Log Book? Necessary?

[kalielkslayer]

I was reading another thread. A log book was mentioned several times. So I have had inventory logs. But I buy components and don’t always add them, thus a new inventory. I don’t remove inventory when I use it. I’ve had inventories of both factory ammunition and reloads. I don’t always subtract when I go hunting, or to the range. New inventory.

But my precautions are; shotgun. 1 powder container out at a time. Whatever powder container is on the shotshell bench is what’s in the hopper. (I learned to not throw it away until the hopper is empty)

Rifle, except.223, are done on a single stage so all powder is returned to the original container when I’m done.

Progressive. As you can see in the photos, the shell plates are marked permanently. The powder is marked with masking tape.

Loaded ammo is marked with all data. I do have a “Log Book” that on keep notes on each load; velocity, group size, OAL, powder, charge, brass. I also keep my old targets during load development. Once I “get” a load, I trash the targets.

But the reference in the other thread seemed to be more about what I actually produced at the bench (s)?

Sell me on the idea of keeping a log; why? What I get out of it? How does it make things safer?

I have a laptop, but don’t sell me on that. I’m old school and if anything, I will do a hard copy log.

I’m open to new ideas, but I have to see a benefit.

 

[Ranger99]

If one is having trouble with keeping up
with whatever components are being
used at a particular loading session,
there's too many distractions around
the loading bench, and they need to
be done away with while any loading
operations are being done. Loading
ammunition needs one's complete
undivided attention

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I was reading another thread. A log book was mentioned several times. So I have had inventory logs. But I buy components and don’t always add them, thus a new inventory. I don’t remove inventory when I use it. I’ve had inventories of both factory ammunition and reloads. I don’t always subtract when I go hunting, or to the range. New inventory.

But my precautions are; shotgun. 1 powder container out at a time. Whatever powder container is on the shotshell bench is what’s in the hopper. (I learned to not throw it away until the hopper is empty)

Rifle, except.223, are done on a single stage so all powder is returned to the original container when I’m done.

Progressive. As you can see in the photos, the shell plates are marked permanently. The powder is marked with masking tape.

Loaded ammo is marked with all data. I do have a “Log Book” that on keep notes on each load; velocity, group size, OAL, powder, charge, brass. I also keep my old targets during load development. Once I “get” a load, I trash the targets.

But the reference in the other thread seemed to be more about what I actually produced at the bench (s)?

Sell me on the idea of keeping a log; why? What I get out of it? How does it make things safer?

I have a laptop, but don’t sell me on that. I’m old school and if anything, I will do a hard copy log.

I’m open to new ideas, but I have to see a benefit.

Why change? The best way to create an unintended consequence is to change your process.

 

[kalielkslayer]

If one is having trouble with keeping up
with whatever components are being
used at a particular loading session,
there's too many distractions around
the loading bench, and they need to
be done away with while any loading
operations are being done. Loading
ammunition needs one's complete
undivided attention

I agree with you. So are you saying adding a “Log Book” would be an additional distraction?

 

[Ranger99]

Maybe I misunderstood the question.
I gathered there was some trouble
keeping up with what was what on
the bench

 

[kalielkslayer]

Why change? The best way to create an unintended consequence is to change your process.

I’m not looking to change. I would if there was a benefit I was missing.

Even my inventory isn’t always accurate. I may see 3 bricks of Win LRPs plus 2 sleeves, and 2 bricks of CCI LRPs. Then when I go to reload I see the 2 sleeves belonged in one of the bricks so I really only have 3 bricks. But it’s enough for me to know I don’t need anymore UNLESS they are on sale.

 

[dartor]

I use these, the price is reasonable. You could buy one then work up something on the computer that may fit your needs better.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012865981?pid=203800

 

[Ironicaintit]

I think the only time a "logbook" would really come in handy, is for your heirs, if you were to die.

still good to keep notes though! I have an old recipe box full of 3x5 cards that contains all of my load data. In there I can find notes about each specific cartridge and all of its particulars.

 

[Bcwitt]

A reloading log isnt for inventory, it is so you have solid information about your loads when you have problems. Make it a point to include lot# of powder & primers. My log dates back to the late 90s. I have often refered to it when making adjustments.

 

[AJC1]

To be fair I brought it up as a jest... the actual issue should be addressed about putting things away when your done. There is zero benifit to leaving powder out when not in use, and many detractors including etching of hoppers, and absorption of moisture. An effective process works. This problem is a defective process or loss of process control.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’m not looking to change. I would if there was a benefit I was missing.

Even my inventory isn’t always accurate. I may see 3 bricks of Win LRPs plus 2 sleeves, and 2 bricks of CCI LRPs. Then when I go to reload I see the 2 sleeves belonged in one of the bricks so I really only have 3 bricks. But it’s enough for me to know I don’t need anymore UNLESS they are on sale.

Unless you’re going to use the log to track inventory, which is NOT the correct use case for a log book, then you will still have the same situation as now but with notes to corroborate your failing eyes/memory. The point of a log book is to track what was loaded, when, and which components were used (not necessarily how many/much, just which ones). It’s a way of tracking activity, not inventory.
Seems to me you’re not having a problem mixing up what you loaded last or which powder you left in the meter. Adding a log book to your process might be interesting as an exercise in record keeping but other than that, why bother?
I’m not going to try to sell anybody on anything. Do it or don’t but if you do then do it for yourself, not because you got talked into it.

 

[kalielkslayer]

The only log book I keep is my load development log. In the past I’ve had to go to a container of 7mm Mag rounds and look what I wrote on them. “Oh yea, that’s right. 63 grains RL22.” Of course I referenced a manual to make sure that load was in the ballpark. Same with OAL.

After doing that a couple of times I started a log. But the log doesn’t tell me what I did at the bench last, or before that, or before that. It’s broke down by caliber. And if I had 2 guns in the same caliber it would be gun specific.

Note: I do have several guns in the same caliber, 9mm, 38/357, .223. But none of the loads are specific to a particular gun, yet.

 

[kalielkslayer]

To be fair I brought it up as a jest... the actual issue should be addressed about putting things away when your done. There is zero benifit to leaving powder out when not in use, and many detractors including etching of hoppers, and absorption of moisture. An effective process works. This problem is a defective process or loss of process control.

Ok. You made me think!!!

And I think your comment was echoed. I caught the sarcasm, but didn’t realize how sarcastic.

 

[AJC1]

Ok. You made me think!!!

And I think your comment was echoed. I caught the sarcasm, but didn’t realize how sarcastic.

If you had a book and made process entries it would give you the answer you seek. I don't keep that type of log.

 

[kalielkslayer]

Unless you’re going to use the log to track inventory, which is NOT the correct use case for a log book, then you will still have the same situation as now but with notes to corroborate your failing eyes/memory. The point of a log book is to track what was loaded, when, and which components were used (not necessarily how many/much, just which ones). It’s a way of tracking activity, not inventory.
Seems to me you’re not having a problem mixing up what you loaded last or which powder you left in the meter. Adding a log book to your process might be interesting as an exercise in record keeping but other than that, why bother?
I’m not going to try to sell anybody on anything. Do it or don’t but if you do then do it for yourself, not because you got talked into it.

The memory thing is real.

And without a benefit, I won’t do it.

that said, I have picked up a ton of great ideas on THR. Thought this might have been something I was missing.

 

[AJC1]

The memory thing is real.

And without a benefit, I won’t do it.

that said, I have picked up a ton of great ideas on THR. Thought this might have been something I was missing.

It is an option and not a bad one. Unless your like my dad that spent tons of time making lists, then loosing them.

 

[AJC1]

If your were a submarine weaponere you would have an od 44979 and use a checklist circling each step and exing it off as complete. We don't employ those types of ridged controls on hobby small arms reloading but it's a system that works every time no mistakes when you work the system. No one jokes when installing inverters in the thermal nuclear weapons. Your process is your system for controlling errors. Mistakes can be ugly or expensive.

 

[Bfh_auto]

If one is having trouble with keeping up
with whatever components are being
used at a particular loading session,
there's too many distractions around
the loading bench, and they need to
be done away with while any loading
operations are being done. Loading
ammunition needs one's complete
undivided attention

Agreed.
On the OP. I write my loads in my book. For a reference. Not for a what did I do today log. I purposely don't log my resources because I don't care how much I have. I have enough. That is all that matters.

 

[DMW1116]

I keep a log book of all the different combinations I tried and notes on how they did in which gun. If I find a combination that works particularly well it becomes a pet load for either that firearm or that caliber. I do all this so I can accurately reproduce good loads and, most importantly, not repeat testing of bad ones.

When I was searching for a gallery load in 9mm I kept notes on charges, bullet, gun, accuracy, and function. I found a load that wouldn’t function before finding a load that was quiet enough. Now I know going through that again won’t do what I want. I also know the most accurate charge weight of the ones I tried and which gun it cycles and which it doesn’t. I don’t have any more of that load stored to reference if I wanted to make more, but I can reproduce it from my log book.

 

[kalielkslayer]

Agreed.
On the OP. I write my loads in my book. For a reference. Not for a what did I do today log. I purposely don't log my resources because I don't care how much I have. I have enough. That is all that matters.

So a load development book?

That’s what I use now. And targets until I’m done with the load development.

Several times I’ve had a day when nothing in a ladder looked promising. I’d leave the range disappointed, at least for that rifle. A day or 2 later I would measure the loads and write them in my book. On more than one occasion the ruler was way better than my eyes, showing promise I would try to repeat.

 

[AJC1]

So a load development book?

That’s what I use now. And targets until I’m done with the load development.

Several times I’ve had a day when nothing in a ladder looked promising. I’d leave the range disappointed, at least for that rifle. A day or 2 later I would measure the loads and write them in my book. On more than one occasion the ruler was way better than my eyes, showing promise I would try to repeat.

I watched one of the people I really respect talk about load development in a way that is more truthful than most think. We're not building the best load, we're testing until we find a combination that meets our requirements. The failed tests teach us but are just a means to an end.

 

[joneb]

Its hard to know where you are going when you don't know where you've been.
That was a mouthful for me, sorry.

 

[Mauser fan]

I was reading another thread. A log book was mentioned several times. So I have had inventory logs. But I buy components and don’t always add them, thus a new inventory. I don’t remove inventory when I use it. I’ve had inventories of both factory ammunition and reloads. I don’t always subtract when I go hunting, or to the range. New inventory.

But my precautions are; shotgun. 1 powder container out at a time. Whatever powder container is on the shotshell bench is what’s in the hopper. (I learned to not throw it away until the hopper is empty)

Rifle, except.223, are done on a single stage so all powder is returned to the original container when I’m done.

Progressive. As you can see in the photos, the shell plates are marked permanently. The powder is marked with masking tape.

Loaded ammo is marked with all data. I do have a “Log Book” that on keep notes on each load; velocity, group size, OAL, powder, charge, brass. I also keep my old targets during load development. Once I “get” a load, I trash the targets.

But the reference in the other thread seemed to be more about what I actually produced at the bench (s)?

Sell me on the idea of keeping a log; why? What I get out of it? How does it make things safer?

I have a laptop, but don’t sell me on that. I’m old school and if anything, I will do a hard copy log.

I’m open to new ideas, but I have to see a benefit.

Load data book is spot on. Don't over think it. The components will always sort themselves out for you based upon the supply and demand. That is just the way it is. As hand loaders a lot of us suffer from serious cases of OCD, CRS which is followed up closely by CFS. I diagnose myself with all 3 ailments. Just kidding. If a data book helps you then by all means use one.

OCD = Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
CRS = Can't Remember Stuff
CFS = Cant Find Stuff

 

[.308 Norma]

Sell me on the idea of keeping a log;

Sorry, I can't. My reloading "logs" are index cards that I keep in the die boxes for the various cartridges I load for. I write all of the pertinent information (at least what I feel is "pertinent" information) about a load on an index card while I'm building the load, and then I write the rest of the pertinent information about the load on the same index card while I'm out testing (shooting) it. Then the card goes in the die box when I get home.
Been doing that for well over 40 years and never had a problem. Of course, I've never left a powder hopper with powder still in it either - not yet anyway.

 

[Bfh_auto]

So a load development book?

That’s what I use now. And targets until I’m done with the load development.

Several times I’ve had a day when nothing in a ladder looked promising. I’d leave the range disappointed, at least for that rifle. A day or 2 later I would measure the loads and write them in my book. On more than one occasion the ruler was way better than my eyes, showing promise I would try to repeat.

Yes. I do the same.
I have composition books for each cartridge. Ones that work well in more than one rifle are carried over to my notes in my reloading manual.
Ones that aren't bullet sensitive are carried over as well.
An example is 24.0 of IMR 4064 in my 5.56. It's an accurate load anywhere from a 52-77gr bullet except for 62 hpbt and 75 ELD. My 5.56 guns hate those two.