Reloading programs/software?

[Sticky]

Just curious, aside from the wealth of info available in print and on the internet, are there any reloading/ballistics programs that you would recommend?

I like to research my loads, several different load manuals, do some surfing on the net and then I will begin to figure where to start out with components and ranges to start to work up a load. The more valuable reference material I have, the better, as I find I can narrow things down to shooting a few strings of test loads to work up a reliable load for that particular need.

What do you use?

[Doug in Alaska]

I haven't found any programs or software I like. I have the reloading manual for just about every bullet manufacturer out there. I also update my manuals every few years and keep the ones I replace. I've been reloading for about forty years so I have a pretty good library. In my opinion, you'd be better off investing in manuals. Oh, and they will never crash on you. ;)

[Malig8r]

I also use manuals from multiple manufacturers. Although I have never used it I have read and heard a lot of good things about Quick load ballistics program. Here is a link...YMMV

http://www.neconos.com/details3.htm

[Suwannee Tim]

Most of the computer literate serious reloaders use Quickload, I do not, I have been planning on purchasing it, I may do so today. For an exterior ballistic program, there are several and lots of complaints about several of them. I used to use PC bullet but quit using it when I upgraded my computer and it would no longer run. It worked for me. The blurb from Guntests.com says
Ballistic Software: Pick Shooting Chrony’s PC Bullet For Windows....In our estimation, this $80 program, along with Oehler’s Ballistics Explorer, $70, outcomputes Barnes Ballistics for Windows and ARMSCalc from ARMS Software. http://shootingsoftware.com/ offers a free 30 day trial, I'm going to try that.

Loaddata.com (http://www.loaddata.com/members/index.cfm) is not a program it is a subscription and contains very many loads.

[Doug in Alaska]

I'm still waiting for Quickload to be offered for a Mac OS.

[bigedp51]

I have Quickload and in order to make the data accurate you need a chronograph to find your actual velocity then change the powder burn rate in Quickload to make the velocities to match your chronograph readings. Even after doing this you still do not know if the Quickload chamber pressure reading are accurate.

In other words Quickload give guesstimates, you can take the data from a reloading manual and input it into Quickload and the resulting pressures and velocities are not even close to what is in the manual. There are just too many variables between the same type and caliber firearms for this software to be spot on and give accurate readings. In simple terms you would be better off buying a strain gauge to get "actual" pressure readings and a chronograph to get accurate velocity readings.

Buy as many reloading manuals as you can get and just average the data, then start low and work up studying your primers and brass for pressure signs.

Below is an example of the pressures and velocities between .223/5.56 case capacities with the least case capacity to the most case capacity with the exact same powder charge.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/bigedp51/288_zps26698a67.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/bigedp51/308_zpsf81bb4cc.jpg

Quickload is a educational toy but you would learn much more by reloading your ammo and shooting it than sitting at the computer playing with computer generated guesstimates. If I had to do it over I would have spent the money toward a Magnetospeed chronograph and gotten real data.

[Sticky]

Thanks for the feedback guys.... I think I'll keep doing it as I have for many years now, using the good ol fashioned load manuals and the chronograph to work up loads. It is about time to update some of my older manuals and thought it may be worth looking at electronic substitutes, but perhaps not.. Seems the old way is probably still the best way.