The Big-Game Rifle

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book on rifles, calibres, proper use and gun fit
Review: I had always read that Jack O'Connor was a one calibre hunter, namely the .270. I suppose rumor of the O'Connor/ Keith debate had lead me to this view. I was wrong. On reading this book I found a balanced coverage of many calibres still popular today which makes the advice provided as good now as it was then.

O'Connor was a very sensible guy who wrote very sensible advice. For me the book contained a number of great insights which were a real pleasure to find. Strongly recommended to any one interested in hunting.

Rating:
Summary: Written by a rifleman, for riflemen.
Review: The prospective purchaser could be forgive for believing that Jack O'conner has a greater following down-under, than he does in the USA. Whether this is due to his devotion to the 270 win caliber, which is so ideally suited to this country, or perhaps his matter of fact writing sytle, will remain a mystery. This book is written in Jack's usual " matter of fact " style, backed up by facts and figures and his obvious wealth of knowledge in both hunting and firearms. If the reader is looking for a meat and potatoes book on the subject of game rifles, he need look no further.

Rating:
Summary: A Useful Reference, Despite It's Age
Review: This book is notable in that Jack O'Connor covers many topics under one cover, and for his fans that is quite a treat. Although this work was originally published in 1952, his recommendations and advice are still sound today.

The reader is cautioned, however, that much of the material is quite dated. For example, the 7mm Remington Magnum and .338 Winchester Magnums are nowhere discussed, as they didn't exist at the time of the writing. In addition, the factory rifle weighing less than 8 pounds apparently hadn't been invented yet. Especially amusing is the discussion that pops up throughout the book of the relative merits of the 2-3/4x Cub scope versus the 4x Stith scope, with some reference to the "high-powered" 6x scope being used by a few brave souls in the western states! And the insights into hunting practices of 75 years ago are almost unbelievable by current attitudes.

Given the modest price for this hardcover, however, it is well worth it. The chapters on shooting and use of the rifle in the field are timeless gems, as are O'Connors descriptions of the effect of various cartridges on game. And his loading data is an eye-popping reminder of how watered-down today's reloading manuals are.

All in all, it's a nice book, well-written in O'Connor's classic style, and a reminder of why his writings were so well-received by so many, and how they still ring true over twenty years after his passing.