Keeping Up With All Your Data!!

[nakneker]

Keeping data on my rifles is something I continue to get better at, wasn’t my strong point but I’m getting better and better. I keep detailed notes on most of my bolt guns, I have notebook with sections for each rifle that shows everything I need to know. I also bought a small inkless printer that prints little stickers. I will print a sticker for each 50 round ammo box that has the load, the OAL, the velocity and how many firings on that brass. It’s easy to do.

I added the OAL and velocity so I have that info in the field. You never know when something will fail and leave you hanging, with the velocity on the box I can rework my dope if needed and verify In the field.

 

[RussellJ]

For myself, an excel spreadsheet.

 

[hoz53]

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 do name them. I admit it.

 

[hoz53]

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.

good idea- im gonna start doing that with the primer boxes.

 

[Richard Jones]

I use a spreadsheet. Different file for each barrel. Different tabs for brass, barrel, bullet (shows seating depths of any bullet compared to the touch number, case length, etc. It can be adapted to any bullet and gives distance to lands, adequate bearing, etc.) Tabs for reamer print, primer depth, targets, how to prep/form that particular case, etc. Sounds like a lot, but it's probably not enough. Load data tab shows load, test #, date, primer, brass, etc., along with any notes.

 

[Oso]

I have a Belt & Suspenders approach. I have my Reloading Notebook that has all of my notes and load data by cartridge and rifle. This is what I take out to the range to record data. Depending on at what stage I am in on load development I may keep the target, but at very least I take a picture of it with key details (load data, avg. velocity of group, distance, wind, temp).

It wasn't long before my notebook started getting cluttered so I started an Excel Workbook that had tabs for Powder Data Sheet (notes on their best use and any concerns), Cartridge Spec Sheet, Rifles Spec Sheet (chamber details, etc), Load Development Sheet for each Cartridge. Here is a small sample of data that I recorded on the Load Development Sheet for 6.5 Grendel. Apparently, I was using 3 shot groups for this... you'll note that that it is set up for 5 shot groups (2 blank cells). I was lazy and didn't record the case fill in the first set (empty cells highlighted in yellow).


The Excel spreadsheet allows me to organize my data and get a cleaner view of all the data and add meaningful notes. This is much easier to track and review while I'm in the reloading room.

 

[Jager]

My Handloading Log was a 3-ring binder for decades. Several years ago I re-input everything into an Excel workbook, one tab for each cartridge/rifle. Makes it world's easier to manage and find information. Or to know at a glance how many rounds a barrel has through it.

All pertinent details of the load, the rifle, and field results are captured. Load workup targets are quickly imaged (with a smartphone) and inserted next to their respective load number(s). As are screenshot summaries (likewise, from Excel) of things like seating depth tests; or PNG files of things like seating force consistency from an AMP press. Images of QuickLoad prints. Full chrono results are captured elsewhere, in individual Excel workbooks, but average velocity is always carried over to the main handloading log. And sometimes a summary chrono snapshot if I'm running a test where that's relevant.

My HANDLOADING LOG is probably the most important single computer file I own.

 

[chromatica]

I keep an Excel spreadsheet of all the parameters for each loading session. When I am on the range, I break out a small spiral notebook (one for each rifle) and make notes. If I am doing a ladder test I record the velocity of each round. When I recover my target, I mark the charge weights on each bull. (I drew up some targets using a CAD program on my computer. I print these out on 11x17 paper.) When I get home I record the velocities in an Excel spreadsheet which uses Excel functions to compute average, standard deviation, and extreme spread. These quantities are in columns to the right of all my loading parameters. I fold and punch the targets and store them in a 3 ring binder.

 

[Belton45]

I appreciate the help on this. I see I’m not alone with my data keeping. Great ideas!!

 

[Chris Edmondson]

I keep an Excel spreadsheet of all the parameters for each loading session. When I am on the range, I break out a small spiral notebook (one for each rifle) and make notes. If I am doing a ladder test I record the velocity of each round. When I recover my target, I mark the charge weights on each bull. (I drew up some targets using a CAD program on my computer. I print these out on 11x17 paper.) When I get home I record the velocities in an Excel spreadsheet which uses Excel functions to compute average, standard deviation, and extreme spread. These quantities are in columns to the right of all my loading parameters. I fold and punch the targets and store them in a 3 ring binder.

Same here, and like Bill, I save the Excel files in Google Drive. I take pictures of the targets and save them along with the spreadsheets. Except for my 4 MOA targets which are folded, crushed, shredded and stored in the recycle bin .

 

[Bill Norris]

Same here, and like Bill, I save the Excel files in Google Drive. I take pictures of the targets and save them along with the spreadsheets. Except for my 4 MOA targets which are folded, crushed, shredded and stored in the recycle bin .

Yea, we can't hang onto all that paper. If I keep a target I will most of the time clip it with scissors and shred the leftover stuff.

 

[JFrank]

I keep targets and a logbook for each barrel.

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[Texas Solo]

I keep a notebook for each rifle.
When I get home from the range, putting the info in the book is my 1st priority.
I record the date, conditions, number of rounds fired, load, and anything that happened on that trip.
I note if I was or was not comfortable on the rifle in my setup.
I record anything I was particularly working on, such as trigger pull, etc.
Of course I record the score if it was a match and how I finished.

The data in my notes really helps. Sometimes I forget if I've already tried something.
Going back and reading the notes helps.

 

[OmegaRed]

Step one (and maybe the most important): Buy a label maker. Label everything. For throw away labels, use masking tape then rip it off after.

Step two : create a standard form for every process that needs to be notated. Example: I have a simple 5 page per sheet cutout that fits a reloading box or tray. This has all the steps of my reloading process (resize, trim, deburr, etc.). It has a line for a handwritten "X" when that step is completed. This paper follows the brass around until its finished being reloaded so that when you come back to that random brass in a reloading tray, you know what lot, what gun, what caliber, and what step in the reloading process its on. when you seat bullets, it gets thrown in the garbage.



Step three: create a standard ammo top card that goes in every box of finished loaded ammo. this includes things like load data, dope, number of reloads, etc. be sure to include measurements for shoulder bump, bushing size, die settings. I use the top yardages for MOA measurements and the bottom for number of clicks. Different guns/scopes make it easier one way and others the other way.




Step four: shot data - I run a dirty mix of pictures, google drive, excel sheets. This is redundant of most of my ammo top box data, but i keep the different tests here so i can see when things repeat and it's a "final version" of load data...because well...it changes from time to time.



When one of these gets too muddy with scratch outs or notes, they get recopied, repasted, and old thrown out. Nothing worst than two versions of the same thing with different info and you're on the line not knowing which to trust. I find it important to have different ways to access it, because we've all showed up at the range with a day full of load work and forgot some key component, like which things are labeled or the scope settings. Paper and digital backup is good insurance against your own stupidity.

 

[Belton45]

I’m off to a good start. Had a new barrel on a Tikka and figured to start with that one. Picked up a labeler from Staples last night as well. Have detailed load notes stored on phone for now until I get an Excell sheet up and going.

 

[dave@aDave]

As above,
EXCEL
I keep the original on my desk top.
And copies on 2 external hard drives
I have maintained, and operated computers since 1971.
It is not IF a computer hard drive will fail, but WHEN.

 

[Vandelayindustries]

I just keep one of these for each rifle/load in a 3 ring binder

 

[ggshoots]

Some great systems brought up. I will try to add them to the other dozen systems I use. Lol If I can just remember where I keep them.

 

[Straightshooter1]

For me Excel is the easy button for recording and tracking my shooting data. What I like most about it is being able to sort that data in such a way for comparisons. I used to save all my targets with dates and some data on them, but I find I don't need the pics as long as I have the data from it (like, group mean radius, ES, MOA, distance fired from, etc.). And if I need to make a unique note for a particular piece of data, every cell in the spreadsheet can easily attach a note. Also, I can have various sheets with different information that I access with the tabs at the bottom. These other sheets contain information collected from various sources and can be pictures as well. Over time, I've added columns for additional data I want to tract and added tabs for various related shooting information. . . all makes for easy access.

Here's what that looks like (and note the little red marks in the Primer column indicating a note has been entered that I can read just by clicking on it):

Here the tab I use for keeping track of case volumes:


The only paper I use is a sheet that I keep with each batch of brass showing what's been done to them each time they're processed and the number of firings.

Having been an aircraft mechanic, recording the many details of what's done has become a habit with me. But I'm sure it's not something many people are inclined to do.