Comparison

Handloader vs RAD Development

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Handloader

This app is a digital journal dedicated to the sport of ammunition reloading. It covers reloading for pistols, rifles, and shotguns, along with the science of pressures and bullet performance. Subscriptions are available for purchase within the app.

Highlights
  • Ammunition reloading journal
  • Covers pistols, rifles, and shotguns
  • Explores science of pressures
  • Details bullet performance
  • Magazine subscriptions available
Features
Read full description

Handloader the ammunition reloading journal is the only magazine in the world dedicated to the sport of reloading. Handloader has been published for 50 years and covers reloading for pistols, rifles and shotguns. In addition to reloading it covers the science of pressures and bullet performance. Magazine Subscriptions are available for purchase inside this app. Six months subscription - $10.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) One year subscription - $12.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged at the same price for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period unless you change your subscription preferences in your account settings. You can manage your subscriptions through your account settings after purchase on your device. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Please visit http://www.magzter.com/ns/privacy-policy.html for our Privacy Policy and http://www.magzter.com/ns/terms_condition.html for our Terms & Conditions

About

RAD Development

This app allows handloaders to meticulously record detailed notes on over 65 data points for rifle specifications, case preparation, bullet, powder, and environmental factors. It offers 5 different charts to track load development, improving the handloading experience with an easy-to-navigate interface.

Highlights
  • Record 65+ handloading data points
  • Track load development with 5 charts
  • Detailed case preparation data
  • Rifle, bullet, powder, and environment data
  • Easy-to-navigate interface
  • Offline access to notes
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Reloading All Day Development provides the individual handloader to record all of his notes in one place with great detail. Finally, offering the ability to record over 65+ different handloading data points and 5 different charts for load development, one can surely find everything they need to record their information into with an easy to navigate interface. We value the importance of information by providing the tools necessary to improve the individual handloading experience. Most of all, being reloaders ourselves, we understand and listen to the individual handloader and provide virtually everything one would want to record. Our app specifically provides Rifle Specs, Case Preparation, Bullet, Powder, and Environment data points for you to record. Along with 5 other charts to track load development in great detail. For example, our Case Preparation category has many data inputs: Case Brand, Lot Number, Shell Plate Number, Number of Case Firings, Is the Case Annealed?, Case Neck Thickness, Volumetric Weight of Cases on Average, Neck Expanding Mandrel Size, Bushing Size, Full-Length, Full-Length Bushing, Neck-sizing, Flash Holes, Are Flash Holes Uniformed?, Flash Hole Size, Beginning Shoulder Depth, Shoulder Setback, Neck Tension, Case Trim Length, Is Donut Removed?, Neck Turn?, Case Mouth Runout, Primer Type, Primer Pocket Depth, Primer Height from Bottom of Cup to Top of Cup, Bottom of Primer to Top of Anvil, How Far is Primer Below Flush of Case Head?, Chamfer and Deburring angle. As one can see, this is just one aspect of the options we allow users to record their information into. Our main goal with this app is to provide you with the tools necessary to step outside of the box and ultimately help improve your processes. • Easy to navigate • 1 GB converts to over 500+ loads • 27 different data points for just case prep • 65+ different data points for you to record • 5 different charts for load development • No need for cellular service to access notes or use the app • 6+ of more updates planned. • Active community outreach to listen to what you want to see on the app and making it become a reality.

Screenshots

Handloader4 screens
RAD Development4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Handloader at Free against RAD Development's $1.99. Handloader also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). RAD Development's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 41) and rating (4.4 vs 3.9). On ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Handloader is free to download; RAD Development costs $1.99 up front. Handloader sells 41 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. RAD Development asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RAD Development holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 55 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Handloader's written reviews are positive against 70% of RAD Development's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Handloader ships an update every 8 months, RAD Development every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Handloader versus RAD Development: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandloaderRAD Development
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating3.9 (55 ratings)4.4 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews70.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings55 — better26
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionPaid — better
Best chart rank—#102 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB22 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperMagzter Inc.Blake Williams

Customer experience

Handloader

All ratings55 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral3.6%
Negative23.6%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

RAD Development

All ratings26 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.4%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.0%

In-app purchases

41 purchases

Handloader

Subscriptions3
  • Handloader 30$8.991 Year
  • Handloader$10.996 Months
  • 1 Year Digital Subscription7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time38
  • Handloader August-September 2014$4.99
  • Handloader October - November 2014$4.99
  • Handloader December -January 2015$4.99
Show 35 more
  • Handloader February-March 2013$4.99
  • Handloader December - January 2012$4.99
  • Handloader December - January 2011$4.99
  • Handloader February -March 2015$4.99
  • Handloader August - September 2015$4.99
  • Handloader June - July 2016$4.99
  • Oct - Nov 2018$4.99
  • Handloader April - may 2011$4.99
  • Handloader August - September 2017$4.99
  • April - May 2019$4.99
  • Handloader - June July 2024$4.99
  • Handloader June - July 2012$4.99
  • Handloader April - May 2015$4.99
  • Handloader August - September 2016$4.99
  • Handloader April - May 2013$4.99
  • Handloader August - September 2012$4.99
  • Handloader August-September 2013$4.99
  • June - July 2019$4.99
  • Handloader Oct - Nov 2019$4.99
  • Handloader June - July 2011$4.99
  • Handloader June July 2022$4.99
  • Handloader December - January 2010$4.99
  • Handloader October - November 2016$4.99
  • Handloader February - March 2017$4.99
  • Handloader April - May 2017$4.99
  • Handloader December - January 2013$4.99
  • Handloader October - November 2011$4.99
  • Handloader June - July 2015$4.99
  • Handloader Oct - Nov 2014$4.99
  • Handloader October - November 2015$4.99
  • Handloader Dec 2019 - Jan 2020$4.99
  • Jun Jul 2020$4.99
  • Handloader April - May 2010$4.99
  • Handloader Special Issue 2018$7.99
  • Winter Special 2017$7.99
None

RAD Development

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Handloader free?
Handloader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RAD Development free?
RAD Development costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Handloader or RAD Development?
RAD Development is rated higher. Handloader averages 3.9 out of 5 from 55 ratings, while RAD Development averages 4.4 from 26 ratings.
Do Handloader or RAD Development have ads?
Neither Handloader nor RAD Development shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Handloader or RAD Development?
Handloader ships an update every 8 months, and RAD Development every 5 weeks. Most recently, Handloader was updated on September 22, 2026 and RAD Development on September 20, 2026.

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