Quick Load Neco

[swoosh]

If there is anyone with the quick load software willing to help me out, thanks in advance!

I have been reloading the blackout cartridge to SAAMI spec for a couple of years now and don't really need to change anything. Mostly out of curiosity & since I also reload .223 and .308, I was wondering if there was an acceptable load that would fall within the SAAMI scope for OAL using the IMR XBR powder for the blackout round. XBR is what I use for both .223 and .308. I am happy with the results I get and would like the convenience of 1 powder for all my loads. Additionally I do realize XBR is a slower burning powder than Lil Gun which is used for blackout loads.
Since I stick to book loads and I'm not really in to going outside the boundaries of that for fear of blowing my face off. I would be hesitant to change anything, but my curiosity compels me to investigate no further than free help. For me to spend $150.00 for one load that may or may not work isn't justifiable.
Any help here would be great, the more data the better both good and bad, thanks again in advance.
Scott

Forgot to mention I use SMK 125 Gr HP

 

[louielouie]

Using QL default values, 20.0gr of 8208 is about 102% case capacity and 24.5k chamber pressure. IMHO, not a good fit.

 

[swoosh]

Using QL default values, 20.0gr of 8208 is about 102% case capacity and 24.5k chamber pressure. IMHO, not a good fit.

Thanks for the quick response louielouie. Would you mind elaborating on why it wouldn't be a good fit. I'm not sure how QL works entirely, other than red is unacceptable. Was this load in the red or another marginal color. Did QL give you an acceptable chamber pressure? What length barrel is default? I use a 10" and 16". I read on another post where someone said barrel length mostly affected recoil more than pressure, not sure how this changes the equation.
If you have time to go into more detail great, if not thanks anyway!
Scott

 

[amamnn]

If you want to reap the benfits of things like QL support the makers and buy the @!##$ program. If I can afford it--anyone can.............

 

[louielouie]

According to QL, max. SAAMI pressure is 55k psi - with 20 grains of 8208 & 125 MK seated to 2.26" the powder is already compressed and while chamber pressure is not even 25k, depending on where the port on the barrel is (let's say 10" from bolt face) port pressure is about 5000 psi. While velocity is about 1850 fps in a 16" barrel, this probably isn't enough to cycle the action. Plus I think the pressure is too low for efficient ignition: only 63% of the powder is burned and may leave more residue.
In another post I'm researching where the port is for an M1A so I can use QL to model powders that give appropriate pressure at the port. I know even less about the AR operating requirements so I'll be the first to admit that my SWAG may be more wild than I thought.
For comparison: in a 20" M1A with 150 FMJ using 46gr of BL-C2 (very close to WC846 per mil-spec) and IF the port is 14" from bolt face there is about 14k psi at the port - this why a narrow range of powders & loads are suitable for that gas system.
I know QL is not an absolute answer but for the money it can really help w/making better decisions, IMHO.

 

[swoosh]

If you want to reap the benfits of things like QL support the makers and buy the @!##$ program. If I can afford it--anyone can.............

So how do you like the program & how often do you use it? Any other info would helpful too...

 

[swoosh]

According to QL, max. SAAMI pressure is 55k psi - with 20 grains of 8208 & 125 MK seated to 2.26" the powder is already compressed and while chamber pressure is not even 25k, depending on where the port on the barrel is (let's say 10" from bolt face) port pressure is about 5000 psi. While velocity is about 1850 fps in a 16" barrel, this probably isn't enough to cycle the action. Plus I think the pressure is too low for efficient ignition: only 63% of the powder is burned and may leave more residue.

I know QL is not an absolute answer but for the money it can really help w/making better decisions, IMHO.

Thanks for the solid- you just saved me $150.00 and a 3 day wait, looks like I'll be needing more lil gun.

 

[louielouie]

I use it a lot because of the variety I have available to me but it requires taking actual measurements of your components and equipment to get the best solutions. I'm a software tester so this sort of thing comes very easy to me (yes, I'm anal too) so the tool IMHO is only useful if you're willing to tailor it to your specific equipment. The other expense is the chronograph but it's a great tool otherwise.

 

[scpaul]

Is Quick Load really $150.00? Paul

 

[michaelnel]

Yep. Worst $150 I have spent on this hobby. I bought it, don't use it at all.

 

[jonbearman]

Which manuals do you have?

 

[CatShooter]

Yep. Worst $150 I have spent on this hobby. I bought it, don't use it at all.

How come? I thought everyone loved "QL".

I have "Load from a Disk", and it is just OK, but it was cheap and I use it to get estimates - but I don't believe it to be fool proof. The biggest problem is the powder choices are not kept current. New powders are released, and it takes years before they show up in an update.

 

[scpaul]

I've never used Quick Load for just that reason, that I'd spend my money and find that I didn't like it. The little that I've seen of it seemed overly complex especially when all you want is an approximation so that you can work out the fine points with your variables, barrel wear, speed, throat condition, etc. I've used the Powley computer site ( it's free) once or twice in the past couple of years and been happy with the info it gave me.
I really didn't really look for it but I've been told that the actual slide rule type tool is still for sale on that site or one near it. Can't remember the price but it seems that it was pretty cheap. I bet it's easier to use where I do most of my testing than a computer because it's hard enough to get a cell siginal. Appreceiate the heads up re: Quick Load. thanks again, Paul

 

[michaelnel]

How come? I thought everyone loved "QL".

It has a horrible user interface. Looks like it was developed in the Windows ME years and never updated since. For the price, it ought to have an extensive library of powders and bullets. It didn't have any common ones I looked for. Heck, the Shooter program for Android has a big library included (yes, I realize Shooter is exterior ballistics and QL is interior).

I don't need the stuff it does.

Put those two together and it is completely useless to me. I gave it to my buddy, and he can't come up with a use for it either or get used to the terrible UI.

Total waste of money for me.

 

[savagedasher]

I got OL 9 years ago. With out it I still would be loading and pulling bullets . Trying to find the right powder and bullet speed to regulate the double guns.
I find when you have a powder that z1 Pm peak together on the power burn curve they seem to shoot the best. From using it for years I also have found that when the 95% of velocity is further down the barrel it is it don't hurt the chamber as much
My Dasher with 105 hybrid and H4350 I get 3100 fps with 62000 psi of pressure And it takes17''of the barrel to get 95%velocity.
The same 62000 psi of Varget give me 3060 fps and it uses 9.8 ''of barrel to get 95% of speed.
With N 550 & 62000 psi I get 3170 FPS and 95% of Velocity in 12'
OL has ben a blessing for me. With the powder shortage . Larry

 

[ALppc]

Quick Load is by far the best money I ever spent for reloading. It has saved me many times the cost of the software in reloading components in the first summer I used it.

 

[Jeff A]

How come? I thought everyone loved "QL".

It has a horrible user interface. Looks like it was developed in the Windows ME years and never updated since. For the price, it ought to have an extensive library of powders and bullets. It didn't have any common ones I looked for. Heck, the Shooter program for Android has a big library included (yes, I realize Shooter is exterior ballistics and QL is interior).

I don't need the stuff it does.

Put those two together and it is completely useless to me. I gave it to my buddy, and he can't come up with a use for it either or get used to the terrible UI.

Total waste of money for me.

I don't even know how to begin! I guess where I can start is QuickLOAD has a very comprehensive powder and bullet database. I don't understand how you can own the program and not know this. The program does have updates that. Can be installed as new powders and bullets become available. It has been an invaluable tool for my reloading.