2022 Reprint of the 1962 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Profusely illustrated with photos of actual cartridges and dimensions. Illustrated Edition of 1959 in Facsimile. This is one of the classic descriptions of wildcat cartridges, first published in 1949 and revised and expanded in this 1962 edition. This is Ackley's major effort at tackling the loading data, theory, and practice of wildcat cartridges. A wildcat cartridge, often shortened to wildcat, is a custom cartridge for which ammunition and/or firearms are not mass-produced. These cartridges are often created in order to optimize a certain performance characteristic (such as the power, size, or efficiency) of an existing commercial cartridge. Developing and using wildcat cartridges does not generally serve a purpose in military or law enforcement; it is more a hobby for serious shooting, hunting, gunsmithing and handloading enthusiasts, particularly in the United States.

Learn what works, what doesn't work, and why!Following the numerous chapters on the science and safety of cartridge reloading, there are over 200 pages of rifle cartridge loads and another 20 pages of handgun cartridge loads to help handloaders get the most out of their cartridges. Handbook for Shooters & Reloaders has been the quintessential guide for cartridge reloaders since 1962. Widely renowned in reloading and wildcat circles, this book culminates decades of reloading experience and cartridge development by P. O. Ackley and a number of contributing writers. Backed by extensive research, the information contained in this first volume provides comprehensive information on wildcat cartridges and covers basic to advanced techniques that remain timeless.

In P.O. Ackley: America's gunsmith, author Fred Zeglin's years of extensive research highlight not just the history of cartridge and rifle development, but an insider's look at a humble man who influenced nearly everything we know about shooting and ballistics today. P.O. Ackley's ideas om reloading, rifle accuracy, barrel making, cartridge choice, and wildcats are just as relevant for modern "gun cranks" as they were in Ackley's heyday. Zeglin delivers the most complete collection of accurate dimensions, loading data and history for the lifetime of cartridges created by P.O. Ackley, the most influential gunsmith in America. Most shooters know him today because of his "Ackley Improved" cartridge designs. But those cartridges are only the tip of the iceberg. P.O. Ackley: America's gunsmith is the whole story. Includes a full-color photo section and an exclusive never-before-printed article by P.O. Ackley. -- back cover.