How do you manage load data logs?

[Woofie]

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.

Analog is not a bad choice. My loading record book is a treasured document I haven't used for some years. The first record is 4/20/80, 5.5 grns of Unique with a cast 158 RN in my S&W Model 19. 943 FPS. That was using my brand spanking Oehler Model 12 . The notebook long since replaced by Excel it also has notes and letters from long-gone friends that I still miss.
Although I use Excel today, if I had it to do over I would take the time to build an Access database that made queries easier and quicker.
OTOH, a notebook *always* works

 

[358WCF]

Way back it was the stickers from bullet boxes or 2" wide masking tape with the data written on it stuck to the box. This quickly became unworkable (or unreadable) for anything other than what was in the box at the moment. Before there were home computers I started with notebook paper, then had a printer run a few 100 pages with spaces for all pertinent data including lot #s. There are spaces for conditions & results as well. These are 3 ring punched. The small printing batches allowed various changes, additions, & deletions thru the years.

The 1st version had blank chart for external ballistics to 500 yds, which was done away with on the 3rd or 4th version when I got Oehler's Ballistic Explorer & the customized data could be printed on the back of the page. DOS went out of favor & never upgraded the program to Windows. Time marches on. Just had another batch run last year & other than some spacing tweaks for future runs, it may be the final version for my use. The local printer is cheaper than buying a black ink cartridge... & they punch the holes.

I file the pages by chambering, by gun, bullet weight, then date fired. Searching is a wee bit of a pain, but stars in the upper right corner show good loads, red highlights show max loads or other important details. It's big & bulky & may get broken down by chambering into smaller notebooks, but it's always available even if the power goes out or the computer takes a dump. No tech involved & that's fine with me.

There is also a pile of targets in a box in the basement corresponding to each page in the books. These used to be filed by cartridge & date, but have been moved too many times. They might get sorted again over the winter... or not.

 

[JMayo]

Lol @ reloading for 20 rifles ...

I load 3 ... I've got a book.

Make good notes..i found i can't write too much but i can write too little ..,

 

[TheCZKid]

I have a spiral notebook with tabs I stick on with the name of the caliber & rifle, then I keep my log of what I am testing in the book, date it on the left and state exactly what I'm testing - like seating depth test, or ladder test, or primer comparison, etc, and log the brass details (make, x used, how prepped, etc) Primers, Powder and amounts, seating depth, bullet details.

My results (speeds, SD, group sizes, primer and bullets) I log into a spreadsheet, and they look like this:

 

[Pres100]

I have a 3 ring binder that I started in 1990 that has a master reloading log which is more of a running list of every batch by date and then have individual tabs separated by caliber.

For gun performance data I have individual log books with the targets, performance, environmental conditions, etc but I only do this for competition guns, not every gun

One day I assume it will all get digitized. I've attempted in the past, but during that 30 years I've been through so many computers the file transfers sometimes never made it .... it's easier today with cloud storage. Somehow I still think having a hard copy is more satisfying, but there are so many other advantages to digital - especially when it comes to data analysis.

 

[PopCharlie]

I just use a big 3 ring binder with dividers for each caliber. I'm tech savvy too (retired IT pro). I have often thought about logging in a spread sheet. I have data going back to 1985. So it would be a daunting task.

PopCharlie

 

[Cfshooter]

I use little field books from Amazon to write down everything I load (one for each firearm). I also use an Excel load log sheet to input results of each load development. I take a pic of field book and loaded ammo, target after all range sessions, and also a pic//screenshot of my data sheet for that session. Everyone firearm has its own album on my phone in photo app. Everything and anything related to that firearm gets a pic/screenshot and inserted into the album. I have the info with me at all times, and easy to share/save anytime.
This is the type of stuff I save.

 

[JMayo]

It would be kinda cool to have every practice/testing targets, match results and notes in a binder to go back and look at. But I've not kept it all. It would be a big ole stack.
I get new barrels every year.

The younger generation is all about computers and stuff ... But that doesn't work for me.

No body would ever care to look at that stuff when I'm gone. "They" are gonna have to clean my stuff up by hand, seeing my life's worth !

 

[Clark]

I write a range report after every trip to the range.
I send it in gmail, which is a searchable database.

 

[Bojo]

What I learned from reading this thread is the my own record keeping skills are closer to the invention of the wheel that the personal computer.

 

[JFrank]

I have a lot of old targets with load data, I keep a book with round counts, testing info etc. nothing to anal.

 

[PracticalTactical]

Here's a copy of a load record I developed if you are interested.

I print a bunch and keep them in a binder with dividers by caliber.

Here's a link where you can download the PDF: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AtjMWkfoARYAd_7Oy6MtybSL2Dk

 

[dskogman]

I’ve used paper and Excel but I’ve switched to Microsoft OneNote. It is cloud based so I can use my phone, tablet or laptop to enter and see the data anywhere. One page per barrel with text, tables, pictures or handwritten notes.

 

[6bra1k]

i get pretty simple.
i use spiral full size school note books
for a gun i shoot a lot, one gun per book,
for lower use guns one in the front, and one in the back.
for a couple of real populat shooters, ii have a range note book...like 3x5 or so.

 

[CharlieNC]

I like excel because I can readily add columns for new parameters, graph and analyze results. Etc. During load development simply print a page listing the items to record range results.

 

[Chiquita]

I use the load sheet from Redding. Along with my notes and pictures or cutouts of the paper target I attach all together and put them in each folder. https://www.redding-reloading.com/tech-line-a-tips-faqs/186-reddlds

 

[TrapperBR549]

I use index cards. I fill out the load info on the card and put it in the box with the shells. I record the chrono data and all other notes when I shoot and then put it in the card file at home.

 

[Clancy]

I don’t know if I’m the smartest guy in this thread or the dumbest, but I just keep my original seating depth and powder work targets until the barrel is gone.

I load to the center of nodes, and won’t settle for powders that aren’t extremely stable.

I build around a bullet, and buy more than enough of the same lot to toast the barrel.

I can’t see the need for any data keeping between day one and the day I unscrew the barrel, besides what is written above.

If I competed in short range BR, I’d keep even fewer records, because then literally right then and there is the only load that matters.

 

[1bamashooter]

I had all mine in notebooks now I wish I would have taken pics of all of them so I'd have backup

 

[CJ6]

Here's a copy of a load record I developed if you are interested.

I print a bunch and keep them in a binder with dividers by caliber.

Here's a link where you can download the PDF: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AtjMWkfoARYAd_7Oy6MtybSL2Dk

View attachment 1304948

Nice ....I like that.