From Reloader to Handloader

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.

Offfhand said:

Handloaders load ammo with real hand tools like this. That's why they are called handloaders. I thought everybody already knew that..View attachment 921654

Click to expand...

I love it!

Forgot about those.

In my opinion...

In reality, there is little distinction between a handloader and a reloader. There are lots of grey areas.

I develop accurate loads for my guns with painstaking case prep, powder measure and bullet seating (handloading), then move the recipe to some form of rapid loading process to produce large quantities of the accurate ammunition recipe (reloading).

Some other term is needed for the folks that produce super accurate, consistent ammunition. Maybe "precision reloading"?

WrongHanded said:

Reloading is following published data. Handloading is something all together more involved.

Click to expand...

And a revolver is a pistol. But I'll bet someone tries to correct me on that.

entropy said:

And a revolver is a pistol. But I'll bet someone tries to correct me on that.

Click to expand...

Ooooh maaaaan! Now you really opened a bucket of worms.

entropy said:

And a revolver is a pistol. But I'll bet someone tries to correct me on that.

Click to expand...

Fine. I’ll do it.

B+
You could have gone more in depth.


Oh, wait. That may have been grading. My grandmother always ‘corrected’ her third grader’s dittos.
Personally, I find it grating to be corrected for semantic reasons.
Ditto for degrading personal vocabulary choices.

Most likely said already: Reload used brass, hand load new brass, fire repeat.

whughett said:

Most likely said already: Reload used brass, hand load new brass, fire repeat.

Click to expand...

If you can "handload" new brass, then you can "handload" used brass.

You can only load new brass until it becomes used brass, after which you're reloading it.

You can unload new brass and used brass... if you price it low enough.

If I chamber a handloaded round in my favorite target rifle and then eject it before firing, is that called unloading or handunloading?

I tried and failed to find a difference in the two terms. Yes, it's Sunday morning and the wind is blowing so I have time to waste. I'm surprised at the moderators letting this thread waste bandwidith by running on for three pages. Reloading and handloading are the same critter however complicated you want to make it.

entropy said:

And a revolver is a pistol. But I'll bet someone tries to correct me on that.

Click to expand...

I’ll just put this here and be on my way.

I do both as I see it.

I load "plinking" loads. These can be for the family .223 consumption where I use the clearance components so they can pop clay pigeons on the berm. Or my reduced cost/recoil 45/70, 30-30, and a couple others. Using cast bullets that I don't expect to group the best, but will do for short range practice.

Then I have the loads that I don't compromise on. my .260Rem that I shoot out to 1000yds or hunting loads since I tend to stretch the range of a firearm both in practice and hunting.

WrongHanded said:

I'd like to hear the thoughts of those experienced handloaders on the forum.

Reloading is following published data. Handloading is something all together more involved.

At what point do you think a reloader becomes a handloader? What benchmarks would you look to? What do you see as the critical differences?

Edited to add: Okay, perhaps I should expound on the part where I said "Reloading is following published data."

Reloading is (in my opinion) following published data to get a passable load to use instead of factory ammo.

I should have more clearly stated that when I started the thread.

Click to expand...

I use the terms interchangeably, but I think I usually refer to my pistol rounds as 'reloading' and my rifle loads as 'handloading'. Perhaps I use those terms because I load the handgun cartridges rather quickly on a turret press with less handling and automated powder charging, and the rifle cartridges one at a time on a SS press and involving more handling and individually weighed charges. But when the apple meets the orange, I don't get in a tiff which word is used for the act of loading up my own cartridges. It's a non-issue.