Handgun bullets usually require a crimp -- especially heavy-recoiling magnums -- and crimp grooves must be in the right place. Some bullets have dual crimping grooves to accommodate various cartridge overall lengths.

As far as loading semiauto pistol ammo with hollowpoints, I almost never do. The calibers involved aren't usually powerful enough for hunting big game, so really the only purpose is for self-defense. And as I said, I don't use handloads for self-defense.

However, I do load hollowpoints and softnose designs for several revolver calibers, typically in magnums I intend to hunt with. For the .357 Magnum, the generally accepted minimum caliber for deer-size game, I like heavy-for-caliber projectiles, such as Hornady's 180-grain XTP or Nosler's top-notch 180-grain Partition, that are designed specifically for hunting.

As cartridge size becomes bigger, gaining appropriate bullet weight becomes less of an issue, and appropriate choices become much broader.

Many of the bigger revolver cartridges are specialized to the point that it's worthless to load anything but bullets suitable for hunting in them. I like either hard-cast Keith-type lead bullets, flat-nose bullets with very broad meplats or quality jacketed hollowpoints or softnose bullets for use in practically all big-bore revolver loads from .41 Magnum to .500 S&W Magnum.

However, for the combination of long-range accuracy and knockdown power that silhouette shooters require, you need long, streamlined bullets. Handgun silhouette shooters are among the most passionate about high-performance handgun handloads, those designed specifically to carry well and knock over heavy steel ram silhouettes at 200 yards.

And there is merit in loading practice loads for the really big magnums. Firing 50 to 100 full-power rounds through a .500 S&W Magnum in one practice session is an exercise in folly, and it can cause spectacularly bad shooting habits to develop.

If you're interested in lighter loads for the magnums, simply choose a bullet that falls in the lightest category for your caliber, whether cast lead or jacketed, and load with starting charges from a reloading manual.

On today's shooting scene, factory ammunition is becoming so expensive that it's almost out of reach for many of the most active shooters. In calibers like the .500 S&W and other big-bore magnums, cartridges can cost upwards of $2 or $3 a pop. And even basic full-metal-jacket pistol ammo is reaching 20 to 50 cents a shot. That adds up in a hurry during a dedicated practice session or a competition.

With today's myriad choices in inexpensive and high-performance component bullets, there's no better time to get serious about reloading. And who knows? With the right choice of bullet, your handloads might just outperform the factory loads you've been shooting.