Handloading Software

[dkpbei]

Hey guys,

I have a quick question for you all. I'm currently working for a new company that's developing handloading software and my question is, what do you all look for in handloading software? Or, what do you wish was in your handloading software that isn't currently offered? The more details the better, thanks!

p.s. this is NOT an ad, I'm just trying to gather data, we're still in development

 

[k9kev88]

are you trying to replicate load data in software? what user requirements are you trying to develop?

I am in the software business and have never heard of "handloading software"...

 

[Andrew Leigh]

QuickLOAD I would classify as "hand loading software".

 

[k9kev88]

QuickLOAD I would classify as "hand loading software".

Wow, thanks for the pointer - that appears to be a heckuva piece of software for reloading and ballistics. I am curious to see how many handloaders actually use such an advanced tool.

My main question would be - how does the software keep in synch with manufacturers' load data? it does change and the software should not be the prime source of that data for liability reasons... interesting situation.

 

[mdm]

Software for record keeping?
Date
Bullet manufacturer
Bullet type
Bullet weight
Powder type
Powder charge
Primer
Brass type
Brass length
Cartridge OAL
Quantity
FPS
Observations/notes/comments

I track most of these things, and a few more I can't think of right now. My database also does inventory functions maintaining quantities on hand for powder, bullets, and primers based on input of purchases and loading sessions.

 

[Schwing]

MDM got most of the stuff I would care about. Two more that would be important for me would be Cartridge pressure for each load and cast bullet diameter and hardness

 

[Andrew Leigh]

In QL you save the primary screen with all the data as a .dat file. It has all the internal ballistics recorded on it.

The software calculates its own loads based on internal pressures generated by bullet / powder combinations. I no longer use manufacturers spec's I go directly to QL.

An example of a load that is far to hot.

 

[rcmodel]

how does the software keep in synch with manufacturers' load data?

That would be a problem!
Current load data is published in new and current reloading manuals, and is copyrighted by the reloading companies publishing them.
They don't want 2nd. parties copying their data to make a profit off of them.
They want to sell 'new' and up to date reloading manuals.

Sierra for instance, already sells a complete ballistics & reloading manual on CD.
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store...ftware-and-5th-Edition-Reloading-Manual-on-CD

Quickload pretty much has the 'enter your data and get a guess' pressure & velocity info.

There are probably a dozen ballistic apps available for smartphones and laptop ranging in price from .99 cent, to $4.95.

Many of the ammo companies & scope manufactures provide free on-line ballistic apps for computers & phones. Free.
http://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics_calculator/
http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/downloads/remington-shoot-software.aspx
http://www.winchester.com/learning-center/ballistics-calculator/Pages/ballistics-calculator.aspx
http://spoton.nikonsportoptics.com/spoton/spoton.html#:4

As far as record keeping?
Many of us have been using Excel or other spread-sheet programs, or Access data base programs to do that for many years.
Free too if you already have an 'Office' like suite on your computer!

Seems like your project would be a tough row to hoe in this day and age!

rc

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Sierra for instance, already sells a complete ballistics & reloading manual on CD.

I have this but it does not nearly approach QL. It is extremely limited in calibres, powders and obviously bullet choice.

Quickload pretty much has the 'enter your data and get a guess' pressure & velocity info.

Nope not a guess but a fairly accurate internal ballistic calculation based on numerous inputs as well as manufacturer bullet and powder data.

Seems like your project would be a tough row to hoe in this day and age!

Would agree.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Or, what do you wish was in your handloading software that isn't currently offered?

Something in the lines of QuickLoad but more affordable.

 

[horseman1]

I would want a flag to set for whether a load is one of your "Pet Loads" and want to make more of them, or just an experimental load. Also, I like to give these pet loads nicknames so I can tell my boys which one they are shooting.

Here is an example:
Them: "Which ones are these dad?"
Me: "Critter's Load"
Them: "I think I shoot Stank Eye's Load better. Do you have any Gun Show Noob left, my hand is getting a little sore but I want to keep shooting"
Me: "No, but I have some Mickey Farts left in the blue box I saved for your mother".

 

[Andrew Leigh]

QL does not refresh the screen / give you a blank canvas when you change calibres / bullets etc. This can lead to errors as some parameters are already filled in but for a different set of information. Would be nice to have a button that clears all inputted data.

To get to the trajectory plot in QL is rather cumbersome, would be nice to have a bullet drop table for the load instantly on hand.

QL does not cater for the increase in pressure as one approached the lands. There may be a sound reason for this a manufacturers use different leade angle and free bore distances. QL shows a drop in pressure the further one seats out until you touch the lands and then one must make a dramatic addition of some 7 200psi to compensate for being on the lands. My tests have proved that from about 1.00mm off the lands that pressure resultant from inertia has almost an exponential increase.

Although QL store the data in a .dat file which is nice it would also be nice if all ones load data could be sent to a table so that all the data can be viewed at once rather than having to open the .dat file for each load.

Would also be nice to be able to have more than one screen of QL open at a time. This so you can work on multiple loads at the same time.

 

[JRH6856]

Something in the lines of QuickLoad but more affordable.

And which factored primers into the calculations which QL currently does not do.

Also, the internal ballistics formulas used by QL do not work well for straight walled cases making it less than optimal for almost all handgun loads.

 

[LiveLife]

Perhaps this free reloading program will help - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=515725

 

[JRH6856]

Perhaps this free reloading program will help - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=515725

I tried installing several times on different systems and Windows versions but never got it to run. I'll probably try again one of these days when I really feel like troubleshooting.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

And which factored primers into the calculations which QL currently does not do.

Would be nice but I think they have got around that with the Burn Rate Calibration which effectively compensates for primers. CC! 200 vs. 250 in my .375 is the difference of 30fps.

Also, the internal ballistics formulas used by QL do not work well for straight walled cases making it less than optimal for almost all handgun loads.

I found that on pistols (only load for one) it is not a problem but on revolvers (only load for one) it is difficult to compensate for the loss of pressure between cylinder and barrel.

All that being said the software is still way ahead of most anything on the market.

 

[JRH6856]

I found that on pistols (only load for one) it is not a problem but on revolvers (only load for one) it is difficult to compensate for the loss of pressure between cylinder and barrel.

As loads near maximum, QL pressure estimates for straight-walled cases are often much higher than what is actually realized when pressure tested.

As to the cylinder gap, at the point of peak pressure, the gap is effectively sealed by the bullet. After that, the gap allows pressure to drop faster than in a sealed breech barrel. It is almost like having a shorter barrel but not quite. I corresponded with a guy who compared chrono results with QL estimates and worked out a table to adjust barrel length in QL to compensate for the gap. Unfortunately all of that info resides on a now crashed hard drive.