Beans
Member
It may be just me but Brian Pearce writing reminds me somewhat of the gun articles written by Skeeter.
Question about Handloader Magazine.
- Thread starter Kelly Green
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It may be just me but Brian Pearce writing reminds me somewhat of the gun articles written by Skeeter.
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I read the Skeeter Skelton articles from the beginning in the early 'sixties until he stopped writing. Good articles, no doubt, and entertaining, but one will likely learn far more from reading a Brian Pearce article.
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Sure, the magazines have shortcomings. Do those who are displeased contact the magazine editors and make them aware of the publications' shortcomings? This would be the place to start if readers wished to see improvement. Complaining only on an Internet forum might bring momentary relief but ultimately won't make the magazines any better.
GyMac
US Veteran
I consider Brian Pearce to be one of the best. His articles are always worth reading, and if that means buying Handloader (and Rifle) than I will.
I've been a subscriber of both Handloader and Rifle magazine for over 25 yrs, and these 2 are the only gun mag I read now, OK, once in a while I pickup a Shotgun News, as others have said both are very good, and most of the time have topics I'm interested in, IMHO its worth the money. But I also agree with some posters they have some ups and downs, just like other publications, the last couple of yrs seems to be doing pretty good.
I've been a long-time reader of Handloader and occasionally Rifle. I like them still, but they are not the quality they used to be in the 60s and 70s. Both the quality of the paper/cover and the quality of the articles have gone down significantly. "Back in the day" there was a 12-part, scientific article which went VERY in depth into all the factors effecting pressure. Nowadays about half the articles are "infomercials." While I still value it enough to order the yearly CD (all 6 issues on a CD for the computer for $15), I don't sit eagerly awaiting it to show up.
There ARE super-high-quality shooting magazines still published (like the old Handloader but different topics). Check out Precision Shooting and Varmint Hunter. Very high quality in the printing and quality of articles published.
There ARE super-high-quality shooting magazines still published (like the old Handloader but different topics). Check out Precision Shooting and Varmint Hunter. Very high quality in the printing and quality of articles published.
Valman
Member
Wolfe Pubs
Like Froggie and others, I was a long time subscriber to Handloader and rifle. I have both mags back to their first issues, when published by Neal Knox and with articles penned largely by dedicated amateurs like many of us. The early decades, up through the 1990s, were rich with real, in-depth information and comprehensive load data. The modern version, with Dave Scoville depending on a stable of pro writers (some of them very knowledgeable, to be sure) is largely flacking for the industry and super cautious about what they say and how they say it. They are also very western-state focused; another piece on elk hunting would make my teeth ache. I say this from the perspective of having worked as a marketing director for a major firearms importer, responsible for getting out products reviewed by the major magazines, and dealing with several Wolfe writers. For younger shooters serious about the game, buying their CDs with the old issues will give you some of the best writing ever to appear in print. Now the Wolfe pubs are a sad shadow of their former quality -- but most other shooting mags, including American Rifleman, are no better, IMO.
Like Froggie and others, I was a long time subscriber to Handloader and rifle. I have both mags back to their first issues, when published by Neal Knox and with articles penned largely by dedicated amateurs like many of us. The early decades, up through the 1990s, were rich with real, in-depth information and comprehensive load data. The modern version, with Dave Scoville depending on a stable of pro writers (some of them very knowledgeable, to be sure) is largely flacking for the industry and super cautious about what they say and how they say it. They are also very western-state focused; another piece on elk hunting would make my teeth ache. I say this from the perspective of having worked as a marketing director for a major firearms importer, responsible for getting out products reviewed by the major magazines, and dealing with several Wolfe writers. For younger shooters serious about the game, buying their CDs with the old issues will give you some of the best writing ever to appear in print. Now the Wolfe pubs are a sad shadow of their former quality -- but most other shooting mags, including American Rifleman, are no better, IMO.
It's just a magazine, not a reloading manual. Most of the articles are informative, and enjoyable. But, every handloader hasta use that tool between their ears, their brain! I never use any load, from whatever/wherever without checking with my manuals. Articles are written by gun writers and not lab technicians. Opinions in the articles are just that, opinions. 99% of what I've read is safe, mostly factual, but I don't agree with everything written. It's just a magazine not the Bible.
I'll still read the Handloader magazine from cover to cover, but I'll use common sense...
I'll still read the Handloader magazine from cover to cover, but I'll use common sense...
I don't subscribe...
I don't subscribe but I find 'Handloader' to be interesting reading. I like to read about stuff even if it doesn't pertain directly to me.
I don't subscribe but I find 'Handloader' to be interesting reading. I like to read about stuff even if it doesn't pertain directly to me.
I am a long time subscriber to Handloader and rifle now on down load.
Never know when you get a caliber you have never reloaded for before and find good info on it plus "The old ones".
Nobody did it better then Ken Walters PET LOADS!
Never know when you get a caliber you have never reloaded for before and find good info on it plus "The old ones".
Nobody did it better then Ken Walters PET LOADS!
gaijin
Member
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Purely my opinion, but Handloader and Rifle are the two best gun rags out there-with my preference for handloader.
Brian Pearce is the real deal; exhaustive load developement/accuracy reports/etc. I have a great deal of respect for him and his work.
Now if they would just get rid of Mike Venturino...
Brian Pearce is the real deal; exhaustive load developement/accuracy reports/etc. I have a great deal of respect for him and his work.
Now if they would just get rid of Mike Venturino...
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Was it really necessary to bring back a thread that is over 2 years old to continue bashing a magazine some readers think is still a good one?
If you want to bash things at least make your own thread instead of bringing one back from the Abyss!
If you want to bash things at least make your own thread instead of bringing one back from the Abyss!
I am a long time subscriber to both Handloader and Rifle and I still
enjoy both. With due respect to the old writers the current level of
writing in Handloader is better than ever in some ways in my opinion.
Brian Pearce is probably the best writer ever when it comes to articles
about handgun loads. I enjoy Venturino's articles also, especially his
work with milsurps. As far as the "western slant" refered to, didn't
many of the old popular writers of the past like Keith and Skeeter
have the old west stamped all over them? It was part of their appeal.
Handloader and Rifle? Be glad we have them.
enjoy both. With due respect to the old writers the current level of
writing in Handloader is better than ever in some ways in my opinion.
Brian Pearce is probably the best writer ever when it comes to articles
about handgun loads. I enjoy Venturino's articles also, especially his
work with milsurps. As far as the "western slant" refered to, didn't
many of the old popular writers of the past like Keith and Skeeter
have the old west stamped all over them? It was part of their appeal.
Handloader and Rifle? Be glad we have them.
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