Pet Loads by Ken Waters

[JAMESGR]

I read a post that stated that if you like 800-X powder then buy "Pet Loads" by Ken Waters. I'm using MP 359640 at 170 grns. in .357 & 38Spl. and wondered if there is enough info about 800-X powder for this wt. boolit in these calibers to justify the purchase price of the book.
Thank you'
JAMES
JAMESGR

[PositiveCaster]

My 1986 edition only has 3 loads with 800-X for his .357 Magnum carbine, none for handguns. Later editions might have additional data, I don’t know.




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[JAMESGR]

Thanks, PostiveCaster that what I am thinking very few loads. I'm not loading anything but .357 and 38 Spl. for pistols and Henry rifles.
Thanks for the info
JAMES
JAMESGR

[kaiser]

While I'm sure the cost of Ken Water's "Pet Loads" book may seem to be awful expensive for the few cartridges you load; however if you like to read about loading in general, and reloading techniques in particular, his book is a treasure trove of information! He is considered the "Dean of reloading" who has tested just about every firearm and caliber used on this continent. If I want to shorten the search for a powder and bullet combination that will work 90% of the time, I go to his book first to find a good formula. (Because of the plethora of new powders on the market, his data is getting a bit dated, but his information is still extremely useful.) My .02

[Green Frog]

Rather than buying the Waters book for loading data limited to 1 caliber, why not buy the single caliber paperback for that caliber? Then if you need additional specific powder data, use the web page for the powder’s manufacturer and information from pages like this (with caution - there’s a lot of misinformation being posted) to get what you need. Just as a FYI, I tend to think of 800X as more of a rifle powder than a pistol powder while I’ve used a bunch of 700X in my 38 Spl midrange loads. YMMV of course.

Froggie

[lotech]

If you have a real interest in handloading, and it seems many don't nowadays, the Ken Waters book is excellent. Much of the data is quite dated but remains useful.

I've had very good results with 800X and cast bullets in the .38 Special and .45 ACP (and maybe others), but it meters poorly in my Redding measure. I don't use it for that reason only. I had no idea anyone used 800X in rifle cartridges, but perhaps it works well for very reduced loads.

[dragon813gt]

If you want to use a powder that meters like gravel and doesn’t provide top performance then use 800-X. H110/W296 w/ that bullet is a great combination. So much so that I use it for hunting, double crimp groove version.

[high standard 40]

I have a copy of the IMR loading manual from 1989. If you will PM your email address to me I'll send you images of that 800X data it shows for 38 SPL and 357.

[jsizemore]

You can find all kinds of info from the internet about how much powder to stick behind a projectile/s. If you want to know more that being the primate pulling the handle, get Pet Loads and thank Ken for saving you the time to come up with a solution to your problem and even recognize that you do have a problem short of blowing up your gun.

You can add the articles of Merrill Martin.

[cp1969]

The Ken Waters book is sold on Amazon. You can ask a question whether or not the information you need is included before you buy the book.

I bought the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook and get questions all the time about what loads are in it.

edit: Disregard this. I looked on Amazon and can't find a way to ask a question on the listing for this book.

[rockshooter]

The Waters book is by far my most-used reloading resource.
Loren

[mainiac]

Ive read his petloads,many times,
Has to be 1 of the best books to get!
I remember he said 800x was the best powder,in 32mag.so i bought some.25 yrs later,still got the can,cause this is the worst metering powder,ive ever tried to use!!!!

[rockshooter]

Mainiac!
I did the same, but finally gave the can away.
Loren

[1006]

I have had good results with 800X and cast bullets in the 38-55/375Winchester. I am loading a 260 grain gas checked cast bullet 1500fps. I have to hand weigh the charge.

[dragon813gt]

800-X meters like gravel. But this isn’t an issue w/ the likes of a Chargemaster where you set the weight and it throws it automatically. I don’t use it in rifles, there are better powders. But it has its place w/ 10mm. You’re going to get top velocity, or close to it, at slightly lower pressure than a powder like Longshot. It works very well for 10mm cast loads.

[buckwheatpaul]

I read a post that stated that if you like 800-X powder then buy "Pet Loads" by Ken Waters. I'm using MP 359640 at 170 grns. in .357 & 38Spl. and wondered if there is enough info about 800-X powder for this wt. boolit in these calibers to justify the purchase price of the book.
Thank you'
JAMES
JAMESGR

I know he likes that powder for cast .45 ACP bullet article. He says 7.0 grains is the magic load for any of the cast boolits....

I have been reading his works since the 1970's and he is thorough on his approach. I do cross reference with other loading manuals....