I would like to request some generic options in the standard bullet, powder, primer and case database.
Many times I might be testing a factory load and don't know the type or brand of component used. I generally type OEM in to indicate that. I also use a lot of Military Surplus which I denote as MilSurp so I know it is different from commercial OEM.

Having generic terms available in the drop downs helps save typing and increases uniformity. Other possible terms could be often used generic components such as 'Cast', 'LSWC', 'FMJ' M193, Ball etc. (These generics should be available in their category even if you havent selected some unknown data that may be required for named brands- ie: no bullet manuf. selected I can still select FMJ and then go back and select MilSurp for manuf. and have FMJ be persistant).

or are these something I should put in the user configurable files?
but don't they get wiped out with updates?

thanks
al

Well... after trying to add some generic terms to the user .slk file I can see where there will be some issues. The two primary problems I currently see are:
1. Every caliber and bullet weight would need a generic entry. This is a lot of data. Enough that it might justify it's own SLK file for loading at startup - which might help with problem #2, which is.
2. All the data fields need to filled in or else the line is not recognized as valid. The problem fields are BC and SD since these are probably unknown and will be different for each bullet. Also the bullet diameter is required which means an entry for every caliber and bullet weight.

That's a lot of work just to have OEM and MilSurp labels available in the drop down list - especially when it works just as well to just type it in during data entry.

Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all unless it can be easily added with a few lines of code to include it as a data selection option with exceptions to ignore the bullet dia, SD & BC during entry and ballistic calcs..