[presspuller]

Does anyone here use an Excel sheet for their reloading and shooting log? Or any other computer base program.

If so would you mine shooting me an email with a copy?

Thanks a million.

[ReloaderFred]

I use the Lyman logbook. I've had several computers crash on me and I lost all data when they did. Call me old fashioned, but I just don't trust these new fangled gadgets that much. Pen and paper best serves my needs. I've got two 3 ring binders, one for rifle loads and one for pistol loads. They are divided by caliber and each batch I load goes into the logbook. I do make my labels with the Works Mailing Label program and I know what's loaded into each box of ammo.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[PeteQuad]

I use composition notebooks (bought at flea market for 50 cents each) for my logs, and labels bought at staples for stickers (I write on them). I use computers all day at work and tend to stay away from them with respect to my shooting/reloading hobby.

I have been thinking of printing the labels though.

[Wedge]

Just use a spiral notebook and then have index cards in little recipe box for my reloading recipes.

Both my wife and I are thinking of getting a Dymo type labler.

[DWARREN123]

I use Lee's Shooter software.

[308win]

Alliant has logs on their site under Advanced Reloading. They are Adobe format.

[RexDart]

Both my wife and I are thinking of getting a Dymo type labler.

I use the Dymo LabelWriter 400 at work, and it's a dandy unit. Easy to set up, easy to use. Planning to acquire another for home use, specifically for labeling ammo boxes.

[Gewehr98]

Here's a screen capture:

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=59881&stc=1&d=1182798458

Pretty nice, and I believe it uses Excel for the database behind the pretty dialog boxes.

[Mark whiz]

I use the Lee Software also. But I print out hard copies of my loads everytime I change anything on the database and keep it in a notebook.

For my blackpowder loads, I have formatted a "Word" document to keep all my acceptable loads handy - again I always have at least 1 hardcopy on hand in my notebook with all my load data.

[mc223]

I use Point Blank. It is a free download.

http://www.6mmbr.com/ballistics.html

[RexDart]

Evaluating the differing solutions available for reloading data has reached one insurmountable hurdle for this neophyte: what is all this recorded data FOR?

In other words, why would I want to keep track of all this? Obviously, recording the "formula" to reproduce a successful (whatever that is) round is useful. But some of the reloading programs audited request a baffling array of data, even sometimes tying a load to a particular firearm.

Help the tyro: what data do you record, and why do you consider it important?

[Gewehr98]

That includes a separate bound book on the shooting bench as I fire those handloads, with range data regarding chronographed velocity, temp, winds, altitude, humidity, lighting conditions, etc. Bullet impacts do change with the environmental variables.

I'm looking for the best performance out of a given gun/ammo combination, with respect to accuracy, velocity, cleanliness, cycling, ease of chambering/extraction, and even thumping qualities come Bambi time.

I also have several obsolete and wildcat chamberings in my collection. I have to work up those handloads basically from scratch, because published data just isn't there. 29.0gr of AA1680 will give good accuracy out of a 7.62x45 Czech VZ-52 rifle. 27.0gr will produce keyholing from the same gun.

I run some serious loads out of my Desert Eagle. Accurate Arms was kind enough to list a separate load section for the gun in one of their volumes, otherwise I had to work them up myself when using WW296 or Alliant 2400.

Good documentation on my part lets me know when I'm on the right track for a wonderful load, and allows me to repeat that load, or not repeat loads that didn't work so great for whatever reasons.

So, yeah, I document my handloads, be it in a bound book, ammo box label, a computer database, or a combination of all three. I also document my available ammo inventory, and even a reloading components inventory. ;)

[308win]

1. Unfortunately a load does not shoot the same in every firearm.

[presspuller]

Thanks guys. This has been very helpful.

[dodgestdshift]

I use the following form kept on the computer and in a loose leaf notebook:


CALIBER ______________________________ GUN ______________________________

BULLET/
BALLISTIC COEFFICIENT ______________________________________________/ ______

PRIMER ______________________________________________________________________

POWDER ______________________________________________ WEIGHT(gns) _______

CASE ________________________________________________________________________

CASE LENGTH (in) ____________ CARTRIDGE LENGTH OVERALL(in) _____________


DIE SETTINGS

SIZER __________________

EXPANDER __________________

SEATER __________________ SETTING LENGTH (in) ___________

CRIMPER _________________ SETTING _______________________


RESULTS

DATE ________________ TEMPERATURE _________________________

CONDITIONS _______________________________________________________________

GROUP SIZE(in) ________ @ ________ NUMBER OF SHOTS IN GROUP ________

RECORDED VELOCITIES @ ___ft DATE _________ TEMPERATURE _________

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

AVERAGE VELOCITY __________ EXTREME SPREAD _______________

STANDARD DEVIATIONS _____________ _______________


COMMENTS

[RexDart]

DIE SETTINGS

SIZER __________________

EXPANDER __________________

SEATER __________________ SETTING LENGTH (in) ___________

CRIMPER _________________ SETTING _______________________



And how are these measurements determined?

[Hoosier Reloader]

I use the small spirial bound "Sinclair Reloading Book".
Works well for me, I can throw it the range bag & record the conditions, results, ect, as shot.

[dodgestdshift]

Rexdart:

Sizer - Not really measured, since all loads for a given caliber have the same sizer setting since I seldom neck size. Can be used to indicate neck sizing or full length sizing.

Expander - Again not really measured, but if differing cases require different settings to expand properly, you could indicate the settings.

Seater - I have 2 different dies for one of my calibers, this will indicate which die I will use.

Setting length (in.) - Critical. Different bullets require different settings of the die to get the proper length. All the books I have read on the subject recommend keeping a dummy round which is used to set the die for loading that bullet. I never could make this work to my satisfaction, so when I got the die seating the bullet to the proper length, I used my caliper to measure the total length of the die, when it gave me the proper cartridge length I recorded it. When resetting the die for this bullet (this assumes you shoot different bullets in that caliber) just set the die to the recorded length using your caliper. It also assumes you never move the lock ring on the die.

Crimper - I use the Lee Factory Crimp Die so that is recorded here, if another brand I would record that.

Setting - I record the instructions to reset the die to get the required crimp. Probably the same setting will be used for every bullet and the setting never changed, but you never know.

Hope this helps. I am very happy with the results of measuring the length of the seater die from the top of the plug to the bottom of the die. I have never had the length overall go wrong after measuring the die. Most people could get away with only recording the seater settings. In fact, I just write standard for the settings of the other dies and never change them. The most important is the seater settings.

[RexDart]

Excellent information. Thank you.

[jes]

I use Filemaker Pro for both reloading and shooting logs.