Developer(s) | Hartmut G. Brömel |
---|---|
Stable release |
3.9
|
Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
Available in | German and English |
Website | www |
QuickLOAD is an internal ballistics predictor computer program for firearms.
For computations apart from other parameters
must be entered for calculating an estimated maximum chamber gas piezo pressure, muzzle velocity, muzzle pressure and other relevant data.
QuickLOAD has a default database of predefined bullets, cartridges and propellants. The database of the more recent versions of QuickLOAD also include dimensional technical drawings of the predefined cartridges and for most cartridges photographic images. Data can later be imported or entered by the user to expand the programs database. The default database contains more than 2,500 projectiles, over 1,200 cartridges, over 225 powders and dimensional drawings and photos of many cartridges. The default database however contains some errors, so measuring sizes, weights and case capacities of components intended for use and if appropriate correcting default provided data is wise to avoid surprises and make the predictions more accurate.
Some default data is incomplete, since it was not released by the manufacturer or when components that are neither officially registered with nor sanctioned by C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente Pour L'Epreuve Des Armes A Feu Portative) or its American equivalent, SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) come into play. Such wildcat cartridges have no official dimensions nor other performance related specifications.
Besides the standard entered information the actual internal volume or cartridge case capacity of the used cases is an important parameter for QuickLOAD to obtain usable predictions. The internal case volume has to be established by weighing empty once fired cartridge cases from a production lot and filling the cases with fresh or distilled water (H2O) up to the point of overflowing and weighing the water filled cases. The added weight of the water is then used to establish the liquid volume and hence the case capacity. This liquid volume measurement method can be practically employed to about a 0.01 to 0.02 ml or 0.15 to 0.30 grains of water precision level for fire arms cartridge cases. A case capacity establishment should best be done by measuring several fired cases from a particular production lot and calculating their average case capacity. This also provides insight in the uniformity of the sampled lot.