Reloading Journal?

[Cpetersen]

Hello all!

Found myself under stimulated last couple weeks and got a reasonable amount of reloading done when i couldnt sleep.

Fired off a significant amount of it and was blessed with no real complications with ammo or firearms.

That being said, i recognize this may not be a permanent condition and i am wondering what sort of journaling reloading calgunners do in order to maintain a record of their exploits.

Im trying to figure which is best, organize shooting trips indexed by firearm, or by ammunition type, and depending on which i choose, what salient points to include in the observations. I label my loads by the 100 (mtm case guards and stickers) and try and maintain those specs between reloading sessions. (Eg, if i load 38's with hp38, i match specs in col, bullet type, weight and manufacturer, etc).

Further, i havent splurged on a chronograph, so fps wont figure into it too much in the near term.

Thanks in advance.

Best, CP

[MrElectric03]

I keep track in a simple notebook such as:

3/5/16- tumbled 1k cases .40 s&w + Redding GRX
3/5/16- Loaded 500 rounds .223- 55gr xtreme- 22.0 gr imr3031- cci srp

Makes it easy as I only load a couple days a month and don't remember much anyway.

[silas3d]

I use a simple notebook too.

When I load it looks like this:

Loaded 100 rounds of 480 Ruger:
412gr WFN, 7.5gr Titegroup, CCI#300, 1.635" COL (Lee Auto Disk 0.61)

I write the same info on a slip of scrap paper that I keep in the MTM box with each particular load.

Then after I shoot it I add a simple "range report" to record my thoughts on the load.

I've been using a notebook since day 1 and it's actually surprised me how often I've gone back to reference things as I work up loads that are not directly published (e.g. 335gr plated bullets for S&W500, etc.)

[mmesa005]

Same here. I used MS Word or Libre Office so I can also cut and past photos and threads from other forums with notes.

[thospb]

I don't track how much I load but I do track inventory and components. I know how many loaded rounds I have and how many I can load. It helps to forecast when I need to buy stuff.

[noylj]

Use Excel or other spreadsheet program.
I have one workbook for each cartridge and I have worksheets for each bullet weight.
Bullet Name (i.e., Hdy L-C/T)
Bullet Weight
(I also have a column for Actual Bullet Weight since I shoot a lot of lead bullets)
Bullet Style (i.e., L-SWC)
Powder
Charge Weight
Primer
COL
Gun Used
Accuracy
Accuracy (without called flyers)
Notes (including actual diameter of bullets)

You can add anything else you want.

[tanks]

I do not log each reloading session but different setups.
For example:
230 grain Precision Delta RN bullet, OAL 1.245, 4.3grains Titegroup, Mixed brass, Federal Match LP primer.
Batch 1

Then on MTM boxes that use that recipe I will print labels that say .45 ACP, Batch 1

Any time one component changes then it is a new "Batch" and gets labeled as such.

['ol shooter]

I use these free load notes from Beartooth Bullets in a three ring binder, with dividers for the calibers.

http://beartoothbullets.com/pdf/load_notes.pdf

I also include load data from the powder manufacturers for the powders I use for that caliber.

[kcstott]

I have load data logs per load not per day.

Keeping a daily diary is just too redundent

[TexasJackKin]

I use a spread sheet (homemade) very similar to the one 'ol shooter referenced above. Just yesterday, loaded 752 .45 ACPs, finally used up some LRN bullets I got in the '70s.

[rcslotcar]

I use a 3x5 card thrown into the ammo can with the load data. I log my data into the notes in my reloading book of the best performers.

[Mayor McRifle]

I just keep track of recipes I like after I work up a load.

Edit: Similar to rcslotcar, above. ^

[Fjold]

I use a 3x5 card thrown into the ammo can with the load data. I log my data into the notes in my reloading book of the best performers.

I put all my load data on 3x5 cards also.

At the range, I log velocities, group sizes, ambient conditions, etc. on the cards. I take a photo of the groups.

At home, I transfer the photos to my hard drive and open them up in Microsoft Paint and put in load data and performance information and re-save them.

The I put the load data in an Excel spreadsheet, one page per cartridge, per gun.

[not-fishing]

It's $8 plus shipping

I use a different page for each different caliber shot through different guns.

It sits atop my hand priming tool.

It's my most valuable book.

http://www.sinclairintl.com/books-videos-software/books/logbooks-scorebooks/sinclair-reloading-logbooks-prod32868.aspx

[Cpetersen]

Thanks everyone.