Metallic Cartridge Handloading: Pursuit of the Perfect Cartridge

Now I have been shooting all my life. I am in the Varmint predator calling classification you might say. I even used to work in a machine shop in the NAVY out at sea. So I understand how the tools are used and why, I just needed to get set up to start hand loading. Believe me when I say that this is an under statement from me. I always wanted to do this so this year I did more than just think about it. To make a long story short, once I finally got set up I was reading the Sierra Bullet manual and some hand loading materials I could find as I had questions. I would consult with people from Sinclair and Sierra and Barnes regarding some of my questions. All were very helpful. I already loaded and seated some Barnes TSX-Triple shockers and Nosler Ballistic tip as well as Sierra Match kings in .223 caliber. I also have a .243 caliber Savage I plan to hand load for. I use the RCBS Competition seating and F/L competition sizing die. I also neck size a tad too. As a newer hand loader I am very impressed with This nook by Mic McPherson. I already picked up on a few tricks presented here that I didn't think of. Like taking a little quick spin with steel wool for the outside and steel wool to the brush for the inside of the neck right after I chamfer and de-burr them. This makes it like a glass polish feel on my finger tip compared to the rough burr feeling after it is de-burred. The bullet seats smoother. I also just bought a Bullet concentricity dial. Basically it is a dial caliper like we used in the NAVY but it has a unique set up so I can use this jig to correct bullet run out to .001-.002. for the folks that are really experienced and are familiar with the techniques presented here then that's a good thing. But for me, it has been very helpful considering my inexperience. I am currently grouping on paper three rounds in a dime at 100 yards with my .223 24" 1-9 twister. I really cannot see myself buying a box of ammo in most cases. So I'm not even quite half way through the book and I really enjoy McPherson's writing and explaining techniques and information regarding the subject. I also want to be honest here regarding my experience of not hand loading for more than a year so far. But on the other hand, I did have a good feel and knowledge of the tools and their uses that are employed with this and the math a tad. Many of the jobs I did in the NAVY and setting up a job for a lathe or Mill for my E-6 1st class supervisor were impressive. He always said I was good at setting something up. Putting together my own ammunition and tuning it to my rifle is very rewarding so far! It's the only way to fly! This book is bound to teach even some of the more experienced loaders something else they might never seen or have done before.

This is an excellent manual when taken in the context that it is intended for. As Mic clearly states in the title, Pursuit of the Perfect Cartridge. It is packed with outstanding and detailed information on how to make your particular cartridge perform to your expectations, or even more so. It is unfortunate that it received a cool, pun intended, reception from one reviewer.I have been reloading for over 60 years and I am a Certified NRA Handloading Instructor. That said, I learned much from Mic as he gets deep into detail. There are several custom guns in my safe that have always shot extremely well but using techniques in this book I have been able to tighten up groups from these rifles. Some showing small improvement and others a bit more. When you already have small groups, any improvement is significant.So many reloaders just go through the motions and produce average ammunition. If they would take just a bit longer and really understand the process and application, the performance of that average rifle may well surprise them.I found this book to be both enjoyable and informative. Good job, Mr. McPherson, and thanks for helping me tighten up my groups. It won't be long before I'm turning pages on some of your other books.

This is a great book for the experienced handloader. If you are wondering what the next step is after you remove the primer out of a used brass case, this is not the book for you. You will not find a step by step procedure to handload. Nor will you find any load data (that's best found on the web sites of the powder manufacturers). But if you do know the basics this book will give you the knowledge necessary to improve your handloads. For a long time I've been looking for a book on handloading that did not treat me like a noob. This is that book. You don't have to read for hours looking for one tidbit of knowledge that you didn't already know.

This should be 6 stars or more, since 5 stars usually means that a product is adequate in every aspect. Jam packed with photographs, illustrations, charts and clearly written text, this book stands head and shoulders above all the other handloading books I have on my shelf - and I have quite a collection of notable titles and authors. Mr. McPherson will lead you into every aspect of handloading and give you answers to questions you never thought to pose! This is not a recipe book - it's an exhaustive (but easy to read) guide of what to do once you have those recipes. Do you want to know which powders meter best, and why? Are there better powders for shorter or longer barrels? Which primers create significantly higher pressures than others? What specialty tools make your reloading safer and aid in more accurate loads? It's all there, even with charts on what powder is which type - flake, ball, cylinder, etc. And then there is information on cartridges, bullets, bullet casting... much more. I've been handloading for more than 12 years and studying as much as time permits. I am amazed at all the new information this book has shown me about this enjoyable hobby.

ein sehr gutes und ausführliches Kompendium für den fortgeschrittenen Wiederlader. Das Gute: man findet nicht nur bloße Anleitungen, sondern auch gute Begründungen für die jeweils empfohlene Vorgehensweise.

Anyone who Handloads their own ammunition will love this book, from beginners to advanced OCD experts. Absolutely everything is covered in this book. Weather you're a hunter or benchrest, long range, Varmint or cowboy action and everything in between, this book doesn't miss a thing.

Very nice book but all ''old fashion''. The new equipment and techniques are not mentioned in this edition but there are still many techniques used today.

good