ballistics software and reloader database

06 January 2002, 06:51

<PaulS>

I know that there are many here who use programs to assist in their shooting. Of those and the others who would like to have a good program to use I am asking for your input.
I have decided to rewrite my old program and make it a windoze application (it was written for DOS many years ago). I would like to know what output, in what format(s) you whould like to have in a ballistics program. I am going to place a database within the software that will save your load data and need to know what you would like to see in your records. What other accesories and information would you like to have at your disposal. You know, like forms for hard copies, targets, hints and methods - anything that would augment the software in your view.

Thanks in advance,
PaulS

06 January 2002, 07:09

<csj>

The main thing I look for in ballistics software is the wind drift and trop tables for the load I am working up. It is also nice to be able to have more than one load up at a time in table and graph format.

06 January 2002, 13:43

raamw

Of the several freeware and shareware programs available there was one which I though was the best however I was newer to the computer age and I did not make a backup of it and sure as sh.., my computer crashed and that was that. Most share the same data but it would be nice to have tha capability to put drop/drift/energy tables on the same page as a graph of the drop. I generally make a printout of the drop/drift table for the load I am shooting which I tape to my rifle stock in the case I get a thought hemorage. I give it more thought and will add more if it hasn't been brought up

06 January 2002, 16:23

Gustavo

quote:
Originally posted by PaulS:
I know that there are many here who use programs to assist in their shooting. Of those and the others who would like to have a good program to use I am asking for your input.
I have decided to rewrite my old program and make it a windoze application (it was written for DOS many years ago). I would like to know what output, in what format(s) you whould like to have in a ballistics program. I am going to place a database within the software that will save your load data and need to know what you would like to see in your records. What other accesories and information would you like to have at your disposal. You know, like forms for hard copies, targets, hints and methods - anything that would augment the software in your view.
Thanks in advance,
PaulS

Paul, I've developed LoadBase v1.0, already distributed to some of our forum fellows, so I'm really interested in following your work, if you don't mind. Please, keep up the good work and let us know!

Good luck!

07 January 2002, 11:27

<PaulS>

What I have so far is this:

pick lists for weapon, cartridge, primer, powder, bullet, environment, units, and output. These are customizable by the user so you can add new info as it comes available.
File actions of new, open, save, save as, and save to text.
Record actions include print record, print table, print graph, print forms - a range form with data printed and work up table which is filled in as you go.

From the record that is entered or selected derived values for recoil velocity and recoil energy are calculated and the muzzle velocity is calculated from the chronograph input and the distance from muzzle to screens.
The table output which can be scrolled provides you with :
range, velocity, path, energy, momentum, time of flight, drop, TKO, IPF, optimum game weight, penetration index, expansion index, drift at 90 degrees, drift at 45 degrees, point blank range finder, and adjustments for scopes in 1/4 MOA clicks.

A simple click of the mouse will switch between table and graph. The range increment will be user selectable as will the starting and ending range. A click of the mouse can change the units from metric to US standard.

The environment window will contain pressure, temperature, humidity and I will put a place for date and time on the forms.

Have I forgotten anything?

PaulS

07 January 2002, 14:09

HuntR

Gustavo's Loadbase will be a tough act to follow. It is very well written IMO. I use it alot.

One thing you may want to consider is including a column for mils along side the path data as you are with adjustments for scopes in 1/4 MOA clicks. Mil-Dot scopes are quite popular and becoming increasingly so it seems.

07 January 2002, 16:00

<TROPHYHUNTERS>

If you go to pcbballistics.com they have everything you are looking for it is in DOS though. You can download it onto a floppy. I have used it and it seems fairly accurate. It's not too bad for free99!

08 January 2002, 19:35

<PaulS>

I haven't seen the Loadbase software, maybe I should ask for a copy and check it out. How about it Gustavo?

paulstephens2@attbi.com

I tried the pcbballistics.com and got an error - no page to open.

PaulS