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Posted: 8/20/2026 3:12:31 PM EDT
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I went to download Gordon's Reloading Tool on a new computer and see the download link is recently removed from the website. Has this project been totally lost, or does it live on in some open source repository somewhere? |
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Since rgf will no longer develop the software or fix potential bugs, and therefore for security reasons, the download of Gordons Reloading Tool has been removed. (2026-07-27) I don’t know right off who/what “rgf” is, but that’s what’s on GRT’s Home Page. With that said, there has to be dozens of sites that have the basic download archived. Edit to add: Here’s a site that (I assume) has it (I found it on my tablet, so I couldn’t verify that it’s the whole enchilada… |
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Mine uses core version 287 and has 227 propellants. Mine still boots and runs. That Reload-Swiss site may be very old and out of date as it references 14 propellants. If that tool is gone, the reloading community has really lost something. This seems very odd to me. ETA - I have a zip file in my Downloads folder that looks like THE download. |
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Follow the link on the home page to their Discord chat room- it will let you in and create an account. go there and the file is still available somewhere in a pinned message with some updates, you may have to ask. try this one GRT but it may be tied to my account... IDK |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: My runs core version 287 and has 227 propellants. Mine still boots and runs. That Reload-Swiss site may be very old and out of date as it references 14 propellants. If that tool is gone, the reloading community has really lost something. This seems very odd to me. ETA - I have a zip file in my Downloads folder that looks like THE download. Do you mind providing the MD5 checksum of your download? I expect I will find or be given sketchy links to downloads in this thread |
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Thank you for this. Is this your upload or one you found? |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: How can the reloading community preserve important tools such as GRT? We lost Pressure Trace, a hardware-based pressure measurement tool, a setup I'd wanted to buy. Obviously, I waited waaay too long. Is QuickLoad still around? Quickload is for about $200 for the base. |
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Originally Posted By Strikefirst: Quickload is for about $200 for the base. Quickload is a fine product, but it runs on Windows, and is beholden to Microsoft for its ability to run at all. If the boys in Seattle decide to make a substantial change (which they have a history of doing) it could be quite some time before apps like QL get updated so they work properly. If that’s even possible. In contrast, GRT is “portable software” which runs on Linux and Windows. That means it’s not tied to even a specific computer; it can be run from a USB drive on many different platforms. Oh, and GRT is free too. I’ve seen this hobby move inexorably from economical to prohibitively expensive. GRT strikes a blow at that trend, and I think we should all support this type of effort. |
| This worked for me, thanks! |
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Quickload has an ancient 90's look but I see it has a recent 2/26 upgrade available for $106 and another $49 lets you download the 6/26 update... GRT hasn't been updated sice the author died in 2021 but recently someone cracked his db encryption allowing new powders and cartridges to be added by the admins over there and someone else figured a way to have AI update the chrono plugin to work with Garmin and Athlon... so there is some progress. The basic program code rewrite and feature fixes don't seem to be progressing though. Maybe someone will open source a tool as good or better as these two.. |
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Originally Posted By GHPorter: Quickload is a fine product, but it runs on Windows, and is beholden to Microsoft for its ability to run at all. If the boys in Seattle decide to make a substantial change (which they have a history of doing) it could be quite some time before apps like QL get updated so they work properly. If that’s even possible. In contrast, GRT is “portable software” which runs on Linux and Windows. That means it’s not tied to even a specific computer; it can be run from a USB drive on many different platforms. Oh, and GRT is free too. (rant mode on) AMEN, brother! I am currently using an older MS operating system. I see no reason to change. I'm currently restoring a Windows XP Pro machine. That machine can run programs and peripherals that are no longer supported by their makers. It is my way of defending against the manipulative idiots up north (MS). For example, there's nothing wrong with my CED Millenium II chronograph EXCEPT you cannot get the data files via the USB interface, you have to manually transcribe them from the screen. If I bought a later version of the chrono, it would work. This is a form of deliberate, built-in obsolescence. I find it offensive. So, no thank you, CED, I will not be buying another chrono. Instead, I am restoring the PC that I used to use that CAN read the data. That GRT is free and portable and accurate is a WOW! Quickload costs too much money and is as likely to die out as any other program or hardware once the maker retires. RSI Pressure Trace is gone. Originally Posted By GHPorter: I’ve seen this hobby move inexorably from economical to prohibitively expensive. GRT strikes a blow at that trend, and I think we should all support this type of effort. The cost of the reloading "hobby" has grown to where a LOT of people question whether it is really a viable alternative any longer. $5k presses, $3k annealers, $1.5k powder dispensers, $100/lb powder, $100/1k primers, intermittent availability,... It takes time, space, testing , living with goofs and for what? You get slightly smaller groups for those times you shoot from a bench. Otherwise, performance is shooter-limited, not ammo-limited. Oh well,... it's a hobby, right? Right? (rant mode off) Okay, I'll shut up now. |
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@Trollslayer I'm not sure why you can't export CED M2 data to a CSV-XLS directly into Excel... I had no trouble at all from the XP era all the way thru W-11, when I bought the Garmin in 2025. IIRC I was using v3.62, n-1 option and exporting directly from the unit via usb cable. I agree with all of the above cost analysis - this 'hobby' has gotten ridiculously $$ like every other one that used to be almost free - it all started with the need to be kool and baseball gloves with Micky Mantle's or Willie Mays signature. |
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A review of GRT's EULA is in order before we go wholesale into providing unlimited online copies (re-distributing software). If it is okay to do (not prohibited), responsibility for its preservation then falls partly on the users. The idea that it has survived the passing of its author is a great thing, a legacy to reloaders everywhere. ETA - Originally Posted By SyberSniper: @Trollslayer I'm not sure why you can't export CED M2 data to a CSV-XLS directly into Excel... I had no trouble at all from the XP era all the way thru W-11, when I bought the Garmin in 2025. IIRC I was using v3.62, n-1 option and exporting directly from the unit via usb cable. I have another range session planned, so I will get another opportunity to play with it. I tried all the built-in functions and was even playing with direct access, all to no avail. It was faster to just transcribe than to continue looking for a "faster" way to download the data. I have emailed CED customer support and they told me there are no updates or solutions except to buy a new chrono. Apparently, my version is too old. From what I remember, the version number starts with a 2. It doesn't matter and I am not angry about it (despite my venting). |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: How can the reloading community preserve important tools such as GRT? We lost Pressure Trace, a hardware-based pressure measurement tool, a setup I'd wanted to buy. Obviously, I waited waaay too long. Is QuickLoad still around? I am glad I was able to get a pressure trace before they went away. I use mine on a shotgun for testing shotshell loads. I actually talked to the guy on the phone. Kinda a grumpy old man, ready to retire. He said he tried to years to sell the business but no one would buy it. I wonder if he was just asking too much? I wish someone would start making them again. I like mine (when I can get it to work). It connects to my laptop via bluetooth and getting it to connect is a fight. The issue is not the laptop. Man I wish he would have just made it USB. |
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I have had quickload for probably 15+ years and updated it a few times through the years. I still constantly use it and am very happy with it. I did try and use GRT a couple times a few years ago and I could never really get it to work very well and it was very confusing. Then next time I tried to use it, the program would not open and run, I would get errors. I delete it, redownload and then repeat. Work one time, then stop working. I finally gave up and just stuck with quickload. |
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GRT is tricky to use- not intuitive at all and sometimes you have to do certain things in a specific order or else get a wrong answer... the more I found out the less I think its suitable for a casual user. I never had any issues getting it running on W10 or W11. Some have no issues on MAC or Linux but they are geeks for those OS. Pressure trace works directly with GRT although I haven't tried it since I don't have one but the admin on the discord chat uses it all the time. Looks like the CED website has disappeared and is now only available thru 3rd party sites - MidwayUSA lists it as discontinued... I'll bet Garmin & Athlon had something to do with it... It was a great little chrono. Looks like its circling the drain. The older one is silver and the M2 is Blue. It appears I bought mine in 2012 - used a PACT since the 80's before that. Both still work fine but about the only use I have for it now is to set it out next to the target to see what the V0 is at range - at least I can set it aside and not worry about hitting it but coordination the readings isn't easy. |
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Originally Posted By Trollslayer: A review of GRT's EULA is in order before we go wholesale into providing unlimited online copies (re-distributing software). If it is okay to do (not prohibited), responsibility for its preservation then falls partly on the users. The idea that it has survived the passing of its author is a great thing, a legacy to reloaders everywhere. |
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