The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions - Softcover

Donnelly, John J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0883171376 ISBN 13: 9780883171370

Publisher: Stoeger Pub Co, 1987

Synopsis

Stoeger's classic handloading guide has been revised with a new, easy-to-reference format and additional cartridge data. This manual offers the handloader all the physical data, how-to designs, tools and drawings needed to convert modern, easily obtainable materials into more than 900 rifle and pistol cartridge cases ranging from obsolete patterns to modern cutting-edge "wildcats."

About this title

About the Author

Bryce M. Towsley is the author of several books on hunting and shooting and an accomplished outdoor photographer. He is a hunting consultant and booking agent for a variety of North American game species. Towsley is field editor for NRA's American Rifleman, modern rifle and handgun editor for Buckmasters, and a regular contributor to Guns & Gear and North American Hunter. Towsley makes his home in North Clarendon, Vermont.

Review

Detailed information on the techniques, tools and materials needed for successful cartridge conversion and handloading, make this new updated book from Stoeger an essential tool for any handloader. -- Don Lewis, The Leader Times, September 10, 2004

Handloader's manual of cartridge conversions: one of those "must have" books for the reloader I don't think it is possible for a serious shooter or reloader to have too many books. My office is crowded with them. Closest at hand are those I use most often. One of those is The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions. Don't let the title fool you. While it is surely true that the book tells you how to make this cartridge case out of that one there is also a drawing and complete set of dimensions, sometimes historical information and at least one handload recipe. The 3rd edition, updated by Bryce Towsley, is now available from Stoeger Publications. It is a hardbound tome of more than 600 pages that presents a lot of information in a convenient format. The new edition shows two cartridges per page. The cartridge drawings are not actual size, but show all the dimensions keyed to a table right next to it. You quickly learn that "A" is always case length, "B" is head diameter and so on. All of these are nominal dimensions and we have to remember that there are always some tolerance spreads in brass. So if you measure a case and come up with a number a few thousandths different, it doesn't automatically indicate that anything is wrong. One piece of data that is not normally seen in conventional loading manuals is case capacity. Here it is presented both in cubic centimeters and the more familiar grains of water. This bit of information is especially handy if you are working with a new cartridge for which there is little or no published data. It's easy enough to put a piece of brass on the scale and use a medicine dropper to fill the case. Then it is a simple matter to find a known case of similar shape and size for comparison. You can then look at data for the known cartridge to select a powder to start with. As always conservatism is the rule but usually you can deduce a starting load. As you go through the book you'll probably marvel, as I did, at the number of wildcat cartridges in there. Something as small as changing the shoulder angle a degree or two creates a new cartridge. The goal of almost every wildcat is to increase the capacity of the case and our choices are limited there. The quickest method is to blow out the shoulder angle to 35-40 degrees and reduce the taper of the case body as well. That was the secret to almost all of the legendary "Ackley Improved" cartridges many of which are still popular today. -- Charles E. Petty, Guns Magazine, February 2005

Reloads work fine, and many deer hunters use them. Hand-loading is a great hobby, and it's always more of a thrill to shoot an animal with your own cartridge concoction. -- L.A. Van Veghel, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 2005

With more than 1,000 cartridges described in detail along with dimensions and clear, accurate illustrations, this is a reloader's go-to book. -- BC Outdoors Hunting & Shooting, 2004

Edition details

• Publisher: Stoeger Pub Co
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0883171376
• ISBN 13: 9780883171370
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 1055