Load tracking

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  • Moorvogi

    Firearm Advocate
    Dec 28, 2014
    855
    I reload for a lot of different calibers and some aren't even for me. ya.. i reload for others because it's cheaper for them and relaxing to me.

    I've started tracking what works well but have also found that sometimes i swear i'm in the "I've tried this before" boat. Several calibers, bullet weights and powders. I want to keep track of the ones I've tried and keep that list but also keep a list of the ones that are GOOD loads. Right now, i'm only keeping/tracking the good ones. I see the error in my ways now.

    The question is, what do YOU use for tracking what you've done? Pen and paper? Memory? Never come up before?
     

    Moorvogi

    Firearm Advocate
    Dec 28, 2014
    855
    so far.. i'm leaning toward listing them on my website which i use for tracking them but calling them Sheriff loads. Good enough in a pinch, but don't wanna build dope around it. HAHHAHA seriously though... idea is to track that i've done it.. and that i'll work in a pinch but.. not worth the time/effort to make dope sheets/data etc etc.

    sort by SHERRIFLOAD = true/false then by caliber.. etc etc.
     

    ohen cepel

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 2, 2011
    4,509
    Where they send me.
    I have a notebook with data sheets in it that I fill out. Not idea but good.

    I have to make myself keep up with the paperwork, I don't enjoy it but know that I have to do it as I don't remember jack anymore and too often I don't get to shoot a box of ammo for a month or more so notes on what I did are key.

    For me, I think I'll stick with paper and pen but I'm sure there are better ways.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I reload for a lot of different calibers and some aren't even for me. ya.. i reload for others because it's cheaper for them and relaxing to me.

    I've started tracking what works well but have also found that sometimes i swear i'm in the "I've tried this before" boat. Several calibers, bullet weights and powders. I want to keep track of the ones I've tried and keep that list but also keep a list of the ones that are GOOD loads. Right now, i'm only keeping/tracking the good ones. I see the error in my ways now.

    The question is, what do YOU use for tracking what you've done? Pen and paper? Memory? Never come up before?

    Pen and paper. Also, list the loads for the individual gun. Just because a load works well with one gun doesn't mean it will in another.
     

    Moorvogi

    Firearm Advocate
    Dec 28, 2014
    855
    Pen and paper. Also, list the loads for the individual gun. Just because a load works well with one gun doesn't mean it will in another.

    Good feedback. I've changed it from pen/paper to a website but i need to put back the firearm info. I don't really want to put the serial number haha just in case.

    Some IPs in China already hit my server a few hundred thousand times a month, I don't want them getting in to my serial numbers..
     

    Postell

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Nov 5, 2018
    291
    I need to look (again) at quick load. It sounds like it's something i would enjoy or find useful.

    I use t for few different things, I load a bunch of non production rounds, its great with powder choices, enter all your case data and bullet weight and start picking powders and it will tell you what you want and need to know. I love the powder data with me using lots of pulldown powder that I bought decades ago.
    Plus the luxury of taking a laptop to the range and add data right then.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Good feedback. I've changed it from pen/paper to a website but i need to put back the firearm info. I don't really want to put the serial number haha just in case.

    Some IPs in China already hit my server a few hundred thousand times a month, I don't want them getting in to my serial numbers..

    I don't list serial numbers. Just identify it like Lyman 50 flint, S&W 45 Colt Mountain Gun, S&W model 625. Get the idea? ;)
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,731
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I use t for few different things, I load a bunch of non production rounds, its great with powder choices, enter all your case data and bullet weight and start picking powders and it will tell you what you want and need to know. I love the powder data with me using lots of pulldown powder that I bought decades ago.
    Plus the luxury of taking a laptop to the range and add data right then.

    You still have pulldown surplus powder from the $8 a gallon days? You don't shoot enough. :lol2:
     

    Postell

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Nov 5, 2018
    291
    You still have pulldown surplus powder from the $8 a gallon days? You don't shoot enough. :lol2:


    LOL... I load 45-70 and 90 with 5010 win powder....
    A few friends and myself when on the way home from hunting in WV would stop at Talon and do cash " Loading Dock" deals.
    I can't say how many metal Varsol can 8 lbers I still have an a few 32 lber's.
    I bought a million 147 grn 30 cal pull's, for a penny a piece including delivery to St Marys.... I never sold any until the primer,powder bullet market evaporating a few years back.. I sold a few hundred thousand for 200 bucks a thousand plus shipping... :innocent0
    I bought well as a young man, I had smart friends....
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    I used to keep load data sheets in paper. Logged every batch I loaded.

    I moved to a simple Access database I wrote.

    I even keep Lot ID info on the powder and primers, just in case of a recall.
     

    steves1911

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 2, 2011
    3,026
    On a hill in Wv
    I use pen and paper. I have a composition book for every caliber I have loaded for. In them is every powder/bullet/primer combo I ever tried. I highlight the ones that shoot well and record chrono and accuracy results.
     

    KRC

    Active Member
    Sep 30, 2018
    615
    Cecil County MD
    Each rifle has its own bound composition book. All data from all loads are recorded on a separate page (in time, multiple books per rifle) as the rounds are prepared. Range results are reviewed, and if/when an exception load is identified, it is recorded, along with the range date and target#, in a special "*" section of each composition book. I also will write the optimal loads for each rifle/bullet on a recipe card and pin that somewhere close by.
     

    mikejh

    Member
    Jan 30, 2011
    4
    Jarrettsville
    I keep my loading records in a spreadsheet. I use an Apple computer and the Apple Numbers spreadsheet, but frequently wish I had a database. I maintain my brass in Case Lots and keep records of each loading.
     

    Jerry M

    Ultimate Member
    Jun 13, 2007
    1,688
    Glen Burnie MD
    Excel Spreadsheet by rifle. Even if I have multiple rifles in one caliber
    Powder type, bullet Manufacture & type and weight, primer, case manufacture, load in grains from low to high, OAL, temperature range tested.
    M700 .30-06
    H4350, Hornady SBT, 180 gr, CCI#200, Winchester (case), xx.x to xx.x grains (of powder), 3.30 inches, 50* to 98*

    Good luck

    Jerry
     

    PowPow

    Where's the beef?
    Nov 22, 2012
    4,712
    Howard County
    I use a spiral notebook. Every time I sit down at the bench and am starting something new, it gets a dated 2-line entry the includes all relevant load data, quantity, and has room for a short comment. It's just chronological order at this time, but I can see going to something else when I'm able to load more. I have referenced it many times.
     

    Melnic

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 27, 2012
    15,282
    HoCo
    I have a spiral notebook cause I don't keep a computer near the reloading bench. I do keep my phone though so maybe I'll look at phone apps one day.
    I did spill some gun cleaner on my notebook the day I was moving out of the old house and I realized I need to transcribe this into something else.
     

    PowPow

    Where's the beef?
    Nov 22, 2012
    4,712
    Howard County
    I have a spiral notebook cause I don't keep a computer near the reloading bench. I do keep my phone though so maybe I'll look at phone apps one day.
    I did spill some gun cleaner on my notebook the day I was moving out of the old house and I realized I need to transcribe this into something else.

    ARGH! I cannot imagine losing mine to gun cleaner or anything really. Most of my current loads are also labeled on the storage boxes, but still. The history is valuable; especially when you change powders.
     

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