Handloader Magazine

Does anyone in the forum subscribe to Handloader and if so what is your review as it applies to BE?   Thanks.

Have been getting it since it's conception. Little to nothing at all about Bullseye shooting but a great rag for the reloader of rifle (mostly) and pistol (sometimes) and very seldom shotgun.  More in tune with hunting than shooting paper or steel.
I enjoy it very much but in all the years of receiving it almost nothing on BE.

Virgil

The great heyday of articles of most interest for Bullseye shooters was when Al Miller was editor and a writer. The “Pet Loads” articles for 45ACP and 38 Special by Ken Waters had some Bullseye loads and maybe some different powders that should get MORE use in Bullseye. The new “Pet Loads” writer just publishes a bunch of field tested data. Nothing particularly useful. Occasionally there are tests of plated bullets and coated bullets, but nothing really convincing.

Fortunately there is the book form of the “Pet Loads” articles from Waters and CD ROM back issues.

used to collect every article from Pet loads as Ken produced them and file them in a notebook.. then he came out with this book *%#

still pretty good for new powders on rifle stuff.

I'll take a look at "Pet Loads".  Thanks for the thoughtful reviews.

I've been a reader and fan of Handloader for decades.  They did run a series of Bullseye related articles back in the early 70s, all concerned the 38 Special and all were written by Al Miller.
One was about case prep.  One was called "Wadcutters Or?".  Another was an exhaustive test of swaged and cast wadcutters with 50 yard Ransom Rest testing using three K-38s and a S&W 52.  I think there was one more article...
George Nonte wrote a very good article on 45 ACP with a good bit of accuracy loads for cast SWCs.
There's been a few other good articles, such as wadcutter target loads for various magnum revolvers, etc.
Anyhow, the fact I remember these so distinctly after all these years says something about the otherwise general lack of bullseye specific data.
Still, it's a fine publication.  Lots of the principles are transferable to all areas of reloading.

Best Regards,
Jim

What is missing is "Authors". The person who takes the time to write the story, compile the data and then submit it.
That is why there are no Bullseye related articles.

My late Father, Ken Chapman, wrote many articles for them on old obsolete guns and cartridges(38-56,40-82, 32-40). Waiting to receive his .32-44 #3 for bullseye, lol

Hello James,

I have read a number of your father's articles on obsolete cartridges.  I enjoy that sort of stuff very much.
Solving the issues on those oldies (but goodies) is one of the joys of handloading, especially if using cast bullets is part of the solution!!

Best Regards,
Jim

scheibenpistole wrote:Hello James,

I have read a number of your father's articles on obsolete cartridges.  I enjoy that sort of stuff very much.
Solving the issues on those oldies (but goodies) is one of the joys of handloading, especially if using cast bullets is part of the solution!!

Best Regards,
Jim

Thanks!