I think I want Quickload

[Adam in WI]

Mainly to help in deciding what powders I should be using and to help find good starting points when loading. I'll use 6mm-284 as an example. Hodgdon lists data for this round but it lists cartridge overall length as 2.750. My overall length with either 90 grain NBT or 100 grain Sierra soft points can run up to 3.030" (that's right at the lands). Some have said to use 240 Weatherby load data as a start point. Ok, well Nosler lists the 240 as holding 60 grains of water. My old W-W cases hold 64.3 grains and my Norma cases hold 66.2 grains. This has to account for something, and from my first crack at using Nosler's 240 data was underwhelming to say the least. Using their maximum load of RL19 (52.5 grains) netted me barely over 3100 fps. This somewhat illustrates my point, using the 240 data should've put me in the 3400 ballpark but when I mix in greater capacity and quite a bit more generous freebore I come up way short. I 've been having understandably better results with H4831, but I'd like to spend less powder (and barrel life) finding where the max is with my combinations.


Ok, maybe I just want something else to play with but hey it sounded like a good pitch.

 

[mac86951]

I really like quickload; but there is a bit of setup to get it working just right. My recommendation, get it and get the set-up practice with a common cartridge; Chrono to verify, then move to your custom and expand your software skill. If you have the one cartridge; it might be a bit of an investment, but less than a barrel.

-Mac

 

[Adam in WI]

~$150 doesn't seem too bad when you consider a print manual can run up to $30, and the print is only relevant for a brief period of time and cannot compensate for variables. I'm not committed to the idea 100%, but it seems like it could be a useful tool if you're looking to squeeze as much juice out of a particular combo as safely possible.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Buy it.

 

[bozo699]

Buy it.

I’m almost smart enough to get my computer turned on. How hard of a learning curve is it to use it? Do you have to be a program designer or can a dummy like me use it without spending hours upon hours learning how to use it?
Wayne

 

[Straightshooter1]

I’m almost smart enough to get my computer turned on. How hard of a learning curve is it to use it? Do you have to be a program designer or can a dummy like me use it without spending hours upon hours learning how to use it?
Wayne

There is a learning curve, which can be longer for some than others. There are tutorials on YouTube that can help keep that learning curve as short a possible. Then, you also have this website with a good many users that can answer specific questions one might have.

 

[bozo699]

There is a learning curve, which can be longer for some than others. There are tutorials on YouTube than can help keep that learning curve as short a possible. Then, you also have this website with a good many users that can answer specific questions one might have.

I’m sure glad to have this site that’s for sure!... I have got a lot more help than given and a lot of fun,.... thank you
Wayne

 

[std7mag]

Much like all computer programing, crap in equals crap out.
First off, realize that it is NOT a loading manual. Quickload does explicitly tell you that.
And that the answers you get are projected, based on the info you put in. They are not absolutes.
And there are MANY variables that you can plug into it.
The more you use it & discover different functions, the better the projections will be.

Do i have it? Yes.
Do i use it? Again, yes.
Do i trust it to absolute maximums? No.
I usually leave 2000-4000 psi below max pressure for the cartridge.
It is good for cartridge/bullet/powder combinations that are not listed in any manuals.

Be aware also, Alliant's Power Pro series of powder are not on it.

Updates are about $15, and sometimes come out yearly that you have to order & they send you a cd.

 

[Clark]

I started handloading about 1999 and got Quickload about 2000.
I own about 60 reloading manuals and do not use them.
I load for about 70 cartridges.

Sometimes a jug of powder will be off by 4%. I write on the jug, "takes 4% more powder than QL says". I have a jug of H4350 like that now.
Sometimes a jug is right on the money for pressure and chrono. I have a jug of Varget that is right on.

I can think of the jug being wrong or QL is wrong. It is best for me to think the jug is wrong and marked.

 

[hoz53]

I started handloading about 1999 and got Quickload about 2000.
I own about 60 reloading manuals and do not use them.
I load for about 70 cartridges.

Sometimes a jug of powder will be off by 4%. I write on the jug, "takes 4% more powder than QL says". I have a jug of H4350 like that now.
Sometimes a jug is right on the money for pressure and chrono. I have a jug of Varget that is right on.

I can think of the jug being wrong or QL is wrong. It is best for me to think the jug is wrong and marked.

Wow 70 cartridges-- you shoot those all yourself? Sure must keep you busy. I have quickload- need to get more involved with it.

 

[Ned Ludd]

It's worth every penny. It will run on a PC or a Mac, although you will also need PC emulation software for the Mac. Once you have it, play around with changing variables such as COAL, barrel length, case volume, and bullet weight, in addition to changing the charge weight parameter. If you do this in conjunction with a specific barrel occupancy time, such as from Chris Long's OBT Table, you can learn a lot in silico about how critical factors such as case volume or freebore length affect the relative pressure of a load, or how barrel length is an important factor for hitting a specific node with a given bullet weight at safe operating pressure.

In other words, there is lots of cool stuff you can do with it in addition to using it for load predictions.

 

[Pinkes]

Get Gordans Reloading Tool.
Its free,and gives you the half nodes too..
After using QL for 5 years I prefer GRT.

 

[fatelvis]

After you buy Quickload, clear your schedule for the next week or so, because you won't be able to pull yourself away! Lol
Seriously, it is really a great tool, and it's FUN to play with.

 

[Herzo]

The only problem with QuickLoad is that you have your choice of 872 powders and 4647 bullets along with variable case capacity and seating depth along with a a life expectancy of 72 years.......you figure it out.

But I love it.

 

[Big Mc]

Mainly to help in deciding what powders I should be using and to help find good starting points when loading. I'll use 6mm-284 as an example. Hodgdon lists data for this round but it lists cartridge overall length as 2.750. My overall length with either 90 grain NBT or 100 grain Sierra soft points can run up to 3.030" (that's right at the lands). Some have said to use 240 Weatherby load data as a start point. Ok, well Nosler lists the 240 as holding 60 grains of water. My old W-W cases hold 64.3 grains and my Norma cases hold 66.2 grains. This has to account for something, and from my first crack at using Nosler's 240 data was underwhelming to say the least. Using their maximum load of RL19 (52.5 grains) netted me barely over 3100 fps. This somewhat illustrates my point, using the 240 data should've put me in the 3400 ballpark but when I mix in greater capacity and quite a bit more generous freebore I come up way short. I 've been having understandably better results with H4831, but I'd like to spend less powder (and barrel life) finding where the max is with my combinations.


Ok, maybe I just want something else to play with but hey it sounded like a good pitch.

Just rember It is just a tool . NOT the Bible.Just my two cents Tommy Mc

 

[Dgd6mm]

There is a learning curve, which can be longer for some than others. There are tutorials on YouTube that can help keep that learning curve as short a possible. Then, you also have this website with a good many users that can answer specific questions one might have.

Wayne, I'm late coming back to the party, but between this and searching the archives here and asking questions about tweeking the program you will get a handle on it easily. Like Ned said , it is worth every penny. Ned is one that has a lot of skinny on Quickload and post good information.

 

[Adam in WI]

Just rember It is just a tool . NOT the Bible.Just my two cents Tommy Mc

Same as a loading manual for that matter

 

[BronzeArcher]

After reloading for over a decade from the manuals, I bought QuickLoad and learned a lot from using it over the following 7 years or so. For me, the most useful feature was predicting the effects of bullets loaded long enough to reach the lands while increasing powder capacity as is often done in F-TR. It was also useful for developing light loads for using the LabRadar to study BCs at reduced velocities.

But I haven't reinstalled it since I upgraded my computer a year or so ago. In 7 years of use, I've more or less learned what it is going to tell me about most situations of interest. But I never push the pressure limits of a cartridge and I keep it all within the bounds already established by manuals and 25 years of reloading experience.

 

[TylerFromMS]

Get Gordans Reloading Tool.
Its free,and gives you the half nodes too..
After using QL for 5 years I prefer GRT.

I’ve got both as well. GRT is awesome, and I think it’ll be more popular in the future as they add more cartridges. The interface is much better than QL, in my opinion.

 

[Murray Brook]

I have been using QL now for appx 5 yrs. No doubt there is a learning curve but once you get this over it becomes a great tool. Some have said no better than a manual. With all due respect I don't agree. A manual will give you data for the components and firearm they used. With QL once you get use to it you will get data for the components and rifle you use. Is it a bible. No, but once your specs are entered it is about as close as we can get today. JMO