

The Birmingham Cartridge Manufacturers by C W Harding (2009) is the definitive guide to former munition companies in Birmingham covering both shotgun cartridge and metallic cartridge production. This book also includes material on the personalities behind the munitions companies, as well as a wealth of information unavailable elsehwere - cartridges are shown, for instance, the use of which remains unknown. Companies covered include BSA, Westley Richards, Kynoch, W W Greener and the Midland Gun Company.

British Cartridge Manufacturers, Loaders and Retailers: Including Ironmongers And Gunsmiths by C W Harding (2012) Completes the author's trilogy of cartridge manufacturers in the UK. Covers manufacturers who made the cases and primers and loaded the cartridges with powders, as well as the powder companies who bought in cases. Includes the many gunsmiths, ironmongers, shops and store owners who bought cases with their names printed on them.

J W Hornaday

Hornaday Handbook Of Cartridge Reloading: Rifle - Pistol by J W Hornaday (1973) is a comprehensive guide to handloading and shooting nearly 100 rifle/pistol/cartridge combinations.

Mike LaGrange

Ballistics In Perspective by Mike LaGrange (1990) was originally written as a manual for the Zimbabwe Game Department. If you want an exceptional book on the how, what, when and where of large calibres for African hunting, this is your book. This book belongs with Boddington's 'Safari Rifles' and Taylor's 'African Rifles And Cartridges' as the best on the subject of safari rifles and ammo. The author shot untold numbers of elephants as a cropping officer in Zimbabwe. Suffice it to say, he outdid Walter Bell by a good factor. In addition, LaGrange extensively tested bullet construction and penetration by shooting countless shots into layered wooden planks. His results are well-documented with photos and tables in the book. The results showing which calibres/bullets penetrate the most will surprise you.

Lyman

Lyman Reloading Handbook (2008). The new 49th Edition Reloading Handbook is the latest version of their extremely popular rifle and pistol manual.

Check out other Lyman publications for more on reloading.

J R Mattern

Handloading Ammunition: A Handbook Covering All Phases Of The Loading Of Metallic Ammunition For Revolvers, Pistols And Rifles by J R Mattern (1926) includes many black and white photographs throughout demonstrating the equipment and methods for loading and manufacturing your own ammunition. In the rear of the book there are detailed charts listing ballistic tabulations and data for many different types of revolvers, pistols and rifles.

M L 'Mic' McPherson

Metallic Cartridge Handloading: Pursuit Of The Perfect Cartridge by Mic McPherson (2013) covers all aspects of the reloading process: cartridge case; maintaining, improving and loading the case; seating and reading of primers; loading of propellant; bullets and loading of bullets; accurate load development; internal & external ballistics; bullet making & casting; and handloading press. This is not a reloading manual containing specific recipes for various loads; it is a how-to book that covers the entire detailed process of cartridge reloading.

Al Miller et al

Big Bore Rifles And Cartridges by Al Miller et al (1991) is a comprehensive work in the handloading field, unparalleled anywhere. A large volume covering cartridges from 8mm to .600 Nitro with over 60 chapters containing loading tables and commentary on the guns and cartridges.

F C Ness

Practical Dope On The Big Bores by F C Ness (1948) is a comprehensive guide to the handloading of your ammunition for all weapons from the .22 Rim Fire to the .577 and .600 Nitro Express

Practical Dope On The .22 by F C Ness (1947) is a complete study on the .22 caliber rifle, ammunition and shooting.

Hendrik van der Schÿff

9.2 x 62 Mauser Journal by Hendrik van der Schÿff (2021) is a celebration of the 9.3 X 62 Mauser with contributions from Larry Schuknecht, Pierre van der Walt, Dr Kevin 'Doctari' Robertson and his Brno 9.3x62 in the Zimbabwean hunting concessions, former editor of African Outfitter Magazine, Dr Mauritz Coetsee, Don 'Ganyana' Heath and an angry elephant he had to put down using his 9.3x62 and a single Norma Mono solid. Plus frequent contributor to the Hatari Times magazine, Dr Lucas Potgieter hunts buffalo with a 9.3x62, and Namibian farmer, Hercules Botha sorted out a problem bull elephant on his farm.

Philip B Sharpe

Complete Guide To Handloading: A Treatise On Handloading For Pleasure, Economy And Utility by Philip B Sharpe (1937). A valuable reference on the fine art of handloading, illustrated throughout with photos, drawings and diagrams.

Wayne Van Zwoll

Modern Sporting Rifle Cartridges by Wayne Van Zwoll (1998) includes the history of rifle bullets and cartridges with descriptions of most American-made cartridges and ballistics tables.