Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Mule deer books

Not sure where to put the question but what books would you recommend? I just recently discovered he wrote a number of books. What would you recommend as the top 3? Obviously my interests will dictate somewhat what I should read. I like plain old hunting stories, so was thinking of getting one of those. I really like stories that give a bit of detail to caliber used, how it performed, etc.
I am not interested in wing-shooting, but love ballistics studies, terminal performance, and am a bullet construction nut. Love reading about bullet performance, reading about premium bullets vs standard cup and core, etc. Yes, I do overthink this stuff, but it is a hobby for me. Also, I believe he has done a lot of work on load development for many calibers, is there a place where that is compiled in one place? I have bought several back issues of handloader magazines, but that gets expensive pretty fast.( I do get them now). Or how what is the best method of getting his articles on particular calibers?
Or maybe john,you can point me in the right direction here. I would be interested in any articles you did on the 243, 260 rem, 308 win, 358 win, (ok i am seeing a pattern here) 225 winchester, 35 remington, 338 federal, 35 whelen, and any AI chamberings. If need to buy several more back issues of handloader, or any other magazine, I can do that. I wish there was a particular website or book that I could purchase with all the load date you have gathered! Maybe a retirement project!

Big Book of Gun Gack I and II would cover a good chunk of those. Excellent tomes, those.

FC

^^^^^
What he said.
I have read only four of John's books, but I plan to read more! He writes well, has a ton of knowledge, is still learning new things and writing about them. His opinions are fact based and well thought out. I particularly enjoy learning the history of the various cartridges, even if a cartridge I don't care to own. One minor complaint . . . more pictures! I always want more pictures!

ETA: I also subscribe to Rifle and Handloader, where John writes a good bit.

Does Gun Gack or Gack II have anything on the 225 winchester and the 358 Winchester?

Gun Gack includes the .358. No .225 data.

I should have also noted that the table of contents for each book is listed on the website. Click on whatever book you're interested in, then scroll down a little and there's a toolbar with description/table of contents/reviews.

I have the Big Book of Gunk Gack & love it. Just checked the table of contents of Gun Gack 11 and note that you haven't written
up anything on the 45-70. Whats up with this ?

The subtitle of the first Gun Gack is "The Hunter's Guide to Handloading Smokeless Rifle Cartridges," and I explain the in the introduction why I didn't include the .45-70: There are so many rifle variations, including old black-powder "trapdoors" and modern single-shots, that publishing data suitable for all becomes pretty complicated. Especially because of the present trend toward poor reading comprehension, and suing people who publish loading data when a smokeless load damages a blackpowder gun--or the shooter.

But I did include some black powder (and suitable smokeless) data for the .38-55 in Gun Gack II, and may include more in GG III, including the .45-70--and the .50-70, since I just bought an original Allin conversion trapdoor made in 1866. Still haven't made up my mind.

MD,when are you going to update the B-29 load data?

As soon as it's standardized by SAAMI!

Thanks for the recommendations! Looked at the table of contents, and looks like both gun gack books will be right down my ally! Thanks.

Ok thanks, all the more reason I need to order a GG11.

Gotcha.

So there is going to be a GG III? If so, I look forward to it. Mule Deer, are you just starting, in the middle, or almost done? Meaning do you have an estimated publication date?

Have started it, probably about 1/3 of the way into the first draft. Will probably be 2 years before it's published: GUN GACK appeared in 2015, GGII in 2018--but between them we published THE BIG BOOK OF BIG GAME HUNTING.

Anything in it for me, or should I just keep on calling you?

Kirk,

About a quarter of the book will be a section titled, "Handloading Questions Shrapnel Asked Me On The Phone." At your age, you might want to get a copy in case you forget the answers!

I thought Shrapnel knew everything already.

Will there be a "Rifle Loony News: The Second Five Years" ?

MD, Might I request some 6.8 SPC II info in GG III? As I recall you've done some hog killing with the round on Bill Wilson's place. Years ago I bought my then seven year old a Ruger Hawkeye in 6.8. After speaking with Mr. Wilson about his AR barrels he agreed to ream out the Ruger chamber to SPC II. It's been a great little rifle but data specific to that chamber has been hard to find.