Handloading

324 pages. Oversized book, measuring 11 inches by 8-1/2 inches. Illustrations. Includes Foreword, Preface, and Introduction. Topics covered include Handloading Techniques, Components & Ballistics; Reloading Data Section; Rifle Reloading Data Section; Handgun Reloading Data Section; Reference Section, Standard Cartridge and Chamber Dimensions--Rifle Cartridges and Pistol Cartridges; Weatherby Cartridge, Chamber Drawings; Norma Cartridge, Chamber Drawings; Factory Ballistics Tables; and Appendix. Publication of this new handloading book took much longer than what was anticipated, and was a real labor of love on the part of the staff. William C. Davis Jr. (1921-2010) was an American ballistics engineer,remembered as a writer and editor on ballistics for the American Rifleman. Davis received a degree in physics and mathematics from Saint Bonaventure University in 1941. He joined the United States Army in 1942, qualified expert with rifle, pistol, and carbine, and served through World War II advancing to the rank of captain. He became a civilian ordnance engineer in 1951, and worked at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Frankford Arsenal, and Rock Island Arsenal. He subsequently assisted development of the 5.56×45mm cartridge and M16 rifle before retiring from federal employment in 1972. Davis' first article for the American Rifleman was published in 1949. He became a contributing editor to the publication in 1974 and was named ballistics editor in 1986. He wrote the "Ammunition" section of Encyclopedia Britannica and published 14 computer ballistics programs. Handloading or reloading is the process of making firearm cartridges or shells by manually assembling the individual components (case, primer, propellant, and projectile such as bullet, slug or shots), rather than purchasing mass-assembled, factory-loaded ammunition. The term handloading is the more generic term, as it refers to manual assembly of ammunition using components from any source. Reloading refers more specifically to the handloading of ammunition by re-using cases or shells from previously fired ammunition. The terms are often used interchangeably, as the techniques are largely the same whether using new or recycled components. The differences lie in the preparation of the cases or shells; new components are generally ready to load, while previously fired components often need cleaning, removal of expended primers, and possibly other reshaping/resizing preparations to make them ready to load again.…