If you are in the handloading hobby for very long you undoubtedly will hear about a Internal Ballistic Modeling Software called QuickLOAD. It is developed in Europe and distributed in the United States by NECO. Here is the link to NECO’s website. It contains an impressive database of Cartridges, Bullets, and Powders. In many instances the information is provided by the manufacturers, to the developers, for inclusion in this software.
This software seems to be somewhat controversial as to its accuracy and use as a tool for shooters. Some people will rave about how it has made it possible for them to get that reduction in group size, other will warn how it provides a false sense of confidence to shooters that can get people in trouble. For this reason I know that some powder companies will not provide data, and there are some holes in the powder database.
So who it right? Is it a good tool for optimizing a load, or a potential safety hazard?
Well, in short, both people are right. There are some interesting things that QuickLOAD does that would not be able to be done unless you had a professional quality ballistics lab. With that said, it is limited in the variables that it can account for. For example, the model does not take into account different primers, (it uses the mildest primer to do the job) which does affect the performance of a load. Variables such as normal powder lot variation, or even changes to the powder formula are not reflected in QuickLOAD’s data base.
With any computer model, the quality of the results are directly proportional to the quality of its inputs. If you take careful measurements of all the variables and input exact numbers you can expect to get good results back. If you wing it, the results may be complete garbage, just like your measurements were. In the scientific community, this is known as Garbage In – Garbage Out or GI-GO.
QuickLOAD is not meant to replace loading manuals. It is meant to be used WITH load manuals and proper load development practices. It shouldn’t be used a primary source of information, but sometimes you’re doing things that isn’t found in the load manual. I have done this with loading 100gr 32 Caliber Hornady XTP’s in my 303 British. No one will have data to support what you are doing, but you still want to be safe doing it. QuickLOAD can help keep you safe, if you know what you are doing.
How QuickLOAD maybe used for Load Development
This is my primary use for QuickLOAD. It has several other features that can be helpful, but I use it primarily to help develop loads for wildcat or non standard cartridge loadings. Like the aforementioned 32 ACP bullets in a 303 Brit (by the way, it’s a fun load. Not very accurate though). There are others who use the, time in barrel data, and the tools that help finding barrel nodes. They are better suited to do a write up on that.
Open software, read the disclaimer, and hit “Apply and Calculate” you get brought to the main screen.
In this example we going to do a load for a 338 Lapua Magnum using a Sierra Matchking Bullet and Reloder 33. I will compare QuickLOAD data to real world results. In order to do this we will start at the Cartridge Dimension window.
First we need to select the right bullet. To set up the bullet file we’ll click on the File:\sierra
As soon as you select the bullet manufacturers file, it will activate the drop down menu. The bullets are sorted by caliber, grain, and then type. In many instances the manufacturers stock number is also provided so you can match that to the bullets you are actually using. We will be using a 300 Sierra Match King bullet. Notice that when we select this bullet the Tail/Base Shaped is checked off. This indicates that the tail isn’t squared off, but likely has a taper or boattail.
From there we select the cartridge by clicking on the File:\imperialcalibers (if the metric file is loaded it will say File:\Metriccalibers). There are two primary cartridge files, Imperial for cartridges that are named using english Units. For example 223 Rem, 38 Special, 260 Remington. A second file is used for Metric Calibers. This would include 6.5 Creedmoor, 7.62×39, or 9mm Nato.
Again use the drop down menu to select the caliber you are loading for. In our instance it is 338 Lapua Magnum. In some instances there are different standards listed. For example it has .308 Win (SAAMI) and .308 Win (CIP). Use the load for whichever standard you are loading to. In most cases in the United States, the SAAMI is the correct choice. The SAAMI specs are what we will be loading the 338LM to in this example.
Any cell that is in white may be overridden. However many cells are linked together, changes to one cell may change the values in other cells. Unless I have a good reason to change a value in any cell I leave it alone. The first cell I typically update it my target Cartridge Overall Length (COL). In this case we’ve updated the target COL to 3.656in.
You may have noticed that the barrel length needs updating. In this case we will update it to 24in which is the standard length for a SAAMI Rifle Test barrel.
In the cartridge column we need to provide the specifics to our target pressure, measurement method, and case capacity. QuickLOAD provides a pressure and pressure measurement method. Depending on what you are loading it may be correct or it may not be. In this case, QuickLOAD is providing CIP pressure and listing the CIP Piezo method of pressure measurement. We are using the SAAMI Specs, and a SAAMI conformal transducer. So we will look up the correct pressure in the SAAMI Manual, and update the Meas. Method to be SAAMI Conformal.
SAAMI Technical Standards can be found here.
Once the MAP has been updated we check to make sure the bullet weight is correct. In this case it is. It is time to look at the the maximum case capacity. ( I do not typically with the Cross – Sectional Bore Area. I don’t have a good way of measuring this, so I make the assumption that QuickLOAD is correct. )
QuickLOAD measures case capacity by taking an empty case, weighing it in grains, and then filling with water, and remeasuring the weight. The difference in grains is what is entered. You may also measure the case volume by weighing an empty case in grams, filling it with water, and then measuring a water filled case. Since 1 CC of water is equal to 1 gram of water, the difference in grams between an empty case and a full case is also its volume.
Notice by changing this values it automatically updates the usable case capacity (Grayed out Cells). The volume occupied by the bullet is automatically loaded based on the COL and the database dimensions.
The weighing factor is another variable I typically leave alone. This is loaded when the cartridge is selected.
As far as the load/cartridge/firearm details that is typically it. Yes there is more you can do, if you measure the bullets, you can update the dimensions to dial it in further. Usually I am trying to figure out what powders might be good choices to try, and not use the program to dictate and exactly load. So some of these minute adjustments that may help things make it just a little more accurate are likely going to be overridden by larger variables such as powder lot variation or primer selection.
The last thing we update is the Charge window.
QuickLOAD has a very good catalog of powders. Some of which I haven’t heard of. The Database does not have any OEM powders, nearly everything is, or was, a commercial canister propellent.
The shot pressure is the amount of pressure it takes for a bullet to engrave into the lands and grooves. Hover over the white window with your mouse to see the suggested entries. I had a hard time capturing it with a screen shot. At this point we are ready to input our charge. Now this charge may be something we grab from a load manuel or we may guess on what we think an appropriate charge weight may be.
The Filling/L.R. (Load Ratio) is the amount of space the powder charge occupies in the cartridge. This is a function of powder bulk density. If this is near or at 100% you are running into a compressed load. A compressed load may or may not be something that can be manufactured. Typically if this is 105% or above, you’re going to have difficulties loading to the specified COL. The powder will push the bullet out of the case.
In our example we will use 98.0gr of RL 33.
Any time you make a change, you will need to press “Apply&Calc” in order to update the results. The results are displayed in two primary windows.
QuickLOAD is predicting that the Average Pressure for this load will be 57.8kpsi, and the velocity will be 2654fps. There are some other interesting stats here, including the ballistic efficiency which is how much energy from the powder is transferred to the projectile. Burn efficiency is a measure of how much powder burns within the barrel, shorter or longer barrels will affect this calc. People who design Form 1 Suppressors may be interested to know the muzzle pressure, which in this case is 14kpsi.
So how did QuickLOAD do? How close is it to the real world example?
Well interestingly enough the velocity was pretty much dead on. QuickLOAD predicted 2654fps. The real world average of 20 shots was 2648fps. That’s an error of less than 1%! So how about pressure? That’s the real safety concern.
QuickLOAD predicted a pressure of 57.8kpsi. The real world pressure was 62.3kpsi. QuickLOAD was within 8% of the actual pressure. It was within 10% which, I think is pretty neat! The trouble is, QuickLOAD was 8% low, meaning it left and impression that the load could be worked up to a slightly higher pressure. In reality, we can’t because in this example the load density was already 102%, it was a compressed load. This won’t always be the case, and you can get yourself into real trouble if you assume that the QuickLOAD pressure is dead nuts on.
This would be the case if we used Ramshot Magnum instead of Reloder 33.
The above example shows that pressure is 60.0kpsi. The real world pressure was 62.8kpsi. QuickLOAD was within 5% of actual pressure. Again that’s pretty good for a purely mathematical model. However it gives the impression that we can work the load up a little more. This time we have room to do it. It wouldn’t take much to push that load into dangerous territories pressure wise. That is the danger with QuickLOAD. It can provide a false sense of confidence, and it is easy to forget there is always a % error between the model and real world results, and you don’t know which way that % falls.
For this reason if there is load data available it is best to use QuickLOAD as a secondary load source instead of a primary load source. In cases where it has to be a primary source, I will always take the Max Average Pressure (or CIP PMax) and set my target load pressure to 10% below. So if was to use QuickLOAD to work up this load for my 338 Lapua, I would adjust the load so that it does not cross 58.5kpsi. At least for my first few test shots, if I felt comfortable with the load (I.E no signs of high pressure on the brass) I may work it up from there.
Setting up a Propellent Table
QuickLOAD’s ability to set up a load table, showing the top powders for a given load, is probably the most useful too for me. It let’s me know what powders I should be looking for load data on. If I have a wildcat cartridge where I have very little load data, this table is the best source of information.
To set one up we go through all the steps we did before in entering the cartridge information and firearm dimensions. We do not need to enter in the powder information, but we do need to make sure the Shot Start Pressure is correctly set.
Click on the options menu. Select the “Set up Propellent Table”.
Typically I limit the results by pressure and fill capacity. That is set up by default so there is nothing I need to select. However I do need to input the correct “Nominal Maximum Pressure”, and the “Useable Case Capacity Filled up to”.
Once you hit “Apply and Exit” the Load Results table will contain the table. You will need to expand the window. This table can be saved as a excel, file or printed to PDF.
I can take this table and have a long list of powders worth shopping for. Many of these powders may not be available in the US market, but it’s neat to see what’s out there. Having tested N570, RL26, and several of the other powders listed, it seems like just above every result QuickLOAD has provided in this table is giving a greater velocity at a 5-10% lower pressure. Again, as a someone who has done enough of this to know, being conservative in your loads is always the best approach.
QuickLOAD Wrap Up
QuickLOAD spits out a lot of data people use in all sorts of different ways. There are different forums and social media groups which are dedicated to the use and discussion of QuickLOAD use. The above examples are where I have found QuickLOAD to be most useful to myself. I have found it to be an extremely helpful tool, and continue to use it as I develop oddball loads and develop loads for Wildcat rounds.
Because I know QuickLOAD gives many people a false sense of security, I will repeat it, load data published from Powder, Bullet, and Reloading Equipment is based on real world testing, and should always be considered a primary source for load data. QuickLOAD should always be considered a secondary source to help support or direct you in looking for load data. When in doubt, the QuickLOAD pressure data is always high, and you need to back your load off 5% to 10%.
As always, you are responsible for the safety of your own loads. What you do is up to you.