How do you store your favorite load data?

[Olympus]

I've been trying to come up with a way to keep all of my favorite or pet load data all in one organized place. Right now, I've all kinds of loads handwritten in the margins of several reloading manuals that I use. I'd like to consolidate everything in one easy to find place for all of the different loads I've used for all of the various calibers I've used over the years.

What does everyone else do or use for this?

 

[Kevin Keith]

I keep mine hand written in a spiral notebook which I keep in a drawer in my reloading room. No spreadsheets for me, thank you!

 

[AJC1]

I use the notes section of my reloading manual but like you I highlight and use notes in the margins.

 

[kmw1954]

Notebook paper in a older with the bendable pins. Add Pages and notes as needed.

 

[FROGO207]

8.5X11 sheet of paper folded in half then cut on seam. Perfect size to fit in my Lee Modern Reloading book. By caliber in the first page of said data and labeled pet loads. Also a file folder system in a file drawer with targets and other test data that were good and bad, developed over the years.

 

[CMB]

I have a book organized a couple of ways. I designate 1 page to each bullet in one section. In another section I designate 1 page to each powder. On the bullet pages at the bottom I list powder types with the min and max charge written next to them. At the top of the page I list the best combo found to date.

Then there is a second book which is a business card index book that holds the load cards perfectly. Only the best loads make it onto load data index cards.

All targets are saved for future reference. With the amount of time and resources spent on this endeavor, I find proper documentation to be crucial. Otherwise I'll forget and then it's all for not.

 

[barnfrog]

Spreadsheet. Lets me look at all the powders, charge weights and seating depths I tried in working up a new load and how they performed.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I found a load form online that I liked, printed many of them out and put in a 3 ring binder with tabs for the calibers I load. Notes section could be larger as I also track which load performs well in what but it has worked well for me.

Have too many manuals I use to keep up with it in them.

 

[NR53]

https://ultimatereloader.com/2014/01/02/free-reloading-data-ledger-keep-track-of-your-load-data/

 

[Bosn Ski]

I created a spread sheet to record all the details for each reloading session. I included a column for pet loads with a check box. To print my pet loads, I filter on the check box.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Another spiral notebook user here

 

[HankC]

Notebook and a copy stored with the bullet.

 

[ImjinScout85]

I have a small book that I keep them in, but I also use the Vhitavouri reloading app. The app is nice and handy as I can view it on my phone whenever I need to. It allows you to enter what load data you like as well as the firearm that the load is applicable to.

 

[Kaldor]

Google Sheets
While it does lack the old school feel of am old binder or notebook, it simply is easier to work with once you have it setup
Access from anywhere, and I keep a hard copy on my desktop in case the entire thing goes belly up.

I use:
Imbedded photos of targets test data
Imbedded screen shots of manufacturer load data for reference
Formulas built in to find distance from lands
Averaging built in for bullet and case measurements
Charts built for Satterlee tests
Calc that will tell me specific distance from lands at certain mag lengths with a specific bullet and barrel combo
A table that has as many burn rate charts as I can find

All this does a great job of forcing me to keep accurate data because it becomes simple to do the data entry portion, which is the worst part.

 

[kidneyboy]

My favorite loads are kept on index cards in a box on my bench and also on a large whiteboard on the wall next to the bench.

 

[jmorris]

I print labels or write load data and put it on or inside the box containing the ammunition.

I also stick a label on one of my component cabinets. I use 3 ring binders to keep track of all my data, sometimes it’s just as helpful to know what doesn’t work than to remember what does. I actually find it easy to remember the great ones but have to go back and make sure I don’t try less than ideal combinations a second time.

 

[Ru4real]

Google Sheets

Same for me, saved to the cloud. I switched from paper and binders a few years ago. Accessible on all my devices, anywhere, anytime. Complete with target photos, etc.

 

[Soonerpesek]

I like the 2.5" x 4" ( I think ) receipe cards and plastic flip top box they come in.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use three ring binders, one tab for each cartridge.

In each tab, I have a home made form to record my reloads, a form to record group size, and a form to record velocity data. Also, I have blank pages fir notes and I file printed pages with special information on the cartridge in the appropriate tab.

I log all my reloading sessions with date, lot number, case, primer, powder charge, bullet, and additional notes. Not all reloading lots are tested for groups. I use the lot number to cross reference between group and/or velocity records with the reloading records.

Favorite loads are logged in the notes and periodically I update a master list of favorite loads that I keep in the front of the binder.

I can load something north of 30 different cartridges and have them divided between 4 different binders.

Spreadsheets are another good way to store the data. For me, I like the hard copy and being able to add other information to my records.

Figure out what works for you. Lots of good suggestions already posted.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have a simple method. I have a filing cabinet in my reloading room. I keep a file on each of my guns. I write load data on the target and file it. I can see if the gun tends to group high or low or whatever.

 

[FROGO207]

I have had my data for whatever stored electronically and suffered data loss to depend solely on a device or cloud. Paper will work without any of that same as a balance scale. Gravity always works and never needs batteries changed. I can still load when the net might go out due to disaster or such.

 

[horsemen61]

Note books for me!

 

[Dale Alan]

I use a notebook for each rifle .

 

[call1911]

With over 30 weapons it and reloading for all of them there was no way to do this on paper.
Spreadsheet (Libre office Calc) is my friend.
Filter down a bullet weight, OAL,... and drill down to the information you are looking down.
Highlight the perfect load or things that didn't work.
I do ladders with 0,2gn steps (sometimes 0,3gn) so this would be no fun on paper.

 

[NeroM]

Started with index cards in the late 60s,
Then about 25 years ago - input all the info
Into a flat file database via spreadsheet.
Now have 50 years of data "on file".