any good books for beginners wanting to learn more about rifles and ballistics etc. my son is 16 and is becoming very interested....i want to get him a great rifles for beginners type book. suggestions?

start him right...
The Art Of The Rifle.

by Jeff Cooper

When the first edition of The Art of the Rifle was released in 1997, it received glowing reviews from every quarter. In this special color edition, Cooper's eloquent and spirited prose is matched with beautiful, artfully displayed color photographs illustrating exactly how the rifle is to be used in all kinds of circumstances. This full-color, reference-sized edition also contains a new preface and a chapter on the Scout rifle that you won't want to miss. The Art of the Rifle is a training manual on the use of the rifle in the field, not at the firing range. Colonel Cooper has taught marksmanship for most of his adult life and in doing so has developed systems for imparting the necessary information and dexterity that lead to success. In his usual Spartan style, Cooper dispenses with the superfluous and gets right down to the essential elements. 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, hardcover, color photos, 224 pp.


After that Understanding Firearm Ballistics
by Robert A. Rinker

that will get him started in making the choice of what style of rifleman he wants to be.

Theres also Dead On: The Long-Range Marksman's Guide to Extreme Accuracy
Tony M. Noblitt and Warren Gabrilska

thanks very much

John Plaster's The Ultimate Sniper could prove beneficial.

I would suggest that you read any of the books first. A 16 year old may not be emotionally ready to study the tradecraft of killing people. Plaster's book is a great book with lots of technical information, but, as a parent, you need to know what you son is absorbing.

I also have all of Jeff Cooper's books and he was an incredible writer. I have reread many of them several times and I would endorse some for the younger reader. But you need to read them first.

Really glad to see a dad take such serious interest in getting a son started off on the right information. Both of my kids killed their first antelope, deer and elk at age 12 and now that they are adults, both love to hunt.

Keep up the good work.

If your son is interested in hunting Deer, you might want to get some of Dr. Ken Norberg's books on Deer Hunting. My youngest son, who is now 41, loved those books when he was 16.
When I was 16, I enjoyed reading Warren Page's writings in Field and Stream. He wrote 'The Accurate Rifle" that I think your son would enjoy.

Don

quote:

Originally posted by SD Shooter:
A 16 year old may not be emotionally ready to study the tradecraft of killing people.

The suggestion was more social commentary than a recommendation. A sixteen year-old will be living in interesting times.

thanks for all responses.

I'd suggest:

"The Modern Rifle" by Jim Carmichel

and any/all of the books by Jack O'Connor
particularly, "The Art of Hunting North American Game"

Hey Win 69,

There was no criticism intended. I teach concealed carry classes for adults and we are very up front with our discussions of taking a life. I have learned that there are often people who do not (or can not) emotionally consider lethal self defense. In dealing with
young people (I also teach Hunter Safety) I have found that not all kids have the life skills to consider all aspects of "killing," even when dealing with hunting.

You are right about Plaster, he is a excellent writer and I do keep his book at hand for technical guidance.

Take care.

quote:

Originally posted by SD Shooter:
Hey Win 69,

There was no criticism intended.

None taken. I took the opportunity to make an unrelated point. I'm old, but feel very strongly about what the next generation is facing. On the other hand, most seem oblivious to what has been lost. To me, it's distressing, but I don't know what else to do about it except to attract attention to what is coming.

I'm sure that any of the other recommendations for books is more appropriate than mine. Perhaps I should take the opportunity to recommend Pat Buchanan's Where the Right Went Wrong, a look at modern U.S. history.

I'd also suggest one of the excellent reloading manuals, ie, Sierra or Nosler or Barnes. They discuss the "ballistics" part of the game very well. I started with Sierra's I still do not find it wanting. Kudude