Complete Guide to Handloading

by Philip B. Sharpe

Complete guide to handloading, Problems of the handloader , Case inspection and preparation, casting bullets and much more.

300 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

Sharpe is remembered as one of the co-developers of the famed .357 Magnum cartridge. He was an expert in ballistics and espoused high-velocity loads. His two works; The Rifle in America and Complete Guide to Handloading are considered to be essential reference works for any rifle shooter with a modicum of interest in the field. Sharpe served as an officer with the U.S. Army Ordnance Corp during World War II. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and served with it's technical division from 1950 - 1955. Sharpe was also a frequent contributor to the oranization's monthly publication The American Rifleman. Sharpe was well known for his workaholic habits and was relentless when it came to work which probably contributed to his demise. He experienced the first of two heart attacks in 1957. The second ,and fatal, attack occurred the morning of January 24, 1961. He was 57 at the time of his death and lived in Emmitsburg, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Checkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic of firearms literature. Phil Sharpe was a workaholic and an inveterate ballistician. Among his many achievements was sharing in the development of the .357 Magnum cartridge. It seems that there was nothing in the world of ammunition that Sharpe did not research and experiment with. When he wasn't doing that he was busy writing, building shooting facilities, visiting ammunition and firearms factories and serving as an Ordnance Officer in the U.S. Army during World War II. I don't know where he found the energy and not surprisingly he died from a heart-attack (his second) in 1961. He left behind an impressive body of work.

Complete Guide To Handloading is one of the most significant works that Sharpe left as part of his legacy. Copies of the book are becoming increasingly hard to find, which is a shame. It's a treasure trove of information for the dedicated hand-loader. The load data may no longer apply (example: burn rates of powder have changed and we can measure the pressure generated by various powders more accurately), but many of the basics still do. In addition for those who are interested in reloading obsolete and out of date cartridges the book can be of great usefulness. Sharpe was a man who wrote in great detail and he accompanied his writing with charts and photos. Important to have visual aides when writing about such technical topics.

The book went through three printings and two revisions (taking into account evolving technologies) between 1937 - 1953. Back in the day books about firearms were published by small printing houses and had small runs. As a result ,if not reprinted, the older books can be difficult to find and they can command a hefty price. For reasons that I am unaware of this is one of the books that has never been re-printed. I came across the 1953 edition a few weeks ago in a St. Vincent's Thrift Store. I paid $55.00 for my copy and I was pleased as punch to do so. A 1953 printing can command prices starting at $100 and go past $300; the earlier editions can go much higher. Editions are available for sale and it's a great addition to one's library, but it isn't a cheap addition. However, for those who are fascinated by the history of firearms and ballistics it's worth it. Happy hunting.