Is there any real value in archival load data?

[Damon555]

Many of you have been reloading much longer than me and it made me wonder how you guys have managed to keep records over the years?.....If you managed to document everything well is it of any real value to anyone other than yourself?

I ask this because I was going over some old load data and noticed that I have managed to save and for the most part document every target I've ever used for load testing.......I often think that I've overdone it but suspect that there are others out there who have kept track similarly.

Hard copies of more than 20 years worth of reloading.......These individual targets are recent and all have the load info on them.......this has been my method of record keeping basically from day 1....

Is it all just worthless information that I've held on to for all these years?

 

[BenPerfected]

IMO, too many things have changed. I will start a list:
- New lot # of all components
- Barrel life or new gun or components
- Your shooting skills have likely changed.... better or worse?
- Has your rest set up changed?
- Are you shooting at a new range and has the rifle range changed?

I am worn out.....what else has changed in 20 years? My suggestion is to give all your old targets to the Scouts for a paper drive.
Ben

 

[Damon555]

I'm not actually using the data....I'm competing against it......I should have mentioned that.

People ask me all the time if I ever compete.....I do.....against myself. That's why the hobby is interesting to me.....

 

[geraldgee]

The data grows more valuable as the knowledge you gain from it increases. If you are analyzing your targets and making observations and drawing conclusions from these observations, you are realizing the true value of good documentation. Just my thoughts....

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I keep data & targets much like you do. - Both the good, bad & in between. - My thoughts are I have it & hopefully it can make me continue to improve & hopefully not make or do some of the things that didn't produce good results, both in hand loading & shooting.

- Ron -

 

[ClassCat]

Targets are not needed, but scores are along with other relevant info. I keep this in a spiral note book and date the book.
IE Jan-2016- Dec 2017

Date ,,, Rifle ,,, Barrel make and # ,,, Headspace ,,, OAL


Bullet ,,, Powder,,, Weight ,,, Seating depth,,, Temp,,, Humidity ,,, Barometric Pressure,,, Group size

After a while you will know where to look and when based on temp and monthly YTD records.

 

[joed49]

I keep data with notes but no targets. I know what worked and what didn't from the data. Tells me how I'm doing shooting. I figure some where along the line either my eyes or muscles will hinder my shooting.

 

[Damon555]

My notebook has most of my old load data written in it also. A date in the book usually has a corresponding target to go along with it.....I have no idea why I felt compelled to hold on to what amounts to nothing other than kindling I guess?

 

['Freak]

Works fer me ...

 

[retired]

saving, not really,
analyzing, logging data yes.
temp humidity wind powder lot number

 

[Steve morgan]

Many of you have been reloading much longer than me and it made me wonder how you guys have managed to keep records over the years?.....If you managed to document everything well is it of any real value to anyone other than yourself?

I ask this because I was going over some old load data and noticed that I have managed to save and for the most part document every target I've ever used for load testing.......I often think that I've overdone it but suspect that there are others out there who have kept track similarly.

Hard copies of more than 20 years worth of reloading.......These individual targets are recent and all have the load info on them.......this has been my method of record keeping basically from day 1....

Is it all just worthless information that I've held on to for all these years?

Not worthless info. I have the same type of records& refer to it to see if I have tried a load before etc.

 

[SS427]

I do what you do. Save targets with all sorts of information recorded on them. The old data can be useful when you struggle with a rifle...you can see what changes you have made before that got positive results, or even negative results. Rarely a direct comparison, but at least somewhere to start without guessing.

I also enjoy going back and looking at the groups and seeing how I have improved over time.

 

[Damon555]

One of the things I found on some of the older targets was that I wasn't using a bunch of different types of components. Lacking any reasonable amount of money to spend on the hobby back then I was forced to use what was on hand.....H380 seems like an odd choice for the 223....but I tried it and had reasonable success.

 

[riflewoman]

If the rifle has been rebarelled, toss it.

If not take snapshots of it with your phone and run target group analysis on it. You want mean radius and group center. Extreme spread is misleading as there’s always a reason for errant shots. With THAT information you can make better judgements. Put them in a spreadsheet and look for trends. You’ll probably find several.

 

[hogpatrol]

I write the particulars on the target and take a photo, recycle the targets.

 

[STOMP442]

I keep a log book and record what rifle I'm shooting with what bullet. I write down my length to lands for that bullet so that I know what that number is and can adjust my jump or jam to tune my loads. I also record the powder, primer, and brass used along with my scope height and weather conditions. Once I find the load I like I outline the charge weight and seating depth used. Then I go home and load up a handful more to those specs and head back to the range to confirm zero and shoot over the magneto then plug all the info into my AB app and do some long range verification. I don't normally save my targets I got enough clutter to deal with.

 

[Beau]

You guys need to get with the times and keep your records in a database like Access or at least keep them in a spreadsheet like Excel or Google Sheets.

 

[hogpatrol]

You guys need to get with the times and keep your records in a database like Access or at least keep them in a spreadsheet like Excel or Google Sheets.

Yeah, and store them in the CLOUD.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I keep logs on all my testing just for me .
I do fine some posted testing a good Read .
I also fine some postings a little dangerous , for some people?

I built a very nice F/TR rifle on a Barnard Action. The owners of said rifle took a Posted Load andloaded 400 Rounds .
No Testing ...
He was happy with his shooting results
till I showed Him the Bolt Face . Pit City .
After a Test the 175 gr.308 Load was 2900 FPS.

 

[Intheshop]

Regular typing paper,folded which creates a pamphlet of sorts.Gun gets labeled on front page.Tossed in the top drawer of Kennedy machinist chest in loading room.

Have tried many different methods over the last 40+ years. This is what it's boiled to.The pamphlets have everything pertinent to that firearm.... to include any work performed. Don't save very many targets. There's a few stapled up to the cabinets.

Interestingly, I don't even try to remember any details anymore.Just find the pamphlet,load,go shoot.Loads are written inside the MTM box lids but,always refer back to the notes.