Home Forums Reloading Reloading Software QL, buy it, or not?

I reload for a 308 and 338-06. Would QL be a worthwhile purchase? Right now I am considering it in the event it would help me develop safe starting loads using RL17 in the 338-06. Does QL do that safely and reliably? I have 225 Accubonds, 215 Gamekings, 210 Partitions and 210 Scirocco IIs for the 338 and want to develop loads using H4350 and RL17. The H4350 info is readily available, but not the RL17 data.

QL is really just a general guideline and not a replacement for manuals etc.

I enjoy playing with it, but take it with a ton of salt, when it comes to trying a new load or determining maximum loads.

Thanks. I'm looking for the best way to determine a safe starting load for the 338-06 with RL17 given that there is no info in the books yet. So far, it seems that RL17 loads run 8%-12% higher than RL15 for similar cartridges (30-06, 35 Whelen), so using 338-06 RL15 numbers would start me 8-12% below the RL17 max. I want to back that up with more solid info, but I think I'm getting into the ballpark.

One source may be to ask Alliant for a place to start.

I tried, they said they had no data.

I'm not at a place where I can check QL right now, and I'm not sure I have RL17 specs loaded into it, since it's a new powder, but I'll check QL as soon as I get a chance.

AMEN

I've been looking at QL myself for similar reasons. I thought it would give me data that was NOT in the books.

i.e. I have a nice shooting 284WIN but I'm shooting compressed 4831SC and would like to try a few powders that are NOT in any of the books that I can find (Vita-Vouri for example), my thought was that this program would give me a starting load based on data I enter from known loads, dimensions, weights, speeds, lengths, etc...

Is this NOT the case? If not, how does one come up with different loads? Do you ALWAYS go by the books and never load differently unless a powder company gives the data?

In the past 30 years, I have always gone by the books but there are many new powders now and not always published loads for everything out there.

Opinions about QL for this purpose????

Thanks

Dan

Thanks, doesn't really look like it will definitively do anything for me. I'm sure I would find it interesting and fun to play with though.

Originally I tried to skimp and bought "Load From a Disk" software to do just what you propose.

Did not come close to fulfilling my perceived needs.

Finally spent the bucks and bought QL.

I have used it to confirm and compare book data as well as other purposes to my advantage.
It has fulfilled my needs pretty well. Disappointed that it does not have SR4759 powder but it has confirmed many manual and observed/tested data.

Not sure if I would buy it for just two cartridges, but may well, I use it across many more cartridges and feel most satisfied with the money spent.

I've just checked my copy and can confirm that the latest QL software does contain reloading data for RL-17.

Quickload has been so and so for me.
I always do crossreferences with proven book loads.
One quickly figures out, where QL is off this way.

Even so, I regard it as a useful tool.

I was going to offer to run the data wanted, but then discovered, that RL 17 is not listed in my version.

cmg - Thanks for trying, I am loading 160gr MOLY Nosler Accubonds with OAL of 2.97. I bought RL15, RL17, and VV N160 to try.

Dan