Anyone keep a Range Log?

[Sackett]

Noticed that many of the folks here (and elsewhere) know how many rounds they've fired through a particular gun. Are they pulling it out of the air, or is it common to take notes after a range session?

If you keep a log, what goes into it? What's your motivation for doing so?

If this is too geeky please forgive me, I am an Engineer (and a Private Pilot who keeps a logbook).

S.

 

[Sgt.Dusk]

Im a geeky engineer too and I keep a logbook of shooting.
I usually log date and spent rounds/gun.....

What's your motivation for doing so?

I honestly dont know...maybe its just fun to see some statistics

I also keep a separate log of my new reloads and how they perfom

 

[Regolith]

No. I haven't gotten to the point where I think it'd do me any good.

 

[HiWayMan]

Not so geeky engineer here, but engineer all the same. Below is an outline of the only logbook I have and probably the only one I'll maintain.

Started keeping a log book for my newest .45 the day I got her. Everything pertaining to that serial numbered gun is in there. Original cost and accessories purchased as well as any major work outside of routine maintanence done. It also contains a log of magazines and number and types of malfs experienced with each mag. Lists all ammo shot by brand and lot numbers, sight settings, match scores and a host of other general notes. General notes may include hand position on grip, grip pressure, shotting stance, etc. I'll even log plinking sessions, although ttthose notes usually just say plinking and have a round count and ammo lot associated with them.

I particularly like keeping it for match work. Lets me review what has worked and what hasn't, as well as, showing my general progress towards my match goals.

 

[critter]

Never used to. Started keeping logs on the last 4 firearms I bought. Turned out to be quite helpful in tracking down feeding problems on one of my guns with a particular reload.

I think I'll keep it up.

 

[Ltlabner]

I kept a log on my Bushy M4 when I first got it but after a while of having zero problems I stopped doing it. My original thought was to track each mag and note the ammo types and how they shot to determine if the weapon liked one brand over another. I also kept general notes on how many rounds went downrange.

However, I still number and ID all of my mags to aide in tracking down problems.

I'm likely going to start reloading again soon and will definatley keep a log on that activity.

 

[Shung]

knowing how much I spend in ammo would be very depressing.. so I dont..

 

[Thumper_6119]

Go here: Gun Logbook

It is a really nice software logbook written by a shooter. You can log just about everything about all your guns, including pics of targets from range sessions. You can track maintenance, cleaning, optics, etc. You can also log all of your ammo, and it has the ability to log and track all the relevant data for reloads. Nice software, free download (although Steve does have a link for donations if you like the software). VERY nice program. Give it a try.

 

[Dave P]

This engineer keeps a log, mainly for accuracy / load development purposes on my rifles. 3 ring binders for each rifle. This provides rough round count info. I found keeping a high-accuracy round count much too tedious - with minimal benefit.

 

[GingerGuy]

Here's a shot of my log. The comment column, on the right side of the screen is there for comments about that day shooting. This info helps in many ways.

You might notice I was clipping along with the SR9 until the recall was announced. I picked up an EMP that same day and like that gun a lot.

I also have a tab for my firearm inventory and I keep track of ammo purchases; when, cost, rounds purchased etc.

 

[Mannlicher]

I have kept a log for years. I don't even know why I started it

I know exactly how many rounds have been fired by each gun, the load and performance.

 

[Walkalong]

Way too much trouble. I do track rounds through my Benchrest barrels. Nothing other than that.

 

[trashpickinman]

I keep a simple excel spreadsheet, date, # of rounds fired/type, # and type of failures. I do keep the targets with similar information on them.

 

[AZAndy]

Thumper_6119: Wow! That's a very useful piece of software! Thanks so much for alerting me to it; I can already see that I'm going to be spending a lot of time with it. Is the author someone you know?

I've been thinking about writing a similar program myself in VBA, but Gunlog already has more stuff in it than I was even considering.

 

[Deanimator]

When I shoot rifle at 600 yards, I use large log sheets with target graphics that a friend printed up. They fit in a three ring binder and are much easier to use than the commercial logbooks they sell in stores.

 

[TexasRifleman]

Just on rifles and handguns I reload for.

I try to track brass usage etc.

 

[Thumper_6119]

from AZAndy

Thumper_6119: Wow! That's a very useful piece of software! Thanks so much for alerting me to it; I can already see that I'm going to be spending a lot of time with it. Is the author someone you know?

I used to chat with the designer on an AR board (not arfcom), and he brought up the idea one day, and we talked about what would be useful features (mostly his ideas). He wrote the thing originally more for his personal use, then tweaked it to be user-friendly for other folks. I have been using it for the last couple of years. Once you get down how to add new items to the database, it's really a breeze and is really a well organized way to keep track of all your firearm data.

 

[bennadatto]

Perhaps outing my geekiness, but oh well!

I keep an excel spreadsheet of my numbers of rounds fired along with accuracy, based on both target hits (number of shots which hit "10" on a sillhouette target) and a ratio of points scored / points possible. I find it pretty rewarding to see my improvement over time.

I'm a pretty big excel dork (obviously) so scoring the range targets is half the fun!

 

[PaulBk]

Another Geek

I keep a log of all my 'training exercises'. This includes draw time, split time(s), reload/jam clearance times, and COM/cranial hits. I also 'charge' myself for all misses and the money goes to my wife's 'toy' budget (Flowers, jewlery, etc.)

-Paul

 

[Bubbles]

I only have logs for the long-distance rifles. If I kept a log of how much I fed to the handguns, shotguns, subguns, etc. I'd probably cry once I added up the ammo cost.

 

[XD_fan]

I keep a spreadsheet and a log both.

Spreadsheet is date, temp, where, round, gun, number fired.

Log book is load data on rounds, scope setting by gun, round, and distance.

I also label and keep all my targets. Its very handy when it comes to working up loads or when I get a new keg of powder. I can see right away that something has changed.

 

[conw]

I keep a notebook and just write when and what and how much I shot, as well as how I felt about the session.

The purpose is more training than accuracy or tracking failures or #rds/gun.

I even write down when I dry fire practice or "point" practice...it's just a good way to make sure I get enough of the different practice styles.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

I keep a log. Dates, ammo brand and type, magazines used, number of rounds fired, and malfunctions.

The purpose is (a) to weed out suspect magazines, and (b) to know when it's time to replace recoil springs.

 

[Old Grump]

2 kinds of logs

One is a temporary log I use for a new gun and I am searching for the best factory loads for it.

The other is a log of every single round I have ever loaded and shooting results with it when I am using them on bullseye targets. Other than that no.

I used to keep a running track of my 22 usage in my savage single shot bolt rifle but give it up after 600,000 rounds with no discernible drop off in accuracy in the rifle, not bad for a new in the box for 28 bucks change and tax back in 1964.
Hit the 600 mark early 80's, guess what my favorite shooting iron is and the one I use for teaching.

 

[cracked butt]

For load development yes- I keep a log of different loads I've tried in different guns. Once I find a load that I like, I no longer make notes unless something changes.

Shooting log? I keep one for my highpower rifle that I just started recently. I keep track of shot placements, zeroes, conditions, loads, and number of rounds fired through the barrel. So far, i've used it for 2 matches and 3 practice sessions and it turned out to be a huge help on the second match that I recorded. I don't bother logging anything in any of my other guns.