QuickLoad case dimensions info

[Mr_Sheesh]

Hi all - I have a copy of QuickLoad ordered (Long story - Friend's buying it for me.) Unsure when I'll get it. Soon enough probably. For case re-forming I had a thought, is the information in the QuickLoad databases in a known format so it could be used to search for suitable donor cartridges in the future when I come up with another wildcat or shot shell or whatever I want to make from some donor brass? If not I can start putting my own database together, UGH though LOL

[17nut]

You're SOL!
Quickload bases it's calculations on volume not actual case dimensions.

227233

[Mr_Sheesh]

Aw DRAT. Well, it happens. Thank you! I can start getting data (lots of it conflicting) from my bunch of manuals and online, and entering it... I suspect I'll have some conflicting data on some things LOL

[earlmck]

QL does have dimensional drawings for many of the cartridges that I find useful in looking at potential case forming work. I just don't know how they are stored and if there is any way to search them other than my old "call up the cartridge and look at the drawing" strategy. Most, but by no means all, of the cartridges in QL have a nice drawing with max case dimensions shown.

When you call up the main QL page with your cartridge selected, if there is a little colored rectangle showing right under the left-hand side of the "Selected Cartridge" window you click on the little rectangle and get the case drawing.

Like I said, I have found that very handy at times.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Good to know :) I've been a programmer since the 70s so I can figure something out once I have the data captured, and might even be able to figure out their storage scheme. (I don't "like" database programming much, but it's like anything else, sometimes you have to do it.) If I can avoid the "scut work" that's always nice. ("scut work" is what COMPUTERS are for! LOL)

[17nut]

QL does have dimensional drawings for many of the cartridges that I find useful in looking at potential case forming work. I just don't know how they are stored and if there is any way to search them other than my old "call up the cartridge and look at the drawing" strategy. Most, but by no means all, of the cartridges in QL have a nice drawing with max case dimensions shown.

When you call up the main QL page with your cartridge selected, if there is a little colored rectangle showing right under the left-hand side of the "Selected Cartridge" window you click on the little rectangle and get the case drawing.

Like I said, I have found that very handy at times.

Then the man is no better of than using "Handloaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions" and look them up manually.

[Mr_Sheesh]

17nut - Yes. Just means I'll have to put a LOT of data in from there - all manually.

[17nut]

Quickload also makes case design software named QuickDesign.
That bit will let you play as your heart desires

https://www.neconos.com/details3a.htm

[Mr_Sheesh]

Hmmm, good info! I'll call them and see if I can export the data (if it's in text form that's be simple.) Thank you!

[EDG]

All you need is

1. Table of case volumes which can be found on the net.
2. An Excel spread sheet set up to calculate case volumes.

[Mr_Sheesh]

EDG - Sadly, no. To make a shot shell for, say, 9mm Luger, or 45 Colt (Long Colt), you need to find a donor case that has an appropriate rim diameter and thickness, groove size, base diameter, and which is longer than the target case by a nice amount, so you can then cut it shorter. Or if making say 257 Roberts cases from others, a 45-70 or 50BMG case have lots of case volume but aren't really suitable.

[Tom Myers]

Hi all - I have a copy of QuickLoad ordered (Long story - Friend's buying it for me.) Unsure when I'll get it. Soon enough probably. For case re-forming I had a thought, is the information in the QuickLoad databases in a known format so it could be used to search for suitable donor cartridges in the future when I come up with another wildcat or shot shell or whatever I want to make from some donor brass? If not I can start putting my own database together, UGH though LOL

Precision Firearm & Load Records ($39.95) (https://secure.tmtpages.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=77&products_id=217&zenid=6dn13mris8j2mn6llvvtsub2t2) contains databases that allow you to enter all your personal firearms, bullets, powder and cartridge case data and dimensions.

The cartridge case section will, accurately, calculate the internal case capacity from those dimensions.

(Click on images to enlarge)
227490

The software also contains an application that will easily convert your firearm, cartridge case, bullet and powder dimensions and particulars into individual QuickLoad text files that can then be directly opened into the QuickLoad application.

227486 227483 227487 227488

227489

[Mr_Sheesh]

Interesting. For making shot shells from donor cartridges, though, I need the case dimensions, and case volume is a moot point. A huge cartridge that will not chamber or extract short of a sledgehammer being used to seat it, won't do.

[EDG]

That has nothing to do with quick load.
You are talking about case conversions. There are several books on the subject and the data already exists in Cartridges of the World. I can remember seeing both dimensional and volumetric data in 1960s American Rifleman magazines more than 50 years ago.

People have been using ordinary data tables to research case conversions since long before there were either PCs or quick load.

You will be surprised to know that cases vary over time from a manufacturer and they vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
So you can get small variations that can only be found by putting your hands on the brass and measuring it.
There are also variations in chamber dimensions from one gun to the next. Sometimes the variations can affect the fit of the brass. The only real way to know what works is to measure the chamber and measure the donor cases. Data tables are not exact. All guns are not the same. All brass is not the same.


Real life example
The back end of a 6.5X53R Dutch Mannlicher chamber measures .452 dia.
You normally use .303 British brass made by WW or RP. These cases measure .450 to .452 and are a perfect fit after forming.
PPU .303 brass measures .454 to .455 and will not work without turning the case head down to .452.



EDG - Sadly, no. To make a shot shell for, say, 9mm Luger, or 45 Colt (Long Colt), you need to find a donor case that has an appropriate rim diameter and thickness, groove size, base diameter, and which is longer than the target case by a nice amount, so you can then cut it shorter. Or if making say 257 Roberts cases from others, a 45-70 or 50BMG case have lots of case volume but aren't really suitable.