P.O. Ackley Books
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Whatever you can get for them. Don't believe they are scarce, but I don't know if they are currently in print. You might check Amazon or other such sources. These are excellent reference books that complement any gun library.
Just be careful of the data. Some of it, maybe much of it, doesn't appear to be safe and very few loads were pressure tested. Ackley didn't shoot the data, just published what others who worked with or developed
the various cartridges sent him. Few had chronographs then as well, so a lot of the muzzle velocities may be a bit optimistic.
Just be careful of the data. Some of it, maybe much of it, doesn't appear to be safe and very few loads were pressure tested. Ackley didn't shoot the data, just published what others who worked with or developed
the various cartridges sent him. Few had chronographs then as well, so a lot of the muzzle velocities may be a bit optimistic.
OP
kleiss1
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Qc Pistolero
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Like said above;lots of reload info in there is quite hot.And I'm not saying this based on 2018 standards.They were considered hot in the '70s which should mean a lot to any experienced reloader!
Rpg
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They are quite interesting historically and quite useful as well.
I imagine you could get $20 - $25 each for them.
I imagine you could get $20 - $25 each for them.
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Amazon has them all over the map from $50 to set for $1500. Abe books starts with a set of paperbacks for $50. New printing of Volume one is $19.99 for paperback, $9.99 for a kindle.
I like them for what they are and would not be with them or the Ken Waters book which I still try to learn from. Due to the nature of the gap I would set a low price to a friend and sell at an auction site rather than going with a fixed price if I was selling to downsize.
I like them for what they are and would not be with them or the Ken Waters book which I still try to learn from. Due to the nature of the gap I would set a low price to a friend and sell at an auction site rather than going with a fixed price if I was selling to downsize.
OP
kleiss1
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I’m just at the point of clearing out some stuff. After 40+ years of reloading I think I have my preferred loads figured out. HaHa!
Ivan the Butcher
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I bought mine used for $10 a volume! I am quit willing to part with it foe $1500!
The data on Ackley Improved cartridges is very accurate! The data on who invented which cartridge and when is almost interesting.
Ivan
The data on Ackley Improved cartridges is very accurate! The data on who invented which cartridge and when is almost interesting.
Ivan
Bakebfr480
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Do you want to sell them? PM me please.
I remember them as having heavier loads than a lot of manuals and........
that they reminded me of the level of power that a "NORMA" loading gets
which was usually near the top of the scale, for reloading.
I enjoyed reading the articles and data but do not have any on hand now
having moved three times, since those days.
that they reminded me of the level of power that a "NORMA" loading gets
which was usually near the top of the scale, for reloading.
I enjoyed reading the articles and data but do not have any on hand now
having moved three times, since those days.
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These books do contain some good articles, though some were probably quite controversial when written and may remain so. Ackley was a good no-nonsense writer, far better than many we have today. I haven't read any of his material in many years, but seems like he worked for GUNS & AMMO for a number of years when it was a good magazine. He did a lot of experimentation and reported the facts based on the results of his work.
This was not half-done amateurish Internet-type material.
This was not half-done amateurish Internet-type material.
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I always wanted to try the Barnes Quick-Twist cartridges. Very heavy for the bore diameter, very long and very fast twists.
Much like what is happening in the .223 and .224 Valkyrie cartridges today.
Much like what is happening in the .223 and .224 Valkyrie cartridges today.
I have the hardcover version and also Waters book. I would not part with any of them. I read Waters a lot and I have used the data in Ackleys books, mostly the 44 mag and 45 colt. Several times I have referred Forum members to the Ackley chapters on pressure when questions arise as I believe His answers and data are informative and understandable. I think the soft cover versions would bring $25 to $30 each at a local gun show around here.
Those of you who are Ackley fans may also be interested in Ackley's story as told in the recent book by Fred Zeglin- "P.O. Ackley America's Gunsmith"- (without starting up another "Keith-O'Connor" type controversy).
I'd also like to add that Ken Waters was a highly under-appreciated writer who deserved more recognition for his work than he received.
I'd also like to add that Ken Waters was a highly under-appreciated writer who deserved more recognition for his work than he received.
tndrfttom
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I bought the two P.O. Ackley volumes off of ebay for $35 about 3 years ago. (I was looking for the info on the strength of military actions and blow-up tests which is in Vol II).
The Waters' "Pet Loads, Complete Volume" (1100+ pages) in softcover goes for around $60 and is still in print.
The Waters' "Pet Loads, Complete Volume" (1100+ pages) in softcover goes for around $60 and is still in print.
Bakebfr480
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P. O. Ackley was ahead of his time! A genius in my book!
