Since the mid-1990s, commercial cartridge manufacturers have been introducing new and improved ammunition to keep up with the demand for new chamberings and the shift to nostalgic arms. Now the world's best-known resource on cartridges of all nations, past and present, is thoroughly updated and covers these new cartridges. More than 1,500 rifle, pistol, and shotgun cartridges are listed in various categories with illustrations, historical notes, and loading data. Cartridge and stream experts offer exciting articles on shooting, bullets, cartridge identification, military ammunition and reloading. Provides essential information for every arms and cartridge collector, shooter and reloader.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
There is a newer edition of this item:
|
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Stan Skinner's interest in guns began in his preteen years. Following military service, Skinner joined the NRA editorial staff. Today, he is managing editor of SAFARI magazine and technical editor of Guns & Ammo, with several African and North American species in the record books.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Authors
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By Joe D
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
cartridge reference book
Found all the obsolete odd ball stuf in my collection- including the 8X48 saure on an old Franz Sodia custom. Can find stuff by their dimension, not just caliber.
Published 3 months ago by William G. Moore Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great resource
For any gun enthusiast or handloader, this is a great book to have around the shop. Find out what that old bullet is that has been laying around for years. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kelly Alwood
2.0 out of 5 stars
Used books, do not expect too much.
First time I purchased a used book. Maybe I expected too much.
Book was well used, and had coffee stains, etc. I would never had given this book" evem free. Read more
Book was well used, and had coffee stains, etc. I would never had given this book" evem free. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Robert J. Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars
good reference
This book is very good reference material. I use this book almost daily to get case dimensions for obsolete calibers. Well worth the money.
Published 13 months ago by rob
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Opinion
I edited this edition of Cartridges of the World. I made this purchase because I wanted an additional copy.
Published on October 1, 2010 by Tucson Writer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ammunition Descriptions
-----This book, "Cartridges of the World", is the bible of small arms--rifle, pistol, shotgun, military, English, European, obsolete--ammunition. Read more
Published on September 14, 2010 by James W. Milburn
3.0 out of 5 stars
Could be improved.
A good book that could be improved by putting many more pictures with dimensions and case powder area's - some dimensions do exist but not enough.
Published on March 14, 2010 by Shock Writer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book for the gun enthusiast in all of us !!
I had read more than one incredible reviews about this book so I grabbed a copy to see for myself. Excellent texts, detailing every aspect of the cartridges and hundreds of... Read more
Published on March 13, 2010 by Richard A Thomas Jr
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still very useful (11th edition)
Although published in 2006, this edition is still very useful because it contains precise dimensional drawings for each cartridge. Read more
Published on January 9, 2010 by Ezio Insinna
3.0 out of 5 stars
Could have been better...
When reading through this book, I found much of the information to be quite helpful. But one fact that bothered me while reading is that the units used to denote different... Read more
Published on September 15, 2009 by Meandering Being
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
So You'd Like to...
Look for Similar Items by Category
- Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Firearms & Weapons
- Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Reference
- Books > Education & Reference
- Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems
- Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Materials
- Books > Sports & Outdoors > Hunting & Fishing > Shooting
