QL Question ?

[Chuckhunter]

I have been using QL since 2012 and really like the program. I'm embarrassed to say I'm still finding new things out about it that I didn't know. My question is could someone explain to me exactly what I'm looking for in the graphs window as far as the P-max and Z1 lines. I've heard several references over the years concerning these two lines but have never been able to figure out exactly what the more experienced program users are looking for. Perhaps it's folly but I'm just a guy who wants to know as much about this program as this feeble mind will allow. If anyone could give me a little incite into this data, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chuckhunter]

Due to the overwhelming response, I think it is a mystery to most users. LOL

 

[mtngun]

I had to fire up QL and take a look.

I'm still finding new things out, too. Maybe one of these days I'll read the manual.

As far as I am concerned, the graph window is just eye candy and normally I don't pay attention to it, only to the numbers of interest -- muzzle velocity, peak pressure, muzzle pressure, and bullet travel at Pmax.

Since there are several different graph options you can choose from, what you see will depend on how you have QL setup. My graph is set to "P & V vs. space." There is no "Z1" on my graph. Your graph may be different -- I believe Z1 does show up if you choose the % Propellant Burnt graph option.

"Z1" appears to be the "progressive burning limit." It is a characteristic of the powder and normally the user does not mess with it. The manual mentions "Z1" on pages 54, 57, 68, 79, 82, 110, and 111.

In summary, I would not worry about Z1 unless you think you are knowledgeable enough about powders to create or modify a powder file.

 

[Ont0001]

Far from knowledgeable with the fine aspects of QL but are you referring to the page where you can tweak powder data to meet your lot (by experienced data) ?

 

[Davey Boy]

Chuckhunter here is a thread where I tried to find out about Z! and Pmax
Have a look at it. Think I get it now. At first couldn't even see where the 2 lines were LOL.



http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/need-clarification-regarding-z1-p1-in-quickload.3915237/

 

[Chuckhunter]

Thanks for the responses. Davey Boy, that was the thread I was looking for, what a great thread, very interesting and informative even with the conflicting interpretations. As I said, just trying to clear some things up in my own mind. Actual on range testing is ultimately where I make my final decisions but I must say QL has helped me get there quicker and with a lot fewer rounds down the tube and that alone is worth plenty. I also know as I believe Donovan pointed out the more accurate the data in the closer QL predictions become when playing the what if game. Thanks again, going to save that thread.

 

[rifleman700]

The closer the two lines are to each other the better. But you have to have case capacity, burn rate, OAL and barrel time - OBT for barrel length all inputted correctly for the graph to be correct itself.

 

[Joe R]

I have been using QL since 2012 and really like the program. I'm embarrassed to say I'm still finding new things out about it that I didn't know. My question is could someone explain to me exactly what I'm looking for in the graphs window as far as the P-max and Z1 lines. I've heard several references over the years concerning these two lines but have never been able to figure out exactly what the more experienced program users are looking for. Perhaps it's folly but I'm just a guy who wants to know as much about this program as this feeble mind will allow. If anyone could give me a little incite into this data, it would be greatly appreciated.

I've been using QL for a couple of years and there are things I still don't understand, but that's OK. Its nothing compared to Photoshop; I've been using it 20 years and still only know a fraction of its capabilities.

I focus on what I need it for, OBT and muzzle velocity. I've read some of the postings about Pmax and Z1 but I'm not sure what their purpose is. I get excellent results and Z1 and Pmax positions are rarely indicative of an accurate load. I generally ignore them.

Remember that there are many important factors that QL doesn't consider: primer variations, differences in barrel twist rates, differences in type of barrel ( 4 groove 5R, poligonal, etc...) It is the best model that we have, but still an incomplete one.

Regards,

Joe

 

[rifleman700]

I've been using QL for a couple of years and there are things I still don't understand, but that's OK. Its nothing compared to Photoshop; I've been using it 20 years and still only know a fraction of its capabilities.

I focus on what I need it for, OBT and muzzle velocity. I've read some of the postings about Pmax and Z1 but I'm not sure what their purpose is. I get excellent results and Z1 and Pmax positions are rarely indicative of an accurate load. I generally ignore them.

Remember that there are many important factors that QL doesn't consider: primer variations, differences in barrel twist rates, differences in type of barrel ( 4 groove 5R, poligonal, etc...) It is the best model that we have, but still an incomplete one.

Regards,

Joe

I use the Z1 / Pmax as a quick way of seeing if the powder bullet combo is a good fit. If they are a mile apart I do not even consider that powder. I have quite a few established loads where they are one line. An easy way to see this is to open a window for the 6BR and use any 95-108 grain bullet with Varget and you will see how this works.

 

[JLT]

I had to fire up QL and take a look.

Maybe one of these days I'll read the manual.

If you do, you'll lose your Man Card . . . .