I need to start doing better record keeping, I chronograph various loads, different powders, different bullets, for several different calibres etc... I have the shooting chrony printer, and usually write the recipe on the print out, and keep it between the pages of the reloading manual for that caliber like a bookmark, but am getting too many to be practical, so need to start a record book or excel program or something already organized, looking for suggestions. Simpler the better as I'm lazy and not that into meticulous data entry.
Data and record keeping
- Thread starter JDBraddy
- Start date
The simplest way I've found that allows you not only to store but to use/compare your data is to use Excel or the free OpenOffice.org download Calc.
EG, one sheet per caliber. Set up columns eg Date, bullet, bullet weight, OAL, BTO, Powder, Weight, Primer, Brass, Temp, Humidity, # of Shots, Grp Size, Avg Vel, Hi, Lo, ES, SD, etc etc. One row for each test.
Can easily sort on any 3 fields. Stores more than you will ever shoot in a very small space.
If you don't have a device capable of using that software, a piece of ruled paper can do the same job . . . except for the sorting part.
EG, one sheet per caliber. Set up columns eg Date, bullet, bullet weight, OAL, BTO, Powder, Weight, Primer, Brass, Temp, Humidity, # of Shots, Grp Size, Avg Vel, Hi, Lo, ES, SD, etc etc. One row for each test.
Can easily sort on any 3 fields. Stores more than you will ever shoot in a very small space.
If you don't have a device capable of using that software, a piece of ruled paper can do the same job . . . except for the sorting part.
Would you have a template for this that you can share as a attachment ?
I have been making my own forms before we had PC's and now I use Excel to create everything I need. I have records of all the groups I have shot for testing purposes since the mid 60's. My Data sheet has evolved over the years and it has served me well. When you're my age and you THINK you remember what shot good, you're probably wrong. Here is what my current iteration looks like. This is an actual page from my Data Book for the 6.5x47 Lapua in PDF format.
www.jatchison.com/public/atchison_data_sheet.pdf
I have a binder for each rifle (or rifles, plural, if I have two of the same caliber). And yes. I am a sick, anal bastard but it's my party.
www.jatchison.com/public/atchison_data_sheet.pdf
I have a binder for each rifle (or rifles, plural, if I have two of the same caliber). And yes. I am a sick, anal bastard but it's my party.
Don't you keep a binder of reloading data recorded per caliber? I record my chrono data with the load data, even for factory ammo. My Excel spreadsheet, for 11(wide)X8-1/2" paper, is attached for your or anyone's use. Customize it yourself--live it up!
The velocity data in the attached results from 5 different formulas each using the same raw chrono data from that test. If there are two numbers in the "Cnt" field, the first is the number of shots in the target's "Spread" while the second is the number of shots of that type chronographed. "jpg" in the "Spread" column means there is a picture/scan of that target, probably with OnTarget data, in the Targets folder with the same test Date. Those files are labelled beginning with (eg) "160707" representing 7-Jul-16. The other data points are self-explanatory.
The format is very flexible, and you can add columns as/if you find additional data is helpful. After a year or so I started adding Temp and Humidity.
Joe R
Gold $$ Contributor
I would rather read a hard copy book than read with a "Kindle"....thus I am old school and use a Sinclair Reloading Log book.
http://www.sinclairintl.com/books-v...ks/reloading-logbook-8-5-x-11--prod87587.aspx
CRAPPPP! In posting that link I noticed that it is no longer available. I may have to go new school now...grrrrrr.
http://www.sinclairintl.com/books-v...ks/reloading-logbook-8-5-x-11--prod87587.aspx
CRAPPPP! In posting that link I noticed that it is no longer available. I may have to go new school now...grrrrrr.
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
I've been using Google Docs (word processor) and Google Sheets (spreadsheet) to do my logging as of late.
Tabular data I put into the spreadsheet, usually one sheet per day, and do up the charts, graphs, whatever for the particular test I was messing with. I can then paste/link those into Google Docs (one document per year), so if I make any changes to the original data, the chart(s) will automagically update accordingly. I use the Google Doc as more of a narrative log, i.e. what I was thinking, what I had planned, what my perceptions were at the time of the results - basically to give the data some *context*. I also use a plug-in in Google Docs to keep a hyper-linked table-of-contents open and updated in a side-bar.
The added benefit of the Google Docs/Sheets approach, for me at least, is that it isn't tied to one specific computer or device. I can access the same information on my phone or tablet, or my ChromeBook, or my big mobile workstation/laptop. If I'm at the range and want to refresh my memory on how something worked last time, its easy enough to check via the phone. If I've got some down time, it's pretty easy to do most of the updates via my tablet from where ever. For some of the more intricate graphs, the mobile devices are still kinda painful so I do those on an actual laptop computer.
YMMV,
Monte
Tabular data I put into the spreadsheet, usually one sheet per day, and do up the charts, graphs, whatever for the particular test I was messing with. I can then paste/link those into Google Docs (one document per year), so if I make any changes to the original data, the chart(s) will automagically update accordingly. I use the Google Doc as more of a narrative log, i.e. what I was thinking, what I had planned, what my perceptions were at the time of the results - basically to give the data some *context*. I also use a plug-in in Google Docs to keep a hyper-linked table-of-contents open and updated in a side-bar.
The added benefit of the Google Docs/Sheets approach, for me at least, is that it isn't tied to one specific computer or device. I can access the same information on my phone or tablet, or my ChromeBook, or my big mobile workstation/laptop. If I'm at the range and want to refresh my memory on how something worked last time, its easy enough to check via the phone. If I've got some down time, it's pretty easy to do most of the updates via my tablet from where ever. For some of the more intricate graphs, the mobile devices are still kinda painful so I do those on an actual laptop computer.
YMMV,
Monte
Hey, you can still watch the video about the log books that are no longer available. That's so the young whipper-snappers can see how it was in the olden day, I guess.
Jdne5b
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm looking for a MS Access or other database that I can upload the Labradar spreadsheets to. So if any of the techies has created one of those, feel free to share if you want. Wish the Labradar recorded weather. I would have paid more for that feature.
Otherwise I'll get out my MS Access for dummies book one of these days and brush off those skills.
Otherwise I'll get out my MS Access for dummies book one of these days and brush off those skills.
Sorry but MS Access is no longer supported by Microsoft. The program they sold that you could not live without you now can't run on the current version of Windows. This practice sucks!
One could always get Access by renting the Office suite from MS.
Or you could download the free OpenOffice suite and use the component they call "Base" here: http://www.openoffice.org/product/index.html
Personally I found Base pretty buggy when used for files that have a high number of fields. Maybe that's fixed by now. But Calc works fine as an Excel replacement. Draw is great for drawing your own targets. I've never used Writer, Impress, or Math.
rotts4u
Silver $$ Contributor
You sir are my hero. I thought I was the only one. I am 53 and have been reloading since 1986 so I have only been keeping these records for 31 years now. When I started I had a good coach/neighbor that convinced me to keep records. I bought a MTM reloading log and I still use them today. I have revised the form a few times and now I have a separate book for each gun so that I can keep everything straight. I consult them often when searching for a new load, or freshening up my memory on a rifle I have not shot lately. In addition to the LOAD data, I also keep a DOPE book on each gun. Each first shot of the day I log it in along with conditions distance etc.
Redding has a good data sheet on their web site, you can print it out.
I was talking with @Mozella yesterday and he mentioned a program that scans your targets and measures the groups. I assume this requires that you get to keep your targets to scan them. It would not be a lot of help for MR/LR shooting. I keep a target plot on traditional log sheets and copy the data over to target plots in RSI Shooting Lab (SL). I can associate these plots with the specific load but I have not found a way to associate them together as a match. SL has its own flow which is not particularly intuitive for someone used to most common MS Windows programs. (It takes a lot of getting used to. IMHO)
'OnTargetPC'....you can take a photo or scan in your targets and mark your shots with a calibrated circle 'pointer', measure groups, get various calculated data and store info. A photo is less accurate for measuring as distortion at the periphery comes into play.
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