Just ordered QuickLOAD/QuickDESIGN

Status
Not open for further replies.

PTK

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2007
Messages
3,712
Location
Montana
Well, I finally did it. I just ordered both QuickLOAD and QuickDESIGN from NECO Software. From everything I've seen, this is the best of the best when it comes to software of this type for less than $1k.

I know some other people here own it - speak up if you do. Will I regret sinking $300 into this just now, or will I wonder how I got along without it before?
 
Quickload is a great tool for serious reloaders - it can pay for itself by minimizing barrel wear when you search for that perfect load! But this should cost just $150 or so.

What is quick design??
 
QuickDESIGN is a program that is like QuickLOAD, but instead of cartridges that already exist, you can either make one from scratch or modify an existing design. Since I have my eye on a few odd wildcats, it seemed like a good idea to get.
 
I've used QuickLOAD for the past couple of years, and find it invaluable. It's amazing how accurate it is if you do your part and give it accurate inputs. I find myself using it as a primary source for loads, and then checking the output against my reloading manuals.
 
Now if only they'll program TrailBoss into it as well. From what I understand, it's one of the few powders not in their database.
 
Yep, IMR's Trailboss, SR7625, and SR4756 (as well as Hodgdon's HS-6, HS-7, Titegroup, and Titewad) all need to be added to the database. I'm hoping for a powder database update soon (but not holding my breath...).
 
Good for you. QUICKLOAD is a good tool for those interested in "interior ballistics".......and it also includes an exterior ballistic pgm too........QUICKTARGET.

Santa Claus brought mine recently, and I am spending a lot of time with it.

There is a recently formed QUICKLOAD Discussion group, too. We need a few more members over there, to get it a bit more lively.

Go here to check it out and/or join:

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/QUICKLOAD-discussion/?yguid=1013473

FJ Lee
 
Mine came in the mail yesterday. I spent a couple of hours playing with it last night. It's gonna take a long time to figure out how to use all the graphs and charts and stuff, and to figure out what's significant and what's not. (like does it matter if the powder is still burning when the bullet leaves the muzzle. I assume the shock wave is still accelerating the bullet even after it leaves the barrel, but the efficiency goes down and the muzzle blast goes way up.)

I did figure out something that's been puzzling me about Bullseye powder. Bullseye is not as fast as everyone thinks it is. It is only a little faster than Unique, but it has about 25% more energy per grain than any other powder except Power Pistol -- which used to be called Bullseye 84. (Alliant must take that into account when they assign their "relative quickness" ratings.) That's why its charge weights are so low for target loads, but its performance is better than it should be in 357 Magnum, etc.

BTW, it does have Titegroup powder, and I think I remember seeing HS-6 and a half a dozen Ramshot powders. I have a 8 pound keg of WSF and wish it was included.
 
>>Would I be correct in assuming they don't have any of the Ramshot >>powders in their database?



I have version 3.3 of QUICKLOAD, and it contains 9 different RAMSHOT powders.

FJ Lee
 
I'm about to order my copy--but haven't really dug into purchase info yet. A couple of questions--

1. Is there a comprehensive list of the powders in the database?

Alternatively, Is this something one of you owners can print out / output to an ASCII file, whatever, and post here?

2. Can this database be added to by the end user?

IOW, if we could get the relevant data from a manufacturer, could we get the powder added ourselves?

Jim H.
 
yes, you can edit data files, adding new powders and cartridges.

I will see if I can export the list of powders.
 
GunTech,
I would also like to see a list of powders in the database. I emailed Neconos & asked for this. They responded that they didn't have a list. Doesn't make any sense to me that they wouldn't be able to tell you what powders are supported before you buy. I understand that users can add bullets & cartridges, but I didn't think that users could add powders. Anyway a list of powders supported would sure help me with my decision
 
GunTech and zxcvbob:

Can you give us a sample? Is it comma-delimited data, whatever--what does a line / record look like?

Do we know what object types are entered? IOW, what data do we need for a powder?

Jim H.
 
>Do we know what object types are entered? IOW, what data do we need >for a powder?

>Jim H.


I've 'lightly' studied the prospects of obtaining and entering the necessary data for a NEW or UNLISTED powder to be entered and then used in QL.

It's doubtful to me that a powder designer/manufacturer would supply an individual with the necessary data.......but I'm not an expert on these matters.

Studying QL, it looks like you would need info from test procedures, "closed bomb burning" being 1 of the procedures. This test evidentally produces quite a bit of data that must be entered into QL.

Another test procedure is "pressure vs time" data, obtained from pressure gun firing. This test also evidentally produces lots of data that must be entered in QL.

OK....and there are still more entries to be made......a sampling of the labels on these entries as follows:
coefficients of arcs
pro/degressive coefficient
ratio of specific heats
potential heat of explosion
solid density
bulk density

Assessing all the above, while looking at the pertinent section of the QL manual.......leads me to think that obtaining and entering all the data that QL asks for is not trivial. (I'm speaking here _ONLY_ of an individuals attempting to enter new or unlisted powder into QL)

And I think there is a potential for dangerous data if an individual entering his own powder data does not do it in a perfect and absolutely accurate manner.

FJ Lee
 
By the way, the list at http://www.neconos.com/powders.zip
says it was last updated in 2005. It has only 182 powders (plus 3 "test only" entries), and Titegroup doesn't seem to be one of them. Their website claims 200 powders for ver 3.3, so my guess is that this isn't the latest list. It does indicate that all my current powders are covered though :)
Are there similar lists for bullets & cartridges?
 
I was *really* happy to see that QL supports Accurate 4100 and Ramshot "Hunter". I bought 2 pounds of 4100 on sale a while back, thinking it was the same as Lil'Gun. It's not, but it is similar to 296 and Accurate #9 and should be useful -- especially for .357 and .38/44 rifle loads. And I bought a keg of Data 85 powder a few months ago and Accurate says it is identical to Hunter.
 
Wow, talk about an in-depth pair of programs. I've got the basic interface down, but I'm going to be a while in figuring the rest out. It looks like these are programs that you're able to get lost in for hours without realizing it!
 
Here's a couple of things I've done to make QuickLOAD easier to use, and more accurate:

1) Create a bullet library and cartridge library for just the bullets and cartridges you load. Much faster for routine use than going through QuickLOAD's extensive lists, and the other information is still readily available.

2) Create an index card for the bullets I have on hand and the distance from the base to the crimping location (the top of the cannelure if so modified). This is the seating depth, which the program changes automatically when you change the cartridge length, and you need to change back for accurate results.

3) Check, enter, and save the average case capacities for the brass you're using. This can make a big difference in the accuracy of your computations.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top