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Finally got my laptop fixed and was able to install the latest version of QL last night. Played with it for a while and it is a very cool program! Predictably I skipped reading the User's Guide and just waded right in. I need to read it though since I'm certain there are features I wouldn't even dream of and I'm just scratching the surface of the stuff it does. Been very encouraged by the predictions of velocities attainable with my 6x47 (6mm X 222 Rem Mag)as well as the QL predictions being spot on with my chronograph results for my 280AI. Question though, what is an acceptable level of powder compression? 1%, 5%, 10%? I'll be posting more about this as I get more time with it.
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
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i've gone up to 110% on the 'Filling/L.R.' with no problems. it may vary by powder though.
i have had to adjust the 'weighting factor' on some cartridges to make the predicted results closer to the real measured numbers.
but all in all, i like QL a bunch.
Guns don't kill people, drivers with cell phones kill people.
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Once again, I'll have to read the User's Guide to find out precisely what is meant by weighting factor.
Thanks toad!
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
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HERE is a quick rundown of QuickLoads features (including the 'weighting factor') on 6mmBR.com
Guns don't kill people, drivers with cell phones kill people.
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Very very good link toad!
What version are you running? Mine is V.3.6.0.7
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
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mine is v 3.5, but i'm gonna send it in and get the new version because 3.5 is supposedly not compatable with Windows 7, and for $15+my old disc, i get the new version.
Guns don't kill people, drivers with cell phones kill people.
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Campfire Ranger
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The first thing that I do when I go to see what QuickLOAD will predict for a cartridge is to see what it says is the optimum powder for that cartridge, bullet, and OAL.
Click on the right-most of the two white squares at the top of the screen, then enter your criteria in the little menu block that drops down.
For strong bolt-action rifles, my criteria are (a) 90�100% net case fill and (b) 50,000 lb/ sq in. maximum pressure. I run the two sliders all the way to the left and right (to include all the powders in the QL data base).
I don't like compressed loads � don't consider 'em necessary with the optimum powders.
Almost always, QL predicts a slower "optimum" powder than most handloaders customarily use in that specific cartridge. (Your favorite powder in your older favorite cartridge may not be the best for your new cartridge.) The manuals, unfortunately, often don't even list loads for the powders that QL predicts as optimum for your case-and-bullet combination.
"Good enough" isn't.
Always take your responsibilities seriously but never yourself.
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Excellent info Dr. Howell and much appreciated.
Especially the part about how to specify your criteria.
I'll be investigating that this evening.
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Ken, I've done that very thing that Dr. Howell has mentioned, though I set my burn rate parameters a little tighter and peak pressure a little higher but well below max.
If I find a powder that performs very well at 100% and pressure is low enough, I will try some at 100+%, though I don't like to exceed 105%. It has seemed to work fine with extruded powders.
I have thoroughly enjoyed playing "what if" with QL, and I believe they are in cahoots with component manufacturers...
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I have just been playing a bit more with QL and used Dr. Howells excellent how to to find the best powders for my 6x47 with the 70grNBT. I've been using BL-C2 but based upon the suggestions from QL I'll be picking up bottles of Ramshot X-Terminator, Norma 200, H335, Accurate 2200, and RL7. My BL-C2 loads clocked within 15 fps of predictions so I hope these others do the same. Seems I'm leaving close to 250fps on the table with the BL-C2!
Hope my chronograph confirms same because the 70gr NBT at 3250 or so should be murderous on whitetail!
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
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Guys, say a cartridge has a 65000 SAAMI MAP, where do you like to run your max pressure within QL?
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
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Campfire Ranger
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"Good enough" isn't.
Always take your responsibilities seriously but never yourself.
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Why so much under MAP?
Personal preference alone or a more concrete reason such as a safety margin against possible pressure spikes?
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Just after I bought my copy, my powder inventory went through an overhaul.
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I'm seeing that is in the cards for me as well Vic!
Very cool program and I'm just scratching the surface.
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Why so much under MAP?
Personal preference alone or a more concrete reason such as a safety margin against possible pressure spikes? Increased barrel life, increased safety margin, often increased consistency, insignificant "loss" in down-range performance. The faster a bullet leaves the muzzle, the faster it slows-down � in proportion to the square of the muzzle velocity. 'Tisn't unusual to see a three-figure "sacrifice" in muzzle velocity dwindle to a two-figure drop in down-range velocity. The difference between 3,850 ft/sec and 3,800 ft/sec isn't enough to warrant pushing Pmax to the squeeky-thin ultimate. Muzzle velocity is the world's worst index of performance.
"Good enough" isn't.
Always take your responsibilities seriously but never yourself.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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� I have thoroughly enjoyed playing "what if" with QL � Yeah � you can "fill" a big rifle cartridge "case" with Bullseye behind a heavy bullet to see how astronomically high Pmax would go if the gun would hold together. Don't hafta wear ear-protection, either.
"Good enough" isn't.
Always take your responsibilities seriously but never yourself.
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I'm gonna have to try that Dr. Howell. Not the actual loading of the Bullseye but the simulation of same.
The Chosin Few November to December 1950, Korea. I'm not one of the Chosin Few but no more remarkable group of Americans ever existed.
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Campfire Ranger
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.460 Weatherby 500-grain Hornady 74.05 grains Bullseye >135,000 lb/sq in.
Not so much as a murmur in QuickLOAD!
"Good enough" isn't.
Always take your responsibilities seriously but never yourself.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Remember to start low, reduce by 10%..
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