Handloader?

[oldbrownhat]

I have an online subscription to Rifle/Handloader/Successful Hunter and find them to be generally excellent, esp., as others have commented, Brian Pearce's articles. No ego, no BS or attitude, just good information based on practical experience.

Better still, I just found out today that, despite what it says on Wolfe's website, individual back issues are available for download for $5.95. The website only offers them in hard copy (+ postage) or on CD-ROM (!!) + postage. I couldn't believe this, since I am a digital subscriber and get my regular issues online. When I called them this morning, even the lady in Customer Service I spoke with didn't know, as she offered to send me the one I was interested in, with the comment "we don't usually do this." I should have an access code to download it later today.

I decided to e-mail the Circ. Dept. anyway to request that this be made a regular feature and just got a reply:

Kendra Newell <[email protected]>
Thursday, Aug.15, 2013 12:07 PM

We do have them in PDF format. They are $5.95 per issue. We do not have them listed on our website, but you can get any magazine sent to your email in PDF format for $5.95.
​

Bingo! I e-mailed her back to say thank you and added that the other thing they need now is a searchable database by author/subject. As it was I had to do a general Google search to see if anyone had commented on Brian Pearce writing on reloading the .45 Auto Rim. Yep- Issues 254 and 256 from 2008. The latter I have in hard copy, and #254 I should have later today.

 

[Homie]

Guys,

If they don't writeup the hunting articles they don't get all the free trips and the 50% discount on the guns they use.

I miss Ken Waters articles too. He was a treasure, and certainly helped my education

That said, I think that along with Brian Pearce, Dave Scovill's column is usually good, but I don't think Charles Petty gets the recognition he deserves, or writes at the level he's capable of (maybe he doesn't want to).

I'd also like to see a digitized, up-to- date index for subscribers.

It still worth the money (along with RIFLE) and I'm always going back to look up something in the archives.

 

[oldbrownhat]

...I'd also like to see a digitized, up-to- date index for subscribers.....

x2. This also in from Ms Newell @ Wolfe:

We don’t have many requests for anything being emailed in PDF format actually. Most of our readers like the hard copies to keep in front of them and many of them don’t have computers believe it or not. We do have a searchable database if you purchase the complete set of Handloader or Rifle DVD set, otherwise you can call in and we can look it up for you.
​

OK, whatever...

 

[Jellybean]

I agree, it's probably the best gun magazine there is. But I still haven't wasted my money on one in years.

I haven't seen anything in them for a long time that isn't covered in at least one book in my library, in fact it looks like most of the articles are coming out of those books instead of the authors first hand knowledge and experience. Given the depth and quality of content in the books as compared to the magazine, the magazine just doesn't appeal to me at all.

The last one I picked up and looked at had an article on the .41 mag. The load data included something like two bullets, a lead and a jacketed, and there were only a few loads listed that could have come out of any complimentary powder source. But the article wasn't really about the cartridge anyway, it was about the S&W they were sent to test. Since then I don't even look at them.

 

[RussellD]

i quit subscribing to gun/shooting magazines years ago. Got tired of reading articles praising the advertisers. I read a lot and enjoy a variety of online forums. Forums allow you to drill down to a very specific topic without the fluff of filler material.

Please don't get me wrong I love to read, and enjoy the old time printed articles of days gone by. However I believe the net has surpassed most current gun magazines....

 

[Frank237]

I've gotten Rifle and Handloader since the 1970's. Still far better than most of the gun rags, but not what it used to be. I also used to enjoy Precision Shooting , sadly it's gone now.

I chatted with Brian Pearce at SHOT Show this past year...Heck of a Gentleman and VERY knowledgeable on all things handguns. He's one of the best writers they have.

I also enjoy John Barsness's articles, a local MT Boy,

FN in MT

 

[44Steve]

It is still my favorite magazine for reloading. I miss the input from Ken Waters.If you have an open mind you will get past the advertisers.