[halfded]

Is there a difference between handloading and reloading? The title of this section of forum is "handloading and realoading"; what's the deal? DO handloaders do each individual round by hand for more precise results?

[rcmodel]

Never really thought about it.

I guess if you pinned me down?

Reloading = The process of handloading ammo using reloading tools & equipment.

But really, ya got me!

rc

[hydraulicman]

I like to say reloading. Hand loading just seems so slow.

[lordgroom]

In some places I have seen people refer to reloading as buying all the components except brass (which is reused) and loading rounds.

Handloading has been used to describe:
- tailoring a given round to different guns
- the constant search for improved accuracy by changing powders, primers, seating depth, etc.
- making bullets (casting or swaging) and doing the above.

Honestly, too subtle for me to really care about.

[jcwit]

I agree with rc.

[Afy]

Reloading... progressive press...
Handloading: For benchrest et al...

If you want to split hair that is...but I am no expert and didnt sleep in Holiday Inn last night. ;)

[rcmodel]

But, I've been reloading handloads on a single stage press for a very long time.

rc

[something vague]

Same term if you ask me, but a good question indeed. I have wondered the same thing from time to time but never let it bother me. I will admit, I like the term handloading better as I relate that to the production of super precise match grade ammo. Like dude said above, I too have not slept at a Holiday either.

[lgbloader]

That's why I use the word assemble. Reload sounds like changing magazines and Handload sounds like something else all together.

LGB

[rcmodel]

Midway USA GunTec Dictionary says:

"Handloading": The practice of loading or reloading small arms ammunition by hand-powered equipment and methods.

"Reloading": The complete process of manufacturing ammunition by hand from its individual components.

All this as opposed to using loading machines powered by motors?

rc

[MMCSRET]

From a custom ammo builder:
Reloaded: using previously fired cases
Handload: building ammunition to specific data from all new components

Does the term "semantically splitting hairs" come to mind?

Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

[Mr. Creosote]

Hummm... I Reload my handloads after I fire them off. Then I handload the reloads to tailor them to my guns. Then I reload them again

[rokchucker]

but it's all just a load..... of what I am not sure :)

[editingfx]

potAto potatO

[fourdollarbill]

Handloading is what you do after your cases are empty. :rolleyes:

Reloading is what you do when the bad guy is still breathing. ;)

[jim147]

Both terms are used interchangeably these days.
MMCSRET gave you the old the terms I still use.

jim

[halfded]

Handloading is what you do after your cases are empty.

Reloading is what you do when the bad guy is still breathing.

Great response!!

[The Bushmaster]

:):)You were right in the first place, halfded. Judging from all the "dumb" answers, it was a "dumb" question.:D

I'm a "handloader" that "reloads" ammunition...:evil:

[ranger335v]

The terms do get used interchangably, mostly by those who don't know the difference but, technically, there IS a difference. It doesn't really refer to the tools or components used, it has to do with methods and care in the work. It's largely done by those using turret or progressive presses, few of them are striving for tiny groups so more demanding - and slow - techniques are meaningless to them.

"Reloading" is what most of us do. We strive for usable ammo in quanity, in the least amount of time and/or as inexpensively as possible. In application, it commonly means picking a charge out of a manual, testing enough to see if it's safe and then cramming some cases full to have fun blowing them down range in casual "target" shooting or practice.

"Handloading", as the name implies, means there's a lot of hand craftsmanship and, usually, some specialised tools to aid the process. It usually indicates that great care has been taken in selecting a limited number of cases and uniforming them in several ways for the absolute best cosistancy. They are then precisely loaded and carefully tested to find the best possible accuracy obtainable. So, in "handloading", the stress is on accuracy, not high volumes or time/money saved.

Whichever approach we choose, it should best suit our needs, neither is automatically "better" than the other. A reloader who spents a lot of meticulus time uniforming cases that will be tossed out in rapid fire by a limited accuracy weapon will be wasting a lot of effort with no gain. On the other hand, a long range target/varmint shooter who picks an "OK" load before quickly cramming together a single box of ammo for a day afield without doing all he can to insure accuracy is wasting the opportunity to make his few shots count.

The names really do, or did, mean different things, and each has a practical correct application. But, like so much of our language, through common misuse the words have been degraded so much it no longer matters very much which one we use.

[lordgroom]

Pavlov...Bell...LOL!

ranger335 that's the way I have heard the difference described.

[jinxer3006]

From a custom ammo builder:
Reloaded: using previously fired cases
Handload: building ammunition to specific data from all new components

+1 on this one

[halfded]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Answers kind of went along with my way of thinking; always good to seek knowledge though.

Although I do like this idea quite a bit:

Handloading is what you do after your cases are empty.

Reloading is what you do when the bad guy is still breathing.

[mongoose33]

I shot my handloads and they went "Bang"

I shot my reloads and they went "Bang"

They are synonyms for all intents and purposes.

[DickM]

"Reloading" is what most of us do. We strive for usable ammo in quantity . . .

"Handloading", as the name implies, means there's a lot of hand craftsmanship . . .

This is how I've always thought of the two terms as well. When I'm cranking out .45 Colt loads by the bucketful on my LnL AP for CAS shooting that's reloading. When I'm tinkering with my .270 Win loads on the Rockchucker trying to turn my 1 MOA groups into .75 MOA groups, that's handloading. In conversation, though, I just say "reloading" and let it go at that.

[Right Wing Wacko]

When I'm loading using all new components including new brass, I am obviously not RE-Loading.

[Steve C]

IMO FWIW:

"Reloading" is hand loading previously fired case with new powder, bullet and primer. "Hand loading" is assembling ammunition by hand and may involve all new components. If loading virgin cases it is hand loading not reloading as none of the components were ever loaded in the first place.

[ranger335v]

IMO FWIW: "..If loading virgin cases it is hand loading not reloading as none of the components were ever loaded in the first place.

:) Clinically, you are right of course. But, you miss the point of hand-crafted ammo vs. hand-crammed ammo.