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If you are reading this article, it’s a safe bet you have a computer.  It’s also safe to assume you have a basic working knowledge of software installation and use.    That’s about all it takes to get started with Load From A Disk. (LFAD).

W. Square Enterprises, 9826 Sagedale Houston, TX 77089, www.loadammo.com has been producing reloading software since the days of DOS computers and dot matrix printers! I acquired my first copy of LFAD 14 years ago.  I was impressed then, and even more impressed with this latest version.  

LFAD has so many features it’s amazing!  To name just a few, internal ballistics (development of rifle loads, cartridges case & bullet data base), external ballistics, (trajectory, ballistic coefficients, point blanc range etc) optimum barrel twist; trajectory and a host of other features.  To go through all LFAD’s features would take a fair sized book   Internal ballistics seems to be the most used function of LFAD, let’s look at that. 

LFAD has simple instructions to gather the data you will need for the program to calculate loads.  A cleaning rod & tape measure will be required to measure from the bolt face to the muzzle of the barrel.  I would add a plastic jag (with the tip filed flat) to the cleaning rod.  A bare, steel-cleaning rod against the bolt face may scratch it.   A mark has to be made on the cleaning rod once it’s against the bolt face.  Alternately, a Sinclair, www.sinclairintl.com Cleaning Rod Stop, part # 02-1020 (Large for centerfire rods) or, part # 02-1000 (Small for rimfire rods) really makes things easy.    

Fig. 1 Add a cleaning rod, and you have all the tools to gather data needed to calculate loads.  

Fig . 3 Rod resting on bolt face, stop locked onto rod, ready to be measured.

Fig. 4 Barrel of this Mauser measured 23.25 inches.

The included database of cartridge cases is simply mind-boggling.  Need data on the .300 Rook round, how about the 8mmX60mm R. Kropatchek, or the 10.75mmX68mm Mauser?

Suppose you have designed your very own wildcat cartridge from scratch.  LFAD can calculate loads!  All LFAD requires is the internal case capacity (in grain weight of water) be entered, caliber, bullet & barrel length be entered.    Or, for a standard cartridge in the database, one can simply use the case capacity from the program.  However, by treating it as a wildcat caliber, and measuring the actual internal capacity, LFAD will further fine-tune the load.                                                               

This is especially useful for Mil-Surp shooters.  We often neck size brass due to Mil-Surp chambers being roomy.  In some calibers we use reformed brass, or brass from Eastern Europe.  Such brass may differ somewhat in internal case capacity from US brass. 

The case capacities included in LFAD’s database are averages, and they work quite well.   However, it’s worth the few minutes of extra work required to measure case capacity for the lot of cases to be reloaded.  Consider, since we have a program that can factor in the slightest variable; we may as well take full advantage of LFAD’s capabilities.                                                                                                                          

Let’s look at a small sampling of different brand 30/06 cases.  Each was full length resized, trimmed to length, case mouths were inside & outside deburred, and flash holes deburred prior to internal capacity being measured in grains of water. 

As we can see, case capacity does vary between brands!  The best thing would be to measure case capacity for at least 5 cases from the lot of brass you plan to use.  Then average the capacity and enter that data in the program.  Since the program allows saving the file to a name you provide, you will only have to enter it once for that lot of brass.

I measured the capacity of 5 Remington 30/06 cases; all were from the same lot.

Once all the required data is plugged in LFAD will offer you a choice of several powder choices applicable to your application.  By choosing different powders, velocity and pressures can be experimented with.

Fig 6.  Load, velocity & pressure data with my average case capacity of 66.92 grains of water.

LFAD’s database capacity for the 30/06 is 66.58, slightly different from the lot of brass I have.  These cases were full length resized.  Had they been neck sized with a collet die; the capacity would have been more.  Let’s look at printouts from LFAD.  The first printout (Fig. 5) is calculated with the database capacity.  The second printout (Fig 6) is calculated with my measured case capacity.  As can be seen, even this slight difference will alter the loads, velocities, and pressures calculated by LFAD.  The program database will plug in standard bullet seating depths, however the user can insert their own seating depths and the program will adjust for user-imputed data.

However, it doesn’t stop there.  The program will not only give the optimum load, but also reduced loads on up to maximum loads.  Maximum loads have a warning notation that pressures are hot!   Additionally, LFAD advises users to verify calculated loads against current, recognized loading sources.  I applaud this admonition.  You can never be too safe.       

LFAD allows one to save data to the hard drive or to disk.  This is especially useful when working with wildcat cartridges, then case capacities won’t have to be entered each time.  Of course all data can be printed out on paper. 

The database of bullets includes most major current brands.  There is even a smattering of the most popular cast designs of Lyman and RCBS!   Of course new bullets are being introduced every year, also some fellows may have a cache of bullets that have been dropped from production some years back.  LFAD allows one to enter & save data on bullets that are not in the database.  In this manner loads can be totally customized to barrel length & bullet data.

Remember, as stated in LFAD’s instructions, and as we here at surplusrifle always stress; double check loading data against at least 3 recognized, current loading manuals.

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