Should I get Quickload?

[simon_rook]

I'm looking for something I can plug data into and get approximate pressure and velocity info. For one if I find a powder that produces higher velocities at lower pressures (this is good right?) and finding safe starting points. If I'm correct you can plug in the case capacity, powder, bullet length and COAL and get theoretical data for whatever your heart may please. Is this true?

 

[RidgwayCO]

I've used QuickLOAD for several years. It's definitely added to my enjoyment of this hobby. If you're the analytical type ("What will changing the COL of this load do to the computed pressure and velocity?"), then QuickLOAD might well be a worthwhile addition.

 

[bluetopper]

I think you should get it and make me a copy.

 

[amlevin]

Another option to Quick Load is "Load From a Disk". I use this and get very good results. Not as expensive as Quick Load @ $65. Very easy to use and also includes external ballistic tools as well.

 

[kelbro]

QuickLoad is great for rifles. I do not think that it takes cylinder gaps into account so I'm not sure it's that accurate for revolvers.

 

[ssyoumans]

QuickLoad is great for rifles. I do not think that it takes cylinder gaps into account so I'm not sure it's that accurate for revolvers.

I largely agree with the above. It seems to be pretty accurate with 6" 38/357, but not so accurate with 2" snubbie loads. With the accurate line of powders, tends to predict low for snubbies with 2400, Blue Dot, Unique, Power Pistol, Bullseye.

I don't tinker with it much for pistols/revolvers, but I do like supplementing my manuals data for rifle loads. For example, 16" Ar-15, most load data is for 20" or 24" barrels, but I have a 16" carbine. It has been pretty accurate, usually within a SD of my load (W748, BLC2, AA2230, TAC, Varget) letting me know what I should expect over the chrono.

Note though, it can cause additional stress, like when you run some Barnes TSX data through it and they are way hot! This is true for several calibers and other powder/bullet data sources. Use it as supplemental information, but not as a substitute for multiple loading manuals and powder mfg data.
I've tinkered with it in 223, 30-30, 243, 308, and 30-06. I do like how it gives you the %fill of the case, assuming you have measure your case capacity in grains of H2O.

Overall, worth the investment if you're a numbers geek. Bottom line though, it's not going to replace shooting loads and checking for accuracy.

 

[simon_rook]

I'm planning on using it mostly in automatic pistols. I guess my main purpose would be for the random data-less bullets I manage to pick up. I'm hoping I could plug in bullet length and diameter along with case capacity and powder and find safe start points. A secondary use would be powders I have that I just want to shoot up in plinking loads to clear space. I got a little bit of everything to get me started and once I settle on favorites I dont want the others to go to waste. I have three rifles that could benefit as well. Two 5.56 semi autos and a .308 bolt gun.

So I guess what I'm asking is will both of these programs work for what I need?

 

[kelbro]

It will work for what you want to do. It will point you in the right direction. It is not perfect so you must still follow standard safe handloading rules.

 

[Afy]

Quickload is great. You wont regret the purchase.

 

[srsmith]

I have used QL very successfully on handgun loads.
For example, if you take careful *measurements* of case capacity and bullet length, you can model the effects of changing the OAL.
It also helps to model loads from various manuals to understand the differences.
Of course, QL is a computer program and depends on the data you feed to it.

QL does not substitute for loading manuals nor does it relieve you of following safe loading practices.

It does help the uesr understand the effects of the many variables involved in reloading.

Getting good results on handguns takes more care that for rifle catrtidges.

Be Safe and Have fun !
-steve

 

[Clark]

If you have been shooting the same load in your one gun for 30 years, Quickload is not going to do you much good.

I handload for many cartridges with many bullets and many powders, and it is worth to me more than 10 times what I paid.

I own ~ 50 load books, and don't use any of them any more.