Hello just wondering if anyone has this book thinking about purchasing it. What I would like to know is what Mr. Waters says about the Luger 9mm does he recommend a specific power and also for the 380 is there a power he recommends for the best accuracy for that one as well. Thanks with ammo prices on the rise going to blow a little dust of my reloading bench and pick up so new equipment plan on adding a digital scale.

Tom j.

...mostly for the way it's written and the infomation BESIDES the loading data (the loading data is pretty aged by now). Very good about showing how changing X changes Y, the "why" of things rather than just the results. Even if you cut the loading data out and toss it, the rest of the book is well worth a read.

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IF you do decide to buy a set, consider 'used'...it's the information you want, not the "new book smell":
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0935632336/ref=lp_g_1

I consider Pet Loads to be a must read for anyone serious about reloading.
Some of the loading data is old, but... Ken Waters also worked with some cartridges it's darn hard to find data for.
If you're considering the idea of loading for any cartridge, Ken Waters has already run into any possible problems you might run into, and figured out a solution.

Could not agree more. "Pet Loads" should be on every reloader's shelf, period. Ken was an absolute master of clear writing, as well as an extremely astute reloader. When I'm working with a new cartridge, PL is the FIRST thing I open. Not only will I find fascinating (and sometimes vital) trivia about the round, but invariably, what Ken reports as "Best Load" will be just that. Uncanny how he does that time after time.

Ken is now retired, but the volume of work he produced is staggering - as would also have been the total recoil he's absorbed!

I have Ken's loose leaf binder of Pet Loads from the 70's. Yes, The data is old but his insight, techniques
and recommendations in his tested calibers is worth reading. I'm still shooting Hodgdon 4831 from the 70's, it's packed in the cardboard containers. It's as good as the day it was made. I go to Ken's data when I reload with that powder.

Pet loads is a very good reference.

Does he recommend powders for a specific caliber, looking for the most accurate for my 380 any suggestions? 380 ammo has gone up so much it's sent me back to the loading bench.

Tom j.

Pet Loads covers the 380 Auto and the 9mm Luger. He lists 10 loads for the 9mm Luger and 15 loads for the 380 Auto. Definately a good book to have.

Great book. Obviously does not ave load data for newer components but, as has been stated so aptly above, it is a valuable asset to have on one's bench.

Pet Loads covers the 380 Auto and the 9mm Luger. He lists 10 loads for the 9mm Luger and 15 loads for the 380 Auto. Definately a good book to have.

Well I like that now does he give any recommendations? that's specifically what I'm looking for. It aint cheap and I just want to make sure it has the kind of information I'm looking for. Thanks

Tom j.

Pet Loads is on sale at Midway for $30:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=807509&t=11082005

I second everything everyone else has said about it and it's a steal for that price. There's I think one article on the 380 and 3 on the 9mm. He mentioned Unique and Herco for the 380. I can't say for the 9mm's, a lot of browsing and I'm limited on time this morning :)

An excellent powder for the 380 -but one not often mentioned anywhere anymore- is IMR PB. One of our older powders but a very flexible one, which may explain why it's still around. If you choose to stick with more plain-vanilla powders, Unique, Universal, American Select, Green Dot, W231 and AA#5 are quite good.

An excellent powder for the 380 -but one not often mentioned anywhere anymore- is IMR PB. One of our older powders but a very flexible one, which may explain why it's still around. If you choose to stick with more plain-vanilla powders, Unique, Universal, American Select, Green Dot, W231 and AA#5 are quite good.

Thanks, well for 30 bucks you guys say it's really worth it so I'll pick up a copy. Also what's the accuracy like with the IMR PB and is it hard to find? Might be just what I'm looking for.

Tom j.

You'll never know what the accuracy is in your particular handgun until you try it. Some firearms prefer one type of propellent, some another. Same with bullet and primer types.

Check out the Hodgdon powder website and see if they still list it for IMR powders.

You'll never know what the accuracy is in your particular handgun until you try it. Some firearms prefer one type of propellent, some another. Same with bullet and primer types.

Check out the Hodgdon powder website and see if they still list it for IMR powders.

But aren't some powders suppose to be generally more accurate for a particular caliber. That's my understanding.

Tom j.

Will toss in my personal best load...but it's probably too hot by today's standards. Test gun was a well-cared for Colt 1908 (made about 1935 or so).

Home cast Lee 105SWC sized to .357" (not a miss print...that's the size that worked best in that barrel).
Basic wheel-weight alloy
RCBS pistol lube (again, doubt it makes much difference in this case)
Once fired or New WW brass
CCi primers (because that's what I had a lot of on hand...doesn't seem to make a difference what brand is used)
3.4gr. Unique
Seated to .935" (this seating leaves a tiny bit of the full diameter bullet out from the case mouth)

Loaded, they looked exactly like mini-.45acp target loads (the old 185gr. SWC .45acp target loads were popular once).

Vel. from that old Colt was 990fps/ 228 foot pounds. like I said, THAT'S PROBABLY TOO HOT..today, i'd back down to 3.0gr. I'd also slug the bore of your pistol and size the bullets to match.

Same as above, but with just 2.0gr. of Bullseye would cycle the gun fine, not toss the empty cases into the next county, and was the accuracy load...vel. was right at 700fps.

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Why a SWC?

Because it's too "stupid" to not do what it was designed for. HP's may or may not expand, SWC's "chop" a hole no matter what.

PB is a very fine-grained powder that measures well, ignites easily and burns very clean. A good .380 load is 3.1 grains with a 100-gr bullet for about 750 fps. That was measured in a 2.5" barrel, so you might get a bit more with a longer tube.