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Need help developing a log book

P1ZombieKiller

Silver $$ Contributor
I have never kept a detailed log book before, and would like to get some good advice on what info I need to keep and in what order. I'm building a new gun, and what better time to keep details records than from the get go. I'm planning on keeping it in a basic excel format,see attached basic form I have put together already) so that it can be sorted, printed, and/or shared easy.

Basic common sense tells me that I need to record each group as a single line entry, and not really each shot as a single line entry. I also assume I should keep an entire separate book/page for each rifle/pistol I choose to shoot instead of 1 book and list 3 different guns on the same sheet.

If anyone can share a copy of a book or format they use, I would GREATLY like to see other examples to get some good ideas.

Thanks,
WES
www.p1huntclub.com
 

Attachments

I use a Sinclair log book. This is what it has in it to fill out. All in a neat spiral bound full size,8.5x 11.0) note book. I wounldn't be without one.

Rifle,Cartridge,Barrel

Date/Temp/Hum
Case/Primer
Bullet/Weight
Powder/Charge
Seating Depth/Ext. Spread
High Vel./Low Vel.
Avg. Vel./Std. Dev
Group size/# of shots

And then a line for comments,
 
Some of the columns you have shared I think I can eliminate. For instance, I developed a load for one gun, and never really change it. So I was thinking I could put powder, bullet, and primer info on top of the sheet, and then not fill those out each time I shoot. I also do not chronograph every time I shoot.

Besides keeping track of a round count, and possible load variances, what other benefits do you get from keeping a detailed log like this?
 
P1ZombieKiller

For me it's mostly for load variance and what happens at different environmental conditions and what happens to those tiny little groups at longer distances. I'm gettin old and my memory ain't what it used to be.

Also, I used to be on a constant search for an even better load!! No matter how well a load shot, I would still continue searching for an even better load. Without accurate data, after a few years you end up re-testing stuff you already did years ago.

I don't chrono all loads either. If you do though you'll begin to gather enough data to accurately know the velocity changes from your rifle at different environmental conditions which can make it much easier to produce accurate range cards.

Extreme spread and standard deviation as CoverDog mentioned would be worthwhile also.
 
I have to carry a notebook with me from my loading bench to the range and vise-versa in order to not loose any info I might have gathered about variables etc. I just make entries by date.

A spreadsheet would only work for me if I would take the time to transfer data from paper to digital each and every time I shot....That won't happen.
 
relliott said:
P1ZombieKiller


I don't chrono all loads either. If you do though you'll begin to gather enough data to accurately know the velocity changes from your rifle at different environmental conditions which can make it much easier to produce accurate range cards.

Now I think I'm on to something. I can see a HUGE benefit to the range cards. I'm new to shooting past 200 yards, so I did not even think about the conditions causing the bullet path to change.
 

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