How Do You Guys Organize Your Log Book/Journal?

[Potatohead]

So, do you keep a journal for every caliber, or have different calibers in different sections of your notebook? Do you have a "reloading" section with what you did with which cartridges, and a "range" section with how these performed? Or do you just glob it all together in a hodgepodge? I'm about to set one up for the first time and am interested in how you organize all of your information within your log. I figure you guys had some good ideas, Thanks! PH

 

[sbrader]

I run separate sheets for each firearm. I have two 9 mm and two .40 S&W. I found a 9mm load that both pistols like, but the .40s are far apart. I wouldn't have known that if I had kept records by caliber instead of firearm.

Scott

 

[Potatohead]

Ahh. Ok, I didn't think of headings for each firearm. That makes good sense. Thanks

 

[ReloaderFred]

I load for 31 different calibers and have many different firearms, so I have two rather large binders. One is for rifle calibers and the other is for handgun calibers. Each is divided into sections for each caliber, and for the pages I use the Lyman Reloader's log sheets. I just make two sided copies of the Lyman log and record all my data on them.

It works for me.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Potatohead]

Thanks Fred. Wow, 31...I bet that's quite a bit of info.

 

[Potatohead]

So, what do you all do you notate outside of the recipe and maybe the fps from the range trip...? Or, what all do you notate for each given load, period?

 

[Cranky CJ]

I have a 2" ringed binder with tabs for each caliber. I developed a spread sheet to record the data, I can key in the chrono speeds off five shots, key in the bullet wt and it will calculate the energy. I take notes on each recipe on the printed out spread sheet that are put into the binder under the correct tab.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Each load gets a notebook sheet when I m experimenting. Those sheets then get transferred to MS word documents of uniform formatting and uploaded to google docs, organized by caliber, further organized by bullet type, making them accessible on any Internet capable computer in the world if need be.

 

[jwrowland77]

I have a composition notebook for each caliber I load for. One page though per load. If the page gets full, I transfer the full sheet to a binder, and start a new sheet for it.

 

[Crashbox]

My log sheet has columns for: date; caliber; powder type; micrometer setting(s) for the dispenser drum insert (aids in re-dialing) and sometimes bullet seating micrometer setting; grains of powder; bullet type; primer type; and general notes which always have quantity loaded even if 'bulk' approximations, and range notes are included here.

I only load for a few different cartridges, so this simple system works for me. Chrono results- I've been keeping them separate so far, with two exceptions.

 

[ngnrd]

Off the top of my head, I file my data by firearm, and include the following:

Notes regarding current firearm configuration (scope/sights used, scope zoom setting used during testing, trigger or sight adjustments, cleaning status, etc.)
Recipe used w/date loaded (components, powder weight, OAL, case length, No. of times cases loaded, etc.)
Date and location tested w/ environmental conditions (wind, precipitation, cloud cover, temp, etc.)
Bench/target/chrony setup (measured distances, type of rest, etc.)
Chrony results for each shot w/ data reduction (avg vel., St. dev, extreme spread, etc.)
Group sizes (incl. vertical and horizontal spreads) and POA vs POI

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I use one spreadsheet for each caliber in one big workbook. That way I can log the load and the log the performance and what gun I shot it in at the end of the spreadsheet. Every box of ammo is serial numbered and this allows me to keep track of it.

 

[Potatohead]

Thanks for the info fellas. Duly noted!

 

[Potatohead]

I have a 2" ringed binder with tabs for each caliber. I developed a spread sheet to record the data, I can key in the chrono speeds off five shots, key in the bullet wt and it will calculate the energy. I take notes on each recipe on the printed out spread sheet that are put into the binder under the correct tab.

Thats pretty cool

 

[Potatohead]

Number of times reloaded, thats an important one I'd imagine, forgot about that one..thanks ngnrd

 

[TfflHndn]

I use the preprinted forms in the Handloader's Log that I bought at Sportco. I think MTM makes it (the company that makes the plastic cartridge boxes). Gray binder. You can photocopy as many pages as you need. of the forms. Works for me. Probably can find it on Amazon.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use a loose leaf binder and a tab for each cartridge which gets it's own section in the binder. I add all load data I get a hold of to the section plus my load notes. I also keep a spreadsheet on my computer with every load I have ever tried.

 

[-Gadsden-]

I keep an Excel spreadsheet. I'm not very advanced at using spreadsheets however, so I'd love to see some of the experts' spreadsheets!

8/11/2013 9mm UNIQUE 4.7 GN ZCAST 124GN LD WINCHESTER 1.11-12ISH 118
8/29/2013 9mm UNIQUE 4.7 GN ZCAST 124GN LD WINCHESTER 1.12 61


here is a copy and paste of my recent reloading. Date, caliber, powder, powder, charge, bullet make, bullet weight, bullet composition, primer type, OAL and number made. I have a "range notes" category to the right, but I haven't shot these yet.

And yes, I admit it's weird to make odd numbers of reloads I have no excuses!

 

[nix4me]

Google Drive spreadsheet, tab for each caliber

 

[Walkalong]

I used to use paper logs, but I have since made a couple of Excel spreadsheets (One for rifle and one for pistol.) with tabs for each caliber. I save it in four different locations every time I make a change in it, and every once in a while it gets saved in two more locations, one being a USB portable drive I keep in the safe, because sooner or later, you'll have a drive take a dive on you.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I keep an Excel spreadsheet. I'm not very advanced at using spreadsheets however, so I'd love to see some of the experts' spreadsheets!

8/11/2013 9mm UNIQUE 4.7 GN ZCAST 124GN LD WINCHESTER 1.11-12ISH 118
8/29/2013 9mm UNIQUE 4.7 GN ZCAST 124GN LD WINCHESTER 1.12 61


here is a copy and paste of my recent reloading. Date, caliber, powder, powder, charge, bullet make, bullet weight, bullet composition, primer type, OAL and number made. I have a "range notes" category to the right, but I haven't shot these yet.

And yes, I admit it's weird to make odd numbers of reloads I have no excuses!

While I'm no expert I do keep more information on the spreadsheet than that.
I have columns for almost everything that has to do with the load. The first column is the load number example 3006-1, 223-1, 357-1 and 38SPL-1.
Then I list -bullet type- -bullet weight- -bullet diameter- -powder- -charge weight- -primer type- -COAL- and the last column is for comments.

Right now I have 25 .357 Magnum loads, 40 .38 Special loads, 12 .45 Colt loads, 10 30-30 loads and a bunch more handgun and rifle cartridges. Don't get me wrong, I don't usually use more than a few loads at a time but I write down everything I try because a year or two or ten from now I don't want to waste the time and components testing a load I have already tested.

Currently I load 4 different 30-06 loads, one for the Garand using a 150gr bullet, a target load using a 168gr GameKing and 2 hunting loads using 165gr GameKing and Partition bullets. I tried 6 different M1 Garand loads and settled on one but recorded the other 5 so I don't duplicate them in the future.

 

[oldreloader]

I started with an Excel spread sheet then I made a simple data base. It has to be simple for me.

 

[Potatohead]

I use the preprinted forms in the Handloader's Log that I bought at Sportco. I think MTM makes it (the company that makes the plastic cartridge boxes). Gray binder. You can photocopy as many pages as you need. of the forms. Works for me. Probably can find it on Amazon.

Hadnt seen that. thanks

 

[Walkalong]

Here is a simple one. Load # 17 for .38 S&W. I set up the table for data several ways (This is the simplest) depending on what I am doing and how many firearms the load gets shot through that day gathering data. Sometimes the load will fill a half page, and sometimes a full page. The rifle log is more detailed than the pistol log, and the match rifle tabs are more detailed than that.

 

[PhotoBiker]

We really need a sticky for this subject, there are tons of good ideas in these threads.

While I have a spreadsheet, custom printed pages, a custom notebook, and gobs of data; the thing I use the most is 3M sticky pads and marked up pie plates from the range.