RIFLE CARTRIDGES FOR THE HUNTER, A HUNTING JOURNAL SPANNING A HALF-CENTURY
There have been a lot of hunting books and a lot of books about rifle cartridges, but there has never been one like this. In 408 pages, author, hunter, and gun writer Richard Mann details 50 different cartridges he has used to hunt all over the world. It contains 120 color photos, a forward by outdoor/rifle writer John Barsness, and an introduction by Gun Digest Editor-in-Chief, Luke Hartle.
Mann grew up hunting the hills of West Virginia and has spent a lifetime in the outdoors. His adventures have taken him to exotic locales, but he has always come home to write about them in his own honest, straight-forward, hillbilly style. In this book, he does the same, helping you understand not only the capabilities of 50 rifle cartridges, but the magic that can occur between hunters and some of the cartridges they choose.
Mann edited the 13th Edition of Cartridges of the World, but this book is different. It’s not a technical manual, rather a collection of stories about hunting for Appalachian tree squirrels to buffalo in the Mozambique swamps. The book also contains commentary from noted gun writers and subject matter experts, like Field & Stream rifle editor Dave Petzal, outdoor writer Ron Spomer, Buffalo Bore ammunition founder Tim Sundles, African professional hunter Geoffrey Wayland, and many others. This book is essential reading for hunters; perfect to take to deer camp and just as good as a Christmas present.
“There’s been a lot of books about rifles and cartridges, and there’s been a lot of books about hunting. But there has never been a book quite like this.” Richard Mann
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY ON AMAZON
PRE PUBLICATION REVIEWS
“Richard is one of the few people I trust when it comes shooting because, unlike most people who talk about guns, he’s actually been there and done that. Consider this book a last word when it comes to selecting a rifle cartridge for hunting.” Matthew Every, Writer at Large, Field & Stream
“When most authors put words on a page, they either become an entertainer or educator. Richard has the unique ability of being both simultaneously, and this book is a shining example of that gift.” Luke Hartle, Editor-in-Chief, Gun Digest Magazine
“As a result, he’s learned a LOT about many hunting cartridges, and his experience and insights are well worth reading, partly because he’s such an entertaining writer. Welcome to his hunting world!” John Barsness, www.riflesandrecipes.com
“From the title, Rifle Cartridges for the Hunter, you might think, “Really?” The subtitle, though — A Hunting Journal Spanning a Half-Century — hints at something more. And, boy, is it ever.” Rob Reaser, www.shoot-on.com
REVIEWS ON AMAZON BY READERS
Ginger Quinn December 27, 2025: “Richard Mann is one of the best gun writers to come along since Jim Carmichel, David Petzal, and John Barsness. Absolutely essential reading for the serious rifleman and hunter.”
MikeB December10, 2025: “I’m a shooter. I’m not a good hunter or even a real hunter. In fact, to the Hopi tribe, I’d be kwevadza: he who returns with only excuses, and cactus in his butt. But I still enjoy good hunting stories, and Richard Mann is *really* good at telling them. I previously enjoyed his “Under Orion” series of books, so I pre-ordered a signed copy of his latest effort, RIFLE CARTRIDGES FOR THE HUNTER The premise of this new book is to talk technical details and history of 50 rifle cartridges, and tell a hunting story about each of them. Richard succeeded wildly. I was immensely entertained with each chapter, and learned a tremendous amount – sometimes about cartridges I didn’t know existed. I mean, 7.62×40 WT or 500 Cyrus, anyone? One of the things I truly enjoy about Richard’s writing is how he injects humor – often self-effacing humor – into his stories. Other times he’s wickedly sarcastic in a hilarious way. This book is no different. As I read, I found myself chuckling, and sometimes outright laughing, at his commentary and comparisons. But it’s not all jokes. The chapter about his son, Bat, taking his first deer at six years old – with a 25-35 Winchester – was deeply moving. Richard also has an ability to infuse profound emotion into his hunting stories, the opposite side of his humor. I’ll leave judgments on the technical details of these rifle cartridges to those with serious hunting experience, and without cactus in their butt. Knowing Richard, though, I can confidently say he always backs up his opinions with real-world experience, and that’s what this book is all about. Reading hunting stories is mostly vicarious entertainment for me. I’ll likely never apply the lessons Richard teaches in his hunting books. But that doesn’t stop me from really enjoying his stories, and learning things along the way. I loved RIFLE CARTRIDGES FOR THE HUNTER. If you like reading about guns and shooting and hunting, I think you will, too.”
Higherview December 3, 2025: “I enjoyed reading it enormously – and after I get it back from family members who have it now will read it again. It’s that gratifying and insightful.”
Shon Butler November 22, 2025: “This book is a well written book about hunting, cleverly presented as a gun book. As I read each chapter, I realized I was reading the work of a West Virginia woodsman that has had the honor of traveling the world and hunting. Richard’s straight forward writing about each caliber and the hunting stories about each is well worth the read! From hunting prairie dogs to African game, Richard presents each chapter eloquently and with knowledge! This is a must have addition to your hunting and shooting library!”
Bill Wilson November 5, 2025: “I just finished reading Richard’s new book RIFLE CARTRIDGES FOR THE HUNTER and found it both entertaining and very informative. It relays several stories of Richard’s hunting experiences with various cartridges, some that went well and some that didn’t. While I didn’t fully agree with some of Richard’s likes and dislikes in regards to cartridges, I did learn a few things and appreciate his reasoning. If you’re a hunter and purchase this book you will enjoy it and feel that you got what you paid for.”
Ron Colby November 2, 2025: “Received my copy the other day. What a wonderful read on a frosty morning waiting for deer season to open! I follow Richard on sub-stack and enjoy his writings there and Field & Stream also. We share a great appreciation for a fine rifle nomatter the calibur. I have a collection of almost every calibur he writes about and he surprised me with a few I have never heard of but nomatter what he says, he saved the best for last! Thank you RAM!”
Allison Severt October 28, 2025: “My fiancé follows the author on substack and in the magazine he writes for; I ordered a signed copy from the website and he loved it! We both hunt avidly and he mentioned it so much I’m engrossed in it as well! Thoroughly enjoying it and cannot wait to give as a gift to several other family members!!”
Trapped in AK October 20, 2025: “Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not your usual static by the numbers listing of cartridges. Each entry has its own mini story and praise or criticism of the cartridge’s real life performance . Richard makes it enjoyable while at the same time expanding your knowledge of real life performance on a host of rounds . Some old time favorites and some you’ve likely never heard of. One of the first to read it directly from the author. Just in time for Christmas and the perfect gift for the hunter, shooter, or collector of arms.”
Ken Lee October 18, 2025: “I found the book enjoyable to read. Initially I intended to read a chapter each night, but found I could not stop, and I finished it in just three evenings. I liked the author’s insight on all the cartridges and I especially enjoyed how he also provided commentary from other experts, even though it did not always agree with his opinion.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Richard Mann was born and raised in West Virginia and has hunted from the Montana mountains to the green hills of Africa. He is a veteran as well as a former patrol officer and special agent. He was the winner of the West Virginia National Guard 1999 State Pistol Match, is a multi-course Gunsite Academy graduate, and he has worked most of his professional career as a small arms instructor in the military, with law enforcement, and for civilians. Richard’s books include, Handgun Training for Personal Protection, Shooter’s Guide to the AR, Under Orion Volumes 1 & 2, and The Scout Rifle Study. He was also the compiling author of Rifle Bullets for the Hunter and served as the editor for Gun Digests 13th Edition of Cartridges of the World. Currently, he is the Shooting Editor for Field & Stream and frequently contributes to many other gun and hunting publications. In 2019 Richard was awarded the Bill McRae Lifetime Achievement Award by Bushnell for his writing. In 2023 Richard launched the EmptyCases Substack where you can follow his writing by subscription on the Internet. A hillbilly at heart, Richard lives with his wife of 31 years on Shadowland – their shooting range hidden in the West Virginia hills – with a very protective Rhodesian Ridgeback and a pack of her offspring.