I�ve read a lot of posts on AR and other sites about which reloading software does what to whom and how well it did it and I�ve checked into a lot of them. After many tries and disappointments I realized a guy could spend a fair bit of money on reloading software and still not have all the features he wants.

Well, I believe I ended my quest for the best when I acquired AccuLoad by AEM Enterprises, Inc. Although I�ve been using the full-blown version of this software about a month now, I�m still amazed by the features in this program and all the neat things it will do for me at the press of a key. While this program blows away the competition, it's not the most expensive reloading software on the market. (But this can be our little secret. )

Accuload runs on any modern PC with a reasonable amount of memory, a CD-ROM and any version of Windows 9X or above. I put it on my Windows XP machine at home and then tried it on my NT Server machine at work, with permission of course, and it runs like a Swiss watch on both machines. But enough computer babble; let�s talk guns and reloading.

So far, I feel that AccuLoad is truly the program with everything. The enormous databases alone are probably worth the cost of this software by themselves, but scads of searchable/printable databases are just the beginning of a program that is so Feature Rich I hardly know where to start to tell about it.

First, if all a guy wants in his reloading software is a program to generate loading data, pressures, etc. he can buy just this feature of AccuLoad separately as a stand-alone module called "CalcuLoader." It generates loads from user-selected cartridges, bullets, powders and works like lightning. Cost is little more than a pound of powder...$29.95 for this module.

But I recommend getting the full program, AccuLoad. Naturally, the "CalcuLoader" engine comes with AccuLoad plus you get all the databases for things that you won�t believe: all the ballistic programs (internal, external and terminal) are there as well as prepared forms and targets, but perhaps the most far out features are in their load assembly and precision target analysis options. There is even a Ballistic Wizard for anyone who feels "Ballistically Challenged." Simply select what you want to know and the wizard will lead you step-by-step to the answer. I�ve spent hours playing with the internal and external ballistics engines and learned LOTS of things I didn�t know...proving once again you�re never too old to learn.

AccuLoad is a program geared for the shooter and reloader. You can use the program "casually" and just enter a skeleton amount of data only in the areas that interest you, or you can use it to keep detailed records of your shooting and loading activities down to a degree of detail that would make an Enron accountant cringe!

There�s no way I can elaborate on all the features of AccuLoad in a post here, but I�ll try to answer any questions by email or as follow up posts, if it will help anyone. Let me just say that AccuLoad has ALL the features of every other reloading program on the market...and a lot of features the other programs will never have.

Best of all Accuload is still growing by leaps and bounds. AEM, Inc. has been in business for four years, but the program itself has only been available for less than a year. In this time it's spread around the world and already has some commercial users as well.

It�s the brainchild of three computer whiz kids, "Geeks with Guns" they call themselves...but long before any of them knew what a computer was they were hunters and target shooters. AccuLoad is the marriage of their lifelong love affair with firearms and reloading plus their professional skills. They tell me the program started out as a hobby but it has totally taken on a life of its own.

Impressive as AccuLoad is, there is an even more powerful and feature packed version just about ready for Beta Testing�.which means it won�t be long before it will be in YOUR hands, if you get the program.

Speaking of what gets in your hands, I�ve learned that when you become an AccuLoad customer, you automatically get all of the upgrades free, as well. Free upgrades are a beautiful thing!

Check out their website at www.aement.com It�s a beautiful thing, too.

I can truthfully say, try Accuload. You�ll like it.

[ 07-04-2002, 07:02: Message edited by: Pecos45 ]

Pecos45
Just a note I have tried the "CalcuLoader" and found that it would not use my load and powder and bullet and give me the velocity and preasure from that load. So I sent it back. I have found that "Quick load" will do just that and is cheeper than the "accuload" the folks at Aem are real nice folks and after talking with them I hope they will incorporate this feture into their software.
Old Timer

Old Timer,
You were right at that time. We took your suggestion and it was such an improvement, we released it as CalcuLoader V1.5. We're at V1.51 right now. We still don't allow the user to select any powder he wants (like .50 BMG and Bullseye), but we do give the option to select powders that are slower or faster than optimum, within reason, of course.
We appreciate the time you took to give us your suggestion and wish you well.
Ed

HockeyPuck,

Welcome to the forums.

I went to your site and tried to see how I can order a copy of this software, but I did not see any reference to shipping overseas.

I would like to wait for Version 2.0, as mentioned in one of the posts, to come out, and I would like to purchase it.

Any idea how I go about it would be much appreciate it.

Hello,

is there an ACCULoad full metric version or is it also only like with RSI shooting lab, which is more or less a good joke.

Saeed,
On our web page, under FAQ's, that question was addressed.

Question: How do I place an order? I am in Europe and your "secure server" won't allow me to complete the order.

Our secure server provider links to the "Bank of America" which has requirements for data input, such as zip code and such, which is often not applicable or just downright silly. To make it easier on everyone, just follow the FAQ and we'll ship to you. To avoid computing postal rates to all the possible locations, we just bit the bullet (no pun intended) and charge a flat rate for S&H, no matter where you live. I am assuming that you intend to use a credit card. If you wish to use a purchase order, just mail it to us and we'll fill it.
Regards,
Ed

Makalu,

There is not a current full metric version of AccuLoad available. That's on our plate for a future version. We intend to make that selection a "set up preference", but also allow the selection to be changed on-the-fly. The change to all of the calculations made our programmer age significantly. Additionally, it would require that all 1,000+ drawings be revisited. So, we reached a point where we chose to make as many substantial increases in fuctionality that we could and still have a reasonable release date.

I have seen RSI, but not used it, so I can't honestly say if we're as good a joke as they are. If we are, are we in good company?
Regards,
Ed

Pecos45,

As I love metric caliber, from your point of view I'm not a real shooter.

I just got the attachments you sent me on the .280 Ackley Improved. I sure like this package, just from looking at what you sent!

I noticed that you have entries for "Head to Shoulder Length," and "Head to Neck Length"... so, if the software really USES these numbers in developing loads, I'll feel much better about entering my .35/444 wildcat and seeing what loads it recommends.

Thank you again, Ed.

Russ

Hi Russ,
We do indeed listen to our customers and have picked up some great ideas in the last 36 hours or so. Having received the .280AI data, you seem to be a little more confident in us, but I'd still like to answer your questions as best I can.
As I said earlier, you can't enter specific powders, but using your example of the .375 H&H Magnum, I selected a 300-grain FBRN Hornady and a 26-inch barrel just to see what would happen with CalcuLoader. The optimum powders it selected and calculated loads for with this combination from your list included: W760, All three 4350's, Scot 4351, N550, RL-15 and the following powders not on your list: H414, N140, N150, N540, ACC2520, ACC2700, H380, H4350SC, IMR4320, ADI2208, ADI2209 and Vectan Tu5000. Sorry, IMR3031 was not even in the list of faster and slower powders.
You CAN recompute with a slower powder (over 10 were listed as slower than optimum) and you can go faster (I think it was three that were listed as faster). You CAN compare any two or more of the optimum, slower or faster powders.
Each recommended load includes load density, chamber pressure (in PSI or CUP, your choice). Each load also lists charge weights, energy, velocity and used case capacity.
I hope you will be satisfied with the functionality of CalcuLoader. You have calibers in such a wide spectrum that I hope you will share your successes and our failures with us.

Someone else asked if CalcuLoader had VV N560 in it's database and I could not remember at that moment. The answer is Yes, it does. I apologize for not remembering your name or the post or phone call I received it on.

Another shooter asked if the CalcuLoader database had the RamShot powders. While I answered him directly, I thought the answer would be of interest here. No, we do not make calculations for the RamShot powders. There are specific values for each powder, well beyond bulk density, that is needed to make these calculations. Western Powder Company has not been able to supply us with these values. When they do, we will post an immediate update on our web site downloads page and email all CalcuLoader owners of the availability of the update.
Regards,
Ed