Understanding Firearm Ballistics
by Robert A. Rinker
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Book Summary Information
Author: Robert A. RinkerEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-06-01
ISBN: 0964559854
Number of pages: 432
Publisher: Mulberry House Pub Co
Book Reviews of Understanding Firearm Ballistics
Book Review: A Big Disappointment
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought the 4th edition (13th printing - 2003), and I thought it was awful. I forced myself to read the entire book, and it was a very painful experience. A lot of the equations are repeated, but no effort is made to make the notation and symbols used consistent from one use of a given equation to another (for example, "w" is used for a variable in an equation, but "a" is used for the same variable in the same equation later in the text). I could find no obvious flaws in the equations, but the text explanations of the equations were either very, very confusing or downright wrong. Some of Mr. Rinker's discussions of physical principles, such as gyroscopic stability for example, gave me the impression he doesn't have a good understanding of the subjects because I believe I can give much simpler and clearer non-mathematical explanations than he does for just about every single physical principal he "explains" in the book. That may sound arrogant, but I used to be a physics professor and I've taught several physics courses for non-science majors that covered just about all of the physics topics discussed in the book. I base my "arrogant" statement on this teaching experience, student-faculty reviews, and the performance of my former students on exams and quizzes.
So, my low opinion of the book probably is because I am a physicist and the book is not written for physicists, and I'm one of those weird people who like the math. In several places in the book, the author points out that the equations have been checked by experts from NASA, etc. so they are right. (At one point Mr. Rinker actually asserts that there are no errors, so if the reader is getting wrong results it's because the reader doesn't know what he's doing.) I suspect the book gets glowing reviews from several sources (not just Amazon.com customers) because to my knowledge it's the only book out there on firearm ballistics that targets the non-technically-trained shooters. That is very unfortunate because I can't help thinking that the book promotes misunderstandings by people who can't tell that a lot of the physics explanations are garbage. In addition to the technical flaws, the way the text was organized seems very disjointed - like he took excerpts of notes he's written over the years and just added them all together without editing to make sure they flowed together to provide a cohesive description.
As I mentioned, I have the 4th edition of the book, and I know it is now in its 6th edition. Perhaps some of my complaints have been addressed in later printings, but I would be surprised if they have been.
Summary of Understanding Firearm Ballistics
The new greatly improved 6th Edition - Copyright 2005 - with better charts, easier math, better drawings, and improved readability. Understanding Firearm Ballistics explains the subject in understandable terms. The original text has been line edited, improved & expanded with up-to-date explanations and examples. The only complete reference book of extensive information with 432 pages of little known facts. A complete guide that is full of valuable data with illustrations, drawings, charts, tables, tips, glossary, index, and detailed factual information. Understanding Firearm Ballistics, 6th Edition, is a must for beginner or expert. Shown during a 2011 episode of CSI, Crime Scene Investigation (Las Vegas)Hunting Books
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