Keeping track of recipes.

Google Drive spreadsheet for me that is synced to my home desktop in case the internet goes down.

I track
Bullet, powder, primer, OAL, distance from lands, SD, ES, velocity, accuracy, test loads tried, and probably a couple of more things depending on caliber

I have 3 binders from long ago that I still add things to at times. When I get a sheet of data from a hard copy source I still put it in the binders. I have hard copies of data from the powder manufactures and bullet manufacturers load data sites in a binder too.

These days I also use a spread sheet to store most of my data and test results. I'm a little embarrassed I don't keep all the information many of you do. I have a sheet for each type of cartridge like 30-30 or 38 Special but not separate pages for each load. I guess I should keep more information.

I have columns for:
Load ID number
Bullet manufacturer, Bullet weight and type, Bullet diameter
Case maker, Case trim length
Primer
Powder ID, Powder charge
COAL
The recorded AV if I run them over a chrono
Temperature
Accuracy notes (not in the order, wrote them as I recalled them lol)

Kaldor said:

Google Drive spreadsheet for me

Click to expand...

Same here.

Use of Chromebook is proliferating at our house due to low cost and files are easy to access anywhere from the cloud.

In many ways, THR has become my default backup repository of loads I have developed that are readily accessible by smart phone at the range (Yes, I get 4G LTE signals where I shoot and even miles out to the sea when fishing - Ain't technology wonderful? )

Here is a good example of what I do

On the base of the cartridge with a sharpie

This is what I use. Seems to work for me.
http://ultimatereloader.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/UR-Load-Data-Record-Book-2.0.pdf

I use these and it's working very well. Each load gets a page with the Bullet make, size weight and makeup, Powder charge weight, Primer, OAL, brass case used and how many made and the date loaded. Then subsequent loading of the same load get listed below in order with number loaded, brass used and the date, this way I can track the number of times I have loaded this load. I then reserve the back side for notes and comments on the load.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...295BE421468127C6E433295BE42146812&FORM=VDQVAP

https://www.quill.com/cardinal-3-ho..._N&gclid=CN3P5vKcz-MCFR2OxQId3qkIvQ&gclsrc=ds

The subject dividers are used to separate calibers.

I've gone to a spreadsheet per gun.

Lately for the last couple rifles I've been using the OCW method for load development. I ended up putting the charge weight formulas onto a spreadsheet to calculate the increments. Then it just seemed natural to record the rest of the data on the sheet. Before I knew it I had added the COAL tests to the mix and started importing the chronograph spreadsheets from my Labradar.

So each rifle has it's own spreadsheet with multiple tabs covering loads and chrono data.

I had to get away from the notecards. I got on this kick where I wanted to try a bunch of different powders, bullets, and primers because I started loading when you couldn't find anything. I now use a word document that I printed that has OAL with the comparator, bullet, BC, how far from lands, charge, primer, case and notes such as bla bla bla was too hot or this didn't shoot so well. I also started storing it on my computer. When I do a load workup I put a notecard in the box with the OAL, all the charges, primer, etc. When I shoot 5 shot groups and if it shoots bad it gets a sad face. If it shoots decent it gets a meh, face and shoots really good it gets a smiley face. I also record small videos of the target and say the charge so I have a backup incase the paper gets destroyed.

I’ve started making my notes specific to the gun and not the caliber. (As I see @Chuck R. is doing)

So in my log it’s:

A tab for the gun

Load specific data
- bullet, powder charge, case, primer, CBTO/distance to the lands, fps, ES, SD
- Load development targets

General gun info
- Round count on barrel
- Distance to lands (for tracking throat erosion and tying back to CBTO)

Ditto for me Nature boy. Every gun is an individual. I have 2 .222's, and they all like a different load and/or bullet.

OrangeCat said:

Cool that's what I thought it was.
Thanks for clarifying.

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I used different color markers and color in only the primers so that when I decap the marks are gone. You can have many marks without any chance of confusion. Don't forger, no mark on the primer is actually another choice for a mark lol.

I have a pretty complex set of spreadsheets that are all linked to each other in various ways with formulas and VB code. I have 1 spreadsheet that has all my loading data going back as far as 20yrs now. I have tons more data in my old paper manuals I kept for each gun. Still entering in old data on rainy days.

Then I have individual spreadsheets for rifle, pistol, or shotgun data all linked back to my master loading database with worksheets for rifle, pistol, and shotgun data. Each spreadsheet is designed drastically different. For rifles I usually load for all out accuracy and low volume as most of my rifles are custom single shot bolt guns with wildcat chambers. So I tract number of times cases are fired, neck turned diameters etc. But pistol is all bulk loaded and made to fire in any pistol I own for that caliber. None of my pistol ammo is made for a specific pistol. Then of course shotgun loading is completely different with the wading and spacers added in and wgt/size of the shot varying, etc.
But other things I built into these individual spreadsheets is when I fire my reloaded rounds I keep track of which guns they were fired in etc. That way I can keep track of round count per gun within reason and various other means of needed info including inventory control for when I need more primers or powder. The inventory spreadsheet that contains all of the loading data can report on how many rounds I have left in bulk loaded ammo for pistols or shotguns, things like that. Nothing on the internet gave me anything close to what I was looking for, so I've built it all myself over several years.
And the nice thing is that whenever I load rifle, pistol, or shotgun ammo I print out labels like jmorris does (use Avery labelsl from Staples or the like) with all data that is applicable including 1 of X data for shotgun and pistol ammo if I box it up. Those labels are on everything I have loaded. I assign my own Lot# every time I load ammo also. So that ammo loaded yesterday for 9mm isn't mixed with ammo loaded say last fall for 9mm also.

But as great as this sounds.... you still need to use your head and double check. Computers/formuals can mess things up once in awhile. Always double check your data before loading. I've never personally had a problem, but I'm a programmer by trade and yes things can happen even with your best effort to put in proper checks and balances into your designed system.

Steve

Wow, Steve in NC, that is quite a system. I'm guessing you are some sort of programer. As for me, I am a dinosaur qhen it comes to computers, I am envious of your system, but I guess I will stick to good old pen and paper for my reloading records.

I have been using this one from loaddata.com for about 2 yrs now and it works well.

When I find a load I really like (or one I really don't like) I write the load down on an index card, along with a note about what I liked or disliked about it, and put the index card in the die box.

Spreadsheet (LibreOffice, not Excel). But I also print out 4x6 'recipe' cards for the bench.

Walkalong said:

Yep, ever load up 10 each of two, three, or four powders with the same bullet and then spilled them?

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Yikes! I have not considered what I would do if I spilled the finished rounds after boxing them...I think I would have ended redoing them.

I might have to consider marking the rounds....

I put it on the box, bag, sack, ziplock, wooden crate I dump the finished product in.
At a minimum I put bullet weight make model and weigh, propellant with charge weight, primer make model type.

I'll do other things like if it's boxed up peel the label off the bullet box and tape it on the ammo box. Put some empty primer pack skins in with bulk packed ammo.

Otherwise it's hand written in the manual.