Load Development, how do you mark your loads?

[Metal God]

This is my method and yes I am dreading the day I knock a box over . I have considered adding sharpie marks to the heads just in case , keeping in mind the marks don't need to survive firing at least they wouldn't for me .

I also use data sheets to keep track of each load which is filled out before hand and updated as I fire that specific charge . They then go in a binder along with the targets for future reference .

 

[Nature Boy]

This is my method and yes I am dreading the day I knock a box over

I did it, just as I was getting set up at the range. Got them mixed up enough to have no confidence that they were in the right spots. I just sat there for a moment in staggered silence. I couldn't even find the right cuss words. The only thing to do was pack up, go home, pull them all and started over

 

[WelshShooter]

I can confirm that the colour transfer works! However, it does depend on the paper you use and bullet types and speeds. It was more of an unintended consequence of me marking the bullets for identification purposes per my post above.

Replying with evidence. These are some 308 win loads I made some year ago (sold it around 4 years ago, hence pics of targets weren't on y phone!) and you can clearly see the green and blue sharpie transfer from the bullet to the paper. I recall seeing it on either my 223 or 6.5x47 Lapua but can't find the targets anywhere.

 

[WelshShooter]

I did it, just as I was getting set up at the range. Got them mixed up enough to have no confidence that they were in the right spots. I just sat there for a moment in staggered silence. I couldn't even find the right cuss words. The only thing to do was pack up, go home, pull them all and started over

This is my fear hence my paranoia with good labelling and marking the finished round!

I did what you did once with 20 rounds of 8x57mm IS in one of them plastic slip top boxes. After I finished the last round I applied sticky labels indicating the four groups of five rounds I made up on each quarter of the box, then I slid the lid over and picked the box up to put into my range bag. Just before I could put it into my bag the bottom of the box slipped out from the lid and all 20 rounds rolled around the floor Thankfully it was only 20 rounds...

 

[Nature Boy]

Here’s one that I did for a ladder test. Didn’t work real well because I did it a 200 yards but it shows how the color transfers to the paper.

 

[dh1633pm]

I write on them with a sharpie. If the charge is 41.2, I write 41.2 on the side of the brass.

 

[dh1633pm]

Natureboy I like your color system on the target.

 

[WelshShooter]

Here’s one that I did for a ladder test. Didn’t work real well because I did it a 200 yards but it shows how the color transfers to the paper.

View attachment 920990 View attachment 920991

Great picture! I think that I must not have coloured far enough to the ogive, hence why the edges of my holes are not being coloured.

This is like painting by numbers for adults!

 

[stillquietvoice]

I write the powder charge on the brass case with a sharpie.

I write with sharpie, powder type, change wt, bullet wt and oal. None get mixed up ever.

 

[Dudedog]

I bought a 8 pack of sharpies from Wally world. I mark the base of the cases a different color then label the box with a mark of the same color and the load.
ex.
Purple 4.0gr
Blue 4.2gr
Orange 4.4gr.
Red 4.6gr
etc.

I then to use the "Hot colors orange and red for the heavier loads"

 

[DanK3Pos]

Here’s one that I did for a ladder test. Didn’t work real well because I did it a 200 yards but it shows how the color transfers to the paper.

I would never have guessed it would transfer that well.

 

[Walkalong]

From an old test.

 

[frankmako]

ziplock bag with a paper with the information of the round. easy and cheap. just works.

 

[Toprudder]

ALL of my reloads get a black swipe across the head, so I can identify my brass from range pickup when I get back to the reloading room. I always put my loads nose-down in the MTM ammo box, so just a few swipes will take care of a whole box.

For my load workups, I write the charge down on the side of each case. Even after firing, there is often enough ink still legible that I can still read it if needed.

If I notice that a primer seats too easily, I will still plan to shoot it, but I put a big X on the headstamp so that I know to cull that one out after shooting.

Colored Sharpies may not be the answer for some people. Something like 30% of the male population has some level of color blindness.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
All of my plink/general purpose loads get tossed in a .30cal ammo box with the loads data on an adhesive sticker. My son and I load these constantly and shoot them every week.
Specialty rounds for hunting or load development are put in plastic cartridge boxes with a comprehensive load data sheet stuck inside the box.