My First Reloads

[Mark_Mark]

Yep. I agree. I have one of those log books. I haven’t started filling it out with my first five loads. How’ya like my penmanship?

I use the back of the reloading manual to write note, you can glue on more pages it you run out. That way I never lose me note to a North Korean EMP

 

[Walkalong]

A pic back when I still printed them out as well as digitize them.

 

[algaeguy]

97 degrees walkalong. Dang thats a hot day for shooting. That is a great notecard- thanks for sharing.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Some people write notes with their chicken scratch coded language, some people have data bases built with 2 different physical location backups.

 

[.308 Norma]

I appreciate your advice. The only computer I have is this I Phone. Do even though it’s good advice, I don’t know if I’m capable of all those drives and such. I better get more notebooks.

When I find a load I like, or for that matter, dislike, I write it down on an index card along with what I liked or disliked about that load. Then I put the index card in the box of reloading dies for that cartridge.

 

[mdi]

I have my system of keeping data. First I write all pertenent data on a small sticky note that I stick on my powder measure, When I'm done with a session, I put the note in a plastic tupperware type container. I fill out an Avery Label and stick it on the cartridge box or plastic bag then take that bag into the house and enter the data in my computer. I can then print out the data and keep that in a 3 ring binder in the shop. But pre computer I just used hand written data in a 3 ring binder. My oldest one is from '90 to 2017 (before that I made notes in my manuals or I highlighted some on my Lee Loader data sheet) and it's still on a shelf in my shop along with all my manuals.I have a binder for most of my reloads, one for my favorite handguns and one for my Garand)...

I batch load which for me works the best. I tumble (for cleaning, not polishing) then inspect each case. I'll size/deprime a bunch and maybe flare, inspect again then put them in a container. Next step I'll prime a bunch and inspect again then put them in a container and store in a cabinet. That way I have a lot of cases primed and ready to charge/seat/and crimp, As I box/bag the finished handloads I do a final inspection. With all the inspections/double checks I catch even the smallest OOPs, like omitting to size... Sounds like I waste a lot of time checking my steps, but I haven't had to pull any rounds in quite a while, I'm never in a hurry and I like reloading so I have a lot of good bench time.

Go slow. Double check everything, Most important, have fun!

 

[YellowcatDaddy]

A pic back when I still printed them out as well as digitize them.
View attachment 1033618

Thanks for sharing the note card. You are extremely thorough. As for the info on the card, is an ES of 16 and a SD of 5 pretty darn good? That must require serious dedication to detail. Thanks again for sharing.

 

[FROGO207]

You know the last step is when putting each bullet away to remind it gently using kind words to fly true and hit what you are aiming at.
This is a well guarded secret to great scores and one shot kills!

 

[Walkalong]

97 degrees walkalong. Dang thats a hot day for shooting

Welcome to Alabama......... although we didn't have much over 95 this year, and not a ton of low 90s, a very nice summer compared to what it can be.

 

[Walkalong]

You are extremely thorough

I get a little more detailed with some loads.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

This is true, but one big magnetic event (EMP, sun storm, etc.) or years of storage in a strong magnetic area could wipe out all three. The only way to truly have a permanent record is to have it in writting in a fire safe.

Even that's no guarantee. We had a bad sewage backup in our storage room about 20 or so years back and the safe with our important papers - including my log book - got soaked in filth. I tossed it and a bunch of other stuff - passports, birth certificates, things we could get copies for - and learned to keep important paper safes OFF the ground! Now my papers safe is on top of one of my rifle safes. Of course, if the roof caves in... or gets sucked off by a tornado... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I appreciate your advice. The only computer I have is this I Phone. Do even though it’s good advice, I don’t know if I’m capable of all those drives and such. I better get more notebooks.

Okay so, first piece of advice: don't do what I do.

I keep a 4"x6" 3-ring binder with note cards. I have a hole-punch that fits the cards and my binder. I write on the cards, in my load books, scribble notes and photocopy them then cut them and glue/tape them to cards... Basically, it's a mess but it's my mess and I can find things pretty quick. Usually. If I remember where to look. I've lost several load books - disaster, moves, tossed when I swore off reloading "forever", that kind of thing - and started from scratch so many times that I've got pretty good at load development out of necessity. When you don't keep good notes, or lose-give-away-toss what you've got, you have to get good at calculating loads and getting it right the first (or second) time.

But, don't do that. Do what these guys who actually know what they're doing say.
Go to the App Store and get Google Sheets - it's an Excel-lite-style spreadsheet for mobile devices - and Google Docs - ditto but kind of a lightweight Word. Pretty secure and you can take it from device-to-device when you upgrade phones or get a desktop.

 

[Mark_Mark]

When I find a load I like, or for that matter, dislike, I write it down on an index card along with what I liked or disliked about that load. Then I put the index card in the box of reloading dies for that cartridge.

Hard drives fail, I prefer printed or written records

 

[Bazoo]

I generally load some and find something I like. Then use that as my plinking load while I experiment with other powders, other bullets, or whatever. When I find something I like better, I update the plinking load. I've heard of folks that did nothing but experiment.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I've heard of folks that did nothing but experiment

Looks slowly to the left. Then looks slowly to the right. Raising hand... cautiously.

I won't say ALL I do is "experiment" but I have an awful lot of fun measuring and calculating and researching and testing to see if my calculations and guesstimations are right. Some folks call it "load development" and that's what it is but, it's turned into a never-ending process. It's also a cheap game to play, at worst. I collect random components as cheap as I can find them and then make it all work together. It's fun.

 

[Bazoo]

I tend to do the same with bullet moulds.

 

[bersaguy]

I get a little more detailed with some loads.
]

The only difference between science and screwing around....is writing stuff down

 

[Mark_Mark]

The only difference between science and screwing around....is writing stuff down

Quote of the year… and very true with these day & age with 911 and coofloo and such

 

[lordpaxman]

@YellowcatDaddy, welcome to your first reloads. Good choice on the 686 as the guinea pig.

So I dumped the powder back into the Chargemaster, took the de-primer pin out of the de-primer/sizing die and ever so gently ran it through a stroke on the T7.

I hope/trust/pray you didn’t mix all the different powders together in the chargemaster? Their personalities change drastically if they mix. It’d be nice to hear your range report. Good luck.