Log books for your guns?

[rha600]

I've noticed that a lot of people here (and other forums) know quite accurately as to how many rounds and sometimes even how many rounds of what ammo they have shot out of their guns.

I was wondering if people use any type of log book that they bring with them to the range and write down these things to keep data on their guns? I've been thinking of doing it myself just to keep track of my 9mm, 22LR and .38 handguns that end up with A LOT of rounds through them.

 

[GRIZ22]

I try to do this with centerfire rifles. I wouldn't attempt to do it with 22s or any any handgun. Too much bookkeeping.

 

[gwnorth]

I actually do have just a ringed steno notebook that lives in my range bag. Every range trip, I just write down what's been shot in what - separate page(s) for each gun. It's pretty simple to do, I think.

For semi's it's a nice way to keep track of maintenance issues like recoil and firing pin spring replacement intervals. For my revolvers, not so useful as I'd only ever replace something it it actually broke or failed (and several of my wheel guns I got used, so really have no idea on lifetime round counts).

 

[HighStrung]

I can understand the point of doing this in certain circumstances, such as with a brand new gun. Buying something used, you really have no idea what's been through the gun before you bought it. The only other areas I can really see this useful is if your looking for info relative to different brands of ammo.

 

[halfded]

I've started keeping track of mine. I keep it in the notepad section of my cellphone.

Looks like this:

ar15 round count :xxx
Taurus 856 round count: xxx

Don't keep track of the .22's except for the .22 conversion for the ar15. That's just out of curiosity to see how long it lasts.

 

[Kingofthehill]

I use an excel spreadsheet that i have my guns and S/N's listed, It also acts as a tool for round count and any issues and i list what happened , what ammo, and with what magazine and look for a trend.

When i go shooting, to keep track I pull the end tab off of the ammo box and throw it in the guns case, when i come home i just add em' up.

I have found it very useful for not only selling guns and knowing round count but i can look at a pattern of problems. just the other day that helped me realize that the only problem with my CZ75b was a crappy mag.

JOe

 

[atlanticfire]

Only keep quick note for my benchrest rifle, not super detailed just notes.

 

[smokin hot AR10]

It’s a little late for me to try to keep track of the ammo that I have shot through my firearms at this point it would all be lies. I have shot them too many times now to keep track of.

I defiantly could see why somebody would want to keep a log. I am sure it would help with knowing what type of ammo your firearms would like at certain distances and what the groups were like. I am sure this helps reloaders a lot with the different powders, and bullet weights they use.

 

[rha600]

King that's a good idea about the box tabs.

I wasn't thinking anything too detailed but I used to keep a VERY simple log book with my rifles (.270 and a.17HMR) but it was more for how I shot that day and how the ammo shot in my guns so I never really kept a count.

I was thinking that not only for resale but also like gwnorth said, it would help keep track of replacement times for parts like the springs. also my S&W 22A has this little plastic tab that the recoil sprint fits into that has to be replaced every so often.

 

[w_houle]

I was keeping track of my guns round counts, but then it started making the whole thing feel like a chore and I also realized that...
I was the end user on most of these and I don't need a count, I'll just replace stuff whenever I feel it needs it.
Whoever reads it will most likely think it to be creative fiction, especially when it's common to say some of the ones I have wouldn't shoot two rounds in a row, or have more than a two magazine full lifespan.

So after all that I discovered I don't need a round count because I still (mostly) have a good idea as to how many they have shot.

A fine example would be saying my Jennings .22 has over 6,000 rounds through it Yeah, that and others but that's why I don't post about it, because either I have a collection of rare exceptions or something.

 

[SSN Vet]

I keep a log of my reloading (spiral notebook), and generally only shoot my own reloads. I also do not have more than one gun of any particular caliber, so the reload book effectively serves as a log book for each gun as well.

 

[rha600]

It’s a little late for me to try to keep track of the ammo that I have shot through my firearms at this point it would all be lies. I have shot them too many times now to keep track of.

I defiantly could see why somebody would want to keep a log. I am sure it would help with knowing what type of ammo your firearms would like at certain distances and what the groups were like. I am sure this helps reloaders a lot with the different powders, and bullet weights they use.

for my 22A and my rifles probably. but I have in the last 2 months sold my glock and bought three new guns that I could easily start keeping track of. The biggest guess would be the new Ruger MarkIII and even that I could probably be within 50-100 rounds.

 

[smokin hot AR10]

It's been awhile since I have bought a new gun. When I start reloading I plan on keeping a log just so that I know what each gun likes. Right now I use off the shelf ammo so, I am not to concerned with it, I just try to get the same lot number. I should have started it from the beginning.

 

[BCRider]

Back when I had only three guns this seemed like a primo plan. Things slipped off the end of the pier when the collection got to around 9 or 10 and I was taking 5 to 8 of them to the range at a time to play.

One thing I recently promised myself was to get a log/scrap book of my gun ownership going before I forget too much about them. Date purchased, from whom, price, date sold, APPROXIMATE round count during my time, sold price, sold date and comments made about it as to the sort of use it was put to and mods I did to it. And pictures, I'm going make sure there's pictures of them.

 

[tango2echo]

I log the ones I shoot for accuracy. Each gets its own binder with load data, weather conditions, and rounds fired, etc. Brass is separated for that specific rifle and tracked for number of times fired, and other data.

Pistol and other rifles get estimated. Based on average rounds fired per outing and number of outings per week/month/year.

Everything I load for gets load data written in the log, and eventually transfered to the computer.

t2e

 

[W.E.G.]

Logging round-count on "fleet" competition rifles like those used by the AMU or USMC teams makes sense. Those rifles get passed from one shooter to another, one season after another. That sort of record-keeping is critical in that situation.

For the personal rifle, what owner isn't going to at least have a "rough idea" of how many rounds are on it?

Moreover, the wide availability of high-quality bore scopes gives a shooter the opportunity to know a whole lot more about his barrel than some arbitrary "uh-oh" number in a log-book.

 

[possum]

i have a log book for every gun, round counts, when i change springs etc. i also have a log book where i record what drills i am gonna do at the range when i go, so i have a plan when i get there, and i go through it and mark off what i actually did at the range.

 

[ephraimf]

I also use an Excel workbook with a sheet for each gun.
The column headers are: Date, User(s), Rounds (count), and notes.

Under notes I list any ftf's fte, modifications, and cleanings

 

[shockwave]

Never even considered this. Mainly I work on breathing and trigger pull. The better I get at that, the better my accuracy seems to get. Speedloader practice is ongoing. I train with firearms like I train with other weapons, working on consistency and automatic habits. Maybe with my next purchase I'll try keeping a log, just for the fun of it.

 

[mcdonl]

Record keeping and other forms of bean counting have no place in my hobby.

 

[CWL]

I keep a journal for keeping track of my firearms. I log bullet count as well as shooting notes, problems, upgrades, customizations, etc.

Easy to lose track when you have a lot of firearms.

 

[rha600]

That's exactly what I want to use it for CWL. Keep track of performance issues or changes due to malfunctions or ammo or gun modifications...

 

[Rembrandt]

I use NM Gun Collectors Software for inventory, photos, and data on my collection. There's provision in the spread sheet to add other data, I do keep load information on some rifles and pistols....not all. This is one of the best accessories a gun owner can have.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=22340/Product/GUN_COLLECTOR_SOFTWARE

 

[Kingofthehill]

holy crap, 30bucks!.... i should start to sell mine!... id be happy at $10 per, lol

JOe

 

[earplug]

I'm lucky if I remember to take a photo and write down the serial number of my firearms.
I kind of keep track of how many pounds of lead I sent down range last year. 171 lbs.?