Reloading - art or science?

P95Carry · January 8th, 2008, 04:06 PM

Guy dropped by earlier today - he is planning to start reloading and asked - "is it an art or a science"... made me think!

On balance it's a science IMO - based on chemistry and physics of course. However on reflection I can see some ''art'' aspect too, with regard to how we individually apply that science.

Classic example might be the ''tuning'' of a load to a specific firearm - rifles generally for most part, where this ''art'' I think comes in. Much of this is experience in the end, plus some good 'ol trial and error.

Appliance of science ....... fun ain't it

Chooie · January 8th, 2008, 04:07 PM

You use artistry and attention to detail to ensure your scientific processes are executed with precision.

It's both!

Ram Rod · January 8th, 2008, 04:29 PM

Reloading is a science. An artistic aspect of that science would be someone who creates wildcat cartridges and builds rifles to fire them in. Reloading is a trade---sort of like a blacksmith or farrier. If reloaders and reloading ever subside in practice----folks will speak in terms of it as being a dying art.

Tubby45 · January 8th, 2008, 05:20 PM

Science is putting a primer in the pocket, powder in the case, slamming a bullet on top.

Art is testing all available components, all available variables, to achieve the ragged hole group, then replicating that over and over and over again.

It is part both. Any fool can load a cartridge. It takes an artist to make it safe and accurate.

Sheldon J · January 8th, 2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P95Carry

"is it an art or a science"...

On balance it's a science IMO - based on chemistry and physics of course.

Yeah but there is noting much grander to look at than a properly polished case with a bright shiny bullet on top, and that my friend is a pure work of art.

P95Carry · January 8th, 2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

a properly polished case with a bright shiny bullet on top, and that my friend is a pure work of art.

Yep - that does enter the art field, the ''after-the-science'' bit! - and here's my ''hot'' (

) .454 load with 300 grain XTP ......

friesepferd · January 8th, 2008, 07:22 PM

you do tests and adjust variables to get the best outcome of a product.
thats what i call science

aus71383 · January 8th, 2008, 07:30 PM

I think, like many things, "Its what you make of it." If you appreciate artfully crafting handloads - then its art. If you appreciate scientifically preparing handloads - then its science.

Austin

Danger Mouse · January 8th, 2008, 07:55 PM

IMO? Art, definatly, I take time with my Dillon 550 and check every 20th round, rechecking OAL, crimp, and powder to assure all loads are the same

DMan · January 8th, 2008, 09:16 PM

It is a science, but the art is just knowing (without scientific evidence) of what will shoot good, and how it will feel. Knowing that different powders respond differently depending on the load, the gun, the bullet weight etc is an art - unless you have scientific data to back up that "gut feeling" you have when one creates a new load.

Reloading is the art of applying science.

January 8th, 2008, 04:06 PM	#1
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Reloading - art or science? Guy dropped by earlier today - he is planning to start reloading and asked - "is it an art or a science"... made me think! On balance it's a science IMO - based on chemistry and physics of course. However on reflection I can see some ''art'' aspect too, with regard to how we individually apply that science. Classic example might be the ''tuning'' of a load to a specific firearm - rifles generally for most part, where this ''art'' I think comes in. Much of this is experience in the end, plus some good 'ol trial and error. Appliance of science ....... fun ain't it __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

January 8th, 2008, 04:07 PM	#2
Chooie Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,531	You use artistry and attention to detail to ensure your scientific processes are executed with precision. It's both! __________________ -Joe Quando omni flunkus, moritati. Virginia Citizens Defense League Rustburg, VA Volunteer Rescue Squad

January 8th, 2008, 04:29 PM	#3
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 5,206	Reloading is a science. An artistic aspect of that science would be someone who creates wildcat cartridges and builds rifles to fire them in. Reloading is a trade---sort of like a blacksmith or farrier. If reloaders and reloading ever subside in practice----folks will speak in terms of it as being a dying art. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords

January 8th, 2008, 07:55 PM	#9
Danger Mouse Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cumberland, VA Posts: 362	IMO? Art, definatly, I take time with my Dillon 550 and check every 20th round, rechecking OAL, crimp, and powder to assure all loads are the same __________________ Think twice Buy once!

January 8th, 2008, 09:16 PM	#10
DMan Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 332	It is a science, but the art is just knowing (without scientific evidence) of what will shoot good, and how it will feel. Knowing that different powders respond differently depending on the load, the gun, the bullet weight etc is an art - unless you have scientific data to back up that "gut feeling" you have when one creates a new load. Reloading is the art of applying science. __________________ If guns cause crime, then forks made Rosie O'Donnell fat!! Rosie - Say bye bye: You aren't much of a View anymore! Your true colors have been shown, and they are not Red, White, and Blue!

January 8th, 2008, 05:20 PM	#4
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,988	Science is putting a primer in the pocket, powder in the case, slamming a bullet on top. Art is testing all available components, all available variables, to achieve the ragged hole group, then replicating that over and over and over again. It is part both. Any fool can load a cartridge. It takes an artist to make it safe and accurate.

January 8th, 2008, 07:22 PM	#7
friesepferd Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: what used to be the state of Franklin (look it up) Posts: 1,719	you do tests and adjust variables to get the best outcome of a product. thats what i call science

January 8th, 2008, 07:30 PM	#8
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,696	I think, like many things, "Its what you make of it." If you appreciate artfully crafting handloads - then its art. If you appreciate scientifically preparing handloads - then its science. Austin

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