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Rocky’s Reloading Room |
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Product Review: “Load From A Disk For Windows, v 3.0”
Wayne Blackwell has been producing successive versions of his innovative software “Load From A Disk” for many years. Load From A Disk was the first, and is still one of only a very few computer programs which generates internal ballistics for the home user. I briefly reviewed an older version of it for TVHM as part of an article (Issue #36, October 2000) in which I called it one of my indispensable loading tools. So I was delighted to recently obtain a copy of his latest, improved version. I’ll be able to review it in more detail here.
The latest version (3.0) of LFD has been rewritten to be more fully compatible with the popular Microsoft Windows™ operating system, and also incorporates several additional improvements and added features. Officially released October 1, 2000, this version retains all the powerful internal ballistics tools of earlier versions. These include automatically calculating load data, chamber pressure (in both CUP and PSI) and muzzle velocity for any rifle caliber from .17 to .50. The program can be used to generate such data for existing cartridges, wildcats or hypothetical cartridges that exist only in a handloader’s imagination. Indeed, just toying with various “what-if” cartridges is a fun way to avoid televised brain rot for an evening!
This latest version of LFD comes on a self-installing compact disk (previous versions were floppy-disk-based). Also included is a current copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader™ that can be used to read or print the 42-page owner’s manual for LFD. The manual, by the way, is well written and organized. It is not necessary to read the manual before you run the software, but there are several tips and techniques that make more sense after reading the manual.
I’ll quote Wayne to list the new features included:
· The cartridge database, containing basic cartridge data (water volume, case length, overall length and bullet diameter) has been expanded to nearly 200 cartridges. Includes the latest cartridges and wildcats. · New and updated powders. · All calculated load data can be plotted four different ways with just a single mouse click. · All bullet data has been updated and the database now includes Swift™ bullets. Search the database by manufacturer, caliber and bullet weight or add your own bullet data. · The trajectory table lists zero adjustments in MOA. You may now print out a “click chart,” that will give you adjustments to re-zero your rifle to any range. Tape the chart to your rifle stock for easy reference in the field. · All calculations can be performed in English or metric units. · Easier to use and more integrated program. · New low price of $59.00.
In a quick perusal of the listed cartridges, I noted that LFD now includes cartridges ranging from old timers like the .219 Zipper through up-to-the-minute rounds like the Remington .300 Ultra Mag and the Weatherby .338-378. Wildcats include the .17-222, .22 Cheetah, .25-284, .338-06 and many more. Virtually all the standard cartridges, many European rounds and even handgun rounds chambered in rifles are included. A warning here: LFD uses ballistic formulae that are not fully compatible with loading most handgun cartridges. Handgun load data generated and presented by LFD should not be used without consulting with a load manual. LFD is intended for rifle cartridges only.
Plus, as mentioned, you can dream up any imaginable round of your own, whether based on existing cases or purely hypothetical. Case capacity can be determined either from the included database, by weighing the actual water capacity or by inputting case measurements.
The list of powders has been updated, and includes most of the popular numbers from all major US manufacturers as well as from Norma, VihtaVouri Oy and ADI (Mulwex) of Australia. There are a few omissions, however. Powders that I did not notice include AA1680, Reloder-15, L’il Gun, H322, WW296 and both versions of 4227. In addition, there are several listed powders I don’t recognize, and I doubt many other handloaders would either: namely H6915 and H202.
Some of the missing powders, especially Hodgdon L’il Gun, are quite new, and their absence can be understood. Others, particularly Reloder-15, H322 and the 4227s, are highly popular, eminently useful and have been widely distributed for many years. Their absence is a definite shortcoming. Perhaps they will be added in the next revision. They should be.
One feature that I always wished for, but still isn’t included, is the ability to specify a particular powder and view generated load data. I’d appreciate this feature both as an independent check on printed load data, and also as a tool when working up loads for obsolete cartridges. Often, for such old cartridges as the .219 Zipper (with which I’m currently working) the only printed load data is no longer applicable, or lists powders that are no longer available. It would be very helpful if I could call up the appropriate case, specify a bullet and a particular powder and have the program tell me if that powder is appropriate, and also supply load data. As it is now structured, the program will list three to eight powders and list load data, but the list may not include the powder or powders I’m interested in.
To use the program, after it is installed and loaded, you begin with either a saved cartridge, or by determining case capacity. For an existing cartridge or wildcat, just open the case database and select the appropriate cartridge. The data will self-paste into the cartridge load window. There, you select a bullet (from that database), overall loaded length and barrel length. The program calculates seating depth, effective barrel length and net case capacity, then calculates regular and alternate load data from two “classes” or groups of powders. The window will display a calculated load, plus a table of loads from about 75% to 100% load density with those powders. Predicted velocities and pressures will be listed, and you can graph any of several ratios (velocity vs. charge weight, pressure vs. charge weight, etc.) as well. At this point, you may print the data, save it or simply move on to the external ballistics functions. Again, the program will remember and self-paste important data into the following windows as needed.
Naturally, no program could possibly take into account the infinite variations in load components, chamber and bore dimensions or condition, weather and dozens of other factors involved in handloading. That being the case, one cannot expect LFD to present load data that is precisely accurate. No printed load manual can do that, either. However, I have found the earlier versions of LFD to be quite accurate in predicting velocity (I have no way to verify predicted pressures.) As in all computer work, however, results are no better than the information fed in. When I’ve measured actual case capacity closely, and matched exact seating depths, the results I’ve observed are quite close to what LFD had predicted with a given charge. Sloppy measurements, however, produce less reliable results.
It’s also quite startling that two or even three different powders can give nearly identical velocity with the same charge weight. The program makes its most accurate predictions with single-base, extruded powders, incidentally. Spherical, or ball, powders tend to deliver velocities a tad lower than predicted. This is presumably due to the heavier deterrent coatings common to ball powders. And while I haven’t yet run many tests to determine if this newest version of LFD delivers the same degree of precision when it comes to predicting velocity, I have every confidence that it does. There is, by the way, a series of such tests described in the owner’s manual. In those tests, results were usually within 40 fps of predictions.
Moving from the LFD’s internal to its external ballistic functions, the program allows you to generate up to three separate “traces” and graph them singly or superimposed. This feature allows you to graphically compare one bullet at three different velocities, three different bullets at the same velocity, or three entirely different cartridges. I’ve used the latter on varmint outings where I’ve taken three different guns. A glance at one graph reminds me of the trajectories of my .22 Hornet, .223 and .25-308 rifles. I make fewer misses when switching between rifles over a hot prairie dog town with that information at hand.
The “click chart” feature is another useful addition. It allows you to print out a small table that shows scope elevation adjustments needed to re-zero at any selected yardage. The program uses the information from any graphed trace, and allows you to specify whether your scope uses 1/8, ¼, 1/3, ½ or 1 MOA clicks in its elevation adjustment. If you know the exact range to your target (by using a rangefinder, for example) the chart tells you how many scope clicks up or down to achieve a new zero at that range. No more mentally converting inches of drop to MOA and then to clicks. Just count clicks and hold on target. Neat.
LFD contains a wealth of interesting and useful little features. It will calculate recoil, optimum rifling twist, corrected muzzle velocity from chronograph reading, bullet BC from drop or velocity, and several other useful tidbits of shooting information. Included databases include the aforementioned case capacity, and a complete bullet library. You can add info to these databases yourself, and you can save any and all calculated loads, trajectories or charts. Information from an appropriate database automatically pastes itself into the calculation pages, so you don’t have to look up a bullet length and BC, jot them down and then manually enter them later, for example.
Registered owners of LFD receive notices of periodic updates, and can upgrade to new versions of the program at a substantial discount when they are issued. For a free online trial of LFD, or for additional information, you can simply log on at the company’s website, www.loadammo.com. The telephone number is (281) 484-0935. Wayne is a regular advertiser in TVHM, and he is an accomplished firearms experimenter, writer and general nice guy. You’ll enjoy your contact with him.
In my opening, and in my previous article, I described Load From A Disk as an indispensable program for every handloader. I firmly believe that it is just that. It allows a handloader to explore the possibilities of cartridge design, generates safe, usable load data and a wealth of other useful data. I use it for all those things, and as an independent confirmation of printed but questionable load data. This latest version greatly improves upon an old friend. Wayne Blackwell has made his product “indispensabler.”
Published in The Varmint Hunter Magazine # 39, July 2001 |
