Quickload, How and when is it used?

[Linko]

I see many people refer to Quickload recommendations. I would like to understand how it is used. Does it predict recommended loads based on the rifle, bullet and powder to be used. Is it used before obtaining Chrono measurements?

For example, I have a saage F TR 223 Model 10 Target rifle. 7 twist 30" tube.

I want to find the nodes and beat load for H4895, 80 gr SMK. Would I use Quickload to determine the best charge weights to try?

Could use a little assistance understanding.

Thanks

 

[243winxb]

See warming http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/test-quickload-review/

WARNING: QuickLOAD is a computer simulation of centerfire cartridge performance. YOU MUST NEVER just “plug in the numbers” and use QuickLOAD’s output for a load recipe. That is foolish and dangerous. There are many reasons why the data QuickLOAD generates may not be safe in YOUR gun. Before loading live ammunition, you should always check with the powder-makers’ most recent load data. In fact, you should check multiple sources if possible, and consult with individuals who actually load for that cartridge. Sierra Bullets offers free load maps which, in general, are fairly conservative. Even when using manufacturers’ load data, start 10% low and work up. Differences in brass, primer brand, and seating depth can make huge differences in pressure. Always reload conservatively and always double- and triple-check QuickLOAD’s output against reliable load data supplied by the powder-makers.

 

[chop house]

Does it predict recommended loads

short ans: nope.

however, you could make comparisons between components and loads based on similar velocities, pressures, barrel times, exit pressure, load density and other factors once you determine where your particular rifles nodes are.

that is my simplified understanding, but i am not a quick load super-user

 

[Racebannon3855]

Being that you are using a Sierra projectile, you could probably get a good chunk of information from their tech line. They do a great job with their manuals and when I still have a question their tech line always helps.

The "Techs" at Sierra are all shooters, makes it well worth the time to talk to them.

 

[chop house]

having said that, here is an application where QL was quite useful: few years back i was messing around trying to get vertical out of the groups from a break action (think handi-rifle style) .243. Those actions are very springy, and fired brass actually comes out larger than will rechamber without fl sizing. There is no bolt camming action to help 'force' the reload into the chamber. anyway, with the help of a member on another forum it was determined these rifles could tolerate chamber pressures up to about 45,000 psi before the brass was exhibiting this stretching. so, we set QL pressure limits of 45k and fill ratios of 75% and it spit out a list of possible (emphasize possible) load combinations to try.

 

[jepp2]

I would like to understand how it is used. Does it predict recommended loads based on the rifle, bullet and powder to be used. Is it used before obtaining Chrono measurements?

My experience seems to be different than those already offered.

I keep meticulous records. I know the water capacity of the various brass I use in each rifle. I have added over 125 bullets since QL didn't have the bullets I was using. I run QL for every new load I am working up. I adjust the water capacity for my actual, I use my actual bullet seating depth, etc.

The alternative is to use available data in manual and on-line. Rarely does this data match my actual bullet, when the water capacity is listed (Nosler) it is always much less than my brass. The OAL or bullet seating depth is different than mine. Yes, I check multiple sources before I select the starting load and my maximum.

I fill in my Chrono data record with the calculated velocities from QL. When I begin with my lowest loading I record my actual chrony data. I compare it with my calculated values. Yes, I know velocity isn't exactly equal to pressure, so I read all the other pressure signs available. I know from previous loads, how my lot of powder performs, so if it is running "hotter" I already know that.

So I would feel like I was loading in the dark without QL. I trust it as much as I trust any other data source, and it isn't my only source. But it is my best source. And for the wildcats I load for, where there is no commercial data available, it is outstanding.

 

[270WinDude]

Their website says that they can't sell to those in the USA is that true? Sure don't seem like it based off of all those I hear using it. Perhaps I'm reading it wrong? I am planning on buying it but I saw that disclaimer on the site.

 

[jepp2]

Their website says that they can't sell to those in the USA is that true? Sure don't seem like it based off of all those I hear using it. Perhaps I'm reading it wrong? I am planning on buying it but I saw that disclaimer on the site.

You buy it from NECO. http://www.neconos.com/category/Software-2

 

[243winxb]

, when the water capacity is listed (Nosler) it is always much less than my brass.

Noslers water fill is to the base of the bullet.

 

[rammac]

I see many people refer to Quickload recommendations. I would like to understand how it is used. Does it predict recommended loads based on the rifle, bullet and powder to be used. Is it used before obtaining Chrono measurements?

For example, I have a saage F TR 223 Model 10 Target rifle. 7 twist 30" tube.

I want to find the nodes and beat load for H4895, 80 gr SMK. Would I use Quickload to determine the best charge weights to try?

Could use a little assistance understanding.

Thanks

Yes it can make reasonably accurate predictions about loads in your rifle - if your inputs are accurate.

I've used QuickLoad for many years now and there are times when it just doesn't seem to come up with the right numbers for your rifle but it will match the reloading manual numbers quite often (even if your rifle doesn't come up with the expected chronograph numbers that the book said it should). I always run a potential cartridge combination through my QuickLoad to get an idea of what to expect before I run the bullets across my chronograph, if the chronograph numbers are more than 50 fps off from what QuickLoad predicted then I try adjusting some of the input data to match the software output with the real world results. There are some rifles that just don't produce the numbers that QuickLoad says they should and that isn't a failure of the software it's a failure of the user to input the proper data. Very often you'll find that the chamber has a problem if you can't seem to make your rifle produce the velocities that QuickLoad and the reloading manual say it should produce.

Typically I start with a light load as per the reloading manual. I take note of the predicted muzzle velocity and then I test the load over my chronograph. If the chronograph comes up with numbers that within 50 fps of what QuickLoad predicted then I will make some slight adjustments to the QuickLoad input data (changing case water weight, powder burn rate, start pressure, etc.) and then load another powder charge that is slightly different from what I used the first time. This allows me to see if QuickLoad properly predicts the muzzle velocities, if I'm within 25 fps then I figure that the software is tuned pretty closely to the real world. At this point the software's error is within reasonable limits and I'm confident that I wont blow up my firearm while testing loads, even hot loads. Once I've adjusted the software I use it to estimate a good load that will put my bullet times (the amount of time the bullet is in the barrel, this is equivalent to estimating harmonic accuracy nodes) where I estimate they will match up with an accuracy node. I test the load for velocity, if it's not close to the estimated value then the bullet barrel time will be different then what you expected, and accuracy on paper. I also look at chronograph extreme spread and standard deviation values. I repeat the process until I find a load that gives me the best repeatable groups.

Case volume, by the way, is measured by the amount of water that the case will hold. It is based on how much water a fired and unsized case will hold, it is not the amount of usable volume that the case has after a bullet is seated. The software will produce an estimate of how much usable volume the case has when the bullet is seated but it's calculated after you input the case's total volume (based on water weight), the dimensions of the bullet, and the seating depth. The water weight is measured by weighing the empty fired/ unsized brass with the fired primer in place. Then the case is filled with water (distilled is preferred) to the mouth of the case (with a flat meniscus - the top surface of the water) and the case is weighed again. The difference between the two weights is the weight of the water, this weight is used by the software to calculate the case's total volume.

 

[dcali]

QuickLOAD is a substitute for a losing manual that uses data about powders and case dimensions to calculate pressure and velocity. It’s a very useful supplement to a traditional loading manual, which usually is based on measured pressure test data. Both methods have pluses and minuses.

Where quickload shines is when using nonstandard seating depths, as is often the case with F class, for example. If you use it as intended, it’s a valuable way to get a better idea of how hot your loads are if you’re not shooting something that you have data on.

 

[Linko]

Looks like one more tool in the box for reloading.

 

[normmatzen]

I have used QL for 6-8years mostly for my Long Range Bench Rest guns. I NEVER use QL to determine a load other than setting one load/powder combination and let QL compare all other powders for same Mv to find best efficiency of powder choice.
What I mainly do is simulate my carefully determined loads based on barrel characterizations and tuner tuning. Then, I can simulate that load along with measured values like water capacity, bullet length etc. The results will usually be off 50-75 fps, but I use the MV and Bt to compare with potential changes to load and or bullet of different brand brass with different water capacity. I simulate till I find the identicle barrel time as the simulation of my reference load. This Bt data makes the new load closest to proper. Barel time is more important than Mv as the Bt must match the longitudinal resonance.