Pet Loads by Ken Waters.

[castalott]

Pet Loads by Ken Waters.

Is this worth the $60.00 +shipping?

Thanks, Dale

[omgb]

I thought so and still do

[HeavyMetal]

it was, it is, and it will be for many years to come!!!

Particularly if it has the supplemental load data which contains a follow up on the 9mm which would save a lot of loaders trouble if they just read it a couple times!

[castalott]

Does it have much on cast loads...especially rifle?

Thanks, Dale

[Hardcast416taylor]

I bought the 2 volume 1st edition many years back and got a good deal of info from it. I liked it so much that several years back I bought the expanded single volume that has lots of updated info.Robert

[Victor N TN]

Smart guy. I have a couple of his books. But I can't remember the titles. Mine are paperback, a hardback might be worth that price.

[Kraschenbirn]

No info on any of the "new" powders but a lot of good info. At least some cast boolit data for every caliber and lots of hint/technique stuff for the specific guns he used in his testing. My set is the two-volume 5th Edition from 1990 and, probably, the first thing I reach for when researching a new caliber.

Bill

[reed1911]

Yes. Worth it.

[buckwheatpaul]

Dale, I love my copies...I have a set from the mid-1970's and the revised all in one book.....one of my favorite reference books and IMHO I would say yes...

[TexasGrunt]

yes it is!

[MT Gianni]

I use my regularly. Check at ABE Books or Amazon for a used one if finances hurt but get one if you shoot cartridges designed before this century.

[KCSO]

Worth so much I ordered an updated version!

[lotech]

For those handloaders interested in solid, practical information as well as some semi-technical to technical aspects of various cartridges and guns, Ken Waters' PET LOADS has no equal. Waters certainly has been among the very best of the handloading writers for a long time. Though some of the articles are a bit dated, there is something of value in every one. PET LOADS has no rambling drivel or big buck tales, just useful information.

[44man]

Back when a writer did the work. Kind of like a bible. Mine did not cost that much but it was long ago.

[Bent Ramrod]

Like the hand-drawn Disney cartoons and the Pyramids, Mr. Waters' book is something that nobody will ever have the time, energy and dedication to do again.

Even if you don't load every (or any) caliber he has covered, the description of loading and testing techniques he used are applicable to everything else. And it's all interesting reading to anyone who likes guns and reloading.

The frequently repeated advice on these Forums, "Get all the handloading books you can find," definitely includes Pet Loads.

[725]

Has always been a good source for me. I got the one volume paperback. Massive book.

[Walla2]

Very good deal. Ken has forgotten more than most have remembered.

[smokeywolf]

Think I paid close to that quite a few years ago. Wonderful book!

[TenTea]

Midway USA has the softcover for $48.99 + shipping

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/251279/pet-loads-complete-volume-book-by-ken-waters

[15meter]

Most calibers have cast data for them, interesting reading just for the variety of calibers listed. I fool with several obsolete/odd ball calibers and have found data/case forming data there.

[Victor N TN]

This is NOT in the books I have. But I found a 2 book set... I think my next disability check is going to buy me this... hahaha

[alamogunr]

I've got the one thick volume and several magazine type additions. Do the latest thick paperbacks include all the updates that Ken added? I have no interest in anything added after Ken retired.

[stubert]

A great book, and one that you will reference all the time.

[MT Gianni]

My paperback volume has the updates. Look at the printing dates to be sure.

[ascast]

yes worth it, buy cheaper if you can, shop around. lots of data, but like all data sets it seems that sometimes he chose bullets weights or powder you don't have on hand. for example IIRC he has nothing on black powder and heavy bullets. Maybe geared more toward practical hunting type application.
Also a good read. He tells a lot of good stuff in the text that you just don't get from raw data.

[Shiloh]

As new loader decades ago I bought his two volume set with the maroon cover. It was because of that, "Pet Loads" that I acquired 10 different types of powder and bullets. Thought I would find the magic bullet. I didn't. They are a great reference though.

What worked for Ken Waters rifles, doesn't necessarily translate into others pet load. I learned every rifle and shooter is different.

Shiloh

[dbosman]

Yes. If for no other reason than it's a good read.
Every cartridge has a history and details I don't see in any current publication outside "Handloader".

[ascast]

I re-read your post- there is a lot on rifle, which is the parts I read. Lots of calibers. But, this was written mostly in the 60's through '80's ? SASS, BPCR, BPCS were in infancy then as was maybe combat pistol craft as a sport. It may seem light on that kind of data. However, a 30-06 then is a 30-06 now. Same powders, same bullets.
It's a book to have, you may want/need others as time goes on.

[plainsman456]

Lots of information in his books.

I have had them for years and just because there are powders not made any more,there is still a lot of wisdom in them.

[Taterhead]

I love mine. I upgraded to the complete volume last year and gifted my older volume. I like the way he writes almost as if he's having a conversation with you. I'll read about any old cartridge, even if is not one I have a use for. It is just good reading!

It is clear how he thinks and approaches load development. He takes the reader along for the ride. We hobbyists have no practical way to calculate pressure. His approach to discerning the limits of pressure alone is probably worth the price of admission.

[lotech]

I think Ken Waters is in his late nineties, but he wrote until about ten or fifteen years ago.

[Bookworm]

I purchased a new, complete volume directly from the publisher. I saved some money by asking about a "shelf-worn" book, which is one with handling damage. The book is very thick, many hundreds of pages.

Much of the data is dated, from the 60's on up. Many of the powders he uses are no longer produced. Many of the loads he uses are not used so much today, and many of the more popular loads today are not mentioned.
For instance, I don't think he shows any heavy (135+ grain) 9mm loads. Not much in heavy 44Mag loads, over 240g.

He does, however, have a great deal of info on the older, and more unusual cartridges.

I am on the fence about recommending purchase. It depends on what you are looking for. The methodology of Waters is very good, and the 'readability' of the volume is excellent.

If you want loads for older weapons, and a very good reference book, then buy it. If, however, you want load info for powders made after the late 80's, you will likely be disappointed.

[square butte]

Did they ever put it out in a hardbound version?

[Blackwater]

Well, you guys have cost me money .... AGAIN! That's one book I've never bought, and mostly for the reasons Shiloh states. But I guess it's something I need to finally add to my collection. While it's true that certain guns may not work with some of his loads, I've long noted that certain calibers DO have loads that seem to work largely across the board, like 59-60 gr. IMR-4350 with 150 gr. bullets in the '06, and 55 gr. IMR 4350 or 60 gr. H-4831 with 130's in the .270. Might not be THE best load, but they've never been far off in the guns I've worked with, including many friends have had. So I DO believe there really ARE "good bets" in loading various calibers, but as Shiloh notes, there's no assurance until you put the loads on paper off a really good bench rest. And there's just NO substitute for KNOWING you can hit that deer in the eye if you really want to, and have a decent rest at hand, when it's time to pull the trigger in the field. It removes all question and fear something will go wrong, and that enables you to make a rested, confident shot, and that in turn, results in most deer being found DRT where they were standing when you took the shot. To some of us who don't get around so well, that is important!

So here I go, ordering yet one more book! Sheesh! I've got to make new shelves!

[Blackwater]

OK. It's on the way. Can't believe I haven't pulled the trigger on it long before now! My errancy seems to know no bounds! I just hope I'm redeemed now???? :D One of the great things about Midway is that it's so easy to make an impulse buy. That's ALSO one of their pitfalls! But thanks for that link to it. Very useful, and I appreciate it.

[Alstep]

How many versions were printed? I see mentioned here of volume 1, and volume 2, combined volumes, hard cover, soft cover, etc. I happen to have a first edition October, 1979, published by Wolfe Publishing Co, Inc., and it's in a dark maroon lose leaf 3 ring binder. Sections are separated by caliber with tabs that stick out from the divider pages. I've never seen a version described like this. What have I got here???

188165188166

[44man]

Can you imagine a writer today doing all the tests? Years ago we would see loads with cast and condoms. All powders. Now it is just factory loads they get free to shoot.
Ken might be dated but you will never find so much data and today we will never see updates to loads and new powders.

[clum553946]

I just ordered it after reading the posts from here! I load the old 92 cartridges, so it should be helpful if not interesting.

[marlin39a]

I bought a copy in 2000. A good purchase. Have it out right now reading about 7.65 x 53 Mauser. Buy the book.

[Geezer in NH]

If you reload YOU NEED his books.

His explanation of pressures and how one can actually relate reloads to factory is worth the price at any cost

[lotech]

Just an opinion based on my own observations, but since Brian Pearce took over the PET LOADS series, his load data appears to be at least as extensive as the Ken Waters data was. Pearce's approach to the subject matter may be different than Waters', but the information is just as useful.

[44man]

Maybe but few understand cast today. Even Waters had few loads for them. None for some calibers. Still hard to find a load.

[alamogunr]

For me the value of Pet Loads is the discussion Waters included in each subject. As 44man said, very few cast loads. I have the Lyman Cast Bullet handbooks for loads. Even there, I have to watch out when I substitute a boolit that is only close and sometimes not very.

No source is going to cover everything. Even here I find things that I either question or discard completely.

[lotech]

You're certainly correct on the cast data, but I think the audience for such material is smaller now (maybe a lot smaller) than during Ken Waters' era.

[castalott]

I guess you guys win! One of the members here sold me an extra copy and I can hardly wait.

You guys do know I'm Wild & Crazy if the big excitement in my life is a 30 year old................. book...:p

Dale

[Blackwater]

Don't worry Dale. You're FAR from alone in that boat. FAR from alone!!!

[omgb]

Hugh, the big excitement in my life is my 61 year old wife. How wild does that make me I wonder?

[TexasGrunt]

Sadly the huge excitement in my life is getting through the night without changing my diaper. Thank's prostate cancer. Getting a new mold ranks a pretty close second!

[jem102]

Down to earth usable information for the handloader. Have found mine to be very good reference.

[LuckyLes]

Hi All,
I just saw this today on another forum. Sad news indeed.
http://www.hoytfuneralhome.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1901682
RIP Ken
LuckyLes

[Screwbolts]

RIP Ken,

[Shawlerbrook]

If it's both volumes definitely!