How do you manage load data logs?

[PigButtons]

Load recipe logs as we all know are absolutely necessary. But I'm still fairly new to the hobby and what I've been doing up to now is becoming tedious. I keep two binders, one for development and one for known good loads. But now I am loading for 10 rifles, some more than others, and the system is not working for me anymore.

Any and all advice is welcome. I'm very tech savvy but haven't been inclined to go the spreadsheet route, but who knows.

 

[46and2]

I keep a notebook dedicated for each individual barrel that I have ever loaded for.

Date, conditions, load, velocity logs, round count. Numbered impacts for each load on the Bullseye. Every time.

I even keep the notebook after the barrel is toast for reference.

 

[DirtySteve]

I keep a notebook for each rifle... That being said I have recently screwed up my loading log for my Sharps.. I have ammo loaded, I know exactly how much powder is in them but not a clue as to which black powder...

 

[Bill Norris]

I have a folder on my computer for each rifle and keep a running log of load info there. I also have a thumb drive as back-up that I download the info to just in case something goes south with my computer or google drive.

 

[K22]

I keep a 3 ring binder for each rifle. It has a complete history of all load data and tests, range scores*, hunting results, cleaning procedure, exact round count and special notes on performance. It's simple, easy, and readily accessable but most importantly, helps me understand the performance of the rifle so I can be a better field shooter.

*Except for load testing and initial scope sight in which I do very little anymore, every shot at every range session is scored with notes on the wind, temperature, mirage, etc. All shots are called. This way I know the system's capability, i.e. me / load / rifle combo.

 

[karrarararararar]

I've recently started using Google sheets and have a different sheet for each rifle. It's synced with my Google account so I have access to it as long as I have internet. Inside the sheet for each rifle you could have a separate tab for known good loads.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Load recipe logs as we all know are absolutely necessary. But I'm still fairly new to the hobby and what I've been doing up to now is becoming tedious. I keep two binders, one for development and one for known good loads. But now I am loading for 10 rifles, some more than others, and the system is not working for me anymore.

Any and all advice is welcome. I'm very tech savvy but haven't been inclined to go the spreadsheet route, but who knows.

I keep a lot on my spreadsheet workbook to not only include different guns, barrel and tabs containing other information for quick reference that I've collected. I'll record data when firing then transfer it it all to the spreadsheet and with the spreadsheet accumulation over time I can sort get information like I want.

Here's a sample of my spreadsheet that you or anyone else may use if you find it useful and may modify to suit your own needs:

 

[Falfan2017]

I use the iPhone notes app. I make a note page for every barrel. List all the important info at the top then just put in journal entries for each round I load for it and the results like speed or group size. Always have it and it’s searchable.

 

[Jager]

When I began handloading many decades ago, I used the paper template that John Wooters described in his book The Complete Book of Practical Handloading.


That three-ring binder served me well for many years, but it has obvious limitations in how much information you can capture. And as it grows it becomes clumsy to work with in retrieving relevant information.

A few years back I determined to get my entire load history moved to an electronic format. I built a spreadsheet very similar to what Straightshooter 1 posted. Last winter I finally got all my old loads moved over. It's world's better than my old paper log! Instead of having just a single, very small "Notes" field, for instance... I can include as many details about a load that I want, and can embed things like QuickLoad prints, target prints, ChronoPlotter charts, close-up jpegs of my micrometer seater settings, etc. If I'm running a ladder I'll use a separate fill color on the charge weight, predicted velocity, and actual velocity columns so that your eye sees the entire ladder at a glance.

I make use of many other electronic resources... dozens of folders and thousands of files pertaining to all manner of data and manuals and files that one collects over time. Chrono data gets saved in its own repository. And I still use a 6 1/2 x 9 1/2" paper notebook for miscellaneous notes and thoughts and questions... and for using at the bench if I'm measuring bullets or cases or something like that.

The Handload Log itself lives at the heart of everything, though. It holds the essence of what you did, what you learned.

It's the most powerful tool on your loading bench.

 

[Chuckhunter]

I have a folder on my computer for each rifle and keep a running log of load info there. I also have a thumb drive as back-up that I download the info to just in case something goes south with my computer or google drive.

Ditto what Bill says, I do just about the same thing. I have a folder called Chucks Log in my spreadsheet program of open office and a different colored tab with each rifles data on that page. All backed up on a thumb drive and an external hard drive.

 

[Dave M.]

Load recipe logs as we all know are absolutely necessary. But I'm still fairly new to the hobby and what I've been doing up to now is becoming tedious. I keep two binders, one for development and one for known good loads. But now I am loading for 10 rifles, some more than others, and the system is not working for me anymore.

Any and all advice is welcome. I'm very tech savvy but haven't been inclined to go the spreadsheet route, but who knows.

Every barrel for every gun gets a new book and everything I do for that barrel is kept in that book, including targets, scores, wind readings, velocity and jump testing and powder charge testing. Put it this way, if it’s important enough to measure for me, it’s important enough to be in my book.
dave

 

[Ironman308]

I have a rite in the rain book for each rifle. It has gotten better the longer I shoot. At this point I call it a diary because I log everything possible that could help out later.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Paper note book I have been keeping since the 70's. Notes in reloading manuals and labels on every box. Bought a label maker 15 years ago. Works great. Then there's the masking tape recipes on the wall above the bench.
The faintest ink is better than the best memory.

 

[jepp2]

I scan all my targets and Chrony data in and just keep the .jpgs on my NAS. I keep records in Excel on my loads and results.

 

[Rob01]

Reloading Data Book

Reloading Data Book

www.impactdatabooks.com

 

[PigButtons]

Great suggestions. So much to think about. A new year and a new data collection system too. As good a time as any to get started.

 

[GLO123]

I used to record my load data in the mid 1990s on those little floppy disks. Then they phased those out and I lost all that data. So going forward after that I used a paper notebook. Works for me.

 

[Shanedogg]

Load recipe logs as we all know are absolutely necessary. But I'm still fairly new to the hobby and what I've been doing up to now is becoming tedious. I keep two binders, one for development and one for known good loads. But now I am loading for 10 rifles, some more than others, and the system is not working for me anymore.

Any and all advice is welcome. I'm very tech savvy but haven't been inclined to go the spreadsheet route, but who knows.

The only system I know is what you are currently using. Why isn't it working? The only thing that isn't working for me is my "good loads" notebook is light on entries...

 

[CJ6]

I use 1 notebook per rifle. This then gets transferred to an Excel spreadsheet on the computer. The targets get scanned to a PDF file and kept with the notebook.

 

[PigButtons]

Well thanks for the input. I've decided to go analog just because. I went to the dollar store and came home with my new data base application hardware. Now to get started on transcribing the good loads into the new books. That should take me 8 to 10 minutes.
Happy New Year.