reloading log

I keep a notebook with dates and info. I’ll write load details and anything I noticed. Sometimes I’ll go back and note chronograph results along with anything else noticed after shooting.

I also now throw in the load details on printed off sheets into the container used to store the rounds.

I keep two versions:
-- a spreadsheet with a single line for each load and, when test shot, group size, and
-- a manual log that indicates measurements to use next time I load.

I keep a separate spreadsheet with chrono and group size results to be able to refer back to best loads.

I do it the old fashioned way, on paper. Lyman makes a book of pages for keeping track of data, and I copy it. I've got three binders, one for rifle and two for handgun calibers. Every round loaded goes into the logs, which are divided by caliber.

Hope this helps.

Fred

I have a blank bound book that I jot everything down in. It's not often I change anything about a load, so there's lots of "Date-- Number of rounds--" and then lots of ditto marks. It'd be pretty easy to do a spreadsheet or even a database, but I do plenty enough work on a computer as it is.

Walkalong said:

Here is a simple one for pistol. I stopped printing them out and just keep digital copies these days, saved in multiple places, including a flash drive in the safe. I did it in Excel, so I can adjust it, add to it, do whatever I want with it. I log more info with rifle, and much more with "match" rifle.

Click to expand...

That'll work fine until Microsoft comes out with Excel 365 Professional Plus for Hadoop and it can't open xls or xlsx files anymore.

-- says the guy who has some old Lotus123 files on Zip drives...

I also keep my data in Excel spread sheets. I have learned to keep lot number too. You will never know when you run into a problem with things, if your running stock for many years ago.

I use Excel. I have a different sheet for each caliber I load.

The data I track is pretty straightforward: Batch #, Primer, Powder, Charge, COL or BtO, and number of rounds loaded. I'll sometimes add comments about how well that batch performed or chrony readings I got.

The batch number is the date I loaded them in YYYYMMDD format - and I tag on a number after that in case I do more than one loading session in a day - such as 20171119-01.

For the calibers where I have bolt guns and I use BtO instead of COL I keep a log of, for each bullet I shoot, the ogive distance to the lands and the date I took that measurement.

Lastly, I have a Summary sheet which brings from each caliber's sheet the total number of rounds loaded in each caliber. I keep a (roughly accurate) list of reloading things I've bought and their price (not including components). I do a very rough "dollars saved" calculation. I don't justify my loading based on cost savings, but it's fun to have a rough idea of whether I'm upside down or not.

OR

I suggest starting with a simple bound book, around $2. Write the date, the caliber, and the batch #. Take notes on anything that you do making that batch that you will need to know in a year if you need to recreate that batch.

Your method will develop as you look at your notes. When you find yourself trying to remember something about a batch that isn't written down, add that data to the list of things you record.

My pistol batch notes can fit 4 to a page. Some rifle batches span two pages.

3 ring binder divided by caliber. I only do a few calibers so it can all fit. Each load gets a page, and I can swap the pages around how ever I want.

Paper records for me. I keep the load data---casing, propellant, primer, bullet, and seating depth. Then note if it was a good load or not, group size and distance shot. I do it for bad loads as well so I do not attempt to do it again and waste time/components. I also put a data slip in the bag/box of loaded ammo with bullet type, primer, propellant and amount, along with date loaded. I do not bother keeping track of times loaded on brass or number of loaded rounds total each year although I know I go through 35K-40K primers on a slow year.

I keep mine on 1) 5X7 Cards, as well as 2) Excel Spreadsheet, and 3) MS Access Database. Also, 3 ring binder divided by caliber. Each load gets a divider from Access Database, sorted and presented on 5X7 Card Size or Grouped Tabular for the 3 Rind Book. Pretty handy for the 12 - 15 calibers I reload.

Works well for me.

Dan

Excel for me.
Caliber, bullet, powder, wt, gun/barrel length, chrono data if available, notes on load

I keep all my work up loads info so I can tell what the process was like.

I use the attached form. Once you have all the data you need after firing you can scan it for safe keeping on your computer. Save the paper version in a notebook.

John, for some reason, I can't open the attachment.

I have a lot of data written on the 3"x5" index cards stored in my die boxes.

I recently started using index cards for workups and putting them into the ammo box and taking them to the range with me and color the head of the case with a different color marker for each load and make a mark on the card with that color and then when the good load is found the index card has all the info put on it such as caliber, gun, bullet make, model, grain, powder, primer, case, headspace #, and ogive measurement for the bullet comparator. I have a binder with slot for the card and I slide them in there along with the load workup card for reference. I also note my best groups on that card if say 23gr shoots 5 in one hole which would be my best load but a hotter 25gr shoots 1/2'-1'' I will record that also just incase I need to go a little faster I know what kind of group I'm getting. I also take a picture of the 5 shot group with the load written above and store them on the laptop and cell phone for reference.

I also use a spreadsheet for logging my reloading information. I'm not using Excel, I'm using Quattro Pro and have been since it was originally released by Borland before it was bought out by Corel to add to their WordPerfect Suite.

ArchAngelCD said:

I also use a spreadsheet for logging my reloading information. I'm not using Excel, I'm using Quattro Pro and have been since it was originally released by Borland before it was bought out by Corel to add to their WordPerfect Suite.

Click to expand...

I remember Quattro Pro. Borland had good products.

I started out with a spiral notebook. Separated with tabs for each caliber. Quickly ran out of space for the calibers I load often. After a couple of times where I wanted to count some bullets, etc... and given the out of pages in the section, I transcribed it all to Excel.
There were a couple of templates floating around here. I took the best features of each and modified it to my needs. I use one sheet per caliber, one for my bullets and brass inventory, one for primers, one for powders. I have formulas where I can track the bullet, primer and powder inventories and component/round cost.
The load data goes on a label on the box or bag I pack the finished rounds in.
As to what goes in the log book, for each batch I record:
Date
Bullet ID - tied to bullet inventory
Bullet Mfg
Bullet Weight
Bullet Type
Powder
Powder charge
qty loaded
OAL
Primer
Press loaded on
Brass
Notes
(the following are used for calculations)
Powder cost per pound
powder cost per round
powder cost per batch
Primer cost per 1K
Primer cost per round
Primer cost per batch
Bullet cost per 1K
Bullet cost per round
Bullet cost per batch
Brass cost per round
Brass cost per batch
Batch cost
Round cost
Box (50 or 20) cost


I keep toying with the idea of bringing it all to an Access database, but just having spent the time in it.

OP, if you're interested, I can send you a sample of the spreadsheet I use.

yep, Excel

If someone wants to go digital, Apache Open Office is a great suite of programs.

I'm another in the paper log category. I do not have a computer convenient to the reloading bench so it is not convenient to log the information electronically.

I use loose leaf binders. I'm up to four--handgun cartridges, small bore rifle cartridges, large bore cartridges, and shot shells. The shot shell book also holds my inventory of blank log sheets.

Each cartridge gets its own tab. The main page logs the date, lot number, quantity, case, bullet, primer, powder and charge, COL, powder measure setting, and other remarks. Every reloading session is logged in the book no matter how large or small.

Since I do not do accuracy or velocity testing on every lot of reloads, I have separate sheets for that data. I use the lot number to reference between the main page and the auxiliary information pages. Also, I have sheets for notes and keep special information related to the cartridge in the appropriate cartridge tabs.

The log sheets were originally hand drawn but now I have CAD file versions and use a photo copier to make copies of them.

Lots of different methods and amount of information logged already posted. One is not better than any other, it is was the individual likes and meets his or her needs. The important thing is to log the information so it can be referenced again in the future.