QuickLOAD/QuickTARGET Ballistic Prediction Software

[JRH6856]

The single thing I have a problem with in this program is this. Primer specifications. As you know, different primers have different burning rates.some hotter, some cooler and more even in shot to shot uniformity as to velocity. With the wildcat brass I form I can obtain both small and large primer sizes in cases. That can show obviously when chronographing. QL doesn't seem to differentiate on this issue and it is the single "nit picky" thing I would change in an otherwise really special time saving ballistics program.

There is one other rather glaring problem that can take some getting used to. While the program runs under Windows, and uses windows, it violates almost all Windows UI (user interface) conventions. Of course, one benefit to this is that almost forces one to read the manual to be able ot ue the program for anything at all.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

The primer thing is easily compensated for in the burn rate when one calibrates the load. I wonder what base primer was used in the pressure calculations.

One of my pet peeve's is that I would like the form to return to blank when re-opening the file and not keep the last information. I would also like the program to auto calculate post entering any data so a manual / auto calculate option would be nice.

Would also be nice to have multiple QL files open like you can with a spreadsheet.

Recently (yesterday) my friend discovered that a Hornady bullet he was loading had the incorrect length in QL, it was over 1/8" longer in QL. I wonder what the data base update routine is and if the manufacturers have all bought in and send updates or if the writer has to "fetch" his updates. If the latter then one needs to be very mindful of this as with the amount of data I thinks updates could be missed.

 

[Potatohead]

So, what exactly is the point of QL?

In "Im a rifle newb" terms?

Not "what's the point" in a smart alecky way, not my intention there- but what purpose do most use it for exactly? I know it simulates loads (I guess I know) , but what circumstance do you all find yourself in when you feel QL could help? New powder/bullet combos I guess?

Does it simulate pistol loads also? Or is their most likely not much need for it in regards to pistol loads?

I could wiki it or something but hell we're talking about it and it's a forum so i figure I'd ask..

Hope Im not dragging this to far from your intentions Ron, but I'm curious about it too, (on a much simpler level)

 

[Andrew Leigh]

As a rifle "newb" I would seriously recommend that you stick with conventional load tables building loads from the bottom until you have an acceptable load and that you have learnt the basics of loading. QL allows creative freedom in loading not appropriate for a beginner in my opinion.

So what does QL do for a more advanced user?

It teaches you the basics and the interaction of various components in real time.
It allow you to develop rifle and pistol loads, over 1000 calibres.
It has black powder capability.
It allows you to establish suitable powders and bullets for a given calibre.
It allows you to calculate recoil.
It allows you to create your own wildcat cartridges.
It allows to build up a load more safely and quickly than any conventional means.
It allows you to store detailed information for later reference.
It allows you to change between varying powder batches without too much effort.
It does things that I have not even got to.

Download the Demo Version.

 

[Potatohead]

Sounds good Andrew, thanks!

 

[Berger.Fan222]

One feature I like is being able to compute how changes in seating depth are likely to effect velocity. Several rifles I've loaded for over the years have rifling that is waaaay out there, so I've tended to load bullets long. This increases effective case capacity and (for the same powder charge), reduces velocity compared with bullets loaded to SAAMI OAL specs.

QL has also been useful for "what if" kinds of analysis: using powders in applications where there may only be one or two entries in the manuals, using brass with more or less case capacity, accounting for a particularly tight or loose chamber, etc.

 

[Potatohead]

One feature I like is being able to compute how changes in seating depth are likely to effect velocity.

That is very cool. That's one thing I could've used as a newb, because I swore I was about to blow myself up every time I changed the OAL on a pistol load when I first started!

 

[JRH6856]

That is very cool. That's one thing I could've used as a newb, because I swore I was about to blow myself up every time I changed the OAL on a pistol load when I first started!

With pistol loads, QL tends to be conservative in its calculations, often showing dangerously high pressures for loads that the published manuals say are safe and you may have been using with no visible signs of overpressure. As I understand it, that is because the formulas used are designed for bottleneck cartridges and can't accurately calculate peak pressures for straight wall cartridges. But while the calculated pressures may be wildly high, the calculated velocities appear to be within expectations. So with pistol loads, as you get close to maximums, it is best to ignore QL's pressures and work up loads in the conventional manner. I will back off 10-15% from QLs calculated max SAMMI pressure load and work up, and often I can go beyond what QL says is dangerously overpressure before any visible signs begin to appear.

This is not the case with bottleneck cartridges, where calculated pressure levels usually coincide with real world observations.

 

[Potatohead]

Gotcha. Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

QuickLoad is awesome!!!

But only if you take the time to learn and understand how it works, why it works....and most importantly, what makes it work (accurate input).

It is infinitely adjustable...it can be made to exactly match your gun, your batch of powder, your batch of bullets, etc.

But you have to take the measurements and do the math and enter that into the program....if you just turn it on, pick a round, a bullet, and a powder...it might be close, or it might not...but if you do your homework, it can save a lot of wasted components and time.

Is it simple to use? No...not really, not if you use it to its full potential...but I find it addictivly interesting, and have spent a good number of hours just tinkering with it.

Measure and manually enter everything...bullet length, boat tail length, the different bullet diameters, case capacity, case length, seating depth, etc....then get chrono readings...from there you tweak the powder burn rate (they all vary some from lot to lot, and also in different rounds)....mine will match the chrono within 15 fps every time, with my wife's 270, using my current batch of brass, bullets, and powder, and I saw visual pressure signs (very slight ejector marks) at QuickLoad predicted 68,300 psi...that's the only rifle I've fully mapped out in the program so far.

For those that doubt the ability of an algorithm to predict internal ballistics...algorithms can and do predict far more complex things than internal ballistics...and they do so accurately, but only if they have accurate input.

Another common complaint about it....primers...it doesn't need a setting for primers...primers can be accounted for with the powder burn rate.

 

[BigBore45]

i have been using quickload in conjunction with testing and book info. it seems to be pretty close with the .45 colt and its a strait wall cartridge. I input every minor detail with hand measurements. The velocity seems to be right there too.

 

[JRH6856]

Yes, .45Colt pressures are relatively low if you stay within SAMMI. It seems it is when pressures get up towards magnum levels that you can see it start going wonky. Full bore .357 and .44mag, 9mm, etc

 

[Potatohead]

Good post Ridgerunner (#35).