For me it's the difference in attention to detail of the final product, as well as the degrees I'll go to in the process to optimize results.
I can break the 8 calibers I reload into three groups:
1. "High Volume Accurate Plinking". I put effort into optimizing loads, but I don't obsess over that and I don't go to extremes. Once I have good loads I load a lot so I have a good inventory. 9mm, .223 Rem, .38 Spcl
2. "Low Volume Nostalgia". I'll optimize loads, but my goal is keeping old-ish guns with sentimental value on the firing line. I could buy ammo for these. But the fact I'm involved in making ammo for them increases my satisfaction by being more involved in them. .32 Rem, .380 ACP, .38 S&W, .30-06 Garand
3. "Low Volume High Precision". Minimize group size: Anneal. Optimize neck tension. Sort bullets by base-to-ogive measurement. Shoot at long distances - 1,000 yds and beyond. .284 Win
Groups 1 & 2 are Reloading for me. Group 3 is Handloading.
In #3, if a round comes out .001" off in base-to-ogive measurement I'll either fix it or put that round in my fouling pile. On the other hand, for my .223 loads, I don't even measure base-to-ogive, and if COL is off by .005" I don't even care.
I can break the 8 calibers I reload into three groups:
1. "High Volume Accurate Plinking". I put effort into optimizing loads, but I don't obsess over that and I don't go to extremes. Once I have good loads I load a lot so I have a good inventory. 9mm, .223 Rem, .38 Spcl
2. "Low Volume Nostalgia". I'll optimize loads, but my goal is keeping old-ish guns with sentimental value on the firing line. I could buy ammo for these. But the fact I'm involved in making ammo for them increases my satisfaction by being more involved in them. .32 Rem, .380 ACP, .38 S&W, .30-06 Garand
3. "Low Volume High Precision". Minimize group size: Anneal. Optimize neck tension. Sort bullets by base-to-ogive measurement. Shoot at long distances - 1,000 yds and beyond. .284 Win
Groups 1 & 2 are Reloading for me. Group 3 is Handloading.
In #3, if a round comes out .001" off in base-to-ogive measurement I'll either fix it or put that round in my fouling pile. On the other hand, for my .223 loads, I don't even measure base-to-ogive, and if COL is off by .005" I don't even care.
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