In 2005 Fred Zeglin in conjunction with LR Books publish Fred’s first book, “Wildcat Cartridges”. That title was created by the publisher in an effort to seek more direct market appeal for the book. Right before the Introduction is a leaf page that has the real title, “Reloader’s Handbook of Wildcat Cartridge Design”. That first Edition is now collectable. it was a hardbound 8.5″x11″ format. There was a second printing of the book in paperback 9″x6″ to fill demand when the first printing became unavailable.
Gun Digest became interested in the title and Zeglin agreed to assemble a Second Edition. April 2nd, 2024 this new edition hit the book shelves.
This updated edition contains three completely new chapters:
- Wildcats 2004 Through 2023
- Alternative Ammo for 22LR Chambers
- Wanderings with a Micromagnum
The three new Appendices are:
- Reloading Components and Dies
- Comparing Parent Cases by Water Weight Capacity
- Specialty Reloading Tools for Wildcatters
The Second Edition of the Reloader’s Handbook of Wildcat Cartridge Design is hardbound, 496 pages in a 9″x6″ format. The cover will draw the attention of most Gun Nuts with a forest of cartridges on a dark field. It has almost a 3-D effect.
Popular gun writer and editor Phillip P. Massaro provides a foreword for the book. He describes in a nutshell what you will find in the following pages.
This book is clearly for reloaders who have some experience. A novice will enjoy the history and the many wildcats documented in its pages. However, If you are a new-by to reloading you need to pay close attentions to the second chapter which defines the terms and tools that gunsmiths use when talking about cartridges, reloading and of course, wildcats. Once you have digested that information the rest of the book will be much more interesting.
While Zeglin was assembling the long list of wildcat that have appeared since 2004 he and gunsmith buddy Robart Schaefer spent many hours at the range working on the 22 caliber alternative ammo ideas. In the process they came up with several new wildcats that are described as well. One of them, the “22 Buckaroo” is a centerfire alternative to 22 Winchester Magnum rimfire that is easy to form and load. Leave two gunsmiths in the shop and they will inevitably come up with ingenious solutions to non-existent problems.
You could argue that his book doubles as a text of value to prepers as well. The process of designing a cartridge, making reamers for the barrel or reloading dies are clearly explained. Dimensions are given for the different reamers you would need to make a chamber reamer vs. resize reamer for the reloading dies. Details about what you might need for forming dies and so much more.
Even if you have no desire to wildcat your own cartridge the reloading techniques and tools described in this book are more than worth the price of admission.
ISBN 978-1-959265-07-8 Retail $64.95
GunsmithTalk 