Best Score of My Life...So Far!

12 June 2021, 04:31

At a gun show today searching for deals on anything (mostly just killing a rainy Friday afternoon) and came across one of the many "cleanout" tables with old reloading goods on them. I've found some pretty decent deals before, but today takes the cake. They had a whole pile of reloading books stacked up, and the top one was a lightly-used copy of the A-Square Any Shot You Want manual! Rare enough to see one of those in the wild. I sheepishly asked how much, fully expecting an astronomical number. What I got was, "How about five bucks?"

Barely, but convincingly, containing my excitement, I politely paid the man and walked away. A lovely addition to the library!

13 June 2021, 08:28

Lamar

I woulda had to rifle through everything there to see whatever other goodies he might have had.

13 June 2021, 16:14

Paul Reed

Good score, I still refer to that manual on a regular basis even though it is dated. Be aware though that "they load 'em hot" for many of the cartridges. The articles on pressure and other reloading techniques in the front of the manual are very informative.

Stay safe

14 June 2021, 14:14

Rockdoc

I like it. Bought mine too many years ago, didn’t know they were rare today.

It’s a good read and I have a lot of time for the knowledge of Art Alphin.

14 June 2021, 17:33

crshelton

I bought my copy when it was first published and though not frequently used, it came in handy recently when I copied an entire page for a post and that made my point and avoided my keying in a lot of text.
It is a good addition to a library.

15 June 2021, 18:28

Clayman

I primarily bought it for the text sections at the beginning. I find the load data to be average and a bit limited for the more popular calibers. Some of the powders they use have been discontinued, so that's kind of irrelevant.

I also make time to absorb the wisdom of Alphin, Aagard, Boddington, and Weiland (even if he's cranky). I haven't really seen the practices they detail in the book written anywhere else. It's very informative.

16 June 2021, 08:03

phurley5

I have had the manual for years and have used it extensively, starting with info on the .358 STA. Art Alpin was a fan of the STA and arranged for the Winchester Custom shop to produce 58 rifles. I was lucky enough to get one of those and it became my go to Elk rifle as well as the ideal plains game rifle for Africa. My rifle is Stainless with beautiful red walnut typical of all the Winchester Custom shop productions. The manual also gives Lot numbers on powder with its loads that I have never seen in other manuals. I found finding a particular lot impossible to do but still good info. I am a loading manual nut and cannot wait to get the latest available. Good Shooting.

16 June 2021, 23:05

dan belisle

Bought quite a few copies of these since the 90's, even got a couple personally from Art Alphin when his shop was in IN. Good manual. - dan

18 June 2021, 17:41

Clayman

quote:
Originally posted by phurley5:
I have had the manual for years and have used it extensively, starting with info on the .358 STA. Art Alpin was a fan of the STA and arranged for the Winchester Custom shop to produce 58 rifles. I was lucky enough to get one of those and it became my go to Elk rifle as well as the ideal plains game rifle for Africa. My rifle is Stainless with beautiful red walnut typical of all the Winchester Custom shop productions. The manual also gives Lot numbers on powder with its loads that I have never seen in other manuals. I found finding a particular lot impossible to do but still good info. I am a loading manual nut and cannot wait to get the latest available. Good Shooting.

Yeah, that's one of the many benefits here - load data and standardization of then-uncommon calibers. The 358 STA, 416 Taylor, 470 Capstick, etc. are all fine calibers that aren't given the popularity they deserve. The load data and history of each detailed in the manual are excellent.