Log Book? Necessary?

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Well you see…if you kept a log you could’ve been more precise than just saying “nearly” 15 years. You’d know exactly and we wouldn’t have to wonder.

I’m not even sure what I had for lunch today let alone how long ago to the day I started reloading. I know it was before I got my Blackhawk (1977) but I can’t remember if it was summer or spring, ‘75, ‘76 or ‘77. I know I did my first 20 rounds on my uncle’s gear.

We didn’t get over to my uncle Charlie’s very often. His wife and my mom were water and oil.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I was joking

I gotcha.
Typed word doesn't always make that obvious. lol

 

[AJC1]

I gotcha.
Typed word doesn't always make that obvious. lol

Absolutely. I can't stand the loss of my sarcasm.

 

[BJung]

My logbook/notebook is an old spiral Day Planner. They're constructed well and can be referenced compared to the floppy disk that went bad. On the backside of the page I write down any relevant information I read or find online in reference to the opposite front page. Sometimes I'll collect too much information and turn it into the front page. On the front page I log down what my testload was in the past up to the upcoming testload. I highlight successful loads and leave the rest as a reference. Each page is for one particular cartridge.

 

[nettlle]

I have an Excel worksheet for all my guns. There is a laptop on my reloading/cleaning bench and after each range session I will document round count, any part failures, spring replacement intervals, part replacement brand and how many rounds a particular replacement part lasts. Also my failure's/success's reloading data. Failures of the guns are also noted. This sounds like it is a lot of work but it only takes a few seconds. Can't tell if I am going forward if I don't leave a blaze mark.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I gotcha.
Typed word doesn't always make that obvious. lol

You’re right. My apologies.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I’m not even sure what I had for lunch today let alone how long ago to the day I started reloading. I know it was before I got my Blackhawk (1977) but I can’t remember if it was summer or spring, ‘75, ‘76 or ‘77. I know I did my first 20 rounds on my uncle’s gear.

We didn’t get over to my uncle Charlie’s very often. His wife and my mom were water and oil.

I’m not a record keeper by nature but do force myself to keep some things. My wife is the opposite. Want to know how many therms of NatGas we used December 1979? Got it. And let me tell you, she has real life records that easily show inflation at the personal family level and it’s extraordinarily high.

 

[CQB45ACP]

i keep a general journal (chronological) and log everything that happens (e.g. kids birthdays, new born grandkids, detailed account of case prep for the 220 swift improved, detailed account of firelapping the blackhawk pistols, etc.). i also keep every target i shoot (chronological) in three-ring binders (load and chrony data on each one (usually)). and, finally, another three-ring reference binder for lists, charts and experiment data.

the chronological thing is to be able to go from one info set to the other with not much trouble. it is working so far.

murf

That would crush me to even try it. Back in the late 90s I met a guy who wanted to convince the federal government to archive everything on this fledgling thing called the World Wide Web. He even offered computer storage of the many gigabytes he said it would take. (Under estimated by a little, eh?) Anyway, we didn’t bite, but he wouldn’t let it go and today runs the Internet Archive which I think vacuums up everything. That’s a lot of binders

 

[johnjohn]

As I wrote earlier I keep a log book. Another thing I do is when I start using powder from a new container I put a piece of masking tape on the container and start subtracting the amount used every time from 7k writing it on the tape. Tells you when it's almost time to buy somemore.

 

[ballman6711]

I started keeping a log the day I started reloading. It doesn't take long to write it in my notebook, and I can go back and reference it at any time. I also keep good loads or "favorite" loads on laminated 3x5 cards in a small box.

I load at least five different bullets for 45acp alone, and most have a different charge weight using the same powder, but I also have a few different powders I use, so now I might have ten or more different loads just for the 45acp. Add to that all the other calibers I load for, and there's no way I could remember every load without a logbook or my laminated cards.

So, is it necessary? No. But it certainly is useful for me. Do what works for you, develop a system/procedure, and stick with it. If that system includes a logbook, then great, if not, that's fine too.

chris

 

[ev780]

Hope you don't mind me waking up an old thread as I was just thinking about this topic over coffee this morning.

Like some of you above, I journal a lot! Dive journal, motorcycle travel journal, golf progress journal, vehicle maintenance log, and several related to reloading. All of them on paper. (well almost) Computers are helpful but something about a good pen put to paper.

Anyway here is my system.

1....Load Development Log is a 3 ring binder filled with graph paper. Divided into sections by caliber. I document my game plan, results of work-up shoots, graphs, targets, chrono data for each load I develop. Lots and lots of notes. I do this because my other hobbies generate squirrels to chase and time flies. With good notes I can pick up right where I left off.

2...Loading Log. One of those small spiral Fat Little Notebooks. Each loading session gets a lot number with the specifics of the run. Lot number is placed on the ammo box. Most helpful in finding out how old ammo is. Lower lot number gets shot first.

In the computer is stuff I don't need to access immediately

My master load list(printed and at reloading bench), component and loaded inventories, and a feeble attempt at a barrel log for my .308, are all in an excel spreadsheet. My gun inventory is a Publisher document that includes photos of the gun and sometimes receipts, notes on repairs, accessories, etc.

Not as anal as it sounds but detailed enough. Necessary? For me? Absolutely!

 

[Rodfac]

I've loaded my own ammunition since 1962 and have kept notes on the loads ever since. I started with one of the old green composition books issued to high schoolers back then and have progressed since. By the 70's, I was using a loose leaf notebook and liked it as I could take the note page with me to the range.

When computers came around, my high school age son taught me to use one with an early version of Excel to log my loading information and how to back it up. I ran each page through a printer as well & kept them it a loose leaf.

Nowadays, I do the above pretty much the same and back up to an external disc from time to time and I've never lost data using any of the above systems. Sixty one years of shooting so far...knock on wood....

Each gun, has it's own page/pages from day one...and starting several years ago, I kept round counts as well. All this is accomplished in my home office/den and takes < than 5 min. after a range session. While on the range, I like one of the spiral notebooks, keeping track of loads/velocities/group sizes and noteworthy factors...this data is added to my permanent record when home.

Lastly, each year, I send both of my sons, a copy of the entire record...covering any gun I've ever loaded for.

Here's a sample...HTH's Rod

​

 

[ballman6711]

I really like that you send the data to your sons every year. It gives you an off site backup should something unfortunate happen, and gives them your data if they ever want to use it.

I wish my son was interested in shooting and reloading, but he's not, and at 21 y.o. I don't know if he ever will be.

chris

 

[dobedo]

When I started reloading 40+ years ago I used 3x5 cards with my data. In today's world I have everything transferred from 3x5 cards to excel spread sheet. To include inventory, of everything along with different loads a long with copies of manufacturer dats. . They are backed up in several devices and printed out on paper.

 

[lightman]

I keep a log book for my loads. I always have, since day #1. I've tried to keep a inventory log book on components and found that I can't or don't keep it up to date. So I quit! In our new house I have a spare bedroom as my loading room and the walk-in closet is my component storage. Its easy to glance at the shelves and see what I have or need.

 

[Blue68f100]

When I started out in the 70's I did not keep very good records. As I got older I started keeping details in a spiral ring notebook. One thing that a lot of users omit is lot numbers. This saved me when I got hold of a bad lot of primers. I know which loads there were in and how may I had to tare down. A very long process. The mfg of primers picked them up and replaced them 2 for 1 for my trouble. Also paid for repairing my gun. So I ended up doubling my primer stash. The lot number are useful when you change say bullets and your load POI is not the same. The same can go for powder lots, too.

 

[Otto]

With only 2 clicks on my iPhone, I can instantly pull up every load i’ve made over the past 28 years.
For security, this database is encrypted and backed-up to the Cloud.

 

[mdi]

I also kept a log on my sail boat. I could look back at the log and see most everything that happened on a specific trip. No need to guess about supplies, wind, boat performance, water temp/clarity at the anchorage, etc.. No guessing on what to expect. The same with my reloading, I can duplicate a good load I assembled in 1987 (when I started using my computer and printing pages for my shop binder. Prior to 1986 I have some "college bound" notebooks with hand written data, not the best but OK/sorta legible)..

 

[JCSC]

I have an Excel worksheet for all my guns. There is a laptop on my reloading/cleaning bench and after each range session I will document round count, any part failures, spring replacement intervals, part replacement brand and how many rounds a particular replacement part lasts. Also my failure's/success's reloading data. Failures of the guns are also noted. This sounds like it is a lot of work but it only takes a few seconds. Can't tell if I am going forward if I don't leave a blaze mark.

I also keep an excel sheet with multiple tabs.

one is for gun inventory and S/N
one is for indivual bullet data, PN, OAL, BTO, etc



Lastly are individual tabs for load data rifle specific. I can import saterly charts, target photos by load, etc.

 

[trixter]

I have been using Lyman's Reloaders Data Log for many years, The only thing is, I forget to put the results from 'Range day', but I do save my targets or photograph them and recently started using 'Reloaders Workshop' (still learning all of it) and I can record targets in there. It is kind of fun to look back and see if I am improving any.
Also I have stored my reloaded ammo in quart sized (extra strong) zip lock bags of 100 rounds, with a very descriptive label on each bag and each caliber has a load # on each bag. I try to record shooting results from each bag # but I'm not too good at it.
It is good though to look back in my records and keep the bullet size and weight matched with the right powder and how much to try to keep my shooting as consistent as possible.

 

[KeithK]

With only 2 clicks on my iPhone, I can instantly pull up every load i’ve made over the past 28 years.
For security, this database is encrypted and backed-up to the Cloud.


View attachment 1157068

Which app is this, I looked in the app store and didn't find one that looked like it and most of the reviews were sad, appreciate it if you can name it.