I found a library copy of Hatcher's Notebook by Julian Hatcher. It was published around 1957. This is a fascinating and well written book that documents many of the practical aspects of shooting, including accuracy, recoil, malfunctions, etc. He really makes the subject matter interesting. I had heard of him as a contemporary of Elmer Keith and Jack O'Connor, but had never read any of his work before. It's really worth reading.
I was just reading the interesting history of the muzzle brake, and how it was found to be necessary in aircraft machine guns. Even as early as World War I they were well known but were rejected in rifles because they increased blast and noise. He also writes about the recoil operated semi-automatics and how much more they kick, and why they kick more. (I recall the first time I fired a Browning A5 humpback 12 gauge. It was the most jarring recoil I have ever experienced.)
