reloading data keeping track.

[Junnie]

I can't remember either on this board or another. Discussion on keeping track of loading data on the cartridge box. The thread was rather lengthy with lots of good ideas ,, can't find. Help. Junnie

 

[Johnny_V]

I created some labels around 6 years ago and posted them on Cast Boolits. You can find them here.

 

[Ralph Littlefield]

Something like this help?

https://www.redding-reloading.com/images/LoadSheetLabels/ReddLabel.pdf

 

[Darrin]

I like to use these labels.

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00008ll1/reloading-labels-for-pistol-and-rifle-50-pack

-Darrin

 

[Cemetery21]

Or these:

https://www.frankfordarsenal.com/am...MI-Nupjfvx6AIVqPfjBx2vmAhkEAQYASABEgJ2t_D_BwE

Jim

 

[Papa Charlie]

I don't like the stickers, they are a pain to remove and modify so I created my own labels in Excel for the MT ammo boxes. I use self adhesive business card holders (Avery 73720) to attach them to the box on the outside. These are a pocket type of business card holder so I can change out the label any time I need.

I attached the Excel file for anyone interested.

Here is the link to the business card holders. https://www.staples.com/Avery-Self-...iness-Card-Holders-Clear-73720/product_448224

 

[rjtfroggy]

Had all my loads and info stored on the computer- with a back up drive.
Power failure zap fried drives = lost it all. Now trying to restore it all.

 

[Papa Charlie]

Had all my loads and info stored on the computer- with a back up drive.
Power failure zap fried drives = lost it all. Now trying to restore it all.

I have had that happen as well. Now I have all my computers, digital scales, etc running through Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS). This protects them from surges, brown outs and power losses. It also corrects for voltage drops, sine wave issues, etc. Yes they are kind of expensive at $200 (Cyberpower 1350 Sine Wave).

https://www.officedepot.com/a/produ...fQ-930V-BTJVhp4ruNUaAh2vEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[LaMan]

I'm going both ways lol. I've had enough computer issues to not totally trust them and after loosing years of written loading data on numerous rifles due to damage during a hurricane I'm doing a simple excel spread, filing type labels on ammo boxes and a master book of all targets with revelant load data.

 

[powderbrake]

Here is what I use. I bought a Labelwriter 450 Turbo from DYMO, and print these which fit on the plastic box.
Labeler is $76 on Amazon.

Caliber____6mmBR#2_____ Case ___Lapua
Bullet __Berger Hybrid #24433 Gr. _105
Powder___Varget________________ Gr. _30.0
Primer ___CCI BR-4____ Neck Bush. ____.267
Seat Length ___1.819_____Velocity fps __ 2847
Case Lot #P00633701/1602312
Bullet Lot # P0388 Primer Lot #_G15X21
Powder Lot #_80425165547
Date Loaded __FLSIZED___________________
______________________________________

I used to format them in WORD on my pc, then print them on 2" X 4" label sheets. Either way works.

NOTE: I include lot numbers of all the components. This has helped me when I had problems, it allows the manufacturer to cross check their data.

My data is almost all on paper. I save the target and the record sheet with powder, seat depth, velocity, group size, etc in a file folder for each barrel.

 

[Straightshooter1]

Had all my loads and info stored on the computer- with a back up drive.
Power failure zap fried drives = lost it all. Now trying to restore it all.

Yup, I know how that goes. Back in '88 I was working on a personal project on my computer and had about 2-3 days of solid work done and lost it all in a fraction of a second. Lesson learned and now I back my work up onto a drives that's not connected to the computer (an external floppy back then and now an external SSD drive). These days the possible loss of data is not only from some power failure, but from computer viruses, malware or ransomware. The "Cloud" is supposed be a good place to back things up to, but I don't even trust the cloud (I guess I'm too old to get comfortable with it), so everything goes onto external storage where I feel I have more control.

I've got stuff going back over 30 years having to migrate it from obsolete storage media to current technology so that I still have assess to it. But even so, some of the stuff is so old, there's no current application that will read it. The lesson here is to be sure to convert old data to new formats if you want to maintain it for a long time.

Because Excel is so universally used and likely to be maintained (like it has since the first Window's 2.05 version), I like using it for keep track of my shooting data. It's easy to manipulate and sort to find information I'm looking for in my data. Though Excel is getting to be pretty old school, I still find it to be a good platform for this kind of data.

Addendum: attached a sample of the load data spreadsheet I use

 

[Bill Norris]

I found this sheet years ago online and found it to work well for me. I punch holes in them for a three ring binder and/or slide them in the clear plastic page protectors which works even better.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have a book I keep all my info in. Also my ss cards, Hunter safety cards, firearms list w/sn's, and other things. Tried a computer program once, but when I upgraded to a new computer the guy was off line and out of business, so I couldn't reload the program. Thought about building an excel program but too much work. I also write my loads on the cartridge boxes.. My data goes back to the 70's...

 

[Straightshooter1]

I have a book I keep all my info in. Also my ss cards, Hunter safety cards, firearms list w/sn's, and other things. Tried a computer program once, but when I upgraded to a new computer the guy was off line and out of business, so I couldn't reload the program. Thought about building an excel program but too much work. I also write my loads on the cartridge boxes.. My data goes back to the 70's...

I don't have data going THAT far back. But, wondering if you find 70's data of any use, or is it just of some kind of historical value?

 

[Ackman]

I used to keep a record book, but stopped that. This is something Ackleyman II taught me in the mid 80's. Two (2) ziplocks, inner and outer. Inner bag holds loaded rounds, fired cases go between the two. Outer bag has brass headstamp and cartridge. Inner bag has all load information......Brass headstamp, chambering, load/powder, bullet, primer, and seating depth. The color coded outline tells which gun because in my case I'll have a couple of the same chambering. All this tells me what to load the next time with a certain bullet, quicker than digging out the targets. This is for the Red Gun. A split neck case gets seating depth which for that bunch of loads happened to be 2.870". A bag sits nicely on the hood of the truck and doesn't slide around. This system is - for me - a lot handier than plastic boxes and has worked very well.

 

[Ned Ludd]

I can't remember either on this board or another. Discussion on keeping track of loading data on the cartridge box. The thread was rather lengthy with lots of good ideas ,, can't find. Help. Junnie

I remember the thread you're talking about, but I looked and didn't find it either. FWIW - I always record the date, the specific rifle it's for, the Brass Lot#, the # of firings, and the exact load info (charge weight, seating depth, bullet, primer) on the ammo box. I've found if I don't do that, it is possible to mix up brass preps from two rifles of the same caliber if I'm not careful.

 

[JayHHI6818]

Here’s my labeling options to choose from. I write all of load info on sticker and stick it on inside of the ammo box lid.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I don't have data going THAT far back. But, wondering if you find 70's data of any use, or is it just of some kind of historical value?

All loads are for rifles and pistols I still have.. And some I don't. I refer to it when I need to.

I also put it on the box cover, or on the AR magazines.. I have 2 AR's and both use a different load. For my 2 .270's the boxes are marked with the firearm name. Same for any other arms I have more than one of.

I have 3 22-250's so each box is marked with the brand of the appropriate rifle.

 

[bloc]

I use Avery labels for each batch of cartridges. I simply write on each: Bullet weight, Mfg. and type. Primer Mfg. and Number. Powder type and charge weight. Case Mfg. and times resized. COL. Date reloaded.

For storing and retrieving my data (all of the above) and firearm I shot it in, the group size (inches and MOA), distance at which the group was shot, and number of shots of the group I use FileMaker Pro. I add velocity on a kind of ad-hoc basis, and I can include scope adjustments based on an "Index Load."

I use FileMaker Pro for this. I like it much better than Excel because I can add pull-down menus for each data entry box. This is a great option because when adding data and searching I never have to worry about proper search terms (did I enter H-4895, H 4895 or H4895? What am I missing?).

I can easily add to the menus if I add a powder, bullet or gun. Or subtract from them.

It's not for everyone, but once set up it's truly marvelous IMO.

 

[Straightshooter1]

For storing and retrieving my data (all of the above) and firearm I shot it in, the group size (inches and MOA), distance at which the group was shot, and number of shots of the group I use FileMaker Pro. I add velocity on a kind of ad-hoc basis, and I can include scope adjustments based on an "Index Load."

I use FileMaker Pro for this. I like it much better than Excel because I can add pull-down menus for each data entry box. This is a great option because when adding data and searching I never have to worry about proper search terms (did I enter H-4895, H 4895 or H4895? What am I missing?).

I can easily add to the menus if I add a powder, bullet or gun. Or subtract from them.

It's not for everyone, but once set up it's truly marvelous IMO.

FileMaker "Pro"!!!??? Fascinating!

The reason for the reaction is because I used to use it shortly after FileMaker first came in in 1985 for my Mac+. I highly regarded it as a simple and easy platform to keeping track of data (for a client base, in my case). I even kept the original box and it's contents until just a couple years ago and decided to give it away as a nostalgic museum piece. I wouldn't say it's better than Excel (though I can only imagine the improvements in the Pro version), for many reasons, but I guess it's been a nice piece work to still be on the market.