Curious about the popularity of handgun cartridges among reloaders? There usually isn't a dramatic change from year to year on the RCBS reloading die sales list, it is more of an evolutionary movement. Regardless, here is RCBS's 2012 sales list (first published in 2013) for their best selling handgun reloading die sets:

1. .45 ACP
2. 9mm Luger (9x19mm)
3. .40 S&W
4. .38 Special/.357 Magnum
5. .44 Special/.44 Rem. Magnum
6. .45 Long Colt
7. .380 ACP

The .45 ACP captures first place, which given the cult of the 1911 pistol and the price of premium defense factory loaded ammunition isn't surprising. The very popular 9x19mm and .40 S&W, widely used as military and police service cartridges are next on the list, followed by three potent revolver cartridges. The .380 ACP, for which it seems an ever increasing number of concealed carry pistols is available, rounds out the list.

There really are not many surprises on the latest RCBS reloading die sales list. I bet that most Guns and Shooting Online readers would have guessed a similar list of pistol cartridges, perhaps in a slightly different order.