I am awaiting delivery of the copy I ordered last week. Something told me not to wait any longer. Ken is an often quoted writer.
I am awaiting delivery of the copy I ordered last week. Something told me not to wait any longer. Ken is an often quoted writer.
Information not shared. is wasted.
Got mine today. I had no idea it was going to be 2 inches thick. Totally worth the $60.
One of my favourites, another favourite reloading writer was John Wooters, I see he passed in 2013 R.I.P. If it stays warm for the weekend maybe take the Waters Contender barrel to the range , been a while.
loading 22 Hornet, 218 Bee, 223 Rem, 22-250, 220 Swift, 6MM Rem, 6.5X55, 7X57, 7-30 Waters, 30-06 , 32-20 Win, 303 British, 38/357 , 12 and 20 gauge
Rest In Peace Ken , we're going to miss you .
Gary
Certified Cajun
Proud Member of The Basket of Deplorables
" Let's Go Brandon !"
Got my big copy of "Pet Loads" a couple of days ago, and it sure brings back memories of reading his and others' stuff back when the glossy mags had real personalities and opinionated writers, instead of reps for the advertisers. I found little help for the calibers I have, but I'll always value it anyway, just for the content of the writing, and some of the historical notes. I'm glad I finally got a copy. Ol' Ken was a really good one. Modest, but methodical and definite in his conclusions. He could tell a good story, and keep our interest up and our spirit of adventure fed. And he gave good info. This was once the standard by which gun writers were rated, but now, they seem to be rated by how glowingly they can write about some new gun that's as ugly as a pug pup. I haven't subscribed to the glossies for many years now. Just can't see paying for advertising. I just wait until a specimen comes to the local shop, and examine it myself.
Unfortunately, we don't HAVE enough walnut, nice or plain, to stock all our guns with any more. We're even over in Burma and all sorts of other places, cutting trees now to make our furniture with, and good wood is so scarce that even "good" furniture is now being made from the better grades of sawdust glued together with very think veneers on top. If you find any antiques at a decent price, BUY THEM! You won't regret it.
I grew up on Ken's research and writing. I have been blessed.
Winchester1873
Eastern Pennsylvania
NRA Endowment Member
SASS #4489
I stand and salute Ken Waters! We are definitely diminished. Ken's wisdom has enriched my life for many years!
Dale53
May he rest well...his legacy is cherished
...Speak softly & carry a big stick...
A true Icon among reloaders, I have his big "Pet Loads" book and gave all the previous ones to a good friend when he got into reloading. I never reloaded any new (to me) cartridge without first referring to Ken's work. He was a treasure trove of source information, beginning at a time when chronographs were not common and loading cartridges was more of an art than science. While today there is more information on pressure testing and a plethora of new powders available, no reloading library is complete without his Pet Loads on the self as a primary reference. I had no idea he almost made it to 100 years of age! May he rest in peace.
Last edited by kaiser; 12-11-2019 at 04:50 PM.
The solid soft lead bullet is undoubtably the best and most satisfactory expanding bullet that has ever been designed. It invariably mushrooms perfectly, and never breaks up. With the metal base that is essential for velocities of 2000 f.s. and upwards to protect the naked base, these metal-based soft lead bullets are splendid.
John Taylor - "African Rifles and Cartridges"
Forget everything you know about loading jacketed bullets. This is a whole new ball game!
Ya'll do realize that Ken Waters passed about 2 years ago when this topic was started & the OP posted on 02-18-2017, @ 07:21 PM.
Just pointing this out in case some are thinking that it just happened.
ETA: an obituary:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/na...?pid=183542017
Last edited by JBinMN; 12-11-2019 at 06:37 PM.
2nd Amend./U.S. Const. - "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
~~ WWG1WGA ~~
Restore the Republic!!!
For the Fudds > "Those who appease a tiger, do so in the hope that the tiger will eat them last." -Winston Churchill.
President Reagan tells it like it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6MwPgPK7WQ
Phil Robertson explains the Wall: https://youtu.be/f9d1Wof7S4o
I too miss his great research. Always wondered how he could afford all the components let alone arms to achieve such great detail. I treasure my copies of Handloader.
Have Ken's Pet Loads as well as a bunch of articles he did for both Rifle and Handloader magazines. Rest easy Ken you opened the world of handloading for generations of us. Frank
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |