Record Keeping!!

[Belton45]

I'm probably the worlds worst at record keeping. Just curious what everyone uses to keep proper records on their reloading. I really need to do a better job at it. For people that do keep records do you keep the records for each gun, for instance a notebook for each gun?

 

[searcher]

Having good data on a label; powder, powder weight, primer, brass make, length as measured by O.A.L or a guage, which die was used to size, which bushing, what the necks were turned to, bullet, # of firings, whether annealed, lot #'s on components and date ammo was loaded are good things to put on every box of ammo. Perhaps most important is what specific gun they are for. Without this data, someone could die after using ammo in the wrong gun, one of my biggest concerns. (i.e. regular ammo in a tight-neck)Also makes it easy to remember what the heck I did long after I made the magic stuff.

 

[minnesotamulisha]

I use a spreadsheet on google docs. This way I can access it from my phone at the range. I have multiple sheets setup in a wworkbook. Some for load data, some for rifle data. If you google "reloading spreadsheet" I'm sure you will find a few you can use as a template and modify them to fit your needs.

 

[noload]

spiral notebook with tabs for each barrel, & scope numbers for yardages, and loads. Example of a tab would be 6br Krieger 30" 1.25 STR. Note book has plastic covers (water proof), and info for many barrels, 1 book is better than 6, when that fills up with info start a new one.

 

[Shynloco]

Much the same, except I keep a record book for each caliber I load for and keep that book on my reloading table. I then have another book I carry to the range and record what rifle/caliber I shot that day, what the loads (details of the loads) including bullet, powder & weight and the ojive seating measurement and how well or badly the loads shot. Getting old means I can't remember a lot of detail months later so I can refer to BOTH record sources should my loads need to be recalled plus, I have a history of the number of rounds down a particular barrel.

Alex

 

[Dakota_Mike]

I keep a 1" 3-ring binder for each barrel. Round count, load data and all targets for that barrel are in the binder.

 

[SS427]

I record all my load data on the top of my targets. I save all my targets in a three ring binder. Once the binder gets full I scan all the pages into PDF files. The entire history of the barrel and rifle are saved for as long as I need them.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I keep a note book per rifle. I use pre-printed check lists for brass prep and stick them into the note book when brass prep is completed. When I load some brass I record the load details in the note book and in the ammunition box. I still find when I go back through my notes that I haven't recorded all the details that I should have. I'll record the spec of a new barrel when it comes back from the rifle smith. Also note scope changes.

I keep chrono results in a spreadsheet so that they can be analysed. I generally shoot at A4 targets and keep them on file. If I've shot at a larger target, I may take a photo and print that off to add to the file.

I'll use OnTarget to measure group sizes and write them onto the targets.

I've also got a Word document recording my set up of Applied Ballistics App and a spreadsheet for documenting details of a session using the App.

Regards

JCS

 

[BenPerfected]

I use a spreadsheet on google docs. This way I can access it from my phone at the range. I have multiple sheets setup in a wworkbook. Some for load data, some for rifle data. If you google "reloading spreadsheet" I'm sure you will find a few you can use as a template and modify them to fit your needs.

Would you be willing to share your spread sheet?
Ben

 

[minnesotamulisha]

I use a spreadsheet on google docs. This way I can access it from my phone at the range. I have multiple sheets setup in a wworkbook. Some for load data, some for rifle data. If you google "reloading spreadsheet" I'm sure you will find a few you can use as a template and modify them to fit your needs.

Would you be willing to share your spread sheet?
Ben

Hi Ben, yes I would share it. PM me your email address and I will send it to you.

 

[338 Mollett]

I'm probably the worlds worst at record keeping. Just curious what everyone uses to keep proper records on their reloading. I really need to do a better job at it. For people that do keep records do you keep the records for each gun, for instance a notebook for each gun?

I keep a spare boot for my buttocks on the same issue!Nothing like repeating experiments :

 

[Ledd Slinger]

You can keep all of your targets in a dedicated filing cabinet. Keep data of your accurate loads hand written in a manual and on your ammo boxes. If you are using a computer spread sheet, that's much easier, but your computer can crash. Would also be wise to keep your spread sheet on a USB jump drive as well so that you have a back-up if your computer crashes. If you lose the manual, jump drive and the computer goes dead, you should be able to go back to your targets if you keep them as well. Takes a little time and good organization to file it all away, but it will save you a lot of time not having to re-test everything should something ever happen.

 

[jvw2008]

I like to use one Composition Notebook (Walmart school supplies) dedicated to each rifle or pistol. No spiral spring to catch or rub on things in my range bag, pages are bound to a durable plastic cover so they won't tear out, small enough to fit most anywhere but still plenty of writing room. I use it as a diary for its firearm - everything gets recorded there - barrel break in, modifications such as trigger change, cleaning cycle with solutions used, load work up, etc. My one experience trying to use a lap top at the range was a disaster since I couldn't see the screen in the sun. I do like the computer though to store targets. After shooting I select just the appropriate ones, capture them in a picture and store them in a dated picture file which I can cross reference with the dates in the notebook. No mater what system you use - there is no substitute for chronological notes when you are trying to squeeze that last 1/4 MOA out of your groups.

Jerry

 

[CPorter]

I do several things. I keep my targets with all the information in separate binders for each rifle. I have a spiral notebook to take to the range and at the reloading bench. I also use RSI Shooting Lab software to collate and keep track of it all. The information can be exported to a spreadsheet to further analyze.

http://www.shootingsoftware.com/ballistics.htm
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxjYXJscG9ydGVyc3NpdGV8Z3g6NDZkZTg1ODJhZjY0ZDVjOQ

 

[jcampbellsmith]

You can keep all of your targets in a dedicated filing cabinet. Keep data of your accurate loads hand written in a manual and on your ammo boxes. If you are using a computer spread sheet, that's much easier, but your computer can crash. Would also be wise to keep your spread sheet on a USB jump drive as well so that you have a back-up if your computer crashes. If you lose the manual, jump drive and the computer goes dead, you should be able to go back to your targets if you keep them as well. Takes a little time and good organization to file it all away, but it will save you a lot of time not having to re-test everything should something ever happen.

A few of the posts indicate the users are already using cloud storage not local storage, so losing a single device won't impact on accessing the cloud data at all.

Regards

JCS

 

[jlow]

Digital is best as it does not take a lot of room (and it will pile up very quickly if you shoot a lot and I do...) and is much easier to access once you get lots of stuff. Mine is organized in different folders according to the gun/year/date. The title gives you an immediate idea of what the outing is about. All the reloading stuff is in an Excel spreadsheet and digital images of the case head/primer, hand written notes from the range outing, Ohler 35P printout, and targets (raw and after OnTarget calculations) are also in the same folder.

I use a laptop in the basement when I am reloading and all the files are in an high capacity USB drive. When I am done, I harmonize the files in exact duplicate folder in my desktop PC upstairs. That way, I can use the same files in both area and the software that keeps the files harmonize only updates the new/changed files. That way I also always have at least two copies of the files.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

You can keep all of your targets in a dedicated filing cabinet. Keep data of your accurate loads hand written in a manual and on your ammo boxes. If you are using a computer spread sheet, that's much easier, but your computer can crash. Would also be wise to keep your spread sheet on a USB jump drive as well so that you have a back-up if your computer crashes. If you lose the manual, jump drive and the computer goes dead, you should be able to go back to your targets if you keep them as well. Takes a little time and good organization to file it all away, but it will save you a lot of time not having to re-test everything should something ever happen.

A few of the posts indicate the users are already using cloud storage not local storage, so losing a single device won't impact on accessing the cloud data at all.

Regards

JCS

I see. Jump drives do not require any sort of internet connection and can easily be locked up in a safe with other important documents and they dont take up hardly any room. Cloud would be good as an additional back-up, but I would still keep a jump drive for those occasions when an internet provider's service is down.

 

[Belton45]

I just downloaded Google Drive and Google Docs. Will see if I can learn how that works. Is that just an online file storage place u can access from different devices?

 

[Ledd Slinger]

There's also some good smart phone apps that are a little more convenient for inputting data at the range immediately after firing a group.

 

[Belton45]

The more I think about I have a few apps things I think could help. I have Tinyscan on my iphone which generates a pdf file from a pic. I could see where this could be beneficial.