February 14, 2013, 10:11 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 8, 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 237
|
Reloading Logs
What method does everyone use to keep track of load data that they have tried? Like Bullet weight, powder charge and so on.
|
February 14, 2013, 10:22 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 12, 2012
Posts: 761
|
spiral notebook
|
February 14, 2013, 10:23 PM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: January 30, 2013
Posts: 40
|
+1 for small spiral notebook.
|
February 14, 2013, 10:41 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 16, 2009
Posts: 517
|
I use a Large spiral note book and Lymans balistic chart book page at the front of each cal and bullet to write down of my best when reloading grouping and meets my standards, however I cut out groupings of testing shots fired and tape them to blank pages and can refer to it again and again and, If I can not remember why I liked that load I can flip through the pages and confirm just why I liked that load grouping. I do this for every bullet I buy and try so if that bullet I like goes away I just pick another. so I am not just having fun going bang there is a purpose behind every bang.
|
February 14, 2013, 10:46 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2012
Location: Lakewood, CO
Posts: 1,057
|
Microsoft Excel. It's a geek thing, you wouldn't understand.
__________________
NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason |
February 14, 2013, 11:08 PM | #6 |
Member
Join Date: February 17, 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 64
|
Google Docs spreadsheet. That way it's available to me most anywhere.
|
February 15, 2013, 05:11 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 28, 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 11,756
|
I'm a hundred miles from a computer geek or techie nerd or any of those. It's not that I don't like technology -- I just flat-out refuse to pay for the stuff while you guys spend your dough beta testing it all. I'll enjoy the heck out of it when it's dirt cheap.
Even so, it's absolutely MS-Excel for me. I keep a very detailed, very long log. I spend a lot of time on it, but I get a lot from it. It's multifaceted and I'd bore this audience if I went in to any manner of detail -- but perhaps the two most important things I gain from it (seriously, there's an endless number of things I truly gain from it) is that I: --never make a crappy load TWICE --always have a record of what I made, easily searchable by date So no ammo I have in my stash is -EVER- unknown, because the box it's in has a date on it, and with the date I can figure out exactly what it is. If I were any manner of famous, my MS-Excel log would be a NYTimes best seller!
__________________
Attention Brass rats and other reloaders: I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss. |
February 15, 2013, 07:31 AM | #8 |
Junior Member
Join Date: April 29, 2012
Posts: 13
|
MS Excel...I keep a separate sheet for each gun with loads grouped according to type of powder. Then data on charge weight, bullet, case, primer, C.O.A.L. etc. Then info on group size & distance.
Helps to avoid repeating bad loads for sure. |
February 15, 2013, 07:48 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2012
Location: Lakewood, CO
Posts: 1,057
|
If you don't want to buy MS office or any of the individual applications, Excel, Word...
You can use Open Office from www.openoffice.org. It's a good office suite and free. I used it for years until I found a deal on a 3 license pack of MS Office. A notebook is fine also.
__________________
NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason |
February 15, 2013, 08:34 AM | #10 |
Member
Join Date: October 4, 2012
Posts: 81
|
Access database. Records all components - when & where bought, price paid, how many/much etc. Which components used in each load, which equipment used (presses, dies, measuring tools, case cleaning process etc), settings (e.g. die micrometer settings) plus all the usual load data. Generates a lot number for each load (to go on the packaging) and a printable load data sheet to take to the range. The lot number ties the ammo up to my shooting activity database (which records rifle use and barrel counts, how many fired, where, when etc). I use another database for team availability and selection, which automates sending of emails and records performance with a scan of each shooter's plot sheet for reference in future team selection.
I suppose I'm a bit of a geek. .. |
February 15, 2013, 09:09 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 24, 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 545
|
I created my own form and keep them in a 3 ring binder. I just copy the master when I run low. The master is 30 years old now.
|
February 15, 2013, 09:36 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 28, 2010
Location: Western Washington State
Posts: 144
|
+1 on the Excel spreadsheet. I can send you a copy of the one that I use, if you want.
|
February 15, 2013, 10:47 AM | #13 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 27, 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 2,905
|
Quote:
Thanks! |
|
February 15, 2013, 11:05 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 26, 2006
Location: Southern Minnesota
Posts: 9,333
|
I have a 3 ring binder I put together sheets from Excel... "Mike's Pet Loads" ( sorry, borrowed from some other famous guy
I also was taught by my FIL to put a strip of masking tape on each cartridge box, & put "everything" on that strip of tape, including the date loaded, & brand & times the case has been loaded, case length, COL, etc.
__________________
In life you either make dust or eat dust... |
February 15, 2013, 11:09 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 22, 2011
Location: Middle America
Posts: 518
|
Redundant and know it.
Too many years working for the government, so I keep hard copy data and then transcribe the data into electronic form. I created a form for the processing of brass into completed loads, listing the head stamp data, cleaning, sizing, depriming method, primer (swaged), trimmed/trim length, primer, powder type and charge, bullet type and weight, OAL, crimp type if any and completion date with any other notes. All of this is easy and fast. The paper is filed away into a box after this same data is in-putted into a spread sheet. It doesn't stop their. Another form is printed. This on is for loads fired across a chronograph. Generally the same data from the first form is listed only with the addition of the weapon being tested and slots for 20 shots to be recorded and notes. And yes, all of this data is plugged into a spread sheet and that page is linked to a master page for that caliber and another page for that weapon. I don't consider a load properly tested unless 15 or more test firings have been recorded. It still isn't over. Yet another form is produced. This one list the weapon, the load info, the weather conditions and my thoughts. Most of the time I will attach the paper target or a photo of the target. The best news on this one is that only my evaluation is entered into the spread sheet for that weapon, noting the load and a scan of the target or the photo. Why do I do all of this, your ask? I'm old, tired and retired and it gives me something to do. Besides, I enjoy it. I have tried ringed binders and spiraled note books. I find that eventually everything is in the wrong place, pages coming out or something. I have all of my source data boxed up and safe and spread sheet data is available on my computers and USB drives so I can review it with ease. Enjoy, OSOK |
February 15, 2013, 11:51 AM | #16 |
Junior Member
Join Date: February 14, 2013
Posts: 5
|
Google Docs for me. I like being able to access from any device, and knowing my data is backed up.
|
February 15, 2013, 12:07 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 7, 2009
Location: Southern Oregon!
Posts: 2,891
|
I use simple Microsoft Word and just separate loads with a line. Then I print all pages of listed loads and put them in my 3-ring binder along with targets. I cansee and read the results of the listed load data...
__________________
My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees... |
February 15, 2013, 12:35 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 16, 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 3,577
|
Pictures,dropped on the computer.
__________________
NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional |
February 15, 2013, 03:45 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 18, 2010
Location: Independence Missouri
Posts: 4,586
|
" Little Black Book", I use load labels on the front to tell me what loads are in this book, pretty handy little dude.
I'm not like most handloaders that write each and every load down they have tried, whether it worked or not, I only write up loads I call "The One", it's the only way to make it into that little black book!
__________________
Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry. |
February 15, 2013, 05:09 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 27, 2004
Posts: 4,811
|
Another Excel fan here.
I have a workbook per caliber,Raw data on one tab, processed, detailed info on a second. Cross reference this to graphing ability on a 3rd & I'm set. Excel even does statistical analsys & prints ballistics charts when I link the tabs to a seperate sheet for chrongraph info.
__________________
Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.” |
February 15, 2013, 05:30 PM | #21 |
Junior Member
Join Date: January 12, 2012
Location: Pa
Posts: 14
|
I used to use a spiral notebook but put together a Excel file last year to meet my needs. I still jot it into the spiral book when I done reloading. I then transcribe it to the Excel file when I get a chance.
|
February 15, 2013, 05:42 PM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 19, 2002
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 963
|
I use kinda higher-end 4 x 5 spiral notebooks now. Took quite a while
To recopy and bust up But, I now have one for small pistol, one for Large pistol ect. I have each cal. separated with little color tabs. Makes for very small foot print on bench when working. |
February 15, 2013, 06:26 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 9, 2008
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 178
|
3 ring binder with MTM pages. I also add other comments e.g. temp, wind, notes on whether load was too hot, didn't feed or eject right, chrono speed,etc.
|
February 16, 2013, 10:33 AM | #24 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 27, 2004
Posts: 4,811
|
A tip for all those who use Excel (or Access for that matter).
Always have a "Misc.", or "Notes:" cell in the table, I've found this an invaluable aid for when you discover there's something you need to document that's outside the usual. Like this example: Notes These are the "match" loads. Primer pockets uniformed, flash holes reamed, cases & bullets weight matched, Powder trickled. These are the "Standard" loads. Batch loaded on Dillon. Misc cases, misc bullets, primer pockets cleaned only, charges dropped from measure.
__________________
Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.” |
|
|