How do you manage load data logs?

[BringBackThe80s]

I use a "bullet journal" approach, using a physical notebook for each rifle, recording each day's activity on a sequentially numbered page, then page-number indexing by components, loads, equipment, key techniques, etc., keeping a total of all shots fired as I go. See my AR-15 log, started with factory ammo in 2016, then handloading logs last month, selected pages attached here and on following post/comment.

 

[BringBackThe80s]

Continued

 

[dogdude]

Old School

 

[bloc]

I use FileMaker Pro. I created a simple flat file database with pull down menues for components I use all the time (specific firearms, calibers, powders, case mfgrs, primers type/mfgr, bullet mfgrs and bullet types, etc.)

I can easily add new entries to each of the pull down menus as I need or want to.

The huge advantge to all this is searching: I can search using the same pull-down menus, so I never miss something by an incorrect designation. For example, my pull-down menu for powder lists "H 4895." It avoids me having entered "H4895" or "H-4895" and missing a load I want.

I can search for a single rifle, a single bullet or any combination of variables that tickles my fancy.

I can also duplicate a record which is very handy if I shoot the same combination of components, but shot at different distances (say, 100 and 200 yards), the program adding the record automaticall to my db. I can then simply change the "Distance in Yards" using my pull-down menu. The program also calculates MOA using the variables of inches and distance.

The top image is a single record (obviously) as it would appear after a data search. The second image illustrates the pull-down menu for powder, which can be infinitely long (you just scroll down to chase "values").

Obviously, you can import images to it (I'd love to say this is a typical 5 shot group, but sadly it ain't . . . ).

 

[PigButtons]

I use FileMaker Pro. I created a simple flat file database with pull down menues for components I use all the time (specific firearms, calibers, powders, case mfgrs, primers type/mfgr, bullet mfgrs and bullet types, etc.)

I can easily add new entries to each of the pull down menus as I need or want to.

The huge advantge to all this is searching: I can search using the same pull-down menus, so I never miss something by an incorrect designation. For example, my pull-down menu for powder lists "H 4895." It avoids me having entered "H4895" or "H-4895" and missing a load I want.

I can search for a single rifle, a single bullet or any combination of variables that tickles my fancy.

I can also duplicate a record which is very handy if I shoot the same combination of components, but shot at different distances (say, 100 and 200 yards), the program adding the record automaticall to my db. I can then simply change the "Distance in Yards" using my pull-down menu. The program also calculates MOA using the variables of inches and distance.

The top image is a single record (obviously) as it would appear after a data search. The second image illustrates the pull-down menu for powder, which can be infinitely long (you just scroll down to chase "values").

Obviously, you can import images to it (I'd love to say this is a typical 5 shot group, but sadly it ain't . . . ).


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Awesome work, and I appreciate the effort and skills to be able to make something like that. I'm sure it serves you well and I am impressed. But the price tag is a little more than I had hoped to spend. Before deciding on note books I looked into some of the open source DB apps.
Thanks for showing us your A game.

 

[Antoviola]

I use FileMaker Pro. I created a simple flat file database with pull down menues for components I use all the time (specific firearms, calibers, powders, case mfgrs, primers type/mfgr, bullet mfgrs and bullet types, etc.)

I can easily add new entries to each of the pull down menus as I need or want to.

The huge advantge to all this is searching: I can search using the same pull-down menus, so I never miss something by an incorrect designation. For example, my pull-down menu for powder lists "H 4895." It avoids me having entered "H4895" or "H-4895" and missing a load I want.

I can search for a single rifle, a single bullet or any combination of variables that tickles my fancy.

I can also duplicate a record which is very handy if I shoot the same combination of components, but shot at different distances (say, 100 and 200 yards), the program adding the record automaticall to my db. I can then simply change the "Distance in Yards" using my pull-down menu. The program also calculates MOA using the variables of inches and distance.

The top image is a single record (obviously) as it would appear after a data search. The second image illustrates the pull-down menu for powder, which can be infinitely long (you just scroll down to chase "values").

Obviously, you can import images to it (I'd love to say this is a typical 5 shot group, but sadly it ain't . . . ).


View attachment 1305778

View attachment 1305779

You know where I can find this software

 

[LGKLAS]

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 have a book for each rifle. And also keep a list of 'best loads'.

 

[bloc]

You know where I can find this software

You can probably pick up early versions of it on ebay or Amazon for far less than the most recent version. You absdolutely do not need to spend top dollar to get started.

If you decide to go the FMP route, I would recommend getting a decent book geared to whatever version you have. There are times when a reference book is useful.

I actually built my db on (I believe) version 2.0 which was a pure flat-file db. Over the years, every now and again, I'd update.

Several versions later (v.5?) Claris added a relational capability to it and it began to take off (v.5 was my favorite). If memory serves, the first relational version allowed only (!) 20,000 files (or thereabouts). Then they upped the capacity to some ungodly number of records and it became suitable for commercial use.

My db is purely flat file (I don't use the relational capability of my version — I'm lazy). I was attracted to it initially because it was very easy to create a db that looked good and worked really well for what I wanted ("Have I ever loaded a 53 grain bullet with LT-32, and if so, what was the charge and how accurate was it?").

IMO, it doesn't take much to get things working adequately. And by that I mean adding pull-down menus with their "value lists" (the "value list" is simply a list of options from which you can select what you want the field to display).

The glitz of the records I posted (colors, fonts, layout, etc.) is cosmetic. The power of searching, adding records and value lists, and modifying what you have entered is there from the get-go.

FWIW I don't think FMP is more difficult than Excel. In fact, I think it's easier in some ways. IMO - if your work emphasizes calculations, then Excel is hard to beat. If you are okay with fewer mathematical tools and want to emphasize searches, it's hard to beat FMP.

Sorry for the length of this.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I use FileMaker Pro. I created a simple flat file database with pull down menues for components I use all the time (specific firearms, calibers, powders, case mfgrs, primers type/mfgr, bullet mfgrs and bullet types, etc.)

I can easily add new entries to each of the pull down menus as I need or want to.

The huge advantge to all this is searching: I can search using the same pull-down menus, so I never miss something by an incorrect designation. For example, my pull-down menu for powder lists "H 4895." It avoids me having entered "H4895" or "H-4895" and missing a load I want.

I can search for a single rifle, a single bullet or any combination of variables that tickles my fancy.

I can also duplicate a record which is very handy if I shoot the same combination of components, but shot at different distances (say, 100 and 200 yards), the program adding the record automaticall to my db. I can then simply change the "Distance in Yards" using my pull-down menu. The program also calculates MOA using the variables of inches and distance.

The top image is a single record (obviously) as it would appear after a data search. The second image illustrates the pull-down menu for powder, which can be infinitely long (you just scroll down to chase "values").

Obviously, you can import images to it (I'd love to say this is a typical 5 shot group, but sadly it ain't . . . ).


View attachment 1305778

View attachment 1305779

If there's a rather simple data base application for a personal/custom set up, FileMaker Pro is an excellent way to go. . . especially as a flat file database. I first used FileMaker Pro 1.0 on my Macintosh+ back in the early 90's (lol . . . I still have the original disks, box and material that was sold and have kept it for nostalgic sake). It was so simple and easy to use and they've pretty much kept those qualities about it. Current version is easy to customize and for this reason, I've always like the FileMaker app.

But as much as I like FileMaker, I still find Excel a better way to go . . . for me. Using Excel's sort function I can sort the data is various ways to look at and compare all the related data I've recorded. For example, if I want to find the loads that worked well at a certain temperature for a particular powder and bullet, I'll sort on those things and look at those at that temperature I'm interested in and can see all the results and load details involved. If I want to know how has 42.5 grs IMR-4064 performed for me, I'll sort on those two things and see how it was loaded and the measurement results for the times I've loaded it. The user input on Excel is not a pretty as FileMaker, but it handles the data quite well.

I just don't feel one can really go wrong with either choice and Excel is simply my preference. If saving pictures of the results alongside the data, then FileMaker would be the way to go.

 

[Jet]

Each barrel gets its own folder. Start out with all the specs once it has been cut (gunsmith, chamber, weight, twist, etc) then everything that gets shot through it gets recorded. This includes barrel break in, load development, throat erosion, round count, and accuracy as compared to other shooters on relay.

 

[bloc]

If there's a rather simple data base application for a personal/custom set up, FileMaker Pro is an excellent way to go. . . especially as a flat file database. I first used FileMaker Pro 1.0 on my Macintosh+ back in the early 90's (lol . . . I still have the original disks, box and material that was sold and have kept it for nostalgic sake). It was so simple and easy to use and they've pretty much kept those qualities about it. Current version is easy to customize and for this reason, I've always like the FileMaker app.

But as much as I like FileMaker, I still find Excel a better way to go . . . for me. Using Excel's sort function I can sort the data is various ways to look at and compare all the related data I've recorded. For example, if I want to find the loads that worked well at a certain temperature for a particular powder and bullet, I'll sort on those things and look at those at that temperature I'm interested in and can see all the results and load details involved. If I want to know how has 42.5 grs IMR-4064 performed for me, I'll sort on those two things and see how it was loaded and the measurement results for the times I've loaded it. The user input on Excel is not a pretty as FileMaker, but it handles the data quite well.

I just don't feel one can really go wrong with either choice and Excel is simply my preference. If saving pictures of the results alongside the data, then FileMaker would be the way to go.

I agree completely . . . Excel vs FMP is largely a matter of preference and IMO both are better than paper records especially when it comes to searching. But we electronic people have to remember to back-er-up . . .

I prefer ease and absolute reproducability of data entry both of which are ensured by way of the pull-down menu value-lists, both for adding new records and for searching. If I'm enter a lot of records, it's especially nice: if I've shot the same rifle (for example) at multiple distances and/or with different loads, simply duplicating the first load entered and changing one or two variables is simplicity on stilts.

Using those pull-down menus, it's virtually impossible to make typos. (I suspect one can use the "copy/paste" functions of Excel to the same end, but I think that would take more manual data entry — which is where I tend to make typos.)

The only data I enter manually on a regular basis is powder charge and group size in inches. Oh . . . and date shot. For every other data field I use an autofill (date record created) or the value-lists (which I keep adding to as need arises).

When, from time to time, my compulsive side grabs my attention, I also manually enter BC, Comments [load seems hot; full value 10 mph wind; etc.), COAL, scope settings, velocity, and other such ancillary things.

And I do like to view the targets when I'm looking at data. No, I love looking at the targets with my data! (Mostly . . . )

Say — thanks for noting temperature. I hadn't considered that (DOH!), but I can easily add a field to my FMP db and fill it in manually. Then I can add it to a search string using ">. . .<" function!

I appreciate your thoughts. You've obviously got a really good system working for you.

 

[BartsBullets]

You guys are impressive!

I just write the seating depth and load on the side of the barrel with a magic marker.

Bart

 

[jackson1]

Bart I'm not impressive. Once I have developed a load. all pertinent information is recorded on those little cards given to me in bullet boxes and stuck on the inside on an ammo box. If I have more than 1 bullet, the stickers can be placed on the outside. For me the KISS method works best.

 

[Hengehold]

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.

That is what I do also. $1 notebook for each barrel with details about loads and rds fired for barrel round count/barrel life. When I am complete with working up a load I put the final load info into my “book of loads” which contains the pet loads I have developed for every barrel I have ever used.

My aggregate “book of loads” is the quick reference guide that is helpful when getting started with a new barrel and the the $1 notebooks are rarely used after its corresponding barrel is shot out.

I use excel daily at work and putting all this in a spreadsheet is very tempting but it is subject to being lost through computer/ software issues. The analog version is fail-proof.

-Trevor

 

[Hudge76]

I use a notebook for each of my guns I reload for. As mentioned you can write not enough, but never too much is what I’ve learned.