Not quite sure how to start this off, but, I would like to learn about the different types of hunting rifles that exist, their actions and there varied hunting uses.

I've read for hours and hours the stories and posts in AR, and think it's time I learned a little more.

Remembering that I am GREEN to hunting and firearms, which books/resources would you recommend that I start with. The men in my family are/were all hunters, but I'd sort of like to go at this slowly, and then pose questions here in AR and to them as I go along.

Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Lynn D

Lynn,

IMHO the place to start is with some classics which have been reprinted. "African Rifles and Cartridges" by John Taylor is great. I like Elmer Keith and my much used copy of "Six Guns" is next to me now. "Big Game Rifles and Cartridges" also by Keith is not 3 ft away. These, to me, the books I have listed are not just books but long time friends.
A work i have found useful is "Cartridges of The World" by Frank Barnes. Full of Info and tells what the round was built for.

Hope this helps some
Gene

Semper Fi
WE

I think "The Book of the Rifle" by Jim Carmichel is the definitive work.

Go to the Classifieds Section and you'll see some of the titles mentioned.

Lynn, I will confirm my recommendation for "The Book of the Rifle" for anyone who wants to start at the beginning and learn not only the what but the why, in a very easy to read and understand style. Jim Carmichel is the king for this kind of writing. If you are able to retain what you read, you will know more about rifles than most of the people on this forum, no matter how many books they've read. In fact, I better go reread it myself.

Wink,

I am rather good at retaining information and have already inquired about purchasing that book.

Lynn D

Lynn, I believe http://www.abebooks.com has several for sale.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
I think "The Book of the Rifle" by Jim Carmichel is the definitive work.

How did I forget that one?

Also, and considering you are at a beginner stage, I think Jack O´Connor´s The Hunting Rifle will be quite usefull - in fact this book is definitively a classic

two books by bob hagel would be of interest to you. "hunting north america's big game", and "game loads @ practical ballistics for american hunter". also jeff cooper's book, "art of the rifle" is excellent, it's become the cornerstone of my small collection of rifle books.

I have all those books for sale.I think Elmer Keith and John Taylor were the best at this type of book.Craig Boddington is the only modern author to have both African Rifles and American Hunting Rifles books that can compare to Keith and Taylors books.Taylor and Keith were big double rifle guys who probally will not be repeated again in history .Taylor poached more elephants than about any one I have ever heard of.

Hopefully you have been diligently reading to expand your knowledge of hunting rifles, shotguns and even handguns. All of the suggestions are of course spot on for your needs. I would like to add a couple or three that I believe you should read AFTER you have read most of those listed above. I say this because they are a bit more detailed were written at a time when language was much more of an art form and the information will be more meaningful if you already have some basics under your belt. This of course is only my opinion and hopefully you will accept these ideas in the spirit of my intention.

The first is The Hunting Rifle by Whelan. Townsend Whelan was an author and major moving force in the development period of the "modern" rifle. He goes in depth with the fundamentals required of the hunting tools we use and answers questions about design and style that more modern writers tend to gloss over.

The second is The Modern Gunsmith by Howe
Although this not about hunting per se it is about your rifle in depth. Every hunter should know and understand the workings of the rifle and this very complete book will give you that insight. I found it to be a good read and very interesting where some manuals of procedure can be quite droll and pragmatic.

The final book I will suggest is Shotguns by Elmer Keith. It is well know that Elmer was a big bore proponent and hunting rifle officianado. It is also well known that he was a true handgun "Nut" and we owe some of our modern revolvers to his vocal insistance on their development. What is not so well known is that he was a tremendous shotgun enthusiast and expert.You will eventually make time to read his "Gun Notes" books and his own story "Hill, I Was There". Elmer writes like he talked, I have read, and so his writing is like having him in a room explaining the finnesse a shotgun can deliver for you. It is plain to see that once a hunter moves beyond just owning weapons he can settle in on the beauty of the shotgun to expand his hunting prowess and enjoy the art involved in that as well.

I hope you enjoy all the books you will be reading and I hope these suggestions will pique your interests as wonderfully as they have fullfilled my own.

Frank

I'll second or third Carmichel's Book of the Rifle. Another is one Sam Fadala did for Wolfe Publishing but I can't remember the name of it right now. I think it was "Classic Rifles" or something like that. He goes into detail on the rifles and gunhouses that have changed the firearms industry. Some great information in there about the most revered firearms.

Edit:
Just found it, "Legendary Sporting Rifles".


Alibris has a copy for sale for $8.95, and it is well worth that price. It is softcover.

All of the works mentioned above are good, but Boddington's books are the only two published recently. Craig Boddington knows what he sayeth, too. He has hunted more game in more places than Keith, O"Connor, Whelen or Carmichael ever thought of hunting.

Bill Quimby