When it comes to the reloading press, everyone seems to have a favorite. It could be because of the feature set, brand loyalty or customer service. The reasons are as varied as they are long. I certainly have a few favorites of my own. ...Read More >

In the mid-to-late 1980s, the company my wife and I owned was one of the first in Canada to build bolt- action target rifles chambered for John Browning’s .50-caliber machine gun cartridge, the 50 BMG. Building the rifles was one challenge, and reloading for the big Browning 50 was an even greater challenge, as compatible presses, dies and components, particularly suitable propellant powders, were almost nonexistent. Today, it is a much different ballgame with a number of manufacturers offering presses and dies suitable for the 50 BMG. Today’s offering of quality bullets is far removed from the days of having to buy .50-caliber bullets lathe-turned one at a time from 90-10 bronze solid bar stock, also known as “commercial” or “gilding” bronze. Also, now there are several propellants marketed specifically for the 50 BMG. ...Read More >

Q: I have been reading Handloader for several years now and learn something from each issue. I have a couple of questions regarding handloads for my Smith & Wesson Model 638-3 chambered in 38 Special +P. I have been using the Buffalo Bore 150-grain Hard Cast standard pressure load listed at 850 feet per second (fps). I would like to more or less duplicate that load, but have been unable to locate that same bullet. I purchased some Speer 148-grain, wadcutter hollowbase bullets, but they are leading my barrel rather badly and my loads are much lighter than the Buffalo Bore loads. If you can suggest a bullet supplier and data to duplicate the above factory loads, it will be greatly appreciated. ...Read More >

In the original version of “Top Gun,” with Tom Cruise, I believe it is Cruise who utters the line, “I feel the need, the need for speed!” The same urge must have also struck the group of people who designed the 223 Winchester Super Short Magnum (WSSM). Speed like 3,850 feet per second (fps) for 55-grain bullets and handloads pushing 45-grain bullets near 4,500 fps! Are we heading for the rifleman’s Holy Grail that a cynic once described as a 50 Browning case necked to hold a phonograph needle? ...Read More >