Customer Reviews

Cartridges of the World (Cartridges of the World, 9th ed)

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

artridges of the World, authored by Frank C. Barnes and edited by Stan Skinner, is always a fun read and generally a good reference book, however, I believe the franchise publishers may be getting a little impatient in releases. The 11th edition was released only 10 months after the 10th edition, while the 10th edition was released almost 3 years after the 9th edition and with more appropriate timing based on new cartridge releases. In short, there wasn't much new included that shouldn't have easily made the 10th edition.

In general, I noticed no particular attempt by the author to update or correct entries that appeared in earlier editions. The 357 SIG is still listed as a new cartridge , with the suggestion that time will tell if it will succeed. The 357 SIG is chambered in almost every performance non 1911 autoloader and in heavy use with Federal agencies including air marshals and the FBI. The 376 Steyr carries an association with the Scout rifle which has not been available in that chamber for years. The Remington SAUM line and the WSM line read like a new introductions. There are some showcase articles on sub .22 caliber rifle cartridges and the Chinese standardization on the 5.8 caliber, although I am hard pressed to know why as the information is of little practical use and of interest to a very limited audience. I would have been happier with a review of the concepts behind the past few years of cartridge releases and the prospects for the future.

Some of the categorizing or editing has gotten a little sloppy and there is a decent amount of redundancy in listings. Virtually every cartridge that appears under the military heading and has found its way into sporting rifle use, is also listed under "Current American Rifle Cartridges; the 7x57mm Mauser, 8x57mm Mauser, 30-06 Springfield, 7.72 NATO, etc. Usually this dilemma of listing is handled with the least appropriate heading get an "See under x Category". Things got a little more foggy with the inclusion of the 303 British under "Current American Rifle Cartridges" with text describing it as the "official British military cartridge until the adoption of the 7.62 NATO" then goes on to indicate it has never been popular in the United States. I am not sure what the term "Current" means as the definition offered by the book makes no sense at all. According to COTW, current cartridges include those where ammunition is still available, even if only by special order, and only if chambered in modern guns, although not necessarily in guns manufactured and sold in the U.S. I guess this also explains the 8mm Remington Magnum and 375 Winchester being listed as current. Under the "Obsolete American Rifle Cartridge Category" you'll find the 405 Winchester, even though ammo and a current rifle is produced, and the 358 Norma Magnum which is not an American cartridge. The 38 Casull is listed as a mainstream handgun cartridge, as is the 32 North American, the latter cartridge I am only aware of being available in the North American Arms Guardian pistol. The 440 Cor-Bon, however, is listed as a proprietary cartridge, as is the 475 Linebaugh, the latter which is chambered in a number of firearms and available outside of the originator as brass and loaded ammo. Proprietary typically means supplied by the manufacturer for use only in their firearms. Based on some of the COTW definitions, the 257 Roberts would be a proprietary cartridge rather than a commercialized wildcat. Where rifle cartridges have the designations "current" and "obsolete", handgun cartridges carry the page heading "handgun cartridges of the world and there is an in page break heading "obsolete" in the middle of the listings - something easy to miss and also inaccurate. As an example, I shoot a Russian Nagant 7.62 revolver with some routine. The cartridge is listed as obsolete, rather than military and I buy newly manufacturers Fiocchi ammo routinely from suppliers.

That said, if I didn't have an earlier edition of Cartridges of the World I would buy a copy of the current release. If I had the 10th edition, I am not so sure. It is a good general reference book and there are few that offer the same. It is just not a book of great detail and sometimes with uneven listing.

If there is one standard handbook for cartridge collectors as well as for "everyday" users, this one should be named foremost. It covers a very large range of current and obsolete cartridge both from the metric and the "imperial" (read: British and American) measurement systems, civilian and military alike. A number of the better-known wildcat and proprietary cartridges are also treated. Almost all cartridges are illustrated (though mostly not with measurements, which are confined to some cumbersome tables at the end of the chapters). While this book is not "the bible" and still contains many (often just minor) errors and inaccuracies, it is infinitely useful, and the well-known new editor, M.L. McPherson, has already made improvements over the previous (7th) edition. I strongly recommend this book as a "must buy" for even a very small firearms reference library - you will end up using it daily.

This is a wonderful book to just sit and read for pleasure as well as being a great reference resource. The history of each cartridge is discussed, as well as the author's personal thoughts on each cartridge. The author is a clear, concise writer without being dull, and the range of cartridges covered is very complete. I have used it often. I am currently reading Peter Hathaway Capstick's book, "Death in the Long Grass", which tells of his African hunting experiences. Capstick mentions several dangerous game cartridges, such as the .375 H&H Magnum and the .470 Nitro Express. I looked both up in this book and read about their histories. One very cool thing about the book is that each cartridge is pictured actual size. These big game cartridges are as big as cigars and go about 300 to 400 grain in weight (compared to one of my favorite cartridges, 30-30 win, which is usually about 150 grain). Included in the book are obsolete cartridges and those fascinating wildcat cartridges, such as the author's own creation, called the "thermos bottle" which must be seen to be believed. If firearm cartridges interest you for any reason you should have this book.

Cartridges of the World Review

First of all, most of what I'm going to say relates to Edition nine, but is designed to tie in with comments made by "Spartiate" below. I felt his/her comments deserved a reply, because they echo thoughts I had when I first bought Edition nine.

I had thought Edition Nine was an excellent advance on what I'd read before, with a few low patches. Previous editions I'd seen were two and five, when John Amber and Frank Barnes reigned supreme. Nine certainly has vastly more information, and I'm curious as to whether Ten has that much more again.

I agree with certain criticisms, particularly the repetition within the entries on the Lazzeroni and JDJ cartridges. It seemed to me (with my more limited knowledge) that the editor was trying to fill space while talking about new cartridges that didn't (yet!) have much history worth speaking of. A collated expose on those companies that offered various proprietary cartridges, with the odds and sods at the end listed by calibre, might have been better and allowed a lot less repetition of somewhat less relevant material.

I didn't examine the handloading data very carefully, not being actively engaged in the sport myself, and can't comment on errors. What I did think was a shame was the numerous horrendous typographical errors, omissions and "tab-stop disasters" present especially within the British Cartridges section. From this viewpoint, some of the older editions were better.

Inconsistencies from one edition to another are also apparent, e.g. Barnes's comments on the .32 Winchester Special and the rifles which fire it have been COMPLETELY RUBBISHED in the most scathing tones by the editor in the 9th edition. This was an ideal opportunity for the 9th edition editor to state the obvious (that the inaccuracy problem could be solved with an oversize bullet, as he did), and to explain carefully why the "designed for blackpowder reloading" story was a nonsense - not to denigrate the previous author, in whose footsteps he claims to be so proud to tread. Maybe this is why he was not asked back for Edition Ten.

It would be a shame indeed if these errors have been perpetuated. I would hope, if I bought Number Ten, that more cartridges would have been added that we have NEVER heard of before, and not just an expanded list of variations on a theme from Jones and Lazzeroni, or a rehash of what has gone before. Dimensional tables should, by now, include case capacity (especially when I can download the FREE demo of "Load From A Disk" from www.loadammo.com and get cartridge dimensions and case capacities that Barnes' book doesn't cover!!!).

The use of the QuickLOAD ballistics program was, I thought, inspired as it gave (I felt) a good impression of what might be possible for a cartridge on which little work had as yet been done, but it took me a long time to find any other reference to it! (I now have this program on order). It could equally have been applied to those much older/obsolete cartridges "for which no ballistic or handloading information is available" far more often and far more consistently than it was.

It's also about time, I think, that something was said about bullets. These are an essential part of the cartridge, and I think that a chapter or two devoted to them would be handy, especially the very heavy, very light and very streamlined efforts. This would be a valuable addition.

Any comments from someone who has both editions nine and ten?

(Note: I have NO connection with any of the software companies or products I have mentioned).

This book provides extremely useful information to the avid firearms user and those just beginning. Cartridge description covers dimensional, reloading, history and sporting/military firearm background. The book is a must for anyone looking to build a custom rifle, pistol or shotgun as the description of wildcats and obselete calibres is reasonably wide and varied. The author manages to focus well on the task at hand, making the book a pleasure to read and money well spent.

Doing research on an old cartridge, ANY old cartridge, is greatly assisted by this volume. I've been doing such research on loads for an obsolete handgun known as a .401 PowerMag which was available around thirty years ago from Herters Inc. This volume had the cartridge in it and included old loading information. Wonderful.

Mr Smith of Pahrump Nevada, who reviews this book negatively above, is just too close to his subject for balance. Personally, I have ardently wished for a book like this with its simple goal of comparing cartridges by size, applications, and history. It is such a confusing topic to the relative beginner -- like me -- that its a wonder such a book has not been available and updated every five years since the first brass cartridge was produced. I now see clearly where before I could not easily grasp the differences between a 308, 30-30, 30-06 and 7mm Magnum, or between a 22WMR, 222, 223, 22-250, 25-20. I know now, and its easy! Mr Smith, we know you know a fair amount about ammunition, but we also sense you would be a bore writing on this topic. Leave it to others. And by the way, the word is "hogswill"! My advice to anyone interested in ammunition -- get this book and all questions will vanish. Note: I have no link whatsoever to publisher or writer.

Comparing the review dates to Amazon's release date (July '03), I believe this may be the first review of the actual 10th Edition currently offered for sale. Having assigned a rating of two stars, obviously well below the average, let me preface my remarks by stating, in all fairness, that my expectations were probably artifically high due to anticipation, as Amazon provided three BS delivery dates (order/upgrade/complaint date plus shipping time estimate, even before release) before finally shipping the book (Next Day Air--worst $$ I ever spent) ten weeks or so after my order date.

While I obviously cannot hold the author/editors responsible for Amazon's corporate policies, the reason I put up with all that nonsense in the first place, when I could have bought the 9th edition elsewhere for less money, and had it in a week, was to have the most comprehensive, up-to-date reference available--the past few years have been a dynamic period for cartridge development--and it is here that COTW 10 fails to deliver.

First, despite the assertions on the cover "A Complete and Illustrated Reference . . ." and "THE (emphasis mine) Book for Every Shooter, Collector, and Handloader", it is ANYTHING BUT COMPREHENSIVE. The preferences and prejudices of the editors are transparent, not only (understandably) in the articles on each cartridge, but also (inexcusably) in the choice of cartridges covered/omitted. Basically, you are reading neither about all the cartridges in the world, nor about the most popular, powerful, or historically significant, but those the writers use/like. Having read numerous books, magazines, and websites about shooting and reloading, I nevertheless came across several cartridges, from the sublime to the ridiculous (i.e., cartridges never chambered), of which I had never heard. On the flip side, I found coverage of certain areas--Chapter 4, Wildcats, in particular (the reason I bought the book; after all, data on mainstream/factory cartridges is available everywhere)--disappointing. Whole categories were ignored: the necked-down .50BMG cartridges used for long-range competition, for example, and the Hawk family of blown-out '06-case rounds. Conversely, the author's fixation on any cartridge ever dreamed of by JDJ/SSK and Lazzeroni is obvious, and the repetition of the Lazz marketing blurb "While somewhat related to an older case, for practical purposes this is a new case design" begins to grate after a while, occupying as it does room that would have been better spent on variety!

My second major criticism, again related somewhat to the wait, is INATTENTION TO DETAIL. After all, the 10th Edition of every book should be, regardless of one's agreement/disagreement with content, a book that has been edited ten times! Instances range from minor annoyances to potential safety hazards. The organization of each chapter is, ostensibly, "in the order of increasing bullet diameter, or if caliber is the same, by length or power." Unfortunately, while shooters may argue over minor differences in power (say, .30 Mauser vs. .30 Tokarev), there are some glaring mixups both in this area (.45 WinMag before .45 ACP; brutal .454 Casull before 19th Century slowpoke.45 S&W Schofield), and even by diameter (.350 Rem Mag between .376 Steyr and .375 H&H). Likewise, the distinction among "modern" (i.e. repopularized by Cowbow Action Shooting) and "obsolete" Old West cartridges seems to be somewhat arbitrary. Dimensional drawings accompanying each article vary from awesome for the Remington Ultra Mags to basic, leaving out even bullet diameter, for most others (although these are included in the tables that follow each chapter). Many of the articles seem to be retreads, including outdated statements (i.e. referring to the discontinued .376 Steyr Scout Rifle in the future tense) in a book published two months ago!

Despite all these hiccups, Cartridges of the World, 10th Edition, is an interesting read, written by shooters for shooters. The articles are literate and entertaining, and the book is a surprisingly quick read for a reference work. If you like shooting, reloading, and the history of cartridges, you'll find it informative; if your preferences more or less coincide with the editors', you'll enjoy it. Overall, I would rate it three, if not four stars, were it not for the fact that inattentive editing extends to the reloading data provided, creating confusion that could lead to potentially unsafe conditions for the inexperienced reloader. For example, the same .220 Swift, 55-grain hollow point is said to develop 1764 foot-pounds at 3800fps, and 1955 at 3000. A typo is a typo, until you start talking about gunpowder! Read and reload carefully.

Pretty much THE standard firearms reference text. For the beginner the task of choosing and recognising a cartridge can be a tad confusing at best ( A simple example will suffice- this round is a .22 rimfire. Is it a .22 short? a .22 Long? A .22 Long rifle? a .22 shot cartridge? a 5mm rem. Magnum? a .22 Win. Mag?- you get the idea. Lets not even start on .30 Cal. Magnums!)

This is the authortive guidelines on every cartridge ever produced, with short history, ballistics and so on. Handloaders, and collectors must have this- hunters might manage to live without.

There are some opinions scattered throughout the book, but nothing in those is particully worrying- there is certainly no opinion that I would consider dangerous or worrying. And even if there are opinions which you might disagree with, gentle reader, this is still the only book that I am aware of that goes into such depth on such a range of cartridges. Recommended.

Grade: A

A well written, comprehensive, and fun to read book. I have gleaned much information from this reference which goes beyond standard lineup of cartridges presently encountered by North American hunters and weekend warriors. Anyone interested in history of small arms ammunition (pistol and rifle) should do themselves a big favor and read this book.