I have only recently started reloading i.e. less than 2 years and have a few rifles that I haven't worked on load development. Therefore, I'm still researching powders, powder loads, different bullets, etc.

So, is the program worth the $150 especially if starting from scratch with a new rifle or caliber?

Thanks,

graybird, I like Quickload, and I use it often...I don't think I would by it if I only had a couple of rifles I was loading for...

It is NOT intuitive in the least. It takes a little to get in a groove in working with it, and the help menus are very technical, and challenging to understand, unless maybe you are a degreed engineer or software programmer

I do like being able to run recipes through to compare predictions on various powders, powder bullet combo's etc. and it has helped me develop good loads with a little less field work on occassion I feel.

If you like postulating various 'recipes' and then choosing components to buy and try, it can definitely be good to experiment with. The data it is capable of generating is VERY detailed and in depth, and a smarter guy than me can probably get more out of it, but I don't have a degree in ballistics so.....

The pressure curve/velocity graphs are interesting and helpful I suppose, I should really study some more to see which is the best blend of characteristics to be pursuing, but I generally just look and see what it says are efficient powders, what velocity predictions are, and what load parameters are predicted with variations in components, i.e. charge weights.

Hope this helps--Good Luck

I just got the new version 3.6 in the mail 3 days ago. Ed Dillion is great to work with. It also comes with both versions of quick target.

I've never used quickload before, but the program seems to have a steep learning curve. It's very involved with lots of settings to fool around with - just the sort of software I like.

The cartridge database is awesome. The bullet selection is unparalleled, the powder selection is great, but not all inclusive. Beware - I noticed that Trail Boss and SR4759 are NOT on the powder list. Round balls are not listed. Oregon trail bullets are not listed. The bullet data can be easily modified and appended though, and I like that. Powder data is updated periodically, from what I understand.

Manuals are well written, but beware - they are on CD, not paper. Forget having Kinko's, et. al. print them - it's expensive as hell. Kinko's wanted $150.00 to color print the manual with a spiral binding. I'm going to bite the bullet and print them on my inkjet.

My amatuer analysis:

Pro:
1) Software seems professional level - you can tell a lot of work went into this product.
2) Bullet data and other paramaters can be modified easily.
3) Quick target software + manuals are included
4) I'm seen other guys here rave about the program.
5) Cartridge selection will pop your eyes out.

Con:
1) No paper manuals - I would have spent the extra money for some manuals, dammit!
2) A few powders I regularly use are not in the powder database, but I can probably work around that.

Currently I am working up some .457 roundball loads for my Lott for my amusement. I'll post the quickload results vs. test results at some point.

Summary - For the semi to very serious handloader: expensive, but probably worth every penny.

quote:

I have only recently started reloading i.e. less than 2 years and have a few rifles that I haven't worked on load development. Therefore, I'm still researching powders, powder loads, different bullets, etc.

So, is the program worth the $150 especially if starting from scratch with a new rifle or caliber?

I would spend the $150 on bullets and powder.

There are plenty of places for info on normal cartriges.

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:
So, is the program worth the $150 especially if starting from scratch with a new rifle or caliber?
Thanks,

Graybird, I have been using Quickload and find it useful but i WOULD NOT use it as your soul basis for working up a load. Here is a photo of a load i worked up today using Quickload after entering all my rifle and cartridge info.

Here's the Data for the same cartridge only instead of 47 grains it's Speer 14th edition's MAX load for this cartridge. I take a load i like from a manual and punch it in Quickload and see how close the velocity comes and look at the pressure. Hope this helps. Almost forgot your question, Is it worth 150.00?It is a little steep but it is useful in conjunction with proven listed manuals and may be more useful than a chronograph(which i have as well) But when you look at what can happen if your wrong?Use all the tools you can afford.

Using all the tools you can afford is darned good advice. But I do think your First $150 would be far better spent on copies of a few different load manuals before you invest in Quickload.

The beef that I have with Quickload is that it's just flat wrong sometimes. I pulled an exact load with identical components out of a current manual that listed the pressure they measured with professional equipment, Quickload with the exact same OAL and everything was 20K psi off!
It's a usefull comparative tool for a serious reloader. If you are accurately tracking velocities with what it predicts it probably is in the ballpark pressure wise but I've seen too many reloaders use it as an excuse to overload rounds.

So in the end Quickload is probably best used as a tool for reloaders that already have a fine variety of reloading manuals and wants yet another crosscheck for their data...............DJ

QL is the best internal ballistic program on the market, and I'm constantly amazed as to its accurate predictions - that is, velocity, powder charges, etc. Using it, also teaches you what is important in internal ballistics. I use it in parallel with a chronograph and close inspection for pressure signs.

With load data available from the internet and a copy of QL, I feel that I no longer need to purchase the manuals.

I really like it and use it often, just to play around and learn about both, internal as well as external ballistics. It very precisely shows you what happens (or not) when slightly modifying parameters.

Read the manuals, that makes really sense. You don't need to print them, though...

quote:

Originally posted by DUK:
With load data available from the internet and a copy of QL, I feel that I no longer need to purchase the manuals.

The internet is a descent place to find information as long as you know not to believe everything you read on there. You don't know if some loads were actually tested or how much time was spent on them and i would never get a load from someone and try it without cross referencing it in a couple manuals first. Buying the manuals is what keeps research going and new manuals coming so you know the loads you are working up have been tested.If we aren't buying them, they won't spend the money testing for them.

Thanks for the responses both for and against. I like some here like to piddle with things and especially these type programs. I was also looking into getting a set but after doing a search on it, and reading about the same responses over and over, I have decided that my library of manuals and the programs I already use are plenty for my personal needs.

quote:

Originally posted by djpaintles:
The beef that I have with Quickload is that it's just flat wrong sometimes. ...DJ

I do not have Quick Load, but I do remember Clark mentioning almost the exact same thing DJ did.

I do have Load From A Disk(Wayne Blackwell) and it is OK, but I'd not use it alone either. It is based on the Powley Computer formulas and has pleasently surprised me on occasion. But, there is no software made that can account for variations in the Bore and Chamber dimensions and conditions.

Thanks for the responses thus far!

Just to clear the water a bit, I have at least 5 loading manuals (maybe even 6) for the bullets that I intend to use. I'll be loading for the following cartridges: 204, 222, 223, 22-250, 243, 257 weatherby, 7mm-08, and 300 WM. I doubt I will ever load for my 30-30 but that option is always available.

When looking for potential loads, I always cross reference my manuals and note those powders that continuously show up in the manuals for that particular caliber. Then, I'll head over to the internet and attempt to find further data on the potential powder's website. However, sometimes the powder manufactures don't often use the same bullet I would like to; therefore, the thoughts on using the QL to cross reference too.

Just a thought, and I'm weighing the good and bad about the program to determine if it might be worth my $150.

Thanks again,

I'll second what DJ said above. I have QL and have seen it spew out wrong info as well. Predicted velocities for my .270 WSM have been way off. I use QL as a guide along with PRINTED manuals to give me an idea as to what to expect.
The other thing I hate is that it's a PITA to install - it's in German. During the installation process, you can change the language into English but I had a hassle installing my copy. As I recall, Ed helped me.
I do like it tho & I think it's fun to play around with. Just my opinions.
Bear in Fairbanks

quote:

Originally posted by icemanls2:

quote:

Originally posted by DUK:
With load data available from the internet and a copy of QL, I feel that I no longer need to purchase the manuals.

The internet is a descent place to find information as long as you know not to believe everything you read on there. You don't know if some loads were actually tested or how much time was spent on them and i would never get a load from someone and try it without cross referencing it in a couple manuals first. Buying the manuals is what keeps research going and new manuals coming so you know the loads you are working up have been tested.If we aren't buying them, they won't spend the money testing for them.

I was referring excklusively to load data published by either powder or bullet manufacturers. These I think are tested and quite reliable.

quote:

The internet is a descent place to find information as long as you know not to believe everything you read on there. You don't know if some loads were actually tested or how much time was spent on them and i would never get a load from someone and try it without cross referencing it in a couple manuals first. Buying the manuals is what keeps research going and new manuals coming so you know the loads you are working up have been tested.If we aren't buying them, they won't spend the money testing for them.

Go to www.ammoguide.com and see 21,000-plus verified loads for over 750 cartridges. Just $18 a year for so much info about reloading, it will blow your primers...

Hmmm, i have a 2.9 and anything i'we had calculated so far has been withih a few % of actual vel, and therefore i asume pressure calcs are trus aswell!

223
22-250
243
6,5
270
308
300WSM
7,62x54R
8mm Mauser
8x56R Hungarian
8x58RD
9,3x62
450NE
500NE
cal. 16
cal. 12


No problems.

If you aks the right questions you get right answers, if results are way off then sonething is overlooked.

My $.02

quote:

With load data available from the internet and a copy of QL, I feel that I no longer need to purchase the manuals.

PLUS 1

Well I sucked up and ordered a copy yesterday. I do know for sure don't ever buy LOADTECH!!

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:
Well I sucked up and ordered a copy yesterday. I do know for sure don't ever by LOADTECH!!

Yeah, I did the same and ordered a copy last night. I've got a friends that have different calibers than I, which I thought they might get some use out of the program as well.

quote:

Originally posted by homebrewer:

quote:

The internet is a descent place to find information as long as you know not to believe everything you read on there. You don't know if some loads were actually tested or how much time was spent on them and i would never get a load from someone and try it without cross referencing it in a couple manuals first. Buying the manuals is what keeps research going and new manuals coming so you know the loads you are working up have been tested.If we aren't buying them, they won't spend the money testing for them.

Go to www.ammoguide.com and see 21,000-plus verified loads for over 750 cartridges. Just $18 a year for so much info about reloading, it will blow your primers...

Looks like a pretty good website Homebrewer. Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:
Well I sucked up and ordered a copy yesterday. I do know for sure don't ever buy LOADTECH!!

call me one evening and we'll walk through it...

the program has saved me AT LEAST the cost in powder and bullets ...

quote:

Originally posted by homebrewer:
Go to www.ammoguide.com and see 21,000-plus verified loads for over 750 cartridges. Just $18 a year for so much info about reloading, it will blow your primers...

i am a big ammoguide fan ... but i have to correct you, there are NO verified loads, only verified case drawings. repeat the loads are NOT verified, and all reloading disclaimers apply

.

I'm seriously considering this one:
http://www.loadammo.com/ It's less than half
the price of QL and can be used for working
up loads for wild cat cartridges, as well as
the "norm". I hear the learning curve is not
nearly as steep, also.

Alf,
no -- your statement should have been "why surprised when your gun doesn't match QL, when it also doesn't match "the book" " .. everything past that is an attempt to be over blown

Danno
you can do wildcats in QL very easily .. look, driving a double clutch tractor and running the implements aint hard .. but has a VERTICAL learning curve.. and anyone can learn how in an hour.