I just started using Gordon's reloading tool. One thing that I noticed is that some common powders are conspicuously missing from the database, such as H4198 and IMR 4198. The ADI equivalent is also missing. I can unsderstand why newer powders such as IMR 4955 are missing, but the 4198s have been around for a long time. Any idea why those powders have been omitted?
Gordon' Reloading Tool / Powders missing from database
- Thread starter pacobillie
- Start date
The GRT powder database is not cartridge specific. Further, I was looking for data regarding the 450 Marlin, and the 4198s are about the most common powders for that particular cartridge.
I got the impression that Gordon' Reloading Tool is in the testing and development phase. Meaning we are the guinea pigs testing the software and once it is done testing my guess is they will start charging for it.
My guess is the powders are missing because they have not gotten that far in the development. And correct me if I'm wrong but the chamber pressure readings were European CIP standards and not SAAMI psi readings. I played with it for a while but deleted it off my computer.
My WAG
My guess is the powders are missing because they have not gotten that far in the development. And correct me if I'm wrong but the chamber pressure readings were European CIP standards and not SAAMI psi readings. I played with it for a while but deleted it off my computer.
My WAG
GRT is being developed primarily in Europe. This is why the euro powders are well represented but a lot of NA powders not so much.
The primary author is planning on GRT always being free. He is offering a variety of Patreon packages that offer early releases including new powder releases. It has a bunch of guys actively researching and adding to the program database. They are starting to get some data directly from powder manufacturers which are notoriously secretive. One of the most useful things is that the development team has set up a procedure so any shooter can collect data from a cartridge and their own velocity measurements and send it into GRT. They vet the data and add to the existing data.
It is actually being developed quite fast. I've been using it for about 9 months and find it invaluable. The developer and his team are very open about the weaknesses and strengths of the program and seem committed to advancing it.
If you go to the GRT homepage you can link to the support forum which is very informative.
The primary author is planning on GRT always being free. He is offering a variety of Patreon packages that offer early releases including new powder releases. It has a bunch of guys actively researching and adding to the program database. They are starting to get some data directly from powder manufacturers which are notoriously secretive. One of the most useful things is that the development team has set up a procedure so any shooter can collect data from a cartridge and their own velocity measurements and send it into GRT. They vet the data and add to the existing data.
It is actually being developed quite fast. I've been using it for about 9 months and find it invaluable. The developer and his team are very open about the weaknesses and strengths of the program and seem committed to advancing it.
If you go to the GRT homepage you can link to the support forum which is very informative.
Gordon, the German developer, is also writing some new software for the PT II pressure trace system. He's hoping to update the much neglected pressure trace system to make it more user friendly and enable people to use cheap disposable strain gages to measure pressures from any rifle.
I've been following the development of this and it's fascinating. The level of experimentation and worldwide collaberation on the project is amazing
I've been following the development of this and it's fascinating. The level of experimentation and worldwide collaberation on the project is amazing
I agree Heddok, but like Quickload it is nothing more than a software program that spits out computer-generated guesstimates.
I like the free part, "BUT" as the reloading manuals tell you any time you change reloading components reduce the load by 10%.
And there is a reason why the reloading manuals vary in data.
With Quickload you need your case capacity and a chronograph and adjust the powder burn rate until the Quickload velocity matches your chronograph. And after you do this Quickload will give you the approximate chamber pressure. And if you haven't noticed the reloading manuals give you the same approximate pressures and velocity.
Call me old fashioned, I could live without my smartphone, and making a workup load tells you a lot about the ammo you make.
Sorry, I'm getting ready for Christmas.
I like the free part, "BUT" as the reloading manuals tell you any time you change reloading components reduce the load by 10%.
And there is a reason why the reloading manuals vary in data.
With Quickload you need your case capacity and a chronograph and adjust the powder burn rate until the Quickload velocity matches your chronograph. And after you do this Quickload will give you the approximate chamber pressure. And if you haven't noticed the reloading manuals give you the same approximate pressures and velocity.
Call me old fashioned, I could live without my smartphone, and making a workup load tells you a lot about the ammo you make.
Sorry, I'm getting ready for Christmas.
I agree with you. I see both QL and GRT as an aide or adjunct to traditional load manuals and load development, not a replacement. Where I find GRT useful is in shortening the load development process with cartridges that are expensive to load for. I shoot a lot of medium and big bore rifles to stay proficient. 45-70 is cheap to load with cast bullets, 375H+H and 416 Rigby aren't. GRT enables me to tweak or fine tune a load a little faster.
BTW is the photo in your avatar your P-51? One of the first plastic models I made as a kid and later a balsa wood one with a Cox .049 for control line. I would kill to have a ride in one adapted with a second seat.
BTW is the photo in your avatar your P-51? One of the first plastic models I made as a kid and later a balsa wood one with a Cox .049 for control line. I would kill to have a ride in one adapted with a second seat.
A P-51 costs over one million dollars today and all I can afford is to borrow a photo off the internet. But I spent most of my life working on aircraft and crashing rubber powered balsa wood flying models.
Sighting in a P-51, not sure of the group size.
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I agree Heddok, but like Quickload it is nothing more than a software program that spits out computer-generated guesstimates.
I like the free part, "BUT" as the reloading manuals tell you any time you change reloading components reduce the load by 10%.
And there is a reason why the reloading manuals vary in data.
With Quickload you need your case capacity and a chronograph and adjust the powder burn rate until the Quickload velocity matches your chronograph. And after you do this Quickload will give you the approximate chamber pressure. And if you haven't noticed the reloading manuals give you the same approximate pressures and velocity.
Call me old fashioned, I could live without my smartphone, and making a workup load tells you a lot about the ammo you make.
Sorry, I'm getting ready for Christmas.
Quick Load (QL) is a program that does the math of internal ballistics for you. You, the user must have some background, in at least physics, to operate the program successfully.
In doing so a lot of myths are put to rest. As one operates the program it becomes evident what is happening during the combustion event. A great learning tool.
The last two 'work ups' went like this. 30-06/200NPT/H-4350 and 300 WM/180 NAB/H-4831 did a model with all parameters inputted as precisely as possible using lab grade scale, LabRadar and precision tools.
The predicted velocities were < 10 ft/s from field testing for both cartridges. My barrel times were on a node for the barrel length, within design pressure for each cartridge. The paper target indicates the loads are solid.
So, I loaded up 5 of each, first shot record velocity , 2nd shot check velocity. It is as predicted. Adjust scope to give a 200 yard zero, then fire 3 more shots for proof of velocity and POA/POI. Done!
As a QL operator I have become extremely confident in its ability to get a very good load fast.
Or at least know someone who knows what they're doing to teach you
Is Kester on the list?
