Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ken Waters passing

Ken Waters was the best. I began reading his GUN DIGEST material before HANDLOADER started in '66. Thirty years ago I received a one-and-one-half page, single-spaced, typewritten reply from him in response to a question. I was impressed that he would take the time, effort, and interest to do such.

Back in the early days Ken would answer handloader's letters, I have several in my files. Pet Loads was a great work, a treasure trove of reloading data, Ken will be missed.

I've loaned my copies of Pet Loads to a lot of new reloaders. A lot of the powders are now obsolete. But the basics remain the same. Hasbeen

R.I.P. Mr. Waters.

The timing of his wife's passing coincides with him stopping responding to letters.
I had wondered if he had passed away back then. While I'm glad to know he didn't, I'm sad to hear that he has now passed.

Ed

RIP Mr. Waters. I enjoyed his writings/articles very much.

He sure would take the time to respond to one's letters and queries. That being back in the days where a month's turn around was considered normal, and a trip to the PO in a town 40 miles away was a twice a month occurrence.

We are diminished.

GTC

As mentioned above, Ken's writings were a model for many, many fledgling reloading writers, including yours truly. One cannot overestimate the positive effect Mr Waters had on the shooting world.

Sorry to hear of his passing. I have spent many hours reading pet loads and always enjoyed Mr. Waters writings. I need to purchase the supplement updates.

Sorry to read of his passing. I too have Pet Loads here. As a young person, his writings on vintage rifles and cartridges had a significant influence on me, and inspired my interest in them. I once wrote him regarding loads for the .32-40, and he replied with a very thoughtful typed reply.

His method of judging pressure my case expansion is somewhat outdated today, but it was a step forward in its time.

Outside of shooting, it is obvious he was a talented man who proudly served his country and community. RIP sir, we are diminished in your passing.

Sorry to hear of Ken's passing almost 100 years wow RIP brother.

RIP Ken. He was a giant in the field. His "Pet Loads" is still the first manual I reach for and his articles (I have Handloader from #1 to present) are the first ones I check when I start working with a new round.

RIP Ken

Rest in peace, sir.

RIP

R.I.P. Mr. Waters. You are missed.
Paul B.

I've got a well worn copy of both volumes of Pet Loads, spent many hours reading and re-reading them.

Sounds like he had a long and productive life. That's a pretty good epitaph. RIP, and thanks.

I have gleamed much reloading info. from Mr. Waters over the decades. I saved many a "Pet Loads" column and they live in my reloading room with all of the other books & printouts of loading data. He will be greatly missed.

RIP Ken Waters!

I found Ken in the mid 80's upon buying my first deer rifle, a Win 94 chambered in 7x30 Waters. My only copy of Pet Loads feel apart from use a few years ago. In the mid 90's, when he was still on the "Handloader" staff, I wrote him a couple of letters and still have the responses. Wish there were more in the world like him. RIP Ken.

Back in the day of letter writing, we talked at length about a project I had started. He seemed kind and patient with a young man who wanted to learn. I wanted a 416 express having read about it in Pet Loads. Think I'll take her out and shoot while remembering Mr Ken.

Gonna miss you Ken.RIP