How do you catalog your loads?

[Jesse Heywood]

I used to keep them in Sears, Pennys, and Wards catalogs. But since they quit mailing catalogs, we been running short for Aunt Sally. And ma really pitches a fit when she does her business, only to find a loaded cartridge it the catalog page.

 

[SlowFuse]

I have a stack of index cards by my press. When loaded, all of the pertinent info goes on the card an into the box/bag of loaded ammo.

After shot I keep notes on the back side. Good ones go in a "keep" bag and other go in a "scrap" bag. If it really stands out (in a good way) it makes it into a coil bound log I made with a simple excel spreadsheet.

I have a separate 3 ring for "keeper" targets.

 

[dickttx]

Last year, over several months, I checked and discarded eleven four-drawer file cabinets, containing over 50 years of client files. I hauled them, two trash cans at a time, to a shredder and paid to have them shredded. I soon realized that probably two years worth for any client would have been sufficient.
I am pretty sure I will not need a complete history of any cartridge, so a stick-on label is all I ever use.

 

[James2]

Labels on each box/batch of ammo.

Notes in the reloading data book.

 

[fralic76]

Hey robwo can one get a copy of that access file that you use,that's exactly what I've been looking for. I have been trying to make a database but can get the drop downs to work.

 

[gdcpony]

I use an Excel doc as well. Make sure you back it up though.

For most of my loading as I don't load too many variations routinely I can remember the load from memory. I know my load for .223 for example is not likely to change. If it does, I will remember it. Same with .308, .243, .257Roberts, and 45ACP.

The log I keep is for testing and covers those loads I test. What showed pressure signs? What effect did this OTL distance have on this gun? Things like that.

 

[WVRJ]

I use an old ledger book.Each gun has its info on the top of the page;serial #,caliber,etc.The load data for each gun is posted on the page.I include velocity,powder type and charge weight,primer,bullet,OAL,brass type and any other notes.When I'm developing loads,I use a small notebook with pages that can be torn out and put all the info in the box or on the block and also take a pad with me to the bench when I shoot to record velocities and make other notes.I load for over 20 different rounds,and am electronically challenged,so I feel more comfy writing down the info in a book.Maybe not as pretty as a spread sheet,but it has served me well over the years.

 

[higgite]

Each batch of reloads is logged in a Lyman Reloading Data Log and then kept in separate containers with a homemade data card stuck in each container. The data card stays with the batch until it's used up. Brass is separated by headstamp and source and each batch is numbered, logged and tracked on homemade log sheets.

 

[howiepa]

I use a Google Doc (err, 'Drive') spreadsheet that lists the powder, load (per a scale), load per the hornady micrometer, primer, OAL, bullet info, and a little note. I bold the loads I like but I've pretty much settled on two loads for my 9mm. I've also only tried one powder -- HP38/W231 -- but may need to crack open my jug of Unique if I can't find more soon.

When I finish a run I'll stick a small piece of paper in it with anything that's changed from my stock loads. I'll only do 10 that differ just in case things go wrong, and those are on their own vertical "line" in the MTM ammo box, separated from the other cartridges by an empty row.