Keeping Up With All Your Data!!
- Thread starter Belton45
- Start date
Everything I do starts in a notebook, and the stuff I want to remember (like reference loads, shoulder bumps, trim-lengths, etc.) goes into Excel spreadsheets ... that's how I roll.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I've started writing data on targets above each group with load data fps from crony, and taking pics of them. Later I can decide to save that image or delete it if it is no longer needed. jd
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
I keep a note book with tabs for every gun I shoot. All info gets written down. I start with “touching the lands” measurements for the various bullets I think I’ll shoot. I’ll add shoulder info, etc. in as I get it from the fired cases. Load testing, rounds fired on which date, etc, etc. When I find the best load, I tape the target on the page with all the info repeated below it. Then I buy a new gun and start again. 
Each rifle has its own 3 ring binder.
The binder is divided into three parts:
1. Chronological history of the rifle including, rounds fired, loads, mechanical changes, range scores, hunting results, and miscellaneous notes of value.
2. Detailed results of all Load Development.
3. Record Range Targets (personal best of practical range practice).
Most of my shooting is range practice or hunting since I have long ago established high performance loads via load development. In other words, I do little to no load development anymore.
At the range I shoot 5 x 8 cards with concentric circles and a 1 1/2 orange dot in the center. I record the details of the range session on the card such as date, temperature, wind, mirage, load, scope adjustment, score and special notes.
I save all the cards (clipped inside the binder) during the season which provides a handy reference of real-world performance shooting off my sticks. I toss the cards at the end of the season unless I shoot or tie a personal best then that card is saved in section 3 above.
The binder is divided into three parts:
1. Chronological history of the rifle including, rounds fired, loads, mechanical changes, range scores, hunting results, and miscellaneous notes of value.
2. Detailed results of all Load Development.
3. Record Range Targets (personal best of practical range practice).
Most of my shooting is range practice or hunting since I have long ago established high performance loads via load development. In other words, I do little to no load development anymore.
At the range I shoot 5 x 8 cards with concentric circles and a 1 1/2 orange dot in the center. I record the details of the range session on the card such as date, temperature, wind, mirage, load, scope adjustment, score and special notes.
I save all the cards (clipped inside the binder) during the season which provides a handy reference of real-world performance shooting off my sticks. I toss the cards at the end of the season unless I shoot or tie a personal best then that card is saved in section 3 above.
I would like to add that in my opinion, without meaning and historical data on your rifle, one handicaps oneself in getting to know your rifle and its performance.
I am obsessed (
) with keeping detail records. I know my rifle (s) very well.
PS: This my rifle, there are many like it, but this one is mine. I haven't given mine a name yet, but I won't rule it out. I always liked the name Sarah.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
I am obsessed (
) with keeping detail records. I know my rifle (s) very well.PS: This my rifle, there are many like it, but this one is mine. I haven't given mine a name yet, but I won't rule it out. I always liked the name Sarah.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
DShortt
Gold $$ Contributor
At least it's not Charlene.I would like to add that in my opinion, without meaning and historical data on your rifle, one handicaps oneself in getting to know your rifle and its performance.
I am obsessed (
PS: This my rifle, there are many like it, but this one is mine. I haven't given mine a name yet, but I won't rule it out. I always liked the name Sarah.
I have a note pad on my laptop. I keep all the pertinent rifle/load data for each one on a separate note pad and then place them all in a folder in Google Drive. Very easy to copy the info to a USB file just in case something were to go astray.
DShortt
Gold $$ Contributor
Nice. Stealing that idea.
Roll with it Bro. Best way I've found because at times I can't read my own scribbling. LOL.
DShortt
Gold $$ Contributor
Shoot. At least you remembered to scribble.
LOL
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
I keep detailed notes for each barrel/load in a notes app on my phone, stored in cloud and on an SD card in my phone. It's way easier for me to have my phone at the loading and shooting bench.
Lots of good ways to do it and I've seen just about every method work for any one person. The best one is the one you will actually do and that can be tough to find, so try different methods until you find one that sticks.
Here's what I finally found that works AND I actually use it every time.
Here's what I finally found that works AND I actually use it every time.
I write all the load info and distances and temps and dates on the target, speeds on a pad at the bench, then transfer all info to a book at home. The book has new case, fired case and sized case dims as well as CBTO's, powder chg wt, primer, when loaded, when shot, distances, temps, notes on how things went. I cut out the groups and paste them into the book too, so I can cross ref all the data to the result. I note which dies were used, which press, which mandrel, which bushing, which measuring tool, necks turned or not. Also note lead blends, sizing on cast bullets and weights, notes about techniques on casting used, reject counts. Never have too much info, main thing is to discipline yourself to do it and not be lazy about it. It's helped me a lot over the years.
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I print out targets from this website. 6 1"" bullseyes per target. When I am at the range I have a blank target on the bench I match with the one on the backboard (my notebook). On the target on the bench I write everyything about the load for each bullseye.. Also any data like the date, chrono data, signs of pressure on the case, wind, was it annealed, bad trigger control plus any thing else. It's usuallly about 5 items. I staple the 2 targets together. When I get home I enter everything into an Excel spreadshet. Save the targets.
I write the load and measure setting on the wall. If a particular load doesn't perform, it doesn't make the wall. Sometimes, I'll write them in a book I can misplace. I may need to be a little more obsessive, if I am to be in step. WH
I keep track of the number of rounds fired through a barrel by primer boxes. Each barrel/rifle has a plastic tote with all of the necessary items to load for that barrel. When I chamber a new barrel, I put a few boxes of primers in the tote and label the first box "1" (big surprise huh). At any point in time I can go to the tote, see what number is on the primer box and subtract the remaining primers in the box and any unfired loaded ammo and calculate the exact number of rounds fired. If I test a different primer I simply add a + for the number of primers tested to the box number and have an accurate total.
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